Prayer without Results?

Prayer without Results?

I had people praying for me that I might get a promotion I had wanted so bad, and God didn’t come through.  What happened?  Doesn’t God care?  Didn’t I hear once that if you ask God will give you what your desire is?  Where is all this stuff about asking or knocking at the door and bingo the answers come flowing in?

Following the Sermon on the Mount Jesus was very clear on this quest of asking God for things we need.  However, sometimes there may be confusion as to when or how God is going to respond.  So do not worry and say, “What are we to eat?”  or ”What are we to drink?”  or “What are we to wear?”  All these things the pagans seek.  Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.  Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.  Sufficient for a day is its own evil.  (Mt 6: 31 - 34).

Use a little discretion when seeking the deeper blessings that God is always ready to pour out upon his children.  According to Colossians, we’re to thank God in every word and action:  “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  Speak every word in gratitude, and do everything with a thankful heart.  (Col 3: 17).   God hears the cry of the poor.  Blessed be the Lord.  Every spirit crushed, God will save.  When the just cry out, the Lord hears and rescues them from all their distress.  (Ps 34: 2-3, 6-7, 18-19). 

Why use these verses when our quest is just to answer my prayer?   Simply said, “If you want God to answer your needs, treat his generosity with praise and thanksgiving.  That’s all God asks of us.  The magic words that we taught our daughter when she was growing up.  Please and thank you.   When seeking God for anything, be polite enough to use those two supplications

A reminder about asking God for anything is; do not choreograph your prayers.  In stage plays of other Broadway shows, you must have a choreographer to ensure everything is going as rehearsed.  However, when asking God for our needs we should not advise him how and when our needs are to be completed.  God knows our needs before we even ask.  Our requests are showing we know how to trust God.  

This is where and when we who pray are in sync with God and his generosity,  Pray, absolutely, trust that God has our best interests and will answer the needs that are best for us is always a guarantee.  All of that depends entirely upon what he already had planned for us.   Our requests become our part as his children obeying his most simple requirements of acceptance with his caring for us.  

Ralph B. Hathaway