YOUR BIBLE MINUTE WITH ALLAN: “Why are my prayers not being answered?” Prayer is communication with God. In prayer we acknowledge the supremacy of God as all knowing and able; He reserves the right to do what pleases Him. There are some moments we may have felt this all knowing, supreme and able God had either fallen asleep or deliberately denied us answers. But God does not slumber, neither does He fall sleep; indeed the thoughts God has towards each of us outnumber the grains of sand. In God there’s no favoritism because His numerous promises to us are YES and AMEN! But, where then is the issue? Why are the requests not being answered? The issues are of various dimensions. Self-inflicted, God’s design and satanic programs. Let us look at some of the situations: 1. GIVING UP ALONG THE WAY: Luke 18:1-8 begins so powerfully: “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they SHOULD ALWAYS PRAY AND NOT GIVE UP.” Trouble is some, if not many, are praying but do not go all the way. In 2 Kings 2:1-18, Elisha would have not receives the double portion of Elijah’s Spirit if he had stayed back (as the message unveils). The widow in the Luke passage got her justice because she bothered the judge without giving him rest. Isaiah 62:6 – 7 reminds us not to rest and not to give God any rest until we have received from Him. Answered will come to those who go all the way; who pay the price. REMEMBER to PUSH! Pray Until Something Happens! 2. PRAYING OFF TARGET: James 4:3 says we ask and not receive because we ask with wrong motives. Before one opens their mouth to ask of God, first ask yourself, “why do I want what I am asking God for?” You may find it is only a want or a feeling with no concrete base. Asking God for a particular car/house/job just to show off may turn out a disappointment. No wonder James says, “…you ask with wrong motives, THAT YOU MAY SPEND WHAT YOU GET ON YOUR PLEASURES.” Revisit your desire/purpose and let you be genuine before God. REMEMBER Gal. 6:7, God cannot be mocked! 3. FAITHLESS PRAYERS/EXHALTING YOUR ISSUES ABOVE GOD: Matt 17:20 He (Jesus) replied, Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Think about things not happening because you cannot gather faith as small as a mustard seed! Faith is the key that unlocks the unseen: Heb 11:1, “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” With Faith we operate in the Nature of God who “…calls things that are not as though they were.” – Rom 4:17. Mark 11:24 says, Pray, believe and you will receive; James 1:6-8 “But when he asks, he MUST BELIEVE and NOT DOUBT, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. Remember Heb. 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God,…” 4. PRAYING OUTSIDE GOD’S WILL: 1 John 5:14 – 15, if we pray according to His will He hears us. In relation to James 4:3 where He hears but does not answer because of the wrong motives, this time He out rightly will not hear. This reminds us to remain connected to the Spirit while I prayer. Eph. 6:18 tells us to pray IN THE SPIRIT on all occasions; Rom. 8:26 – 27 tells us we do not even know what to pray for, but the Spirit of God does the intercession within us in accordance with the God’s will. Always ask yourself this question: “What is God’s will for your life in relation to what you are praying to Him about?” If you get the answer right, I prophesy, RECEIVE! REMEMBER Col 1:9, always ask “…God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” 5. PROGRAMMING GOD/GIVING GOD ULTIMATUMS: Giving God ultimatums may cost you the timely prayer answer. Eccl 5:2 God is in heaven and you are on earth, Ps 115:3 he does whatever pleases him. In John 11, Martha and Mary had wanted Jesus to rescue their brother Lazarus from death at their immediate request. Verse 6 tells us, even after Jesus heard that His friend was sick; he stayed two more days where He was; probably to prove a point that He works not according to our work plan but His Father’s. We cannot command God, He commands us. Before you think of telling God to answer you by tomorrow... REMEMBER Isa. 55:8 – 9, His thoughts are higher than yours, so are His ways. 6. FAILURE TO PLAY YOUR ROLE: There is quite a big serious issue in the place of prayer. People like to receive and yet do not want to pay the price. God’s promises have conditions attached; not because He cannot provide, but He loves our participation in His giving us. For instance, I have heard a number of people pray these kinds of prayers: “In the name of Jesus, I am the head and not the tail, top and not bottom (Deut. 28:13);” “O Lord, your word says my enemies will attack from one direction but flee in seven directions (Deut. 28:7);” “O God you said you will open the flood gates of heaven with an over flow… (Mal. 3:10)” Certain prayers have automatic answers; all we do is do our part. For instance, Deut. 28:7 & 13 are granted only when you obey God’s commands. You do not live a life of disobedience and expect to live at the top or be the head; or have the floodgates of Heaven open to you when you are not tithing. REMEMBER Deut. 12:28 Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you… 7. GOD’S TIMING Sometimes our answers to our prayers do not come as desired because God knows the end from the beginning. He knows what is right for you at a particular time. In certain instances, because of our human RACE-Y nature, we want things done quickly, yet God has a different plan. He knows the perfect definition of feelings, wants and needs; He concerns is our needs. Always depend on God’s timing as the best; He is never late! He desires the best for us. Keep your life fixed on God and all will be well with you.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 09:43:22 +0000
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