Posted on 02/27/2020 6:48:26 AM PST by SeekAndFind
How many times have you heard an unbeliever say “God does not answer prayer?” I would be willing to bet that a very high percentage of people in America do not believe that if they prayed that God would answer.
When I hear people expressing doubts about answered prayer I usually like to respond with something that I feel that they will understand. I usually say, “ Well, do you know that there is a science to prayer? Do you know the formula?” Invariably they will answer “No”, to which I respond by saying, “Let me explain.” Just as almost everything in life has a necessary formula or order, so does prayer. Unless we are following the Bible God’s instruction manual on prayer, we must understand that He cannot answer. It’s not that He does not want to, He can’t! John 9:31a states, “God heareth not sinners.” (KJV)
As this point it's very important to discern if you have their attention. If they seem interested, then it’s a perfect opportunity to share the biblical plan of salvation. Explain in common English what it means to be “born again” and actually become one of God’s children. You can share with them that unless you are one of God’s children, that the Bible says that God has absolutely no obligation to answer your prayer. However, if you are one of His children, He, as our awesome Heavenly Father, cares about giving us direction, protection, provision, affection and loving correction when needed, according to His will.
I also like to explain to them that God never once says in His word that He wants to “control” our lives. A better word to describe God’s desire for being active in our everyday life is that He does desire to “manage” our lives. He is not trying to turn us into some kind of robot! I try to explain to them how awesome it is to have the Creator of the Universe as our personal life management coach! I also emphasize how kind and patient He is with us.
Then I take some time to explain the importance in praying in the name of Jesus. This further strengthens their understanding of their salvation. Because we were born into sin, we need a savior to pay the price for our sins. 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God”(NIV). This verse gives me a great opportunity to talk more about the cross. I tell them that praying in the name of Jesus is like using a heavenly “gold card.” Its both honoring Jesus for what He did for us and it is also a sin covering. It ensures that we are asking God to hear our prayers in the very way He designed that He could hear them.
Someone once said that, “God has chosen to limit His power to the prayers of men.” That statement is so true! We all agree that God does things from time to time solely as a part of His sovereign will, a component of His master plan. However I am convinced that most of the things that are done on earth are in answer to someone’s prayers. Here is the most mind-blowing aspect of prayer; the prayers, which He answers, are in a response to a request by someone who through prayer and spending time with Him, have come to an understanding and a knowledge of His will.
Spend quality time over every decision. A lady promoting a new program in the church once said, “Everyone now bow your heads and seek the Lord for five minutes. Often in church business meetings everyone is encouraged to bow their heads and say a quick prayer before they vote on something. Personally, I do not believe we should expect God to respond to spiritual “quickies” unless we just drove our car off a cliff by mistake and are calling on the name of Jesus to save our lives! God our Heavenly Father is not a slot or vending machine. Galatians 5:6b states “Faith worketh by love” (KJV). Spending quality time with God in prayer is always the most productive. I recommend that sometime you try just kneeling or laying out on your face on the floor before God. As you do that, be quiet to just listen. Perhaps the Lord has a thought that He would like to inspire you with. Also never forget who you are talking to. Show some respect. Another suggestion is to use Google to find some scriptures that have something to do with what you are praying about. 1 John 5:14 states, “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, If we ask anything according to His will, he heareth us: And we know that if He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” (KJV)
I am not promoting “works” here nor a religious act, however, learning to pray as you read in the Bible is important. He does want us to approach him as our Heavenly Father. Jesus taught us the model for prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Its commonly called “The Lord's Prayer.” Psalm 100:4a says, “Come into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise” (KJV). Whenever you start to pray, try to begin with a thankful and a worshipful attitude. Even if God is brand new to you and you are just learning how to pray, try to start out thanking Him for some good things in your life. Take a few minutes to worship Him for who He is. You will find by following His formula for prayer, it's often about changing your mind, not His, and you will learn to trust Him to work things out in a way that is eternally best for everyone. Always learn from the Bible. It is God’s Word.
