Beyond Understanding

Before doing this study, please read the one-minute devotion 5 Reasons to Pray Even When God Already Knows Our Thoughts. 

1. We can't understand everything about Prayer, but can understand everything we need to know about prayer:

2 Peter 1:3: His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

2. Our lack of understanding proves God's infinite wisdom.

All of us have questions about prayer, why some are answered and some are not. Sometimes God heals a physical problem, and sometimes He doesn't. Sometimes He spares us from a difficulty and other times He allows a hardship in our life.  

We're finite beings with limited knowledge and understanding. We serve an infinite God with unlimited knowledge and understanding:

Deuteronomy 29:29: The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

1 Corinthians 13:12: For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

3. But we can trust the Lord completely:

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 

Why not memorize the passages below:

Colossians 4:2: Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ  

For more wisdom on prayer, see the Bible Love Notes Collection of 1-minute devotions Powerful, Purposeful Prayer.

copyright 2014, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, updated and edited 2023