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
quick home cleaning Glenview ..At any given moment, there are 'things' occurring within the... Read More
Recently, I received a postcard from Ireland. Without reading the... Read More
Following are 17 questions that can be used as a... Read More
1. The name Uriel means "Light of God" or "Flame... Read More
In the movie "A Beautiful Mind" John Nash (played by... Read More
There is nothing more valuable to a sentient being then... Read More
In the interest of mankind the Angels are delivering messages... Read More
Your creative gift has power.God was the first and still... Read More
Can two walk together unless they have agreed to do... Read More
We know that David did much to stabilize the Kingdom... Read More
Prior to the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United... Read More
What we think is what we are. Our lives are... Read More
Continued from "Origin of Certain Thoughts, Part I"If you haven't... Read More
In Habakkuk, the prophet cries out in a lament complaint... Read More
Existence of God: facts and figures Does God exist?If you... Read More
No one, not even God can make us choose the... Read More
The more that "little me" allows surrender the more is... Read More
The tongue is such a tiny little organ. Yet, it... Read More
Our church is infested with lobby lizards. They crawl around... Read More
There are many contradictions in life and none more easily... Read More
Actually I have 'helped' exorcize spirits more than once but... Read More
Yes, we are living in a world where we are... Read More
Did you ever know somebody who easily accumulates wealth? If... Read More
Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell recently starred in the movie... Read More
Five verses specify that we are to live by faith.... Read More
scheduled maid service Winnetka ..Imagine the Bible is a sharp and deadly double-edged sword,... Read More
1. Gabriel means: "God is my strength" or "God is... Read More
Remember me! It's me! Joseph here in touch with you... Read More
"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being,... Read More
It will all be clear in a minute, but first... Read More
Your mind-body team is made up of your mind and... Read More
As a Coach and Psychotherapist I have found that the... Read More
In Corrogue I am seeking the source of inner beauty.This... Read More
We all need space, we all need time to ourselves.In... Read More
We know that David did much to stabilize the Kingdom... Read More
Today I was in rather a whimsical mood, and so... Read More
At any given moment, there are 'things' occurring within the... Read More
Most of us are familiar with the inner criticism and... Read More
1. Identify a woman who is "like minded," who has... Read More
The deeper beauty of spring is its process. In winter's... Read More
Did you happen to see the made-for-tv movie, "Jesus," that... Read More
As we walk these halls of Life viewing the world... Read More
(Channelled)Good morning Roy, good morning Joseth.What has love got to... Read More
Before we dwell on the subject of Self Realization we... Read More
Spending 'Quiet Time' with the LordFrom the beginning of my... Read More
Obviously, if you really want to learn about the meanings... Read More
Does this ever happen to you? You ask God for... Read More
About a month ago I opened up my bible in... Read More
Irish myth has the power to transform your life into... Read More
One of the first things you will find that God... Read More
Spirituality |