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Rev Nolan J Harkness is the President and CEO of Nolan Harkness Evangelistic Ministries Inc. since 1985. He spent most of his adult life working in youth ministry. He also felt the calling of Evangelist/Revivalist and traveled as the door was open holding evangelistic meetings in churches throughout the Northeast. His website is www.verticalsound.org.
Sometimes the answer is 'no'.
……….”, to which I respond by saying, “Let me explain.” Just as almost everything in life has a necessary formula or order, so does prayer. Unless we are following the Bible God’s instruction manual on prayer, we must understand that He cannot answer. It’s not that He does not want to, “
SO, ….. God sent you with the magic formula to to tell us all ……? Job covered his mouth. I suggest you do the same.
Your works are as filthy rags.
I believe that to pray means to listen.
or "not yet"
I did not grow up in a Christian home, but God showed me His Son when I was 21 and facing suicide......He has been my life and salvation ever since and I’m 75.
I can say God has answered my prayers for 54 years, many times miraculously....especially my prayers for others......am I special? No - but He is.......and I base all my requests on His Son’s finished work on the cross, His shed blood and righteousness for me - and everyone else.
My prayers for myself? Simple: Lord, GLORIFY Thyself! Show me Thyself, reveal Yourself to me! “May I decrease, AND MAY YOU INCREASE!”
At 75, I can truly say He has given me the desires of my heart, as I have 8 grown kids who all love the Lord and have a walk with Him, a beautiful godly wife who loves me, 5 wonderful grandchildren, and many dear Christian friends.
Even tho I was just diagnosed with prostate cancer, I have no fear - He is both my Healer and my Portion, and His perfect will will be done.
These are the richest years of my life and I cannot thank Him enough. Yes! We had many years of trial, trouble and difficulty - but He has carried us through it all and looking back I can only see His faithfulness, His mercy, His love.
RE: I believe that to pray means to listen.
Yes, but there clearly is a petitionary element in it. It includes listening, but it also necessarily includes talking.
What good lessons here. Spending time with God talking about any subject
is a time of joy. We tend to make prayer to be like a grocery list of wants.
Salvation is a person. Salvation is a relationship. Being in Christ and He in me is a tighter relationship than my marriage, my kids. Time spent in His word let’s you know Him In a most wonderful way. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
I have a bit of a different take on prayer. It is as if prayers have been answered that I did not know I had prayed. After a very rough life from my late twenties through my forties I was led into what in retrospect I can only believe is that God eased me into a situation and presented a task for me. So long as I stayed on task, whose nature I did not know as it was unfolding, I was protected through occurrences and eventualities that should have done me harm but from which a number of people including myself have had much better lives than was in prospect 17 years ago. Some of them are Christian, some are not.
I pray regularly. I do not ask for help for myself. I'm mostly self sufficient and can deal with most anything...with exceptions. At those times I will ask for small things in the name of my Lord Jesus.
But regularly, I pray for help for my family, my children and grandchildren. Please Lord our Father, Creator of all things, keep them healthy and happy and free from harm. In Jesus' name I ask this.
For myself, I take what is given with thanks.
I am 70 now and as I look back on my life I see more clearly how God was working in my life, without my knowing it. He was preparing me for things that would happen in the future and I now that time has passed, I clearly what HE was doing. My wife and I have had some serious medical issues with our children but they are all doing well and HE has given us 10 amazing grandchildren and a great grandson.
My family knows I love the Lord. As such, I am in the process of writing down just how GOD has worked I my life. I want them to understand just how magnificent and loving GOD is and how important it is to be born again in Christ and to Trust in HIM.
And finally, I have found that GOD has an amazing sense of humor. Several things have occurred that were trivial but I prayed for his guidance. He answered my pray in a couple of humorous ways. It let me know that there is nothing HE can’t do and HE is interested in a intimate, loving relationship with HIS children.
He knows everything about you; warts and all. Ask humbly for forgiveness in Jesus’ name and leave it to HIM to do HIS WILL in your life.
Instead of yes or no I sometimes get something like “l have done most of it, the rest is up to you”.
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