BETWEEN THE PRAYER AND THE ANSWER
BETWEEN THE PRAYER AND THE ANSWER brought tears to my eyes. To clarify, God knows what we need before we pray. He is a GOD of LOVE that hears our prayers and immediately goes to work to provide the answer with a miracle or THROUGH OTHER PEOPLE!!! As a result, that still small voice is GOD directing us to answer a prayer. Hallelujah and Amen!
GOD IS GOOD, all the time, AND all the time, GOD IS GOOD. HIS LOVE leads me to worship songs that touch my heart, and all hearts who hear the song!
INSPIRATION
Between the PRAYER and the ANSWER. The Inspiration for the song is an actual interview with The LeFevre Quartet.
You can feel and see the emotion in his face and in his voice as he tells the story.
LET OUR JOURNEY BEGIN …
- Friend do you wonder what the Lord does
- While you’re praying hard and still waiting
- Has he forgotten what’s going on?
- Does he know your poor heart is breaking?
- Oh I’ve learned the truth
- And my life’s the proof
- Yes, I know what God did for me
- I’ve been in your place, now through eyes of faith I can see
Psa 34:18 NIV – [18] The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
- God’s building bridges and tearing down walls
- Lifting his children whenever one falls
- He’s turning rivers of tears, back into laughter
- He’s mending fences, He’s changing minds
- I’ve seen him do it, time after time
- He’s speaking peace to a storm because he’s the master
- Yes that’s what God does between, The prayer and the answer
Jhn 16:33 NIV – [33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
GOD IS THE PEACE SPEAKER
- Don’t be discouraged, God’s on your side
- Though he may not come in a hurry
- Friend, he’s on his way, and he’ll get there in time
- And prove there’s no reason to worry
- For there’s never been one dark moment when
- You haven’t been there on his mind
Jos 1:9 NIV – [9] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
- And I have no doubt he’s working it out and you’ll find
Rom 8:28 NIV – [28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
- Yes, that’s what God does between, the prayer and the answer.
POWERFUL Lyrics that speak to the heart.
AND HE DID IT AGAIN …
In this case, the Holy Spirit led me to this movie, and then the song. Hence, both express the POWER of PRAYER and ANSWERS. GOD can answer prayer instantly (as in a miraculous healing) but also over time because he uses PEOPLE > you and me, to obey that still small voice to bless another child of GOD. He does not RAIN MONEY DOWN FROM HEAVEN!
The Holy Spirit directed me to, “INTERVIEW WITH GOD!” Now that would be an awesome assignment and one, I would gladly volunteer for. As I typed those words, a memory flashed before my eyes.
Before we begin this journey through this movie, I want to share a personal testimonial regarding the opening scene ….
PERSONAL TESTIMONY
Paul (reporter) is on the plane returning from Afghanistan. As he speaks, the camera scans to the COFFINS of soldiers draped with the American Flag. Young men who gave their lives for their country.
In fact, this scene is personal to me. My brother, Lewis John Folger, ARMY PFC, was on a plane in May of 1967. I was twelve years old when he was returned to us with a casket draped with the American Flag. He died May 1st, we were notified May 3rd, He was buried May 10th and his birthday was May 23rd. He was born May 23, 1947, and died May 1st, 1967. A life cut short at 20 years old. Needless to say, May holds lots of memories for this family
FAMILY HISTORIAN
At the present time, my home office displays photos of Louie (as he was called) on my bookshelves. His life lives on through his pictures and memories of his life. He was a handsome young man with the gift to draw and paint. When he was a teenager, we lived in a row home in Baltimore, MD. He took his love for painting to the neighbor’s screen doors and painted Christmas scenes on the screens! They were masterpieces.
Another point to mention, as the FAMILY HISTORIAN, my home office displays five generations of family photos, scrapbooks, and memorabilia of lives who may no longer be with us, but whose memories are still alive in this FAMILY HISTORIAN office.
THE LOVE OF GOD IS THE FOCUS
To clarify, before we venture into this movie, this is a fiction movie created to bring THE LOVE OF GOD to focus on our lives. WE CAN ALL interview GOD by asking questions of the Holy Spirit. ALL the answers are in the WORD OF GOD. He is a prayer away from answers.
