Prayer is something very common in the Christian life. We may do it before we eat or before bed. We pray in times of joy and in times of sorrow. Prayer is the evidence of LIFE for a follower of Christ!
Mark 11:24 says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Is it saying that if we ask for something through prayer and really believe we are going to get it, that it will always be given to us? How about if we pray, 'In the name of The Lord I ask You to strike down Becky with a lightening bolt!...amen." It should happen, right? You may be thinking: "Well, I asked this in The Lords name, I said amen, I prayed, and I really believed it would happen...so it should totally be given to me!!"
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Not quite.
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James 4:3 tells us that "when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
So, if we ask something that is sinful, doesn't glorify God, or isn't with right motives it will not be given to us! That's why God probably won't be striking Becky down with a lightening bolt...
Now, prayer IS powerful and God WILL hear and answer every one of your prayers!!
"God has surely listened and has heard my prayer." Psalm 66:19
But we keep forgetting that 'no' IS an answer. Sometimes what we want isn't what we need. You may WANT to eat cookies for breakfast, but your parents know that isn't good for you and isn't what you NEED and will probably tell you no!
God knows everything about our life and everything that's going to happen. We don't know what's always best for us, but He does. Our life is like a maze! We only see it bit by bit, but God sees the WHOLE thing!! If He answers your prayer with a 'no' just accept that it's what's best for you.
You may think "I really want a boyfriend..." but what you can't see is that if you turn on Boyfriend Boulevard in the maze of life, that trouble is actually waiting! But God knew, so He sent you to Single Street which may be a longer, but much safer route to Boyfriend Boulevard! We can't see what's around the corner, but God can! So we need to accept that it may seem like we really want something, but God has a bigger and better thing in store sometimes!
He will answer you, no matter what. It could be a "yes", "no", or even "wait." You just have to listen!
I hope you enjoy this series on prayer! Next we will be talking about WHY we pray!!
Love you lots,
Natalie