PRAYER DESK

PRAY AND GET ANSWERS—HOW?

    If you talked with your wife six minutes a day, what kind of relationship would you have with her? If you pray six minutes a day, what kind of relationship do you have with God? Part of prayer is you talking with God.

    We are commanded to pray. Jesus teaches us that MEN OUGHT ALWAYS TO PRAY-Lk 18:1. We can receive things from God if we pray, as we read in Ja 4:2-YE HAVE NOT, BECAUSE YE ASK NOT. The Bible shows us there is joy in prayer: Jn 16:24-ASK, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE, THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL. Prayer will deliver you from troubles: Ps 34:6-THIS POOR MAN CRIED, AND THE LORD HEARD HIM, AND SAVED HIM OUT OF ALL HIS TROUBLES. Prayer can open to us the treasure chest of God’s wisdom: Ja 1:5-IF ANY OF YOU LACK WISDOM, LET HIM ASK OF GOD, THAT GIVETH TO ALL MEN LIBERALLY, AND UPBRAIDETH NOT; AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN HIM. Prayer is a channel of power: Jere 33:3-CALL UNTO ME, AND I WILL ANSWER THEE, AND SHEW THEE GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS, WHICH THOU KNOWEST NOT.

    Did you know that it is sin not to pray? MOREOVER AS FOR ME, GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD SIN AGAINST THE LORD IN CEASING TO PRAY FOR YOU: BUT I WILL TEACH YOU THE GOOD AND THE RIGHT WAY: ONLY FEAR THE LORD, AND SERVE HIM IN TRUTH WITH ALL YOUR HEART: FOR CONSIDER HOW GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE FOR YOU-1 Sam 12:23,24.

    Sinners can be saved if they pray in faith and obey the Gospel. It is written, Ro 10:13-FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED. Jesus prayed often. We are to 1 Thes 5:17-PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. God heard Solomon’s prayer, and promised He would watch over the temple, and cause Solomon’s descendants to be kings of Israel forever. This promise was based on the people of Israel following God. If they did not, God promised that He would remove the people of Israel from the temple, from the land, and He would disperse them. Israel would become an astonishment to the nations and a proverb of sudden disaster. This happened because the people worshipped other gods-ref 2 Chr 7:19-22. Do you worship other gods, such as astrology, money, success, or getting ahead in this world? How about the work of your hands, or your automobile, lusts, pleasures, or your house? If any of these interfere in any way with you going to church, studying the Bible, or serving God, they are an idol. If you choose to go to a movie rather than read the Word of God, which is more important to you? If you choose to put the newspaper before your Bible, then the newspaper is more important to you at that time, than God’s Word. It is an idol. Does your job ever interfere with your worship of the One Who gave it to you? God gave you a job, but you are not to let it interfere with obeying the Gospel. Yes, you will be tempted in these ways, to see whom you love more. Before that day of judgment comes, God will know by your actions, by what you placed the most importance on in your life. You are to LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART…SOUL…STRENGTH, AND…MIND-Lk 10:27. You are to love God above all people and things. Do you? Do you love God above all things and people? You say, "Of course I do. God knows my heart." Yes, He does, and the Bible says your heart is desperately wicked-ref Jere 17:9. Your actions will tell if you really love God. Next time you are watching TV, see if you can turn it off, and go and read your Bible.

    Yes, beyond our expectation-ref Jere 33:3; sometimes after delay-ref Lk 18:7; sometimes differently than our desire-ref 2 Cor 12:8,9; sometimes immediately-ref Isa 65:24. Our prayer is not answered, if we ask amiss-ref Ja 4:3. We read in Gal 6:7-BE NOT DECEIVED; GOD IS NOT MOCKED: FOR WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP. Jeremiah’s prayers for the sparing of Israel from captivity were not answered, even though they were given in earnestness and faith. He understood God’s will and was willing to take no for an answer. Jerusalem had gone too far. They had sinned. It was too late. God said of her, JERUSALEM HATH GRIEVOUSLY SINNED; THEREFORE SHE IS REMOVED-Lam 1:8. Do you mock God time after time as He calls you to repent of all sin, yet you will not? Do you mock God time after time as He calls you to serve Him, but you will not? He speaks to your heart to draw closer to Him, read your Bible, go to church more, and get away from unsaved friends, but you will not. When the day comes that you need God, what will you do? It was too late for Jerusalem. God turned away. Yet the Scriptures tell us, LET US SEARCH AND TRY OUR WAYS, AND TURN AGAIN TO THE LORD. LET US LIFT UP OUR HEART WITH OUR HANDS UNTO GOD IN THE HEAVENS. WE HAVE TRANSGRESSED AND HAVE REBELLED: THOU HAST NOT PARDONED-Lam 3:40-42.