AN INTERVIEW WITH GOD Official Trailer (2018)
Soldiers returning from war are never the same. They leave and return as two different people. Some adjust quickly to their return, away from war, and others suffer in silence.
To point out, Paul was a Christian, but he chose to suffer in silence by denying the problem. It is important to realize that his boss (also military) knew what he was experiencing and tried to help. In other words, instead of taking time to work through his return, he returns to WORK as a reporter. His boss asks him, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?” His response is, “I’m working on an interview!”
Given this point, the question was, “Who was Paul INTERVIEWING?”
Paul meets GOD in the park at a table set with a HUGE CHESS game. Day 1 of the 3-day interview.
INTERVIEW WITH GOD
In contrast, the actor who portrays GOD presents himself as a LOVING Father. Whereas the actor who portrays the REPORTER presents himself as a frustrated CHRISTIAN who is fighting an internal battle with his BELIEF system. WAR changes lives. You can FEEL his emotional turmoil as he questions GOD. He struggles between BELIEF and UNBELIEF > a battle between good and evil, light and darkness.
All in all, this video is 16 minutes long. I will summarize some of the high points below but encourage you to watch the video. Seeing and hearing the emotions within GOD and PAUL brings this interview into your life.
GOD HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR
As can be seen in this video clip, Paul asks GOD to identify himself on the recorder. GOD responds, “I am GOD > G-O-D.” This made me chuckle! And the smile on GOD’s face was priceless. And then Paul asks to take a picture and then says … “you look human enough to me” and God responds, “and you know, you look GODLIKE enough to me.” God has a sense of HUMOR!
Gen 1:27 KJV – [27] So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Paul asks GOD, “Why did you agree to this interview?”
GOD response, “I talk to my children all the time.”
GOD GETS SERIOUS
In fact, GOD gets serious with Paul and asks, “You want some biographical information about my work? I’m sure you can read all about it in a book somewhere.”
Paul starts the interview with, “Where do you come from?”
GOD response, “I think this interview would be more productive if we don’t waste time on questions you already know the answers to. You of all people should know why my answers might be a little confusing.
Then Paul asks another question, “What do you mean by that? Why me of all people?“
GOD’s response, “You have a degree in religious studies and a degree in journalism at Loyola University where you graduated at the top of your class. You started working at the Herald in their online division right out of college. You wrote about matters of FAITH and THEOLOGY.”
Jer 29:11 NIV – [11] For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
To sum up, Paul thought he had memorized his online biography. Then God turns the table on a more personal matter with Paul, and GOD said, “I also know about your marriage!”
His knowledge of PAUL’s personal life changed the interview from an article to PERSONAL and Paul did not like it!
PRAYER QUESTION
Given these points, GOD, our LOVING FATHER, asks another important question …“When you pray, do you ask for proof that GOD’s listening?”
Paul’s response, “Of course not!” And the “reporter” questioning gets more serious… “So what do I tell people who say you don’t exist?”
GOD’s response, “You tell them I understand, that the world they see, is just that. Sometimes that is just the way it looks.”
The rest of the conversation leads to this statement by GOD, “Everyone has their own journey, but there is only one path!”
IS SATAN REAL?
Paul’s next question is one that a lot of people ask, “So SATAN is also real?”
GOD’s response … “Yes, but frankly, Satan is overrated”
Paul asks, “Overrated? That’s a funny way to put it. How so?”
GOD’s response: He only has power to the extent that we give to him.”
Jas 4:7 KJV – [7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
IS GOD LOVE?
Paul’s Next question really gets deep… “IS GOD LOVE?”
GOD’s response, “He doesn’t boast, but YES, ABSOLUTELY!”
MY INSIGHTS ON THIS ANSWER
Pause for a moment as I add my insights to this answer. I just finished a CHARIS BIBLE COLLEGE course titled GOD IS LOVE. I want to share scriptures that confirm this statement:
1Jo 4:16 KJV – [16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1Jo 4:8 KJV – [8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Jhn 13:34 KJV – [34] A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Jhn 15:12-13 KJV – [12] This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. [13] Greater lovehath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Jhn 3:16 KJV – [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
THERE IS PROOF IN THE WORD
THE PROOF of this statement is in the WORD. God is our ability to LOVE! Because of the Spirit of GOD in us, we have LOVE inside of us, so there are no excuses. Sometimes it isn’t easy to LOVE. Many times, it truly feels like a sacrifice. Your emotions or opinions may try to overwhelm you so that you respond in the flesh. But you can turn to GOD’s LOVE and get His perspective so you can mirror that to others! Quote by Carrie Pickett, Charis Bible College.
