06/04/2018
Do you believe that your prayers will be answered? I mean, do you believe unconditionally that your prayers will be answered? I am as guilty as the next of saying “God answers prayer”, and then immediately making excuses for Him by saying such things as “If it is His will.” By doing this I am rewriting his Word, and I am asking forgiveness for this doubt, and lack of faithfulness, today... will you join me?
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24 ESV
We have no problem believing God when we read the Ten Commandments, or believing Jesus when we read the beatitudes, so why is it that we have such a problem with Mark 11:24? Why is it that our faith and understanding regarding prayer is so hard for us? I was reading Andrew Murray on this subject today and it convicted me anew on a subject I have visited on a number of occasions. Listen to his words...
“The tendency of human reasoning is to interpose here certain qualifying clauses - “if expedient”; “if according to God’s will” - to break the force of a statement that appears presumptuous. Beware of dealing this way with the master’s words. His promise is literally true. He wants His “whatever” to penetrate our hearts and reveal how mighty the power of faith is and how our Father shares His power, placing it at the disposal of the child who fully trusts Him.” - Andrew Murray
I took yet another look at my approach to prayer today, and God’s provision in it. I think about all those times when the LORD answers my prayers, and how thrilled and grateful I am for His faithfulness to His Word, and then I remember those times when His answer didn’t come as I anticipated. When this occurs I begin to couch my prayers in excuses. In those moments I think that I am attempting to understand His lack of providing, but I have come to the conclusion that I am not making excuses for Him... but for myself, and my own wavering of faith in His Word. God will answer my prayer... where is my trust in His Word?
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
James 1:5-8 ESV
Is this my approach to prayer when my expectation of God’s answer to what I have asked in my prayer closet doesn’t meet His timetable, or provision? Am I like a wave tossed by the wind? Am I lukewarm in my approach to God’s Word? Am I a stubborn child who asks one time, and throws a tantrum when I don’t immediately get what I have asked for? Do I think I know the mind of God?
“"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Revelation 3:15-17 ESV
My response to those prayers that aren’t answered as I believe they should be are challenges for me, and they should be for you. They are calls for us to redouble our prayers, and to ask time and time again; not that God will live up to His Word, but that He will act quickly. Our faith should not waver, and we should make no excuses for God.
“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?”
Luke 18:1, 7 ESV
So the limitation of my prayers comes from my own doubt, my own lack of understanding, and it sometimes culminates in the sin of making excuses for God to explain these things in which I have failed.
I write every morning because the Lord has asked me to do so, and I pray for certain men and women of God each morning because the Lord has asked me to do that too. I do this day in and day out, year after year, without fail. My desire is to be faithful in serving God... so why is it that I am so miserable at prayer when He asks me to come to Him each morning and pray repetitively for something that I don’t see movement in? Why is it that my faith wavers and I make an excuse for His not providing as quickly as I would have Him move? Why is it that I don’t listen when He instructs me in the answer to a prayer, and then say He did not provide? Why is it that I trust in the Commandments, and the Beatitudes, and lose my grip on Mark 11:24?
I asked this morning for the Father’s forgiveness for those times I have lost my steadfastness, and resolve, in prayer. I pray now in all confidence that God will hear my cry in supplication, and contrition, and forgive me in the name of His Son Jesus. Hear me Father, that I might be restored to righteousness, and that when Jesus returns to claim His bride that there will be faith on earth.
“I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"”
Luke 18:8 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the trust I have in your Word, and for the nature of your goodness. I thank you for your love for me that that never fails, and for the long hours of prayer in which I ask for those things that only you know the time for. I thank you for those desires for which I pray that you provide now, and those I will pray for all my life, but will be realized only when I come before you in heaven. It is a hard learned lesson for me, that in your eyes there is no separation between what you answer here, and what you are inclined to answer within your kingdom. I see a division between heaven and earth, and yet you know no boundary; you move without effort through all creation and in your eyes there is no inconsistency in your will when doing so. Teach me Holy Father to trust in you, and to give me faith in my prayers... even those that I will pray time and time again. Give me strength in my faith, and perseverance in my obedience. Help me Holy Spirit that I will never be lukewarm, or unstable in my faith and will lean on the Word of God always and forever. Father you are To be praised in all things. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who hears my prayers, and never fails me in them.
“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.”
Psalms 116:1-2 ESV
Rich Forbes