    Many people think prayer is a time to ask God for what they want. Perhaps this is why so many prayers go unanswered. It was suggested that the following is a good guideline for prayer. First, praise and worship God in truth. Second, confess all your sins to Him and be willing to turn from all willful sin, and obey the Gospel. Truly have a repentant heart. Third, give thanks for all your blessings. Give thanks even in difficult times. Finally, let your requests be known to God. Pray in faith, and in accordance with the Scriptures. This means you need to study God’s Word. Do not compromise in reading and studying the Bible. Some people pray much, but study God’s Word little. A person that only reads one or two chapters a day, is usually misled and not serious about God.

    Now we are reminded that FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN-Heb 11:1. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God. The Bible tells us FAITH, IF IT HATH NOT WORKS, IS DEAD, BEING ALONE-Ja 2:17. If you are not reading your Bible faithfully and serving Jesus, when the time comes that you need faith, it may not be there. When you ask God for something, you may doubt if you will receive it. You may believe one minute and doubt the next. The Bible tells us, WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM-Heb 11:6. How then will you get an answer from God? Praying something like, "Well, if it be God’s will," may be praying with no faith at all. You need to know what God’s will is (from the Bible), then pray in faith, knowing you have received because you stand on God’s promises in the Bible. As it is written, BUT LET HIM ASK IN FAITH, NOTHING WAVERING. FOR HE THAT WAVERETH IS LIKE A WAVE OF THE SEA DRIVEN WITH THE WIND AND TOSSED. FOR LET NOT THAT MAN THINK THAT HE SHALL RECEIVE ANY THING OF THE LORD. A DOUBLE MINDED MAN IS UNSTABLE IN ALL HIS WAYS-Ja 1:6-8. You need to have unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.

    When praying, be patient. Do not let your faith shrink. God sometimes will cause you to wait until the last moment. So trusting God, we wait. The Bible says in Ps 5:3 NIV, IN THE MORNING, O LORD, YOU HEAR MY VOICE; IN THE MORNING I LAY MY REQUESTS BEFORE YOU AND WAIT IN EXPECTATION. KNOWING THIS, THAT THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH WORKETH PATIENCE. BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK, THAT YE MAY BE PERFECT AND ENTIRE, WANTING NOTHING-Ja 1:3,4. The Bible tells us that David prayed about the erection of a temple, but his prayers were answered during Solomon’s day.  

    The Bible shows us our prayers cannot be answered: when it seeks to change God’s decrees-ref Deut 3:23-27; when it seeks to avoid deserved chastisement-ref 2 Sam 12:16-18; when it is prompted by selfish, personal motives-ref Mt 6:5 and Ja 4:2,3; when a prayer is meaningless and repetitious-ref Mt 6:7; when it is offered without first confession of conscious known sin-ref 1 Jn 1:8-10; when it disregards the known will of God-ref 1 Sam 8:9,10; and when we do not honor our wives-1 Pe 3:7.

    We should pray for our needs, not selfish things. We read in Ps 107:13-THEN THEY CRIED UNTO THE LORD IN THEIR TROUBLE, AND HE SAVED THEM OUT OF THEIR DISTRESSES. Here, the remnant of Israel is no longer proud. Now, they look to God for help and to Him alone. They have learned that the key to prayer is obedience to God. God was always there, but they did not call on Him. To receive answers to your prayers, you need to have the answer of a good conscience before God. You must forgive others who have offended you-ref Mk 11:26. You must repent of all known sin, forsake it-ref Isa 59:1,2. You must pray in His will-ref 1 Jn 5:14,15. You are to DELIGHT THYSELF ALSO IN THE LORD; AND HE SHALL GIVE THEE THE DESIRES OF THINE HEART. COMMIT THY WAY UNTO THE LORD; TRUST ALSO IN HIM; AND HE SHALL BRING IT TO PASS-Ps 37:4,5. Delight means that God and the things of God must be your daily constant joy. If you only remember God when you want something or in a quick grace at meals, this is not delight. When you begin to delight in the Lord, God will begin answering your prayers. It is further written in Ps 4:3, BUT KNOW THAT THE LORD HATH SET APART HIM THAT IS GODLY FOR HIMSELF: THE LORD WILL HEAR WHEN I CALL UNTO HIM.