BACK TO THE INTERVIEW
Given these questions and answers, the core of the interview is revealed …
Then GOD says to Paul, “There are a lot of good questions here, but you haven’t asked the one question I get asked almost more than any other.”
Paul asks. “No, What’s that?“
GOD’s response, “Take a guess.”
THE SERIOUS QUESTION IS REVEALED
Paul asks, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”
GOD’s response, “That’s the one.”
Surprisingly Paul’s response is, “No. That’s not on my list. And frankly, I don’t like that question very much?”
GOD’s response, “Why not?”
Paul’s response, “Because it’s not really a question, is it? It’s a complaint. What it really means is why do bad things happen to me? And the person asking is assuming they’re a good person, which seems arrogant to me.”
THE WORLD IS NOT OUR END
It is important to realize, that this world is not our END. Bad things may happen to good people in this world. But as Christians, we have an eternal perspective. We will have a reward someday, and it will be glorious.
2Co 4:16-18 KJV – [16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day. [17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory; [18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.
PAUL’S STRUGGLE BROUGHT TO LIGHT
At this point, you can see the emotion on Paul’s face > and the turmoil going on inside of him.
GOD’s response, “But Paul, bad things do happen to good people.”
FREE WILL
Paul asks, “Does free will exist? And how do we reconcile it with God’s will?
GOD’s response, “Finally.”
Paul asks, “ Finally? What does that mean?”
GOD’s response, “It’s an adverb meaning “at last.”
***** Once again, God reveals His sense of humor. *****
Must be remembered, Paul chuckles, “Cute. You know what I mean.”
GOD’s response, “No, finally you are asking me some questions that you care about.”
Paul’s response, “I care about all the questions.”
GOD’s response, “Well, maybe, but you care about some of the answers more than others.”
Paul’s response, “Look, this is not about me.”
GOD’s response, “REALLY?”
Paul repeats his question, “Does free will exist?”
GOD’s response, “Did I force you to come to this meeting?”
Paul’s response, “Would I know if you did?”
GOD’s SENSE OF HUMOR
GOD’s response, “That reminds me of an old joke > A student goes to his rabbi and says, “Rabbi, why do you and the other rabbis always answer my questions with another question?” And the rabbi replies, “So how should we answer?”
Okay, you didn’t laugh at God’s joke. So what does that say about free will?
In other words, GOD has an explanation for Paul. Of course, there’s free will, Paul, and everybody knows this is true. The entire foundation of human law depends on the existence of free will. Try going before a judge. When you’ve been charged with a crime. Blame your actions on God’s will. See how that works for you. Now does this mean that every human act is a matter of free will? No more than you can use free will to grow back an amputated leg.”
STUFF HAPPENS
Paul’s response, “So, stuff happens,”
GOD’s response, “You have to understand that my will and human free will are not contradictory because they are not two versions of the same thing, but they do fit perfectly together. I designed it that way.”
Paul asks, “Yeah, but if I can’t tell where one begins and the other ends, do you see my problem?”
In contrast, GOD’s response, “Is the problem that you don’t trust God’s plan, or is the problem you don’t trust yourself?”
Again, the conversation continues between Paul and GOD. Paul’s response, “Oh Great. So, if God’s got a plan, I’m covered, right? I should have just stayed in bed because for all I know it’s part of his plan.”
GOD’s response, “That’s not what I’m saying and you know it. All right, look here, Chess. Right? People interact. There are rules – give and take. But no two pieces can occupy the same space at the same time. That’s a lot like you and me.
Therefore, people make choices. And those choices have consequences. And if knowing my will were part of every human decision, how would anything ever happen? You’d be paralyzed every morning trying to decide whether to brush your teeth vertically or horizontally.”
1Pe 2:15 KJV – [15] For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
Insight of God’s response, Paul asks, “So, trying to know God’s will is, what, a waste of time?
