Wednesday: Because You Do Not Ask
One of the questions that those who pray often ask is, “Can my prayers really move God to do something that, otherwise, He might not do?” That’s a logical question. To answer it, all we can do is go to the Word of God and see what it says.1
Read James 4:2; Luke 11:9, 10; James 5:16–18. What do these texts say about our prayers and the actions of God?
However much prayer changes us, and impacts our relationship with God and others, the Bible is very clear that our prayers influence what God does. We ask and He responds, one way or another.
Read Genesis 18:22–33. How do we see this principle at work here?
Again, whatever the philosophical difficulties associated with understanding this truth, God does respond to human prayers. He said that He does, and so we have to take Him at His Word.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14, NIV). What does this text teach us about prayer?
Notice, however, that God isn’t going to heal their land just because they ask. They are called to pray, but prayer is only one aspect of a general revival on their part.
Perhaps the most important example of this principle is here: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NIV). Here, we see a powerful link between prayer (in this case confession) and God’s action in our life. We confess our sins, and He forgives them, a process that also results in His cleansing us from our unrighteousness. The clear idea implied here is that if we don’t pray, don’t confess, we aren’t forgiven. No question, in these cases, God acts in response to our prayers.
It is just amazing how powerful our prayers can be when we surrender all to Jesus. All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give. Thank you Jesus.
Nothing is more powerful than a heart that prays to Jesus.
You cannot come to God with your prayer and forget to bring faith with you. They have to go together.
I totally agree E Demsey.
James 4:2; Luke 11:9,10; and James 5:16–18 all talk of repentance. Repentance brings revival. Repentance brings blessing. Repentance brings salvation. Repentance lets self die, and allows Christ to work in us. Opening our heart to God will give us a faith that will persevere until we have His will.
In God’s word, God calls David “a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do” Acts 13:22. When David sinned, he fervently and with his whole heart repented of his selfishness. That is what God requires of all of us; And that is the only thing we can offer Him.
A prayer is like fuel which creats & prompts the Holly Spirit to dwell in you through faith, thereby resulting in a strong relationship between you & God.
It’s good to note that God listens to our prayer no matter the number of times we do, like in the case of Abraham. He is surely faithful and just