The Elephant in the Room
1 Peter 3:12 NIV " For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil".
Before I get started I want to reiterate that I believe in prayer, it is our life's blood and our primary means of survival. I practice it daily and I believe everyone else should too. After all the Bible tells us in James 5:16 KJV that we should "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Now we're going to talk about the Elephant in the room. Everybody knows it's there, but no one wants to acknowledge it. We tip-toe around it and pretend we don't see it. Or else we decorate it with doilies, pretend it's a table and serve tea.
I get weary with pie-in-the sky promises that come spilling forth from the lips of media preachers who sound suspiciously like used car salesmen. They tell us that all we have to do is just send them a "faith" offering. Then pray and confess that we will receive and we will get whatever we want. Jesus drove the money changers out of the temple and I fear a similar fate awaits these guys.
Just because we pray for a thing doesn't necessarily mean we'll get exactly what we ask for. Don't get me wrong.. God answers prayer, I've seen him answer in spectacular ways. But he is not a Genie in a bottle who grants wishes and you can't buy answers to your prayers.
There are times when it seems like he just doesn't answer at all. Why? What's really the problem? We were promised early on in John 15:7 KJV that if we believe the word of God we will receive what we ask for " If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will , and it shall be done unto you." It seems to be saying "If you abide in me" (if you are born again) "and my words abide in you" (if you are familiar with the scriptures) "You can ask what you will, and it will be done for you." Seems kind of like a blank check to me. But I fear there are other things to consider.
Timing for one, just like little children we think that if the answer doesn't come immediately that it's not coming, but God doesn't work in time the way we do. The answer may be coming just a little farther down the road when it will work out better. Sometimes it takes years to receive our answers but God's timing is different from ours.
Sometimes we must go through trials to teach us lessons or strengthen our faith or perhaps as a witness to others. As hard as it seems to accept, sometimes we ask for things that are unwise, hurtful or not in God's plan for our lives. He reserves the option to say no, he's answers according to his great knowledge, His love and His will.
There are certain formulas outlined in the Bible that we can use in our prayers. Our toolbox if you will, to use in the important job of intercessory prayer. We are instructed to make our request in Jesus name. John 14:13." And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son". This addresses our attitudes and motives, what we do, we do for God's glory not our own. Also John 16:23 "And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you".
We're told in Matthew to find a buddy to agree with us in prayer Matthew 18:19 KJV "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask , it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven" and of course we are to pray in faith that we will receive our request. They key to this is agreeing with your Buddy as you pray your request.
Don't just throw words skyward and hope for the best, think about past successes in prayer and ask God to help you muster whatever faith possible. Learn scripture about the subject and remind God of His promises. Luke 17:6 KJV promises "And the Lord said , If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root , and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you".
Frankly there are no pat answers, God does answer prayer but it's something you have to work out between you and him. Get to know him, talk to him, read his book, follow his instructions, these things go a long way. Ask him to show you what might be hindering his work in your life. It's possible that what you're asking might not be what's best for you or his perfect good will for your life.
I know he loves us and values our prayers..believe it or not the Bible tells us they raise like incense before God's throne. Revelation 5:8 NIV "And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints".
1 Peter 3:12 NIV " For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil".
Before I get started I want to reiterate that I believe in prayer, it is our life's blood and our primary means of survival. I practice it daily and I believe everyone else should too. After all the Bible tells us in James 5:16 KJV that we should "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Now we're going to talk about the Elephant in the room. Everybody knows it's there, but no one wants to acknowledge it. We tip-toe around it and pretend we don't see it. Or else we decorate it with doilies, pretend it's a table and serve tea.
I get weary with pie-in-the sky promises that come spilling forth from the lips of media preachers who sound suspiciously like used car salesmen. They tell us that all we have to do is just send them a "faith" offering. Then pray and confess that we will receive and we will get whatever we want. Jesus drove the money changers out of the temple and I fear a similar fate awaits these guys.
Just because we pray for a thing doesn't necessarily mean we'll get exactly what we ask for. Don't get me wrong.. God answers prayer, I've seen him answer in spectacular ways. But he is not a Genie in a bottle who grants wishes and you can't buy answers to your prayers.
