How to have our prayers answered by God.

Leon ♦ January 1, 2015 ♦ Leave a comment

How do we know if God will answer our prayers? I have read God always answers our prayers, either yes, or no, or wait. This seems like a pretty poor answer to me. Everything that we desire happens or it doesn’t, whether we ask God or not. Atheist, and non believers of every stripe, have good and bad things happen to them every day.  If I pray for a new job and get it, I suppose I can thank God for answering my prayer. What if I start the new job, thinking I would enjoy it, and find I hate working there? I read also, we should pray for everyday things, like green lights on our drive to work, or great parking spot at the mall. You may be lonely and praying for a spouse, or sick and praying for health. Some may find a spouse, and others are still waiting, some may get better and others worse. Does any of this make sense? Does God really care if you have a new car, or the best parking spot, if you own your house or rent? Some people may read these words, and are asking God for clean drinking water, or a pot to cook their dinner in. Paul wrote this to Timothy,  1 Timothy 6:⁵ Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.⁸ And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  Godliness with contentment is great gain! If we are content having just our basic needs met, we are at peace. But doesn’t God want us to have much more then that?  Philippians 4:¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.¹² I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Many of us find we are, at times, in need of very little, and at other times, we may find ourselves in great distress. Paul said he had learned to be content in both states. Was Paul someone who had all green lights on the way to work? Did he always receive the best parking spot? Was he always walking on the sunny side of the street?  2 Corinthians 11: ²³ Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.²⁴ Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.²⁵ Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;²⁶ In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;²⁷ In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.²⁸ Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Paul’s life was not easy. But he had this to say about his hardships,  2 Corinthians 12:⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. People who have little or no faith, quite often appear to have life the easiest. God does want to answer our prayers! And he has answered all of them, through Jesus our Lord and Savior!  1 Corinthians 3:²¹ Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your’s;²² Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your’s;²³ And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. Paul said ALL things are ours! We may not see it yet, but we have eternal life, and all the riches of the universe, if we have made Jesus our Lord and Savior. What more could we possibly ask for?  Proverbs 16:¹⁶ How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!  The better we come to know God’s word, the more we come to understand how much he loves us.  Romans 8:³¹ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? ³² He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  Solomon asked God for wisdom, and all the other things he received were a benefit of that request. Solomon’s kingdom, and all his rich’s, pale in comparison to what God has given us, through his Son Jesus. Ask God for the peace that surpasses all understanding, no matter what circumstances you are in, and he will answer your prayer! 1 Thessalonians 5: ¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.