What I’m about to say could
sound illogical and funny but since we’ve entered the cynical illogic era it
might feel OK to say it. They say that when a hunter encounters a furious lion,
they both pray; one for the good hunt, and the other one for the good supper. I
have seen many movies in which I laugh because I see that in a given Church, or better said, Temple, (the “church” is not
the building but the people) there is a person praying on one side for victory
over their enemies, and on the other side one enemy is praying for the same
reason. Who is God listening to? And if it is a movie about the Mafia you can
see the godfather of the enemy come and say his condolences “I’m sorry for your
loss,” to the woman he just made a widow. And then sits to pray. How could this
be?
I know God is
listening. He listens to all, but He’s NOT going to answer all in the same
manner, just like He saves us all when we believe in Him, but will NOT reward
everyone the same when the time comes. It all has to do with doing His will. If
we are believers and read the Scriptures in a daily manner and talk to Him
likewise, we know what His will consists of, and how we can please Him. It
could be one’s not the passionate type and does not go around fussing about his/her
beliefs, but he/she does believe. We see it in their doing. Others, though,
think it’s so great to have been saved from hell by just believing that whatever
they can do is not enough to thank Him. It’s all a matter of the person’s
character; and we can change that, precisely, by praying; I’ve had proof of it.
When I decided to talk
about this issue of Prayer, I went to
the Topic section of my Spanish Study Bible of the Americas (Lockman
Foundation) and read about it.
I can pray all the
time I’m conscious; even if I’m by myself. I know He’s listening because He’s
the Father to whom we ask; for your Father knows what you need before
you ask Him. (Mathew 6.8b) I talk to Him as with my earthly Dad, and
present him all my worries, honestly. But He also likes it when two or more do
it together. Jesus said: If two of you agree on earth about anything
that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.
“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I’m there in their midst.” (Mathew 18.
19-20) If we pray through the
Son, Jesus, we know we’re right. He said: Whatever you ask of the Father in My name He
may give to you. (John 15.16c) And if we pray through the Holy Spirit
is even better since He dwells within us, for we do not know how to pray as we
should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. (Romans 8.26b) That
is why Paul says: With all prayers and petitions pray at all times in the Spirit
(Ephesians 6.18a)
If we want God to
answer our Prayers we should:
1-Seek God w/pure
heart-You will seek Me and find Me
when you search with all your heart.
(Jeremiah 29.13)
2-Pray according to
the Word/be obedient-If you abide in Me and my words in you, ask
whatever you wish and it will be done for you. (John 15.7) ..whatever we ask we
receive from Him because we keep His commandments. . .(I John 3.22)
3-Confess and repent/Be
humble-My people who are called by My name
humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2
Chronicles 7.14)
4-Submit to the Will
of God-We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God fearing and
does His will, He hears him. (John 9.31)
5-Have a righteous life-The
Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
(Proverbs 15.29)
6-Delight in the Lord-Delight
yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm
37.4)
7-Have faith-And
all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.(Matthew 21.22)
8- Be honest/ Respectful
-The
Lord is near to all who call upon Him. . .in truth. The Lord keeps all who fear
Him . . . love Him. (Psalm 145. 18-20a)
9-Forgive others-For
if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. (Matthew 6.14)
10-Persevere-Will
not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and
will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for
them quickly. (Luke 18. 7-8a)
11- Ask in the name of
Jesus (and Jesus said)-If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do
it. (John
14.14)
All of these qualities
are present in most people who pray. In these times of trouble we are
experiencing, I would like to leave you with words of VICTORY prayer:
Establish my footsteps in Your
Word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. (Psalm 119. 133)
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