06/10/2023
Are we seeking the Lord as we should? Are we asking Jesus for the things that are right in the eyes of God? This morning let’s ask ourselves these questions and seeking to place Him foremost in our lives as we pray, and walk this world.
“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Luke 11:9-10 KJV
If we are like most believers then over the years we have prayed for many things and many people, but before we begin to pray we must always ask ourselves one important question... are our prayers within God's will and way, or are they centered on ourselves and the worldly wants and wills of those we are praying for? This is a very tough question, and it is often hard for us to pray in the full knowledge that what we are asking God to help us with is something that is needed to serve and glorify Him… not something we just want, or something that makes our physical life more pleasant yet does nothing for us spiritually, or for the kingdom of God. Just because someone asks us to pray for them, or for something they might want, it doesn’t make that request worthy of the name of Jesus, or that it falls within the will of God. We shouldn’t immediately pray when asked; we should seek discernment because that prayer request might be in conflict with what God ultimately desires. If we find ourselves torn, or uncertain of God’s will, then we should pray as Jesus did by saying “not my will, but yours, be done.”
“saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.””
Luke 22:42 ESV
At work we might be up for a promotion; it means a better job and more money with which we can support our family. We go to the Lord in prayer asking Him to intercede on our behalf and give us this job. Finally the decision is made and we are not the one chosen for the promotion. We are disappointed and ask God why He didn't answer our prayer, but the years go by and one day we look back on our life. We see the paths that were opened to us because we didn’t get that job, and all the good that has come from them. We see the hardships and the unanswered prayers that followed but understand that had our prayer been answered as asked, we would not be where we are today in our wonderful lives and well-founded faith. Each crossroad looks like a simple choice to us... this road takes us to something better for ourselves and our family, but not getting this job, although it won’t be a disaster, won't prosper us near as much. So we pray, and to our disappointment the lesser road is opened up to us. In our disappointment we ask “why Lord?” Invariably the answer comes back... "I was drawing you nearer to me."
When our prayer isn't answered do we get bitter, or do you ask God to show us why? Then, when He speaks the answer, are we ready to receive it, or are we still too fixed on our perceived loss of immediate gratification to hear "that wasn't good for you, I was drawing you nearer to me."?
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
James 4:3-4 KJV
So as we pray, the things of this world should not be our ultimate goal. Our hearts, minds, and desires should all be in alignment with what God has in His will for us. When we believe that our prayers weren’t answered are we really certain they weren't?
I once worked for an ungodly man. He tormented me and I asked God to deliver me from Him... finally my prayers shifted, and I stopped praying for my own deliverance but began to pray for this man instead. The more I prayed for him, the more it seemed he mistreated me, and yet I continued to pray for him each day. From my perspective it never appeared that God changed this man, but He had certainly changed me. All of those seemingly unanswered prayers had resulted in an increase in my faith that would not have come otherwise. Had you asked me on any of those days of suffering if God was great I would have said "yes", but if you were privy to my prayers and asked me if God was answering my prayers concerning this man I would have said "no"... yet all the while I had faith He would. Eventually God provided for me and moved me away from this man, but not before His lesson was complete in me. I still pray for this man that mistreated me, I haven't given up on the fact that God has a plan for Him too. You see, the will of God superseded my shortsighted desire for relief from suffering; God's answer to my prayers was far greater than anything I could have imagined for myself.
“ And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”
1 John 5:14-15 ESV
Today let’s ask the Lord to sift our prayers. Those that fall through the sieve and are immediately answered are those that conform to His will, but the others which remain in the sifter and roll around but don’t fall through are not. We can be certain that some will not fall until the moment of our last breath, while others will be tossed away as unacceptable, but we can be just as confident that at that moment they will have all been answered in some way... because that is God's perfect will for us.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for answering prayer, and I thank you for your will for me. You are merciful and good Lord, and you work all things for good in my life... even my wayward prayers. Holy Father, open my eyes to your plan and will for my faith and life, but if I see it not... continue to work your good purposes for me. Sift my prayers Lord and never let my poor eyesight harm me, work all my prayers as they fit best in your plan and will because you are good and your will is perfect. I trust in you, and I know that if I suffer there is good reason. You are not arbitrary and no harm comes that will not result in greater good. If it be your will, open my eyes to your purposes, but if that is not your will, then give me the faith to trust blindly in your having answered in my best interest as it pertains to your glory and our relationship. You are a great God, and in your hands I am confident of provision, and righteous transformation.
Rich Forbes