We have all had times when it seems that heaven is closed and God is not listening to us. Many of the great saints of the past have testified to going through times like that. So, how do you know that your prayers are heard? How to know that your prayers are pleasing in God’s sight? A friend told me a long time ago that even when God is silent that doesn’t mean he isn’t working and that is true. There are a couple of qualities of prayers that touch the heart of God and move mountains.
James 1:5-8 tells us that if a person wants wisdom to ask of God, but to ask in a manner that is without doubting. James says the one who doubts is like the one who is double-minded and unstable. That person should expect nothing from God because this is the opposite of faith. You and I are to prayer with the expectation that God will answer. He may not answer the way you want, but you pray by faith trusting God that he knows best how to answer you. See Mark 11:24-26
Sometimes I have been guilty of praying about something and then God answers it soon after and I have forgotten that this was something I prayed about. I don’t go back to him and immediately thank him for it. Or I may not recognize immediately that it is an answered prayer. I heard about a lady who went to a prayer meeting where they were going to pray for rain. It was farm country and the farmers were all worried about the drought. An elderly lady showed up and told them that none of them were serious about praying for rain. She pointed out, “I see none of you really expect anything. Not one of you brought an umbrella.” Some Christians look at prayer as something to be as a last resort. When all else fails. Like breaking the fire extinguisher glass in case of an emergency. God is not 911. He is available at any time.
We are to pray that first and foremost God’s will is done. A believer puts the will of the Lord ahead of Himself (Matthew 6:33). Sometimes we think we know what we want. But, if we knew all the variables and possibilities as God does we might not be so sure. You should always be willing to say, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Jesus prayed that same prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night he was betrayed Matthew 26:39, 42. It is arrogant to think that we could possibly know more about the situation than God.
The little book of James also says that some who James was written to were not receiving an answer. James said, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Sometimes a delay in an answer is a good opportunity for us to check our motives at the door. Why do you want this particular prayer answered? Is God going to be glorified if it is answered? Will it help you achieve your goals and the purposes he has for you? Or is it just for your own selfish ambitions? Sometimes we really just need to be honest with God about why we want what we want. He already knows our hearts anyway.
James 1:5-8 tells us that if a person wants wisdom to ask of God, but to ask in a manner that is without doubting. James says the one who doubts is like the one who is double-minded and unstable. That person should expect nothing from God because this is the opposite of faith. You and I are to prayer with the expectation that God will answer. He may not answer the way you want, but you pray by faith trusting God that he knows best how to answer you. See Mark 11:24-26
Sometimes I have been guilty of praying about something and then God answers it soon after and I have forgotten that this was something I prayed about. I don’t go back to him and immediately thank him for it. Or I may not recognize immediately that it is an answered prayer. I heard about a lady who went to a prayer meeting where they were going to pray for rain. It was farm country and the farmers were all worried about the drought. An elderly lady showed up and told them that none of them were serious about praying for rain. She pointed out, “I see none of you really expect anything. Not one of you brought an umbrella.” Some Christians look at prayer as something to be as a last resort. When all else fails. Like breaking the fire extinguisher glass in case of an emergency. God is not 911. He is available at any time.
We are to pray that first and foremost God’s will is done. A believer puts the will of the Lord ahead of Himself (Matthew 6:33). Sometimes we think we know what we want. But, if we knew all the variables and possibilities as God does we might not be so sure. You should always be willing to say, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Jesus prayed that same prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night he was betrayed Matthew 26:39, 42. It is arrogant to think that we could possibly know more about the situation than God.
The little book of James also says that some who James was written to were not receiving an answer. James said, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Sometimes a delay in an answer is a good opportunity for us to check our motives at the door. Why do you want this particular prayer answered? Is God going to be glorified if it is answered? Will it help you achieve your goals and the purposes he has for you? Or is it just for your own selfish ambitions? Sometimes we really just need to be honest with God about why we want what we want. He already knows our hearts anyway.
