DOES GOD ANSWER PRAYERS?
Our cry today should be, "Lord teach
us to pray." Prayer is one of the greatest blessings God has given His
children. We are weak and always stand in need of prayer. Always remember, God
answers the prayers of His faithful children. "For where two or three are
gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst
of them." (Matthew 18:20)
Prayer is a
glorious privilege of the child of God. John
God
answers prayers prayed in faith. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let
him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be
given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is
like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the
Lord." (James 1:5-7)
God
answers prayers prayed with urgency. "And He said to them, Which
of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, Friend,
lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I
have nothing to set before him; and he will answer from within and say, do not
trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot
rise and give to you? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him
because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give
him as many as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Luke
11:5-9)
God
answers prayers prayed by righteous men and women. "Confess your
trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16)
God
answers prayers prayed persistently. "Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose
heart." (Luke 18:1)
God
answers prayers prayed from humble hearts. "Therefore submit to
God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will
draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you
double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to
mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and
He will lift you up." (James 4:7-10)
God
answers prayers prayed sincerely. "And when you pray, you shall
not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues
and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I
say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room,
and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret
place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
(Matthew 6:5-6)
Prayer is
the opportunity and privilege of talking to God. Let us never fall short in our
prayer life because this will have an effect on everything we do or say. What
an honor to be able to speak to God in the name of His Son! God desires our
prayers. "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy
hands, without wrath and doubting." (I Timothy 2:8) Are you praying
"without ceasing"? "Pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for
you." (I Thessalonians 5:17-18)
By Charles Box,