Dec 07 2008
Thoughts On Prayer
Why doesn’t God answer my prayers? While there are many, many reasons, including the very real response: “He has. He just didn’t answer it the way you wanted”, James 4: 2 - 3 gives us another reason. Using a cause and effect layout, we can see a basic premise which is not too pretty.
Cause Effect
we lust but we do not have we kill (maybe not physically, but strife is a result)
we desire but we do not have we fight and war (conflict and strife rip us apart)
we do not ask we do not have
we do ask amiss so we may consume we do not receive
The last two cause / effect relationships go hand in hand. These two statement could easily be linked to the ‘name and claim’ mentality which swept through the Church a few years ago. They certainly show the connection between our sinful desires and our unanswered prayers.
If God is not answering our prayers, may we ought to ask ourselves a few questions:
1 - Why would God answer the prayer of a believer who is seeking to live as an enemy of Christ? If our prayers are related to our wants are we not asking to fulfill our lusts?
2 - Do our prayers reflect Christ’s example, ‘not My will but Thine be done’?
3 - Do we harbor desires which we know are outside of God’s revealed will?
4 - Does our typical prayer aim any higher than our own selfish desires? In other words, are our prayers ‘all about me’?
Father, teach us to pray with a pure heart, a heart which seeks Your will above all else. Give us the faith to know You are a good God. You hear our prayers. You answer in a way which is best for us and which brings You the most glory. Give us the grace, dear Father, to trust You in all things.
