05/27/2024
Specific answers to prayer was the topic of the devotional message I read this morning. Pastor E.M. Bounds said this regarding the subject: "God the Father and Jesus Christ, His Son, are both strongly committed by the truth of the Word and by the integrity of their character to answer prayer." In both the Old and New Testaments we are assured and reassured that our prayers will be heard and answered, and in Psalms we have more prayers than in any other book in the bible. Specifically there are 72 prayers included in it; and there are also instructions regarding how we should pray them, and reassurance that they will be answered.
“Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
Psalms 50:14-15 KJV
God warns those who would do harm to His children that He hears our prayers and that negative repercussions could follow if someone does us harm. God protects us, His beloved people, and hears our prayers. He also defends us, and will punish those who do not heed His Word in this.
“Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;”
Exodus 22:22-23 KJV
The Lord also uses prayer to reveal Himself to us and to give us supernatural knowledge and a glimpse into heaven. Some people like to think that certain unlearned ability comes from instinct, but when questioned closely, they can't naturally explain the source of instinct either, and are merely looking for a worldly answer for these spiritual things.
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
Jeremiah 33:3 KJV
The New Testament continues to speak of God answering prayer, but even more often and in greater detail. The specific answer to prayer is spoken of and much more of the mystery is revealed.
“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. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
Matthew 7:7-11 KJV
And in the New Testament we are reminded of the necessity of praying within the will of God. This is of paramount importance; especially if you want the answer to be "Yes."
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
1 John 5:14-15 KJV
My children knew that asking me for things I didn't believe in or I thought would hurt them wouldn't get them far. I was teaching them values and protecting them; God does the same thing with us. You aren't being ignored when you pray for a million dollars while you squander what you have and don't pay your bills. The answer to that prayer might push you into a situation far beyond your ability to handle and into temptations that would place your faith at risk.
God does answer our prayers, and He gives us exactly what we ask of Him. The only stipulation is that we remain within His will for us. We like to think that we can predict the events of the future but our vision is limited to the past and the current moment. God, on the other hand, knows the beginning from the end and sees ramifications we can only guess at. Trust Him as you pray and seek His will in the answers you receive. When you do this your walk with Him will become closer and the lessons you learn will result in greater gifts through future prayers as you grow.
Our God is great and He truly is our Heavenly Father. Much like earthly fathers who love their children He gives us good gifts that adhere to his will. His character, and what He desires we should learn to become like Him. Do we pray in this way?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving us those things we pray for that are of your will, and thank you for telling us “no” when we ask for things that don’t conform to your character, or that would diminish you in any way. Teach us Lord to pray as we should so that your will would be done, and not those selfish things that simply serve our own. Help us to know you more completely Abba so that our prayers are perfected, and our desires are amended to reflect yours. Holy Spirit help us in our prayers, and when we are at a loss as to how we should pray then do so for us. Give us understanding and remembrance of God’s Word so that we can pray it, and be happy and comforted in Him. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose Word is true, and who answers our prayers faithfully when we pray them correctly according to your will, and in the name of Jesus. Merciful are you who tastes our tears and dries them. Full of grace are you who forgives us and washes away our sin with the blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Truthful are you in your every promise because you made them to improve us and our eternal relationship with you… not to appease our childish whims and grossly selfish desires. Show us how to pray as we should, and how to walk beside you lovingly as children… not as acquaintances who view you blindly as a stranger or a servant that is meant to give us everything we ask without thought or care. As we pray, and seek to do your will, we know you will answer us, and we will glorify you, not for what you give us, but for the Spirit in which it is given. You are our loving Father, and we are your loving and adoring children who trust in you and know that you will never do us harm. Even in our prayers you see what is best for us, and give as a Father should.
Praised be your name Father for every answered prayer, and for all those we pray that are mercifully and lovingly answered “No!”
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Rich Forbes