Christian Living

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Is God Really Listening?
© 2005
by

Stephen A. Peterson


“Why is it that God never answers my prayers,” 16 years old Joanna McCloskey asked. “I pray and pray but I don’t see any results whatsoever. Is God really listening?” So this story was told the teen.

Melissa grew up around Tecumseh, Oklahoma where her father was a minister of a Baptist church in the downtown area. This meant Melissa was a preacher’s daughter. Due to her status, Melissa constantly feared harassment from the other children and teens as being a “Miss Goody Two Shoes”. One day when Melissa was 12 years old, she decided to dispel her preacher’s daughter perfect reputation for good by acquiring some cocaine.

Melissa took $50.00 from her bank that sat on her desk and made the drug purchase. She hadn’t gone two city blocks from where she made her purchase when her father came towards her on her way to school grounds to share her illicit drug purchase with a couple of her friends. Melissa looked around for another street to walk down but there was no other place to go. Then she saw a banner announcing the Salvation Army spaghetti dinner to be held in nearby Shawnee. In an effort to distract her father, Melissa said as her father approached, “Hey, dad look! The Salvation Army is having a spaghetti dinner. Can we go daddy? Can we, please!”

Melissa’s father looked at his excited daughter in the eye. “Melissa never, never ask a favor of me when you’re breaking God’s laws, society’s laws and your mother or my rules. Would you please give me the drugs that you just bought, please?”

Handing the small packets of cocaine to her father, she was directed to come with him where he quietly walked his daughter to the police department where Melissa informed the officer on duty the reason and circumstances regarding her drug purchase. Melissa told her father and the officer how sorry she was promising never to disobey the law with regards to illicit drugs. She was informed that she was not through yet and that she had go before the judge the next day in Shawnee to face a judge for her acts. Going before the judge, Melissa was placed on probation for two months and ordered to take classes dealing with drugs and drug prevention. Needless to say, Melissa received a great deal of punishment for her error in judgment and actions.

God’s laws are clearly and plainly set forth in His Word, the Bible. When we break his laws, consequences will follow. God forgives but the consequences of sin will, likewise follow and prayers will more than likely not be answered. Therefore, if we are breaking one or more of God’s laws, why should He respond to our requests? Think about it! If sin is a way of life, it is time to anti-up. be prepare for your consequences before coming to the Lord for favors or answers to prayer. Do it now! Do it today! The relief is great and God’s rewards will be many.

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