By Pastor Ryan Stockstrom

Harvest Church

In our “Signs of Life” sermon series, I’ve been drawing comparisons between our spiritual lives and what makes plants thrive. If you’ve ever gardened, you know that planting, pulling weeds, and watering regularly are important. But sometimes, even after doing all that, your plants still look weak and shabby. That’s usually a sign that they need nutrients—specifically fertilizer.

In plant science, the three major nutrients are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). Each plays a vital role. Nitrogen helps plants grow quickly, phosphorus helps put down roots, and potassium—well, potassium helps everything work together by use of enzyme activity.

And that, to me, sounds a whole lot like prayer in our spiritual lives.

Prayer is like potassium. It’s what brings together all the spiritual systems: our reading of the Word, our obedience, our trust, our community. It’s how we develop our dependence on God and learn to hope in Him. Without it, the whole structure of spiritual growth begins to weaken.

But here’s the thing—just like plants can’t survive on potassium alone, neither can we fully grow in our faith by prayer alone. Nitrogen without phosphorus makes a fast-growing plant with no strength. Phosphorus without nitrogen leaves the plant stunted. And potassium by itself? The plant wilts, even with plenty of water.

In our lives, it’s the same: Word, Prayer, and Community—they’re all needed to thrive as a believer.

But today, let’s talk about prayer. Because this is where things get real. God is no longer just an idea—we begin to know Him as present, personal, and powerful. It’s the difference between having a “religion” to God, and a relationship with God. God desires us to know Him, closely.

As James White says, “Every one of us has prayed! Even atheists pray when things go awry—‘God, save me!’” Prayer is one of the most instinctive and mysterious parts of our walk with God. And here’s the beautiful news: You don’t have to be a master pray-er—you just have to know the Master.

1. God Hears

Romans 8:26 tells us that even when we don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Imagine that—God doesn’t just hear the words you can say; He listens beneath-to the words you can’t even get out.

Matthew 6:8 reminds us that “your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” So why do we pray? Because it teaches us humility and dependence-closeness. 1 Peter 5 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Prayer is relational—just like a loving father listens to the heart of his children, God listens to ours.

2. God Responds

Jesus said in John 15:7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” That’s astonishing.

We see it in Daniel 10:12 where an angel says to Daniel, “Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding… your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” The angel was sent immediately to come to Daniel’s aid!

We see it in Revelation 5:8, where the prayers of the saints are described as incense before God—He doesn’t discard our prayers, He treasures them.

So why doesn’t it always feel like God answers?

It’s often said that God gives four answers to prayer:

No – if the request is wrong.

Slow – if the timing is wrong.

Grow – if we’re not ready.

Go – when everything is aligned.

I’ve experienced each of these.

Sometimes the answer is No—like in Luke 9, when the disciples want to call down fire and Jesus rebukes them. Not all prayer aligns with God’s heart.

Sometimes the answer is Slow—Isaiah 55 reminds us that God’s timing is higher than ours. He may say “wait” because He loves us enough to protect us from what we can’t yet handle.

Then there’s Grow—sometimes, we’re the barrier. James White says our attitudes and lifestyle can block God’s “yes.” Psalm 66:18 is direct: “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” God may be refining us, pruning us, as John 15 says, “so that we will be even more fruitful.”

Sometimes we need to examine our relationships too. Matthew 5 says, if we remember a grudge or broken relationship, we need to make it right before bringing our offerings to God. Reconciliation isn’t a side issue—it’s central to prayer.

Then there’s selfishness. James 4:3 says we don’t receive because we ask with wrong motives. God’s not our genie. He’s our Father, shaping us into people who reflect His kingdom.

And finally, when everything aligns—the request is right, the timing is right, and we are right—God says Go. And that’s when life gets adventurous.

3. God Draws Near

This might be my favorite part of prayer. It’s not just about requests or answers—it’s about nearness.

James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” That’s not a vague poetic idea—it’s a promise. Psalm 145:18 echoes it: “The Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth.”

Prayer is the place where we find God, not as a concept, but as a presence. He meets us there. He shapes us there. And He draws near.

So if you’re feeling dry, weak, or spiritually stunted—maybe it’s time to look at the nutrients in your life. Are you rooted in the Word? Are you connected in the community? And are you cultivating prayer—not as a last resort, but as your first move?

God hears. God responds. God draws near.

Let’s….pray.

God bless you! If you’d like to hear more, please give us a visit. We meet Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at Harvest Church, right here in Frazee. Thanks -Pastor Ryan

http://www.harvestfrazee.org