May 25, 2025
Pastor Ryu Kwang-Su
Judges 21:25. In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.
When I think about life, I realize there are small joys we all experience—like passing an exam or getting a driver’s license. I still remember how good I felt the day I got mine, but that feeling faded quickly. Even big milestones like buying a car or a house bring happiness for a few days at best. But there’s one thing I absolutely must stress: the experience of God answering your prayers.
This is not a luxury—it’s essential. I’ve seen it in real life. I’ve seen the children of mothers who never ceased praying grow up with blessing. I’ve seen churches pastored by people of prayer thrive. I’ve seen entire family lines blessed because of one praying father. So I can tell you confidently: you must experience this for yourself.
But here’s the sad reality—about 99% of people live without really receiving answers. They may not say it aloud, but I can see it in their lives. They’re not living like unbelievers—they’re living worse, trapped in struggle without clear answers. And when prayer goes unanswered, deep spiritual problems follow. Spiritual problems don’t discriminate; they can hit anyone. But I’ve noticed that people who know God answers prayer see things differently. They live differently.
That’s why I won’t make this complicated today. I want to go straight to the point: you must receive answers.
First, you must become a person who has the power of prayer. Think about it: if you had true prayer power, what could stop you? If your children had prayer power, they would be fine wherever they go. If you yourself had it, no situation could overwhelm you. That’s why this is urgent—you must have this power.
Looking at Scripture, we see how Israel suffered under the Philistines during the time of the Judges. They had been set free from Egypt, but they failed over and over. We admire Gideon and his 300 warriors, but if you read carefully, you’ll see that wasn’t a true victory in human terms. God chose 300 cowards—not elite warriors—because He wanted to show that He was the one fighting for them. Even so, Israel suffered. Why? Because they lacked real faith and real prayer.
Then why don’t we receive answers? It’s simple. Judges 21:25 says, “Everyone did as they saw fit.” That’s it. People live according to their own thoughts, not by God’s.
Let me explain. The moment you think without praying, you’ve already fallen into Genesis 3: self-centeredness, separation from God. Right now, some of you are probably distracted even during worship, thinking about your own problems. That’s exactly when you fall into the trap of relying on your own thoughts. This is why prayers go unanswered.
There’s plenty of biblical evidence. Look at Joseph’s brothers—they lived by their own thoughts. Instead of trusting God’s plan, they grew jealous of Joseph. They thought, “Why does our father love Joseph more?” They didn’t see the bigger picture. As a result, they lived bitter lives, eventually having to rely on Joseph for food.
Or look at the Israelites in the wilderness. They complained, wanting to return to Egypt. They thought they had it better there, forgetting that Egypt was slavery. They never received true answers; instead, they perished in the desert.
Even King Solomon fell. Blessed beyond measure, he began to think he could strengthen his kingdom by marrying foreign women for political alliances. But those women brought idolatry into Israel, and soon the kingdom was divided and ruined. It was a disaster that started because Solomon trusted his own wisdom rather than God’s word.
And it didn’t end there. Assyria invaded the northern kingdom, enslaving the Israelites. Later, Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and carried the people of Judah into exile. This repeated cycle of failure happened because “everyone did as they saw fit.” They trusted their own judgment instead of seeking God’s will.
So how do we receive answers to prayer? The key is simple but profound: pray as God sees fit. Prayer is not complicated; it’s spiritual science. Even new believers can do this. Don’t pray according to your emotions or logic—pray according to God’s will. Ask, “What is God’s view? What is God’s plan in this situation?” This simple shift flips the entire spiritual realm.
From my experience and study, one person holding onto God’s covenant is enough. Think about Joseph again. Despite being sold into slavery and imprisoned, Joseph saw everything through the lens of God’s covenant—world evangelization. That’s why he never despaired. Becoming a slave and then a prisoner wasn’t a setback; it was part of God’s process. Joseph even stood before Pharaoh and said, “I can’t interpret your dream, but God will reveal it.” That’s the heart of true prayer—seeing and depending on God, not yourself.
Jochebed, Moses’ mother, faced an impossible situation. Yet instead of despairing, she saw through God’s plan. That’s how Moses was preserved and prepared to deliver Israel. If you see your hardships as the path to God’s plan, everything changes.
Hannah, too, began by praying for a son for herself, but her prayer matured. She shifted to seeking a Nazirite for God’s kingdom—and through that prayer, Samuel was born, and Israel’s spiritual landscape changed.
Isaiah stood alone and overturned empires because he held onto God’s covenant. Today, I urge you to do the same: don’t view life through your eyes—view it through God’s.
Second, one person who knows God’s method is enough. God has already shown us His method: the three feasts—Passover, Pentecost, and Ingathering—representing salvation, the Holy Spirit’s power, and our heavenly background. Those who know and center their lives on this are aligned with God’s method.
That’s why the Israelites built the tabernacle, a place of 24-hour prayer and worship. Daniel understood this; he prayed three times a day facing the temple, no matter the cost. Prayer aligned with God’s method opens the way.
The Ark of the Covenant also shows God’s method—holding the unchanging Word, God’s provision (manna), and God’s life-giving power (Aaron’s budding staff). One person who understands this mystery can change everything.
Finally, one person who knows the background God gives is enough. The throne of God is our true background—the power, guidance, and protection we rely on. Jesus taught us to seek first the kingdom of God, not to worry about our daily needs. That’s our first answer—God’s kingdom reigning in our lives.
The early church held onto this truth even when persecuted. They didn’t pray for easy lives; they prayed for the kingdom of God to come. And it did.
Throughout history, prayer has changed nations. Rome persecuted Christians for 250 years, yet the prayers of faithful believers eventually led to Christianity becoming the empire’s official religion under Constantine. That didn’t happen overnight; it was the fruit of countless unseen prayers.
In conclusion, I challenge you: prayer changes everything. It destroys darkness. It brings the power of the throne. It establishes the journey and guideposts God has set for you. I’ve seen it in my life—through hardship and perseverance—and I’m here to tell you, your prayer can change the world.
Don’t ever be discouraged. Don’t look at your situation through human eyes. Pray through God’s eyes, walk in His plan, and experience the answers that only He can give.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I bless you to begin this journey today.
Prayer. May God work to open our spiritual eyes. Do not let us be deceived. Let us taste the work of God by holding the mystery of the throne that moves the world. Let us become witnesses who save the age of global darkness. May the one person sitting here today save the field. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.