When we honestly look back on our prayers, we're often amazed that God chooses to answer them. Some might think their prayers are deserving, like the Pharisee, but genuine Christians know better. They often see their own prayers and wish they had been more earnest.

Think about how cold your prayers have sometimes been. When you were alone in prayer, you should have been bold like Jacob. Instead, your prayers were weak and sparse, lacking the deep faith that declares, "I won't let you go unless you bless me." Yet, God has graciously listened to these lukewarm prayers. He's not only heard them but answered them.

Consider how infrequent your prayers can be, especially when you're not in trouble. In tough times, you pray more, but when relief comes, where is your prayer life then? Even when you stop praying as you did before, God hasn't stopped blessing you. He remains ever present, waiting with open arms, even when you take Him for granted.

It's amazing that God hears our prayers at all, especially when we only come to Him out of desperation and neglect Him in times of ease. Let His kindness move us to pray always, in the Spirit and in truth.