    You can pray to God in any position. People in the Bible prayed lifting up hands, bowing on knees, falling with their face to the ground, looking toward heaven. They prayed alone and among many. The key is to humble yourself before the Lord.

8-PRAYER: REPENTANCE AND A RIGHT ATTITUDE

    The following verses should help your prayer life. First, make sure you have repented of all sin, that you believe on Jesus Christ. Be sure you have been baptized AFTER you believed on Jesus as your Savior, by full immersion. For it is written, REPENT (this comes first), AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU-Acts 2:38, (by immersion Ro 6:4, Col 2:12, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost-Mt 28:19). You need THE ANSWER OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD-1Pe 3:21. Second, note the humble approach of the publican in Lk 18:9-14-AND HE (Jesus) SPAKE THIS PARABLE UNTO CERTAIN WHICH TRUSTED IN THEMSELVES THAT THEY WERE RIGHTEOUS, AND DESPISED OTHERS: TWO MEN WENT UP INTO THE TEMPLE TO PRAY; THE ONE A PHARISEE, AND THE OTHER A PUBLICAN. THE PHARISEE STOOD AND PRAYED THUS WITH HIMSELF, GOD, I THANK THEE, THAT I AM NOT AS OTHER MEN ARE, EXTORTIONERS, UNJUST, ADULTERERS, OR EVEN AS THIS PUBLICAN. I FAST TWICE IN THE WEEK, I GIVE TITHES OF ALL THAT I POSSESS. AND THE PUBLICAN, STANDING AFAR OFF, WOULD NOT LIFT UP SO MUCH AS HIS EYES UNTO HEAVEN, BUT SMOTE UPON HIS BREAST, SAYING, GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER. I TELL YOU THIS MAN WENT DOWN TO HIS HOUSE JUSTIFIED RATHER THAN THE OTHER: FOR EVERY ONE THAT EXALTETH HIMSELF SHALL BE ABASED; AND HE THAT HUMBLETH HIMSELF SHALL BE EXALTED. You must turn from all sin to have your prayers heard. For Ps 66:18-IF I REGARD INIQUITY IN MY HEART, THE LORD WILL NOT HEAR ME. Do you turn yourself from the Bible and do other things? The Bible cautions, Pv 28:9-HE THAT TURNETH AWAY HIS EAR FROM HEARING THE LAW (the Bible), EVEN HIS PRAYER SHALL BE ABOMINATION.

9-WARNING ABOUT BEING A FRIEND OF THE WORLD

    You must get your eyes off this world and get them on Jesus. Ja 4:4-KNOW YE NOT THAT THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD IS ENMITY (hatred) WITH GOD? WHOSOEVER THEREFORE WILL BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD. Therefore, 1 Pe 4:7 NIV-BE CLEAR MINDED AND SELF-CONTROLLED SO THAT YOU CAN PRAY.

    Certainly, a key verse on prayer is 2 Chr 7:14-IF MY PEOPLE, WHICH ARE CALLED BY MY NAME (a saved person), (1) SHALL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, (2) AND PRAY, (3) AND SEEK MY FACE, (4) AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS; THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN, AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND. Also 2 Chr 6:26,27-IF THEY PRAY TOWARD THIS PLACE, AND CONFESS THY NAME...THEN HEAR THOU FROM HEAVEN. Are you confessing Jesus is your Savior to people, or are you ashamed? Then we read in Phili 4:6-BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD.

    You must pray in the name of Jesus Christ. As we read in Jn 14:13-AND WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK IN MY NAME, THAT WILL I DO, THAT THE FATHER MAY BE GLORIFIED IN THE SON. You cannot come to the Father in the name of Mohammed, Buddha, or the Virgin Mary, but only in the name of Jesus. The Savior said in Jn 14:14-IF YE SHALL ASK ANY THING IN MY NAME, I WILL DO IT; and in Jn 16:23-WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME, HE WILL GIVE IT YOU. God’s Word must dwell in you, if you want your prayers answered: Jn 15:7-IF YE ABIDE IN ME, AND MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, YE SHALL ASK WHAT YE WILL, AND IT SHALL BE DONE UNTO YOU. And do not forget 1 Cor 13:2 NIV-IF I HAVE A FAITH THAT CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS, BUT HAVE NOT LOVE, I AM NOTHING. Faith works by love.

