Does this ever happen to you? You ask God for something but you don't believe that you will receive an answer to your prayer.
As an example, let's say you want your child to be accepted into a certain school. You know that it is the best school for them but unfortunately, because of where you live or some other circumstance, your child can't attend there. But there is a way to apply and maybe possibly be accepted. Chances are slim that she'll get in. Currently, there are no openings, but in faith, you ask God to make a way.
You know that you need to have faith that God will make it happen. You know you need to trust God that He will answer your prayer.
But then you begin to doubt that it will happen. After all, "this is the real world"; you say to yourself; "God just doesn't answer every single prayer". You begin to make excuses for God to prepare yourself for the inevitable disappointment: "Well, I guess it won't be God's will for this to happen." Or how about this one: "I guess I haven't been good enough this year (like God is Santa Claus) and He's not going to answer my prayer this time. Maybe next year."
In order to receive an answer to our prayers; the answer we want; we must believe that God wants to give us the desire of our hearts. He loves us and wants us to believe Him. It is the desire of His heart for us to have faith.
In the New Testament, Jesus says over and over again, "just believe me?" He says it to Mary and Martha when their brother Lazarus died; he said it to the disciples when he fed the five thousand; he encouraged those who came to him for healing that their faith had healed them.
In fact, we are commanded by Jesus to believe that he will answer our prayers. In Mark 11:22-24, when the disciples saw what had happened to the fig tree after Jesus cursed it, he told them; "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours."
Sometimes when I have prayed for something, in my heart I have believed that I wasn't worthy to have my prayers answered. Talk about a lack of faith! But I've learned that if we are saved, born-again believers, we are worthy to have our prayers answered. Our worthiness lies in the value that was given to us by Jesus when he died for us. Without that sacrifice, we are not worthy but because Jesus died for us, we are valued by God and therefore worthy of having our prayers answered.
Have an "attitude of gratitude"
So do you still doubt that God will answer your prayer? Do what Jesus did. When Jesus told Martha and the other people present at Lazarus' tomb to take away the stone, Martha protested because she didn't believe that Jesus would be able to raise Lazarus from the dead. But Jesus said; "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" Then he gave thanks to God,"Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
In everything, Jesus gave thanks. Paul tells us, in Philippians 4:6; "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. If you are still besieged by doubts that God will answer your prayer, give thanks to Him in advance! As those doubts pop up in your mind, keep thanking him and you will receive from God. Giving thanks to God before receiving the answer to your prayer will ultimately result in glory being given to God. And that's what it's all about. Give glory to God!
Copyright 2005 by Eunice Coughlin.
Eunice Coughlin is a mother of 2 daughters, wife of one husband and founder of http://www.healthy-living-for-moms.com
professional maid services Park Ridge ..Whadda ya know?Seriously. With absolute certainty, what do you know?... Read More
Be filled with the Spirit.? always giving thanks to God... Read More
forgiveness stories quotes definition and loveForgiveness is that quality in... Read More
In the responsibility we have as Christians, we are displayed... Read More
Matthew 3:1-3 The Preaching of John the Baptist1 In those... Read More
Recently, I received a frantic midnight call from one of... Read More
We have a proclivity to think of individuals and nations... Read More
Today is the day that I'm getting back into exercise.... Read More
During my childhood days, I disliked Lenten season because radio... Read More
1. The name Uriel means "Light of God" or "Flame... Read More
Is it not true that only after gaining Enlightenment (Self-Realization)... Read More
Jacob had sent his family on across the river Jabbok.... Read More
"All you who are thirsty, come and drink." ISAIAH 55:1,... Read More
Many of our great religions hold that numbers contain hidden... Read More
Life is full of ups and downs, trials, and tribulations.... Read More
Prayer doesn't just happen when we kneel or put our... Read More
Burn out, it can happen to anyone. Some of the... Read More
An Illuminatus Speaks:You will have to decide if this Illuminatus... Read More
I was walking down the street the other day, walking... Read More
We are all here on this plane, thinking to ourselves... Read More
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and... Read More
What purpose does keeping a journal serve?Do you write down... Read More
God rides a Harley, God drives truck, God is a... Read More
What's the difference? How are we supposed to tell the... Read More
As a child growing up, whenever I was worried about... Read More
cleaning lady near Lincolnshire ..Actually, loving does not take any great effort on our... Read More
A feeling of fulfillment is something we all seek. Here... Read More
It's not exactly a news flash that we live in... Read More
Green Principles: SoulBestABeing aware here now My path is progressive.... Read More
I seemed to have lost my heart. Now this is... Read More
Angels are making their presence felt everywhere. Once I started... Read More
Here they are, our Ladies of Mercy and Divine Benevolence.... Read More
Connect with Your GodDo you at times, feel fearful, depressed,... Read More
Those living on the highest levels of life have learned... Read More
It is within us to... Read More
Do you ever get into those moods where you just... Read More
My mentor, a brilliant Ph.D, with a powerful marriage counseling... Read More
The word means different things to different people. Is it... Read More
Spirit DancerThe spirit dancer is the card of creative expression.... Read More
Spiritual healing of the sick in Christ has many Christians... Read More
Freedom....The cherished goal of humanity throughout its history.No society has... Read More
To understand the nature of esoteric and occult secrets it... Read More
This question, "what is grace" plagued me more into knowing... Read More
For it is written in Bible in chapter 2 Peter... Read More
Humanity is entering a very critical time in its path... Read More
In the responsibility we have as Christians, we are displayed... Read More
My favorite scripture is Roman's 8:28. "And we know that... Read More
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,... Read More
Would you like an exciting and wonder-full resolution for the... Read More
Anyone who has invested time, energy and effort into finding... Read More
Spirituality |