Prayer – Sunday Thought For The Day

Society has become an “I want it and I want it now society.” Many times even when we pretend to be patient, it simply means we are not displaying the angst seething within us. But it is supposed to be different with Christians, after all Psalms 37:4 tells us: “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (KJV) Which brings me to today’s “Sunday Thought.”

There are no few times that it may seem we ask and we do not receive that which we are asking for in prayer. Why is that we may ask; after all doesn’t John 16:23-28 (KJV) seem to assure us that whatever we ask we will receive? Doesn’t Matthew 7:1-12 (KJV) seem to tell us to ask and keep asking until God gives us our desire(s)?

If you are thinking to yourself that maybe it’s a lack of faith, because Matthew 17:17-21 (KJV) addresses faith the size of a grain of mustard seed. I remind you to keep in mind the context in which Jesus was teaching when He said that. Someone may be thinking that we ask and do not receive based upon the teaching of James 4:3 (KJV), i.e., we ask amiss that we may consume upon our own lusts.

The fact is that there are many verses in both the Old and New Testaments that speak to asking in faith and receiving that which was prayed to see/have happen. But, I remind you there is also one other verse that is frequently spoken, and yet seldom remembered.

That verse can be found in Matthew 6:10 (KJV). This passage of scripture is part of the Lord’s prayer and the verse I reference reads: “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

When we pray, yes we are to pray expecting and believing that our prayers will be answered, but when we submit our way unto the Lord, when we say “Lord here is my prayer and I am asking you in faith believing but Heavenly Father, I ask that they will be done. I ask that you receive the glory, praise and honor.” That is asking with our hearts, minds and wills submitted to God.

There are many times that children of God have prayed and have not received the answer we believed we wanted. We have prayed for a person near death to be healed and they’ve been healed; other times the person has passed away despite fervent prayer. Sometimes we’ve prayed years for a person to be saved and it appears that they passed away unsaved. Other times we pray years for a person to be saved and we see them saved.

But when we can pray with humbled confidence, knowing that God hears our prayers and trusting Him to answer according to His will, that which is best for us, we have submitted our way unto the Lord, and born out of that relationship we will see/experience God work in powerful ways.

READ:Philippians 4:4-7 (KJV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.