ANSWERED PRAYER

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 30 May 2013

Hi all,

In my 53 years of Christianity there are many things I’ve struggled with and still don’t understand. Don’t be surprised by this statement. The “gap” in understanding between mortals and the Infinite God is infinite.

A good illustration of this is found in the first two chapters of Genesis. Take a close look at what is recorded there in any language. You will find the story of creation stated “simplistically”. By this I mean that no matter how well educated or ignorant you may be you will grasp what God intended. It was not written for super-intellectuals, although they are able to understand without difficulty. Likewise an uneducated peasant can also understand it.

Unfortunately, I do not know Hebrew or Greek. But I am reliably informed that in Hebrew, the words in these little sentences are so complicated and so perfectly combined and presented, they are a mathematical marvel. Hebrew Scholars state, no man who has ever lived, could possibly compose words and statements in this unique way. They tell us we do not have the intellect to compose anything like what is recorded here. They conclude that only an all-knowing God could have written these two chapters of Scripture. A glimpse of this is found in a book entitled, “The Seal of God” by FC Payne. ISBN 0 908208 05 7. Obtain a copy of this book and be overwhelmed by the artistry and sheer brilliance of our God.

The reason why I mention this, is because in spite of all the “faith teaching” of the past 40 years, answers to prayer seem to be little different from what they were before. Why this should be, is a real “canackeler”. I’m told that medically attestable healings take place in only 3% of Christians. I’ve heard that a number of them are a “hoax” to take money from the gullible. There are also many psychosomatic healings which cannot be confirmed. Such as “I had a head-ache; after prayer it was gone”. Hopefully, this is factual, not a lie to please others.

My real concern is that very few people are healed and retain their healing. One thing is certain. God can and does heal and work miracles today. That being the case, why do we see so few? The reasons are too numerous to list. However, this much is certain. The problem/s is/are human and not divine. God has not changed.

Over the past 53 years the reason most often given is that we don’t have sufficient faith! It’s a very convenient reason. It means that if I pray for you and nothing “”happens” the problem is yours and not mine. The accusation makes me cringe. It springs from a heart filled with pride. By implication, “If you had as much faith as me, you would be healed.” Another reason mentioned is that the environment was not conducive to healing, much like Jesus in Nazareth. Yet Jesus restored the ear of Malchus – an unbeliever – when Jesus was being arrested. This was hardly a “faith inducing” atmosphere.

Casting a Mountain into
the Sea

Nevertheless, Jesus said: ²³ I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. ²⁴ I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. ²⁵ But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. " Mar 11:23-25 NLT In this instance there are two requirements for answered prayer. One is to have faith. This is not merely a mental acquiescence that God can do it if He wants to. We all know that already. In fact it’s what Daddy Hagin called, “the God kind of faith”. It’s more certain than yesterday’s news. The other requirement is forgiveness. Have you really forgiven everyone?

To Heaven

I’m not certain that this is a complete answer. But I suspect that most of us get shipwrecked on the rocks of one or both of them. Which one? Good question!

