Probably one of the hardest things for me is to feel that God wants me to pray about something and then when I do, it doesn’t happen. What’s up with that?
Doesn’t God say He will answer our prayers? Why don’t I have an answer? Okay, okay……calm down. Let’s see if there’s anything in this chapter that might give us a clue to why prayers aren’t answered. First, notice that the passages on prayer are at the beginning and the end. In between them is a passage on being dedicated, and on being childlike. The first passage tells us to keep asking and not give up. Even when you don’t receive what you asked for, keep asking as long as God allows you to. Keep in mind that the “the Judge” is rising from His seat to bring justice and right wrongs. What I mean to say is: God isn’t going to finally relent and give you the new car that you want just because you were nagging Him. You can only apply this to your situation if what you want is in harmony with God’s desires for the world (or your life). Never quit praying for salvation for others. Never quit praying to be more in love with Jesus, and to grow deeper in your relationship with Him. Never quit praying for the Fruit of the Spirit, or the Gifts (if you see the need for one in particular). Always pray that God will have complete control over you, and use you in any way He desires.
I have been praying faithfully for a couple of people to be healed without any answer. I only pray because I felt God wanted me to, and I expect to be answered. But I haven’t been yet, so I keep praying. If God chooses to answer in the way I expect, fine…Praise the Lord! If not, praise Him still! He is God and can do whatever He wants.
The blind beggar never gave us asking God for his sight, and we shouldn’t quit asking God for healing either.
I mentioned that the two examples frame several other accounts. In both of these accounts we learn some behaviors and attitudes that are necessary for a fruitful prayer life. First, we must be childlike. Not childish, that’s different. Children look to their parents with trust and humility for all things. They expect to be loved, fed, cared for, etc. We should be the same. We are humble when we admit that we cannot be righteous on our own, we need the constant help of the Holy Spirit. We are childlike when we come to our heavenly Father and sit at His feet and ask for whatever it is we think we need…and then accept whatever it is that He gives. Which of us as children liked everything we had to eat? Did we ever protest when it was time to take medicine? when we had to go to bed? do our homework? Sure, there are fun times, but like children, we must also accept the difficult ones. God isn’t our Cruise director or Concierge….He’s our Father.
And then there is the account of the rich man. What does that have to do with prayer? More than you think.
This passage ties in perfectly with the other thoughts. In order to be in a right relationship with God we must be emptied of our trust in all other things. One man could be very wealthy and it wouldn’t be a hindrance to his faith. But God saw that this man was trusting in his wealth. He loved it, and that’s a “no-n0”. The first commandment says “No other Gods before me” that means nothing else gets our attention in the same way God does. If God asks for something, then He gets it.
Check this however…..The way to know whether or not God is in first place in your life is your reaction when He asks for something. If God is first, you will give what He asks. That’s what “being a priority” is all about. But if you withhold whatever God asks for, then that thing means more to you than being obedient does. Uh, oh. You’re busted.
God wants the Sabbath. God wants your tithe. God wants your love and obedience. God might want you to turn the TV off…or change the channel. Maybe God wants you to sit and talk with Him for awhile. Are you willing? Or is something else more important?
We should be happy when God asks us to choose Him over something else. This is God’s way of removing harmful, sinful and debilitating things from our life. He saw that the rich man loved his wealth more than Him, so He called Him on it. This isn’t a mandate to be poor, it’s a call to the church to be humble and “needy” before God. When we recognize that our wealth is really nothing before God, and without His blessing no amount of money with ever be enough to satisfy us, we are quick to lower it’s priority in our lives.
For me today, these accounts all point toward being humble and hungry for Jesus.
Wanting to grow ever closer to Him,
PR