Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.
John 11:41 and 42
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Praying out loud
At the grave of his friend Lazarus, Jesus has the stone taken away. Then he prays out loud, and says honestly why. He doesn't need to for his own sake, because the Father always hears him. He does it for the people around him, just before he calls Lazarus out. They must know where this life comes from.
Elsewhere Jesus says: pray in your inner room, not to be seen. Here he prays in public. That isn't a contradiction. The difference is in the purpose. Whoever prays to be seen puts themselves at the centre. Jesus prays so that others see God.
Question for today
When could my prayer for someone else be a signpost to God?
Prayer
Father, you always hear me, even in the silence. When I pray out loud, let it be about you and not about me. Amen.
My prayer
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