If
A.W. Tozer once said, “prayer is still the greatest power on earth if it is practiced in the true fear of God and it is our solemn obligation to see that it is so practiced.”
In our last lesson, we considered some of the “ifs” in the promises about answers to prayers. We looked at John 15:7, “if ye abide in me”, and if “my words abide in you.” Then there is the promise, “ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.”
Here are a few more “ifs”. John 12:26b, “if any man serve me, him will my Father honor”. Faithfully serving God and staying involved in the cause of Christ insures that God will honor us and our prayers.
John 14:13 & 14, “and whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it”. Asking God in Jesus’ name makes a difference! Jesus said so. Why is this a difference-maker in getting answers to our prayers? Because we are tapping into that name of power, authority, and access (Philippians 2:9 & 10).
I John 5:14 deals with another important “if”, “And this is the confidence that we have in Him that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us”. Learning to pray according to His will or in-line with what God wants, requires a pure heart and pure motives. Sometimes we pray selfish prayers; prayers that express what we want and prayers that lean towards our own agenda. We must pray, “Thy will be done”. James 4:3 says, “Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss” (with the wrong motive). Perhaps we don’t pray for what will bring God glory. Maybe we ask for things that would only bring ourselves pleasure, glory, or recognition.
So, what do we do about our selfish requests? (1) Let God search your heart (Psalm 139:23). (2) Confess any wrong motives (I John 1:9). (3) Learn to pray Psalm 115:1, “not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy and for Thy truth’s sake.”
Let’s take it to the next level gentlemen!
Pastor Bruce Freeman
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