    The following is not a popular subject in many churches these days, perhaps that is why many cannot get their prayers answered.
    Ps 34:9-O FEAR THE LORD, YE HIS SAINTS: FOR THERE IS NO WANT TO THEM THAT FEAR HIM.
    Mal 3:16-THEY THAT FEARED THE LORD SPAKE OFTEN ONE TO ANOTHER: AND THE LORD HEARKENED, AND HEARD IT.
    1 Sam 12:24-ONLY FEAR THE LORD, AND SERVE HIM IN TRUTH WITH ALL YOUR HEART.
    Mt 6:6-BUT THOU, WHEN THOU PRAYEST, ENTER INTO THY CLOSET, AND WHEN THOU HAST SHUT THY DOOR, PRAY TO THY FATHER WHICH IS IN SECRET; AND THY FATHER WHICH SEETH IN SECRET SHALL REWARD THEE OPENLY.
    Jere 29:12,13-YE SHALL GO AND PRAY UNTO ME, AND I WILL HEARKEN UNTO YOU…WHEN YE SHALL SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.
    The Bible warns us, Ja 4:3-YE…RECEIVE NOT, BECAUSE YE ASK AMISS (or with wrong motives), THAT YE MAY CONSUME IT UPON YOUR LUSTS.
    God's Word also teaches that when we pray we should not go on and on with meaningless words. Mt 6:7,8 NIV-AND WHEN YOU PRAY, DO NOT KEEP ON BABBLING LIKE PAGANS, FOR THEY THINK THEY WILL BE HEARD BECAUSE OF THEIR MANY WORDS. DO NOT BE LIKE THEM, FOR YOUR FATHER KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU ASK HIM.
    Ecc 5:2 NIV-DO NOT BE QUICK WITH YOUR MOUTH, DO NOT BE HASTY IN YOUR HEART TO UTTER ANYTHING BEFORE GOD. GOD IS IN HEAVEN AND YOU ARE ON EARTH, SO LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW.
   Being still in the Lord's presence and listening is also part of prayer; as it is written in Ps 46:10, BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

    Some people’s prayers may be hindered because they do not give one tenth (1/10^th) of their income (before taxes) to the Lord’s work. We are asked in Mal 3:8-WILL A MAN ROB GOD? YET YE HAVE ROBBED ME. BUT YE SAY, WHEREIN HAVE WE ROBBED THEE? IN TITHES AND OFFERINGS. 9-YE ARE CURSED WITH A CURSE: FOR YE HAVE ROBBED ME. Did you hear that? YE ARE CURSED WITH A CURSE, because you do not give 10% to God’s work; plus offerings, which is any amount over 10%.

    Pray is nothing fancy or complicated. Simply humble yourself, get alone with God, and confess all sin; worship and praise Him, and let your NEEDS be known. Spend time in His presence, listening. Pray in faith believing you have received. Have the answer of a good conscience before God, and your prayers will be answered. Remember, IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS-1 Jn 1:9. Confess your sins and forsake them.

    Let us end with these verses. Jesus spoke this parable in Lk 18:2-8-THERE WAS IN A CITY A JUDGE, WHICH FEARED NOT GOD, NEITHER REGARDED MAN: AND THERE WAS A WIDOW IN THAT CITY; AND SHE CAME UNTO HIM, SAYING, AVENGE ME OF MINE ADVERSARY. AND HE WOULD NOT FOR A WHILE: BUT AFTERWARD HE SAID WITHIN HIMSELF, THOUGH I FEAR NOT GOD, NOR REGARD MAN; YET BECAUSE THIS WIDOW TROUBLETH ME, I WILL AVENGE HER, LEST BY HER CONTINUAL COMING SHE WEARY ME. AND THE LORD SAID, HEAR WHAT THE UNJUST JUDGE SAITH. AND SHALL NOT GOD AVENGE HIS OWN ELECT, WHICH CRY DAY AND NIGHT UNTO HIM, THOUGH HE BEAR LONG WITH THEM? I TELL YOU THAT HE WILL AVENGE THEM SPEEDILY. NEVERTHELESS WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMETH, SHALL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH?

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