There are times when it seems like he just doesn't answer at all. Why? What's really the problem? We were promised early on in John 15:7 KJV that if we believe the word of God we will receive what we ask for " If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will , and it shall be done unto you." It seems to be saying "If you abide in me" (if you are born again) "and my words abide in you" (if you are familiar with the scriptures) "You can ask what you will, and it will be done for you." Seems kind of like a blank check to me. But I fear there are other things to consider.
Timing for one, just like little children we think that if the answer doesn't come immediately that it's not coming, but God doesn't work in time the way we do. The answer may be coming just a little farther down the road when it will work out better. Sometimes it takes years to receive our answers but God's timing is different from ours.
Sometimes we must go through trials to teach us lessons or strengthen our faith or perhaps as a witness to others. As hard as it seems to accept, sometimes we ask for things that are unwise, hurtful or not in God's plan for our lives. He reserves the option to say no, he's answers according to his great knowledge, His love and His will.
There are certain formulas outlined in the Bible that we can use in our prayers. Our toolbox if you will, to use in the important job of intercessory prayer. We are instructed to make our request in Jesus name. John 14:13." And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son". This addresses our attitudes and motives, what we do, we do for God's glory not our own. Also John 16:23 "And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you".
We're told in Matthew to find a buddy to agree with us in prayer Matthew 18:19 KJV "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask , it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven" and of course we are to pray in faith that we will receive our request. They key to this is agreeing with your Buddy as you pray your request.
Don't just throw words skyward and hope for the best, think about past successes in prayer and ask God to help you muster whatever faith possible. Learn scripture about the subject and remind God of His promises. Luke 17:6 KJV promises "And the Lord said , If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root , and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you".
Frankly there are no pat answers, God does answer prayer but it's something you have to work out between you and him. Get to know him, talk to him, read his book, follow his instructions, these things go a long way. Ask him to show you what might be hindering his work in your life. It's possible that what you're asking might not be what's best for you or his perfect good will for your life.
I know he loves us and values our prayers..believe it or not the Bible tells us they raise like incense before God's throne. Revelation 5:8 NIV "And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints".
In her book "The Power of Simple Prayer" Joyce Meyer addresses this problem with a list of 14 things that hinder our answers to prayer..
1. Prayerlessness- We simply do not ask-James 4:2.. "You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God".
2. Lack of Boldness-Hebrews 4:16 " Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need".
3. Sin- Psalm 66:18-If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
4.Praying outside God's will...James 2:4 ":You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask".
5.Praying with the wrong motives-2 Timothy 2:22 "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart".
7. Worry- Matthew 6:25 " So I say to you, Take no thought for your life, about food or drink, or about clothing for your body. Is not life more than food, and the body more than its clothing"?
8. Ungratefulness- Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful"
9. Negative confession-Be careful what you say, it matters what comes out of your mouth. Proverbs 18:21-"Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.10. Failure to focus-Turn off your phone when you pray, and the computer too, focus on the Lord and come before him with praise and thanksgiving".
11.Lack of compassion- -Ephesians 4:32 KJV "And be ye kind one to another , tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you".
12. Rebellion--Hebrews 3:15 "As it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion".
13. Unforgiveness -Mark 11:25 "And when ye stand praying , forgive , if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses".
14. Pride-1 Peter 5:5 "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain : that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Sometimes we ask for help and the baby dies anyway, what do we do? Give up our faith? Is there anyone or anything we can hold onto that's better than God? I lost 2 children to miscarriage and waded through a maze of doctors and procedures as I fought infertility. I finally gave up and broken hearted I went in to schedule a hysterectomy and found I was pregnant with my now 39 year old daughter.
In 2010 I was stricken with Guillain-Barre' syndrome and spent 6 months in the hospital, much of that time kept alive with tubes, I came home unable to even roll my own wheelchair. Prayers went up for me by the hundreds over several states. There was a time I couldn't breath, or eat or even speak, I was totally paralyzed, in spite of the prayers as time passed I didn't get much better.
