In our relationship with God we must understand the tool that he has given us as Christians, which is one of the most important and powerful assets that we have at our disposal. In Luke the 18th chapter first verse it states, “men ought always to pray and faint not. ” God rejoices in those that hope in his mercy. Of whom does the Bible teach that God is a rewarder? In the book of Hebrews 11 verse six it states, that God is a rewarder to them that diligently seeks him. This tells us that in seeking him there must be a degree of fervent prayer to receive what we ask of him.
We must ask ourselves just how willing is God to hear and answer our prayer? In Matthew the seventh chapter the 11th verse it states, if we then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto our children, how much more shall our father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? But what above all things shows God’s willingness to answer prayer for us?” He spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Readers when God says all things, he only means the things that we need, not the things that we want.
Some of us as we are rearing our children are well aware of the things that they ask for and that the things that they ask for are not all for their benefit. However, we as parents only gave them the things that were good for their future development and nurturing. Also, our time on this earth has given us an added benefit to make the right choices for our children, so that what we give them is based upon the wisdom and experience of living. Also their obedience and parental honor would make the parent bend over backwards to give them whatever it is that they needed. Readers, we are all children of God and there is nothing that God would not withhold from us if we would just obey him.
Prayer means simply to ask for. Upon what conditions are we promised needed blessings? In Matthew the seventh chapter verses seven through eight it states,” Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; And he that seeketh findeth; And to him that knocketh it shall be open.
Our prayer is the opening of our heart to God as to a friend. How can we or shall we pray to God in order to receive the help that we need? The first thing is that there must be a real desire in our hearts. Just forming words does not make prayer; we must realize what we need and must understand our dependence only upon God for it. From whom all good and perfect gifts come. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. “James 1:17. Readers, prayer is the key to unlock God’s storehouse, where there are treasured endless resources.
Under what condition does the Lord not hear our prayer? There are several conditions. Psalms 66 verse 18 states, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” In Isaiah the 59th chapter verses one through two it states, “Behold the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. We see sin and transgression can cause God to hide his face from you. Sometimes when we pray for the wrong reasons God will not hear us. And James IV chapter at the second verse it says,”Ye ask and receive not because you ask amiss, that you may consume it up on your own lust.”
We see then that some of our prayers can go unanswered because they are unwise prayers. Prayers that only deal with your needs, wants, and pleasures are not prayers that exemplify a servant; but rather of self- servitude. Readers, we were put here to serve not to be served. Our prayers should not just be for us but for all those who do not know how to pray for themselves. For whom did Christ teach us to pray? Matthew five verse 44 states,”But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
We cannot hate those for whom we pray for. When praying or asking God for anything, what must we do to be forgiven? Mark 11 verse 25 states,”And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any: That your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” How often should we pray? Ephesians sixth chapter the 18th verse states how often we should pray and for whom. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit for all the saints.”
First Thessalonians the fifth chapter the 17th verse states, “Pray without ceasing.” King David said in Psalms 55 the 17th verse, “Evening, and morning, and noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. “In whose name did Christ teach us to pray in? St. John 14:13 verse Jesus says, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do.”
In conclusion how can we make sure that everything that we ask God for we will receive? Some things that we ask for, even touch and agree on sometimes does not come to pass… but why? Because sometimes we just don’t know what to pray for. Romans the eighth chapter verses 26 and 27 makes it clear. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:
For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: But the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. And He does searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, cause he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Readers, its thy will be done not our will. First John V chapter verses 14 and 15 states,” And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that you hear us, whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him.”
Let us not be unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And let us pray within those boundaries and ask what we will and it shall be given us in the mighty name of Jesus Amen!!
Pastor Stevie
