"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that,
if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know
that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we
desired of him." 1 John 5:15-16
Mighty works of God can be achieved through
prayer. History supplies us with many accounts of answered prayer.
For example there is the case of sisters Peggy and Christine Smith.
Housebound, these elderly women decided to pray for revival for the Hebrides
Islands on the western coast of Scotland. The result of their prayers was
the Hebridean Revival of 1949. This amazing circumstance of men and women
receiving the gift of salvation lasted until 1952. These two faithful
sisters in their eighties believed God's promise in Isaiah 44:3a that He would
"pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground".
They prayed to that end. So sure were they of answered prayer they
contacted their pastor, the Reverend James Murray MacKay,
to ask him to gather the elders and deacons to wait upon God. The
evangelist who came for a couple of days and ended up staying for the two year duration
was Duncan Campbell.
If you would like to know your prayers will be answered then
consider the following five keys to answered prayer:
Key #1: Personal Righteousness
James 5:16 says the "fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much". One of the first requirements for effectual prayer is
personal righteousness. We learn in Romans 3:10 that "there is none
righteous". If that is so, then how can one become righteous?
God gifts righteousness to a believer, one who accepts Jesus Christ as God's Son
who was crucified, then rose again to life. Does God keep His promise?
Yes, for 1 John 5:15 tells us the He hears the prayers of the righteous.
Key #2: Pray in Accordance with His Will
Let us remember that God desires to answer prayer. In fact
the Apostle John says we can have confidence that He hears prayers that are in
accordance with His will (1 John 5:16). So the second key to answered
prayer is to pray in His will. This seems like a difficult condition for
who can know the will of God? 1 Timothy 2:1-3 provides a clue:
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings,
and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life
in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight
of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth."
We can learn from this verse that we are to give thanks to God
and to pray for the needs of others, particularly their salvation.
James 5:15 reminds us that "the prayer of faith shall save the sick".
Therefore we learn we are to pray for the sick or afflicted.
"Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you"
(Matthew 5:44b). We are to pray for our enemies, for that is God's will.
Too often we are guilty of quitting our prayers before we
receive the answer. Let us persevere in prayer, realizing that waiting for
an answer is part of the duties of prayer.
Key #3: Pray with the Right Heart Attitude
Jesus cautioned against praying for show or in pride. We
are to pray privately (Matthew 6:6). For when we pray privately, we will
pray more honestly and more specifically. No one will know what you are
praying, so your prayers will be secure in the ears of the Lord. There
will be no room for accusation of gossip, or any need for undue interest in the
circumstance surrounding the need for prayer. Pray in humility,
recognizing that God alone provides the power behind answered prayers.
Avoid vain repetitions Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:7. If
you think you are not heard, then you must have need to constantly repeat your
prayers! God is not deaf. He understands your need before you hear
it. Vain repetitions are not prayers, but a mantra testifying of your
unbelief. While there may be comfort in the familiar words, one must ask,
what is your heart-felt need? Why do you pray a mantra of words? God
wants you to know that you can approach Him with all of your burdens and needs.
When you do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit makes intercession on your
behalf. He knows your heart and will act wisely in expressing your need to
God.
Prayer is to be a regular part of the Believer's life.
Pray without ceasing the Bible says in Romans 8:26. Does that mean you
have no time for any other pursuit? No, but be ready to breathe a prayer
as the need arises, and keep an ear open to God's leadership and direction
throughout your day. Prayer energizes. Through prayer, we find our
heart and mind are cleared of self-centeredness and pride, making us ready to do
His will. Prayer confirms our way.
Key #4: Believe God will Hear and Answer
Effectual prayer is the result of believing that God hears and
answers. Pray with the attitude of acceptance for whatever God answers.
If you have an agenda and you are hoping that God will join you, be advised, His
agenda supersedes your own.
Sometimes people are fearful to pray, because they fear what
God will do. If you are unwilling to receive God's answer, better not
pray. Being unsure of what you really want from God, called double-minded
in the Bible, leads to unanswered prayers. How can God respond to someone
who will not make up their mind?
God does not need our prayers to act on behalf of mankind.
He allows us to participate because prayer helps us get to know Him and to know
what He is like. Prayer is interactive. It is mankind and God
interacting together to accomplish His will.
Have you ever noticed that when you really want something from
God, you persist in prayer. The rest of the time, we pay no attention to
praying, for our schedules are too full. Jesus provides many examples of
effectual prayer. The first lesson we can learn is that He made time for
prayer, often withdrawing to a solitary place where He could pray undisturbed.
If you do not pray, then God will not hear, nor will he answer. Pray in earnest
as Jesus did, for then He knows we are serious.
Key #5: Forgive
The last key to answered prayer is forgiveness. Jesus
teaches us to forgive as we have been forgiven. He says that if we do not
forgive others, we will not be forgiven (Mark 11:25-26). Why is this an
important element of answered prayer? It goes back to being righteous
before God. Sin always breaks the fellowship we have with Him. He
will not tolerate it. When there is unrepented sin present in our heart,
He will not hear our prayers. Our prayers will be hindered.
Unforgiveness is basically rebellion against God. If we
are unwilling to give of what we have received from Him, we are demonstrating
serious character issues and spiritual immaturity. How can God gift us
with the good gift of answered prayer if we are rebelling against Him? If
you are a parent, you understand the dilemma. There are many times when
you wish to reward your child, but the child's rebellion prohibits the blessing.
God does not ask us to decide if the person deserves our forgiveness. He
has decided. He teaches us that we must forgive others as He has forgiven
us. The God of the Universe condescends to forgive us pitiful sinners.
