Text:
‘Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him’ – 1 John 5:14-15
Thought:
‘Now this is the confidence that we have in Him’. Is that our experience? Praying with the confidence that it will be heard and answered? Jesus said, ‘If you ask anything in My name, I will do it’ – John 14:14.’Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full’ – John 16:24. What more encouragement do we need? So why is prayer all too often last on a Christian’s list of priorities?
In Part 1, we looked at:
1. The Need to Pray
2. The Neglect of Prayer
3. A New Prayer
Now to conclude this teaching on Answered Prayer, consider the following:
4. The ‘Now’ of Praying
Faith declares “I have it now” even if there is a delay before the answer comes. Moving into our new home, there was no phone line installed. So we placed the order on January 14th but were told that no connection could be made until 21st February. We had been heard but we had to wait. It was coming! There is a very important response to Daniel’s prayer. He had been praying for 21 days that God would honour His promise and cause the Children of Israel to return to the Promised Land from Babylon. An angel is sent with these words, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble your heart before your God, your words were heard’ – Daniel 10:12. The angel revealed there was a delay because of a battle in the heavenlies, not because God didn’t want to answer. It’s often in this respect we miss it and let go of what we are believing God for because there is a delay. When Hannah received the promise of a child, ‘her face was no longer sad’ – 1 Samuel 1:18. It was months before her child was born but faith turned her prayer into the ‘Now’. 1 John 5:14-15 states that if we pray according to God’s will, He hears us, and if He hears us, then we have what we are asking for. James warns, ‘You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss’ – James 4:3. This is why it is so important to know our rights and privileges as a Christian and the promises we have in Christ.
5. The ‘Not Sure’ of Prayer
Sometimes we know we should pray but are unsure how to pray. This is when the Holy Spirit can help us. Paul writes to the Corinthian Church stating that he prays in two ways – 1 Corinthians 14:15. Firstly with the known tongue about issues he knows what the will of God is. Secondly, with the unknown tongue as inspired by the Holy Spirit when he is unsure how to pray. Romans 8:26-27 reveals that the Holy Spirit will help our weakness of not knowing what we should pray for. By praying in the unknown tongue, we allow the Holy Spirit to pray through us according to the will of God. Then God will be able to work all things together for good v28.
When praying, make sure you include praise, so it’s not all asking. The Bible instructs us to offer our prayers to God with thanksgiving – Philippians 4:6. Also, listen out for God speaking to you. The Holy Spirit will bring scripture or thoughts that will help direct your life and give you peace. Prayer works! Make sure it works for you.
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