My family finally hired a caregiver, brought in a hospital bed and I set up shop in my living room. I was diapered and bathed like a little baby. There were many times in those days I prayed to die, But after I got home I slowly gained strength and with the help of physical therapy I am walking and about 85% my old self again. Did God heal me? Yes, but it was a process, not in the way I hoped or expected. I prayed to die, he didn't answer my prayer.
But I once again have a fairly good quality of life. I was there standing on my own to feet (even though I was still on a walker) to witness the birth of my own sweet granddaughter. Do I understand why all this happened? Why I was stricken with GBS? No, I don't and there's a good chance I never will. But we must understand that sometimes God just does things his way. We may not like it, but he is God and we trust that he knows best. Who are we to question God? Do I believe God answered the prayers that went up for me? Yes I do, if he hadn't I would be dead. And when the time comes and I do die it will be okay, because I am his and that will be his will for me,. Does he always answer? It's kind of a cop-out to say yes He does, but sometimes the answer's no. I'm not going to say that. But I'm going to say that he is in control and I trust him even when it's hard, I trust Him love us and to work all things for our good whatever that may be. . .....Jireh's Girl
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose".
1. Prayerlessness- We simply do not ask-James 4:2.. "You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God".
2. Lack of Boldness-Hebrews 4:16 " Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need".
3. Sin- Psalm 66:18-If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
4.Praying outside God's will...James 2:4 ":You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask".
5.Praying with the wrong motives-2 Timothy 2:22 "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart".
7. Worry- Matthew 6:25 " So I say to you, Take no thought for your life, about food or drink, or about clothing for your body. Is not life more than food, and the body more than its clothing"?
8. Ungratefulness- Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful"
9. Negative confession-Be careful what you say, it matters what comes out of your mouth. Proverbs 18:21-"Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.10. Failure to focus-Turn off your phone when you pray, and the computer too, focus on the Lord and come before him with praise and thanksgiving".
11.Lack of compassion- -Ephesians 4:32 KJV "And be ye kind one to another , tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you".
12. Rebellion--Hebrews 3:15 "As it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion".
13. Unforgiveness -Mark 11:25 "And when ye stand praying , forgive , if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses".
14. Pride-1 Peter 5:5 "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain : that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Sometimes we ask for help and the baby dies anyway, what do we do? Give up our faith? Is there anyone or anything we can hold onto that's better than God? I lost 2 children to miscarriage and waded through a maze of doctors and procedures as I fought infertility. I finally gave up and broken hearted I went in to schedule a hysterectomy and found I was pregnant with my now 39 year old daughter.
In 2010 I was stricken with Guillain-Barre' syndrome and spent 6 months in the hospital, much of that time kept alive with tubes, I came home unable to even roll my own wheelchair. Prayers went up for me by the hundreds over several states. There was a time I couldn't breath, or eat or even speak, I was totally paralyzed, in spite of the prayers as time passed I didn't get much better.
My family finally hired a caregiver, brought in a hospital bed and I set up shop in my living room. I was diapered and bathed like a little baby. There were many times in those days I prayed to die, But after I got home I slowly gained strength and with the help of physical therapy I am walking and about 85% my old self again. Did God heal me? Yes, but it was a process, not in the way I hoped or expected. I prayed to die, he didn't answer my prayer.
But I once again have a fairly good quality of life. I was there standing on my own to feet (even though I was still on a walker) to witness the birth of my own sweet granddaughter. Do I understand why all this happened? Why I was stricken with GBS? No, I don't and there's a good chance I never will. But we must understand that sometimes God just does things his way. We may not like it, but he is God and we trust that he knows best. Who are we to question God? Do I believe God answered the prayers that went up for me? Yes I do, if he hadn't I would be dead. And when the time comes and I do die it will be okay, because I am his and that will be his will for me,. Does he always answer? It's kind of a cop-out to say yes He does, but sometimes the answer's no. I'm not going to say that. But I'm going to say that he is in control and I trust him even when it's hard, I trust Him love us and to work all things for our good whatever that may be. . .....Jireh's Girl
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose".