Dear Explorer,
Read Matthew 21:20-22
And
Read Mark 11:22-24
Whatever you ask for in prayer will be yours! Wow!
Is that what these verses say?
What's the requirement?
Have you ever tried to make yourself believe something that you didn't believe?
So, what is God saying here?
I puzzled about these verses for many years. I've learned that if what I'm praying for is God's will, then it will happen. So, one of the first things I check is whether what I'm asking for is true to God's character and His written Word (the Bible). In other words, if I'm praying that someone would invite Jesus into their life, then I know that that's God's will. But it is against God's character for Him to force anyone. So, I can pray that prayer and believe all I want to --- and I believe God will do His part, but God will still give the person the freedom to invite Jesus into their life or to reject Him. So, I must make sure that what I'm asking for agrees with God's will AND His character.
The longer and more obediently you walk with God and the more you study His Word, the better you will know what to pray for specifically and what to avoid.
I've had dear, dear friends pray for my healing for years, and God may choose to heal me on this earth someday, but I am comfortable that He has another plan to use me in spite of my pain and so I'm at peace either way. He knows what is best and I trust Him.
You need to know that many, many people pray for something and when they don't get what they want, they quit believing in or obeying God. God is not your vending machine – you put in a prayer and pull out your prize. It doesn't work that way!
So, what does this statement really mean to a follower of Jesus?
My car's gas tank was on empty. No, it was past empty. I had gotten home late and didn't take time to fill it up with gas. All I wanted was a good night's rest. But, in the middle of the night a lady called who was really, really struggling and I told her I would come to pray with her. I got up, pulled on some clothes, told David where I was going, and started driving to her part of town – which wasn't a safe area to be in after dark. As I was driving, I realized I probably didn't have enough gas to get to her house. I began to look for a service station but couldn't find one opened. Suddenly, I felt God was telling me that He could take care of it if I would ask. I began to pray, “Oh, God, be the gas in my tank! Please don't let me run out of gas! I am Your servant and I'm just trying to be obedient. Be the gas in my tank.” I safely arrived at her house and ministered to her, then I started home. Again, I prayed for God's provision. Once I got closer to home, I saw a gas station that was opened. I pulled in and the motor died just as I pulled up to the pump. I filled up the tank and returned home with joyous praise.
I knew that it was God's will for me to be doing ministry. I asked believing that He could and would do it. And He did.
God promises to be your provider. He promises to provide everything you need to accomplish everything He's called you to do (2 Corinthians 9:8).
It's a wonderful promise, but it's not a frivolous promise.
Another habit that I've picked up is to go ahead and thank Him in advance. If I know that my request is in His will and His character, then I go ahead and thank Him for it ahead of time. (Philippians 4:6) In other words, I can thank Him BEFORE it happens because of this promise!
Another key to having our prayers answered is found in this next verse.
Read Mark 11:25-26
Here Mark reminds us that before we come to God with specific requests, we need to take care of business. What business?
Some translations do not contain Mark 11:26 because it is not found in the earliest manuscripts. It is a duplicate of Matthew 6:5 and we've already covered it on Day 80.
In His service, dale
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