GOD BRINGS CONVERSATION TO AFGHANISTAN
Once again, GOD responds, “No. Not at all. Paul, I am only telling you what you already know. You have to make your own choices, and you have to live by those choices, no matter how you arrived at them.
Tell me, when you traveled to Afghanistan, which aspects of my will did you consider? Or, did you just think it’s all my will? So, hey anything goes?”
Paul’s response, “Um, I think it was slightly more complicated than that.”
GOD’s response, “You traveled 7,000 miles into a war zone, Paul. War changes people. You had to have known a trip like that would have consequences for you, and for your family. Or did you think that you’d be different?”
Then Paul’s response, “I guess I was hoping God would look out for me.”
GOD’s response, “Hoping?”
PRAYING
Equally important is Pauls’ response, “PRAYING! I prayed for my own safety, prayed GOD would watch over the soldiers I’d met and bring them home, prayed my wife would be okay while I was gone, prayed I didn’t do anything stupid; I prayed a lot.”
In this response, as I typed his prayer: “I prayed GOD would watch over the soldiers I’d met and bring them home,” the opening scene came into view of the two soldiers who did not come home alive.
Another key point was GOD’s response, “Were your prayers answered?”
Paul’s response, “I don’t know, some yes, Mostly, no.”
GOD’s response, “Would you like to talk about that?”
Surprisingly, Paul asks, “Are you the complaint department?”
In essence, GOD’s response implied, “I heard I was needed so I came.”
INTERVENTION
Paul’s response, “So, I think I’m here to do an interview, but really what this is, is an intervention.”
GOD’s response, “Yes, but not in the way you think it is.”
Obviously frustrated, Paul asks, “How do you know what I think?”
GOD’s response, “Let’s save that for tomorrow.”
Paul’s response, “This is a weird interview, yeah!
In summary *** POWERFUL insight into an interview with God. ***
GOD IS LOVE
To conclude the results from the Day 1 interview. What did I learn from this interview? GOD IS LOVE and HE CARES about his children and HE hears their prayers! Hallelujah and Amen!
As has been noted, Day 1 interview was eye-opening for Paul. There are two more interviews with God > I suggest you watch the movie. Paul’s three days talking to GOD changes his life; restores his FAITH and His family. He experiences a lot of soul-searching questions about himself in this movie. > HEALED by the LOVE OF GOD, conclusion that GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS and He is our FATHER who LOVES us and wants to HELP us through the rough times in life.
CONCLUSION – BETWEEN THE PRAYER AND THE ANSWER
To summarize the Day 1 interview with GOD, let’s bring it back to the song. Was there evidence that GOD heard Paul when he PRAYED?
All in All, the lyrics, Don’t be discouraged, God’s on your side speaks volumes.
Though he may not come in a hurry
Friend, he’s on his way, and he’ll get there in time.
Equally noted, the line … “he’s on his way, and he’ll get there in time” reminds me of another article I wrote titled, FOUR DAYS LATE. Jesus delayed his ARRIVAL so a MIRACLE could be performed!
Therefore we can conclude GOD answers PRAYER through miracles and his children > you and me to deliver his answer! Also, there is another part of prayer that GOD revealed to PAUL> FREE WILL.
In essence, Paul chose to go to a WAR ZONE. He knew it was dangerous! He knew the results!
Moreover, back to my brother. He did not CHOOSE Vietnam, he was drafted! But the 20 years on this earth left warm memories for his family. His life was not forgotten; he lives on through his family. He is in heaven with HIS HEAVENLY Father! And his name is on the VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL in DC and on the MARYLAND VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL MARKER. The first time I saw his name on these memorials, I cried like a baby!!!
PEOPLE CHOOSE
Therefore, GOD gives us FREE WILL to choose between good and evil.
To put it differently, people who CHOOSE a lifestyle of drugs (addiction) and alcohol (alcoholism) know the results before they experience them. In other words, they know they destroy health, finances, and families. BUT GOD gave them FREE WILL to make the choice.
KNOWING GOD is knowing his LOVE.
TO SUM UP THIS SONG / MOVIE COMBINATION …
In the final analysis, God answers prayer through instant miracles or through US > his children to bless others. YouWillWantTo reaches the world for CHRIST!
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. – 1 John 4:8 KJV
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:12-13 KJV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 NIV