1 week Ago By Guardian Nigeria
(3) Prayer is effective when it is in harmony or agreement with God’s will and Word. “This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us,” (1Jn 5:14). One of the petitions in Jesus’ model prayer, the Lord’s prayer, confirms this: “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,” (Mat 6:10; cf.
Lk. 11:2; Jesus’ own prayer in Gethsemane, Mat. 26:42).
In many instances, we know God’s will because He has revealed it to us in the Bible. We can be sure that any prayer truly based on God’s promises in His word will, indeed, be effective. Elijah was certain that the God of Israel would answer his prayer with fire and later with rain because the Lord’s prophetic word had come to him (1 Kgs 18:31-46), and he was fully confident that none of the pagan gods was greater than or even as powerful as the Lord God of Israel (Kig 18:21-24).
At other times, God’s will comes clear only as we earnestly seek to determine what it is; then once we know His will about any given issue, we can pray with confidence and faith that God will answer (see 1Jn 5:14). (4) Not only must we pray in agreement with God’s will, but we must be living in harmony with God’s will if we expect Him to hear and answer us. God will give us the things we ask for only if we seek first His kingdom and righteousness (see Mat 6:33).
Apostle John unequivocally stated that “whatsoever we ask, we receive ofhim, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight,” (1Jn 3:22). Obeying God’s commands, loving Him and pleasing Him are indispensable conditions for receiving answers to prayers. When James wrote that the prayers of the righteous are effective, he meant both a person who has been made righteous through faith in Christ and one who is living a righteous, God-fearing and obedient life― such as the prophet Elijah (Jas5:16-18; cf.
Ps34:13-14). Already in the OT this same point is stressed. God made clear that Moses’ prayers on behalf of the Israelites were effective because of his obedient relationship with the Lord and his loyalty to Him (see Ex 33:17).
Conversely, the Psalmist claims that if we cherish sin in our lives, the Lord will not listen to our prayers (Ps66:18; see Jas4:3); this sort of attitude was the main reason the Lord did not listen to the prayers of the idolatrous and wicked Israelites (Is 1:15). But if God’s people repent and turn from their wicked ways, the Lord promises to again hear them, forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chr. 7:14; cf.
6:36-39; Lk18:14). •Email: [email protected] . Facebook: Yetunde Mercy Olumide.
