by Chris Steele

The headline read, "Letters to God End up in Ocean, Unread." A man fishing from the shore retrieved a bag of letters addressed to God and sent by way of a minister who died two years ago. There is speculation that someone cleaning out the minister’s old belongings found the letters, and rather than tossing them in the trash, for symbolic reasons they tossed them into the ocean.

What caught my attention was the comments of the fisherman. "There are hundreds of lives here, a lot of struggle, washed up on the beach. This is just a hint of what really happens. How many letters like this all over the world aren't being opened or answered?" The article went on to say that he is sad that most of the writers never had their letters read. But he hopes to change that soon: He is putting the collection up for sale on eBay.

Which is sadder: the idea that some poor souls think that God Almighty needs to open an envelope and read their letters in order to answer their requests; or that someone is exploiting their pain and anguish for the almighty dollar?

We are confident that God hears and answers prayer, but certain criteria must be met in order to get results. First, one must be an obedient child of God in order for Him to hear our prayers (Prov. 15:29). Anyone who is sinful and neglects God’s Word cannot expect his prayers to be heard or answered (Prov. 28:9; 1 Pet. 3:7; 1 John 5:16). Second, there are several requirements necessary in order for our prayers to reach heaven’s throne. Our prayers and supplications must be directed to the Father in heaven (Luke 11:2ff). We must pray in faith (Matt. 21:22; Jas. 1:6). Our prayers should be offered in the spirit and with understanding (1 Cor. 14:15), with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6), and without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17).

It is wonderful to know that our prayers and requests to God do not depend on the mail getting through. He hears our prayers and responds to them immediately. Although God knows what we need before we even ask Him (Matt. 6:8), we still must ask (Matt. 7:7ff). We should not expect all of our prayers to be answered exactly in the way we think they should be. The Bible teaches us that all prayer and supplication to God be done according to His will. The answer we receive may be yes, no, or later. But He will always answer according to what is best for us and by His own will.