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
bathroom cleaning service Northbrook ..For me, the best poetry stirs my soul; it awakens... Read More
We desire to understand the world by giving names to... Read More
How did an artist accidently learn healing visualizations and improve... Read More
"No man is a prophet in his own country."That line... Read More
I am beginning a journey starting tomorrow. I have decided... Read More
His name sounds as Finn. He has beautiful blue eyes... Read More
In his book, Stress Without Distress, Dr. Selye suggests that... Read More
In our fast paced society we often want everything done... Read More
Peter is a man after my own heart. I feel... Read More
The story of Cain and Abel stands very close to... Read More
In God's world, everything can be used as an anology... Read More
The Tarot is not just a divinatory tool, but it... Read More
A few men and women are universally successful but such... Read More
It is my personal view that the reason we call... Read More
Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?"... Read More
The teacher of the future.... will be a master of... Read More
As a Coach and Psychotherapist I have found that the... Read More
My favorite scripture is Roman's 8:28. "And we know that... Read More
My mentor, a brilliant Ph.D, with a powerful marriage counseling... Read More
Before the movie "Finding Nemo", came out Steve Jobs the... Read More
Your mind-body team is made up of your mind and... Read More
It will all be clear in a minute, but first... Read More
Human beings are blessed with a unique gift: the gift... Read More
The first hymn of Isha Upanishad says - whatever living... Read More
Water of Enlightenment, Angel of Peace and Harmony for Nature... Read More
insured cleaning company Wilmette ..We all have spirit guides and we all benefit from... Read More
Let's take a look at all these aspects. The bible... Read More
If we don't behave according to a specific church's doctrine,... Read More
Adam had it right when he covered himself with fig... Read More
By invoking an external God to whom we look for... Read More
I am often asked to explain what I mean by... Read More
Is it really possible that Don Juan could command the... Read More
Observations from the Town Car... "Home James!"The bulk of driving... Read More
In God's world, everything can be used as an anology... Read More
Most of us are familiar with the inner criticism and... Read More
Have you ever experienced a traumatic event? I'm sure the... Read More
There is nothing more valuable to a sentient being then... Read More
In my work with clients who have physical illnesses there... Read More
There are many different and interchangeable terms that are used... Read More
THE GNOSTICS, ESSENES AND THE 'OCCULT':Throughout this book I have... Read More
Most of our troubles are bought about by exercising our... Read More
Life is growth. For many people life is like a... Read More
Animal spirit totems can be viewed in different ways according... Read More
As a Psychiatrist I spent most of my life training... Read More
It's an almost unbelievable thought, but could you be getting... Read More
For me, the best poetry stirs my soul; it awakens... Read More
Since my departure from the traditional "Corporate Life" almost 8... Read More
Everybody knows that if you stick your hand in a... Read More
Believe it or not most astral Attacks are not caused... Read More
There's a lot of talk in meditation circles about emptying... Read More
Spirituality |