Think of times when you’ve put in a request for something. Maybe you were asking for a raise at work, or for something to be repaired at your apartment, or for a refund from a medical bill. You waited and waited, wondering if anyone would read your request or if they would ever get back to you at all.

We bring our supplications and petitions to the God of all creation who hears us instantly. Our heavenly Father truly loves us and has our best interests in mind without fail. “If He is all-wise, then He’s not going to do everything I want because I don’t know what I need” (Paul Miller, A Praying Life, 2009). But God does know.

“Lord who has created us in your image, we ask for health and vigor, love and care of home, for joys of friendship, gifts of happiness and strength, preserving mercies and protection through life, for healing in sickness, deliverance in danger, your voice in our conscience, your law in our mind, your love revealed in our affections, comfort in sorrow, and wisdom to face each new day. Amen.”