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
recurring maid service Wilmette ..Angels, those divine beings of love and light, are here... Read More
I find myself floating on a cloud as heavenly music... Read More
Before we tread into the domain of Past Life... we... Read More
It's the most powerful weapon on Earth. It can turn... Read More
ADDICTION: - There are numerous obsessions and addictions which prevent... Read More
Have you ever experienced a traumatic event? I'm sure the... Read More
Heaven is a place of abundance and earth is a... Read More
Let's say that you have discovered your purpose but you... Read More
In the spring of 2003, I spent three weeks in... Read More
Many look outside of themselves for an experience of the... Read More
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken... Read More
"We're one, but we are not the same."-Bono, U2Once I... Read More
I said something last week I haven't said in years.... Read More
In the early 90's I had a spontaneous Kundalini Awakening... Read More
As the artist and designer for Ashbach Designs, I want... Read More
Good morning Roy, good morning Joseth. (Channelled)From time to time... Read More
One important factor in how we go through life is... Read More
Lectio divina is a very useful and practical discipline for... Read More
The world's idea of justice and freedom fall short of... Read More
Maybe once in a lifetime, we find ourselves seeking spiritual... Read More
I always thought Ecclesiastes was like Proverbs. That's probably because... Read More
Matthew 3:4-6 John Baptizes the People4 Now John wore a... Read More
"Everything in the universe is a pitcher brimming with wisdom... Read More
Vanity - it's easy to mask, easy to forget, and... Read More
To many people in the Western world Metaphysical Healing is... Read More
last minute cleaning help Highland Park ..I was originally brought up Catholic, at the insistence of... Read More
The still place is the beginning. Settle in there, ask... Read More
Now, we all know that we shouldn't be lead by... Read More
Forgiveness breaks all bounds of repression and depression. It liberates... Read More
Your guardian angel is your link to the divine. The... Read More
Spiritual growth is the process of inner awakening, and becoming... Read More
We've all heard the saying, "You have to forgive, but... Read More
There is a natural tendency to asociate spirituality with religion,... Read More
Back in 1992, Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise co-starred in... Read More
Well I had a website that I was posting on... Read More
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on... Read More
Those living on the highest levels of life have learned... Read More
"Everything in the universe is a pitcher brimming with wisdom... Read More
In Corrogue I am seeking the source of inner beauty.This... Read More
1. Raphael means "God heals." Raphael heals physical, emotional and... Read More
The magic of the tarot was obvious to me the... Read More
Matthew 3:7-10 John Rebukes the Pharisees and Sadducees7 But when... Read More
The formula for spiritual growth is given briefly in 2... Read More
I was reminiscing with a friend recently about his 'dark... Read More
If you've been on a conscious spiritual journey for any... Read More
Although your creative ability and talent is something that God... Read More
There's a lot of talk in meditation circles about emptying... Read More
When King David was old and well advanced in years?... Read More
There is an old tradition song called, The Lighthouse and... Read More
As the artist and designer for Ashbach Designs, I want... Read More
Spirituality |