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 30 May 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	ANSWERED PRAYER
Being a Christian is a blast! I’ve never had so much fun in all my life. Sure there are enormous difficulties and problems confronting us. But getting to know the Lord Jesus Christ and walking with Him, is more exciting than riding a roller coaster in the amusement park. One of the first things we learn as Christians is that prayer is the “life blood” of the relationship with Him. Any personal relationship is two-sided. You cannot have a relationship with a rock – except for the Rock of Ages. Each and every relationship is at least two-sided. You can have a relationship with a person. Inanimate objects fail to qualify. So if you are trying to relate with a cast idol, forget it. All you will hear is the sound of your blood pumping round your body. Prayer must be two sided! You may ask, “But how does that work? I can’t hear God speaking?” Actually, you can hear Him perfectly well. Dig into His Word and you will know what He is saying to you. Refining your hearing may take a period of time. But we can all do it. Jeremiah said, 13 If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me. Jeremiah 29:13 NLT If you look at this passage of Scripture you will find that you are not excluded. So now we have briefly dealt with hearing from Him. The Lord wants to speak to you, far more than you realise. Your part is to seek Him. If you don’t seek Him, you won’t find or hear Him. The fact is, He has said this to everyone in every generation. We are included! The other part is to speak to Him. Speak the same way as you would speak to someone you respect. If you speak to the President you are respectful. Similarly, you speak respectfully to your father. I didn’t have much choice. Being rude to my dad was a “No-No”. It’s much the same when speaking to God. Yes, He is our Heavenly Father, so we needn’t shake with fear. But He is God. Don’t mess with Him and you won’t have a problem. This is important. Prayer is, or should be a dialog. Speaking and answering is normal. If I spoke to you and you never replied, I would be making a speech. Don’t make speeches to God. He’s heard them all! Listen carefully to what He says. You may even ask Him for things. This is where we need to be careful. Find out what He would like. He will tell you. Then ask Him for that! The psalmist puts it this way. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4 ESV. Read this “un-religiously”. He will put in your heart His desires. In other words, when you ask Him for what He wants, He will give you what you ask. It’s a sure-fire guarantee. Ask Him to give you what He wants and He will do it! Is that difficult? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." John 11:41-42 ESV 28 Father, bring glory to your name!" Then a voice came from heaven. It said, "I have brought glory to my name. I will bring glory to it again." John 12:28 NIrV 7 Then I said, 'Look, I have come to do Your will, O God--as is written about Me in the Scriptures.'" Hebrews 10:7 NLT 42 saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." Luke 22:42 ESV 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 1 John 4:17 ESV 14 There is one thing we can be sure of when we come to God in prayer. If we ask anything in keeping with what he wants, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 NIrV 22 And he will give us anything we ask. That's because we obey his commands. We do what pleases him. 1 John 3:22 NIrV 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NLT 25 Therefore He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. Hebrews 7:25 NLT 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1 ESV	I asked Him for an aeroplane, I got a little toy. I asked Him for a race horse; He said, “What for My boy”?” I asked for an apartment which overlooked the sea. “That isn’t what I have in mind My son to give to thee”. I asked Him for a camel. I got a big green frog. I asked Him for a buffalo. I got a sausage dog. I asked Him for a Jumbo jet for the Olympic games. “I’m sorry that is not My will. You’ll use it chasing dames!” This sort of made me shudder. Why didn’t He agree? I had been taught that I could ask whatever pleases me! It seems I was mistaken. I have to do His will Before He will consider me and all my dreams fulfil. There has to be a reason. I thought I understood, That He would give me anything provided I was good. They taught me to demand it. He cannot break His Word. But when I checked it out with Him, I found that I’d misheard. It isn’t “faith” He honours! It’s “faithfulness” it seems. The substance of things hoped for in all my wildest dreams. The evidence of things unseen would only manifest, If I was doing what He said and giving Him my best! “But Lord, that isn’t Scriptural”, I had the cheek to say “But I’m the One Who makes the rules and must give My OK”. “Look carefully at Jesus”, the Master said to me. He asked Me to excuse Him from a trip to Calvary. I’m sorry I won’t do it. I know You are My Son But there are things outstanding and by You must be done. For sure He had an answer. There was no other way. He had to die upon that cross; to perfectly obey, The sacrifice demanded. No substitute would do. And what I said to Jesus, My son I say to you. I’ve put in place requirements for Me to answer prayer. These are the preconditions applying everywhere. I know you do not like them. No Christian ever did. But I am not an auctioneer Who’s waiting for a bid. I’m also not a slot machine who comes up with a prize For getting all the numbers right in everybody’s eyes. My son, I want to bless you. But if you would receive, Then everything within My book My son, you must believe. So if you want an answer to any prayer request, Do what I have told you and give your very best. Then something strange will happen. Your selfish prayers will end, And you’ll find you are praying for that which I intend! It won’t be what you’re wanting, but that which is My will. Then you will find that what you ask is what I will fulfil. For you will not be asking with any selfish aim. But for the things I’m planning in Jesus’ Precious Name!” Jim Strickland Written, 30th May 2012