How can we do less if we wish to emulate Him?
Prayer is a mighty weapon of spiritual warfare. Use it
wisely. Prepare yourself to wage the battle. Before you bring your
petitions before God, confess sin and seek His forgiveness. Refuse to
allow any sin to rob you of this precious privilege. Get in tune with what
God wants to do by putting your agenda aside. Seek His will, and not your
own. Give thanks for His intervention in your affairs. Praise Him
for His might and power.
Know that the God of the Universe hears the prayers of the
Believers and the prayers of those who humble themselves and seek to submit to
Him, agreeing that they are sinners in need of the Savior. If you call
upon His name, He will hear you and answer. If you believe in Him, you
will be saved from the penalty of your sin.
*For more on the Hebrides Revival, check out:
http://www.holytrinitynewrochelle.org/yourti19195.html
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In This Issue
"Hear ye, and give
ear; be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken." Jeremiah 13:15
MUSINGS...
"And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I
will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this
place: for so it was charged me by the word of the Lord, saying, Eat no
bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest."
1 Kings 13:8-9
"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called
a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a
drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one, no, not to eat." 1
Corinthians 5:11
"... I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more."
Numbers 22:18b
"And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be
with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of
thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me a house, and
I will stablish his throne for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be
my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him
that was before thee: but I will settle him in mine house and in my
kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore."
1 Chronicles 17:11-13
"And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there
shall be no end." Luke 1:33
"For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day
have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and He shall be to
me a Son?" Hebrews 1:5
"For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."
Hebrews 10:14
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In This Issue
"What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That
the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of His people shall trust in it."
Isaiah 14:32
"I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my
heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels." Psalm 22:14
Recently the northeast experienced a tremendous snowstorm. Accounts tell
of many inches of snow, and photos paint the scene of high drifts. Snow
covered everything, making travel difficult if not impossible. People and
houses and cars were literally buried by snow. Shrubs, bushes, grass,
cars, everything were completely covered by snow. The landscape was unrecognizable.
The covering of snow changed everything. In fact, it
was like a new earth had been born.
Let us compare the covering of a heavy snow to the covering of the blood of
Jesus. So often when we think about the blood sacrifices of the Old
Testament, we remember the priest sprinkling the blood from the sacrificed
animal on the altar and pouring it beside the altar. It is difficult to
visualize the sacrifices and rituals the priests were required to perform for
the atonement and forgiveness of the people. These accounts serve as a
picture to us of Jesus pouring out His blood on a cross to cover our sin, so
that we might have atonement from God for our sin.
Psalm 22:14 paints the picture perfectly.
Think of someone who has just taken a bucket of water and poured it over your
heard, drenching you completely with the water. When Jesus poured out His
blood for us, He didn't just sprinkle us with a few drops, he drenched us with
His blood. His blood did not just cover up our sin, but it obliterated our
sin so that there is no trace of it left!
What a comfort it is to know that the change a relationship with Jesus brings is
permanent. His blood takes away our sin. He forgives us and restores
us to a relationship with God, the Father. We are cleansed! 2
Corinthians 5:17 says "old things are passed away; behold, all things are
become new."
When the blood of Jesus has been poured out upon you, everything changes.
You start a new life, fresh and clean. You can put away the sin that so
easily besets you (Hebrews 12:1). Take up your new life in Him, for you
have become a new creature in Christ (Romans 12:1-2).
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"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to
every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought
to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the
measure of faith." Romans 12:3
Are you angry and aggressive? I was accused of being an angry driver.
Me! I was shocked. I have to admit, it is true. I get angry
with drivers who endanger my life, my vehicle, and themselves. Maybe
you've had some near misses too.
Here's the scenario: I'm going the speed limit, but the drivers behind me
want to speed. You know the type; they sit on your bumper, flashing their
high beams so you'll move to the curb to let them by so they can zoom down the
road. One almost sideswiped me after I quickly moved over.
Tailgaters are the worst! They really work overtime to restrain
themselves from just pushing the car to make it go faster.
As I thought over the comment that was made to me, I wondered how do you get
past righteous anger so that it doesn't lead to sin? Then it hit me!
Change the face. I was seeing the face of a sinner in the lawbreakers.
Prideful of my obedience, I was reminded that in God's eyes we're all
lawbreakers without Jesus. I was no better than those I was angry with.
My eyes were opened to my sin when I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord.
Maybe they too were under the blood of Jesus, or maybe not.
The solution was obvious. If I pictured Jesus as being in front of the
offenders, then the anger passed quickly as a deflated balloon. The
principle works with everyone and in every circumstance. Okay, so being in
cars, you aren't that up close and personal, but anger can get out of hand in
many circumstances. If the offender is a Believer, then they are covered
by the blood of Christ. If not, then Jesus would want me to be
longsuffering that they might receive Him.
When you get mad at someone, picture Jesus as standing in front of this person.
Then think of Jesus saying, "I know, I'll take care of it. This person is my
problem to deal with as I see fit." If we are picturing Jesus, all sense
of justice seeking, vengeance, and outrage over sin is lessened. Their sin
is not our problem. God will handle it. I don't have too.
Believer, we need to remember to be a godly influence, but we also need to
realize we cannot be someone's conscience, following them around pointing out
their sin. In no way does this position alter the need for discipline.
Instead it helps us see others in a new way. Saved or lost, Jesus is
standing by. If you are saved, Jesus will help you. If you are without
Jesus, He wants you to receive Him.
If you look back at others and see Jesus first, how much easier it is to
forgive, to overlook a slight, or to love with compassion and mercy. What
a difference a face makes!
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT 
Letter from the Editor...
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