Hi to my Forum Friends,
In the discussion begun last week by DogSoldier, titled "Prayer: How Does One KNOW It Works?" -- he is asking a very important question, one which is critical to our Christian walk, one which is critical for our Christian lives. In my mind, he is asking, "How do we know God cares? How do we know God is listening? How can we know if God really does answers our prayers?"
DogSoldier asked, "I know....one must have FAITH. I also am well aware that God seldom 'works' as we expect. But how does someone of weak faith overcome their doubts regarding prayer?"
Your own answer of faith is a good start. By faith, we know that God always answers the prayers of Christian believers. He may not answer the way we want -- but, He answers. And, His answer is always either "Yes" - "No" - or "Wait a while, My child."
But, I believe your question can also be stated, "How can we KNOW, in our frail, often doubting human souls -- that our prayer has truly been heard and answered?"
First, let's differentiate between meditating and praying. Both are valid means of communication with God. Meditation is when we are listening to God; which should be frequently -- or better, all the time. Prayer is when we are addressing praise and adoration, a need, a desire or a want -- to God.
Joy mentioned, "For me, prayer is a release of everything...my fears, my concerns, my anger, my joy, my praise, just anything on my mind and in my heart...and a filling from God at the end - a settling of peace, contentment, whatever I need to go on in my current circumstance."
True, this can be viewed as prayer -- but, I prefer to call it meditation, when we are turning everything over to God and just listening for His soothing, comforting peace, allowing His Word and His love to flow into us.
When we pray, first, we praise Him and thank Him for all the many blessings He has given to us, to our family and friends, and for His guidance of our nation as it moves, once more, closer and closer to Him.
Let me share excerpts from several tracts and bulletin inserts I have written in past years, and have also shared in my Friends Ministry eNewsletter.
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Excerpt from a Bulletin Insert in 2002: PRAYER: A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND!
What is your attitude toward prayer? Do you think, "Oh, prayers are just wishful thinking. God never answers them." Or maybe you feel, "Why would God answer my prayers? I have too many problems, I haven't really been a good Christian." Or, possibly, your attitude is, "I have prayed so many times and I have never seen one single prayer answered."
Maybe you don't really understand how to pray. That is not unusual. I never really knew how to pray effectively until I met a gentleman, Pastor Sam Lacanienta, who told our Bible Study, "Prayer is just a conversation with your best Friend. Talk with Him as you would any other good friend." In other words, don't try to make your prayer too grandiose, too much like a sermon. God doesn't need a sermon, there is nothing you can teach Him anyway. Speak simply and from your heart.
But, one thing Pastor Sam did emphasize and I will attest to it, "Make your prayer specific. Don't pray in vague generalities." If you pray for something specific, then you will know when God has answered that prayer. However, if you pray in vague generalities; how will you know if that prayer has been answered or not?
(Could that be why you believe you have never had a prayer answered -- because, in praying in generalities, you cannot recognize the hand of God at work in your prayers and in your life?)
Let me give you an example of a specific prayer and God's answer. In the early 1990s, I was unemployed and on the last day of the month I had only $5. Rent was due the next day. I went into my bedroom at 3:00 PM and prayed, asking God to provide a way for us to pay the rent. I didn't pray for God to give us great financial security and all the things we would love to have. I prayed specifically for one thing -- the means to pay our rent.
The next morning my mother, who knew nothing about my situation (because of her health, I had not told her), called me and said, "Yesterday, when I was taking a bath, I had a strong feeling that I wanted to send you money. I had your brother wire you $1000 today." I asked her what time she was bathing. She was taking a bath at 5:00 PM Alabama time, which is 3:00 PM my time in California -- exactly when I was praying. I asked for something specific -- and I received a definite answer. There is no doubt my specific prayer was answered by God.
However, we must always remember --- the answer to our prayer will not always be, "Yes." Just as Jesus prayed, our prayer should always be, "Father, not my will, but Your will be done!" God's answer may be, "Yes," it may be, "No," or it might be, "Not yet, My child." (His will, which is much more knowing that ours, be done.)
Our God is not a whimsical, frivolous Lord who just causes things to happen to amuse Himself. He has a plan, and every prayer answered fits into that plan -- perfectly. As an example, let's say you have three loved ones who are involved in an accident. All three are in the hospital, critically injured. You fervently pray to God to give all three of them healing.
Two of the them recover fully. The third will be in a wheel-chair for life, a paraplegic. Does this mean that God ignored your prayers or just didn't think you deserve to have your prayer fully answered? No! If God leaves that person in a wheel-chair, it is because He has a reason. If that person is willing, God can use a wheel-chair bound witness to reach many hurting people. Look how God has used Joni Eareckson Tada, in her wheel-chair, to be an amazing light-in-the-darkness to great multitudes of people around the world.
Excerpt from a Tract and Bulletin Insert in 2000: PRAY, AND RELEASE THE POWER OF GOD!
How do we pray? The acrostic ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) can serve as a mental prompt for a balanced prayer life.
Adoration: "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:9-10). You acknowledge God's holy character and attributes. Praise Him for His love, His power and His majesty, and His wonderful gift of Jesus Christ.
Confession: "Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:12-13). Confession of our disobedience is necessary, for God must cleanse our hearts before He will hear and answer our prayers. In this way our fellowship with God is restored. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
Thanksgiving: Praise God for all the blessings He has given you. Praise Him also for all your trials and tribulations, through which you have matured in your walk with the Lord. "Enter His gate with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name" (Psalm 100:4). "Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God" (Ephesians 5:20).
Supplication: "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). Ask the Lord for those things you need. But, always putting Christ first, pray for others, then yourself. Jesus first, Others next, then Yourself: you get JOY -- another acrostic which should define your Christian walk.
Excerpt from a Tract and Bulletin Insert in 2000: PRAY, AND RELEASE THE POWER OF GOD!
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 the apostle Paul tells us, "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." And when you pray, do so in the name of Jesus Christ for he is the only door through which our prayers get to the Father. "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).
Jesus also tells us, "And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:13,14). Does this mean, as the "Name It And Claim It" Prosperity preachers declare, that if we ask for a Rolls Royce, God will provide it? NO! God Himself tells us in scripture, "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 John 5:14). (And, He will answer according to His will.)
Jesus gives us the best example of praying according to the will of the Father when, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42).
Note: In the excerpts above, some parenthetical comments, bolds,
and underlines have been added for explanation or emphasis.
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PRAYER! Our conversations of praise and petition with our Heavenly Father. When we pray, whether it be as a group or whether we go off into a room alone -- pray for one another; lift your brothers and sisters up in prayer before God because "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (James 5:16). Pray in the name of Jesus Christ; pray that God's will, not yours, be done; and as Job did, pray for your friends (Job 42:10).
And when you know that brothers and sisters have been praying for you, and those prayers are answered, let them know. Then, both they and you can PRAISE the Lord for answered prayers!
If these thoughts on prayer have helped you -- then please feel free to share them with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. May all of God's people continue to commune with Him through Prayer and Meditation; may all of God's people find peace with God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) -- and may we all grow daily in our knowledge and understanding of God's Word.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill