Vol. 14, No. 3, July, 2009

From the Editor
Sr. Jan Nattermann, S.N.C.

In this issue we will look at the fourth key to answered prayer: Speak God's Words. So far we have looked at thinking God's thoughts, feeling God's emotions, desiring God's plan. The first three keys, while involving commitment, are "silent partners". But there does come a time in our prayers when we need to speak out. The creation of the world came to be when God spoke (Gen. 1). God said, "let there be light"; God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation"; God said, "Let us make man in our image"--And so it was. Lazarus remained in the tomb until Jesus cried out, "Lazarus, come forth!"

What we more often speak is our words rather than God's. Jesus, of course, had it right. He said in John 8:28, "I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me." Our words may convey only a hope or a wish. But God's words express a divine intention that God will stand behind it, giving results. We must come to the place where we speak not our words, but God's words, where the words of our prayers are an echo of the words that God has already spoken in heaven. Jesus' prayers were so effective because he spoke His Father's words.

There is a connection between thinking God's thoughts and speaking God's words. Thinking His thoughts can mull around within us. But when we speak God's words, what is private and personal becomes public and His power is released. If we want to learn to speak God's words we have to be humble enough to submit our prayers to the ears of other tested and trusted Christians. They can help us learn to distinguish God's word from my word.

Only God's orders give life and give results because He is behind them. Read more in Sister Brigid's article in this issue of MY WITNESSES.