Luke 11:11-13. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Do you receive answers to your prayers? How is your prayer different from that of unbelievers?
All religions have some form of prayer. How do the people of religion receive answers to their prayers? But how could the prayers offered to idols be answered?
The unbelievers receive answers to their prayers and what they asked for, but, in the end, they are bound to fail in life. The answers they receive come from an unexpected place: “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). The devil lies by granting what people wish for in their prayers.
People pray earnestly, but they do not realize they are engaging in a dangerous spiritual activity: “No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons” (1 Corinthians 10:20). This is how the leaders of cults and various religions possess supernatural power and deceive people: “Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matthew 24:11).
But when you pray, God will answer you in three ways. In most cases, God answers immediately with a yes. But God will say no if the things you have asked for may not be beneficial to you or unnecessary. Sometimes, God will tell you to wait for things better than what you asked for or His time. God desires to bless you in the best way possible.
Remember, you have the right to receive answers to your prayer. You are a child of God (John 1:12). God answers your prayer because of your identity and nothing else. But you must pray in Jesus’ name (John 14:14). You must restore fellowship with God by confessing your sins (Psalm 66:18). You must pray in faith (Luke 11:5-12). And you must pray with perseverance (Luke 18:1-8). Then God will answer to your mind and heart and give you wisdom and discernment (Philippians 4:6-7).
There are things you should keep in mind when you pray. Ask not “my will be done,” but “Your perfect will be done.”Not “by my plan,” but “by Your great plan.”Not “for my circumstance,” but “for Your hidden plans.” Do not pray with a heart of vengeance but with forgiveness and thanksgiving. Approach God’s throne with an attitude of submission to His will.
Prayer is a spiritual science. What does it mean? When you pray, the Holy Spirit will powerfully work in you and your life (Luke 11:13, Matthew 12:28). By the power of the Holy Spirit, the evil spirits will be bound (Matthew 12:28-29). And God’s angel army will be mobilized to accomplish His work (Hebrews 1:14, Revelation 8:3-5, Daniel 10:10-20).
Prayer moves the throne of our Triune God. Prayer shakes the foundation of heaven and earth. Prayer calls the power of the universe to destroy the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the devil. Prayer enables us to communicate with the future. That is why prayer changes everything.
God will also send people as answers to your prayer as He has done that to Abraham (Genesis 18:2-15); Elijah (1 Kings 19:5-7); Elisha (2 Kings 6:13-17); Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:1-10); Jesus’ disciples (Acts 1:10-11); the apostles (Acts 5:19-20); Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10:1-9); the Early Church (Acts 12:1-10); John (Revelation 1:1-20).
Most importantly, prayer is an awareness and enjoyment of the presence of God. When you realize you are living in the presence of the One who created the universe from nothing and loved you to the point He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die, you will stop worrying.
When you realize how much God cares for you, you will not want anything but Him. God will be your shield and very great reward. You will cherish your Father more than the answers to your prayers. Being alone with Him through prayer will give you the greatest joy. Enjoy the privilege of prayer He has given to you throughout the day.
Prayer. Father, I thank you for the blessing of living in Your presence. I desire to taste the joy and power of prayer throughout the day .In Jesus’ name, Amen.