Our prayers matter. You know how I know that? Because
the apostle James said in the word, “The effective fervent prayers of the
righteous avails much” (James 5:16). And the apostle John said, “If we
know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that
we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15).
Our prayers do matter.
So often I have felt that my prayers were just bouncing off
the ceiling and returning to my own heart, because they would go so long
unanswered. God’s prolonged silence can cause me to feel discouraged and
defeated. Years have passed before I saw the answer to some of my prayers.
Our Part in the
Answer
There have been times when the Lord answered my prayers, just
to later see that thing reverse and come back. It can be confusing trying to
align the word of God with our actual experiences, especially when our
experiences are the exact opposite of the word of God. For example, the word of
God says, “Ask and it shall be given” but you never receive it. How then does our
faith increase with a memory filled with disappointments?
Andrew Wommack told the story of a woman that came to him to
pray for healing. She used a walker to get around. She was healed immediately
and walked away holding the walker up in the air. This same lady came back a
few days later using the walker again. The Lord revealed to Andrew Wommack that
she had unforgiveness in her heart that was preventing her healing. She openly confessed
the unforgiveness and named the person she was hating on. She asked for
forgiveness and was immediately healed again, holding the walker up in the air
as she walked away. Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 6:14-15).
We had a sin debt that we could not pay but God forgave us.
It would not be fair of Him to let us continue to hold others accountable for
their trespasses toward us. We must forgive them in order to be forgiven, and see
our prayers answered.
In All Your
Getting,
Get A Good Understanding
The apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesians that their eyes
would be opened and understanding enlightened as to the confident hope
God has given to those He called to Himself. So when disappointments seem to
mount up, that’s the time to draw closer to God and pray for wisdom and
enlightenment (James 1:5).
Paul also said, “I pray that you will understand the
incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believes Him.” This is power to
perform any request that we submit to Him. He can just say, “Let there
be” and poof it will manifest. So, if prayers are going unanswered, it is not
because God is unable or unwilling to grant it. There’s some other reason like
in the case of the woman with the walker.
Why Pray?
I asked myself, “Why does God need me to pray for things
that He can already do without my prayers?” Then I was reminded that when God
created mankind, He gave us dominion (rule and authority) over all the earth
and everything in it (Gen. 1:26, 28). And… Jesus gave us the keys to the
kingdom to bind and loose on earth. This is His authority granted us to overcome
earthly issues. As we bind and loose on earth, it is bound and loosed in heaven
(Matt. 16:19). We are laborers together with God… us on earth, and Him
in heaven (1 Cor. 3:9). Together we accomplish great things.
It matters when we pray… and when we don’t.
These Are the Days
of Elijah
James 5:17-18 (NKJV) Elijah was a man with a nature
like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain
on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven
gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
Elijah’s prayer affected a lot of people for a long time,
and only his prayer could restore rain to the land for the production of fruit
and vegetation. He was not superhuman. He was a man with human nature like you
and me, but he was a man who prayed.
It’s Open-Door
Season
Knock, and it will be opened to you, for to him who knocks
it will be opened.
Jesus told a parable about a friend that came to his friend
at midnight and knocked on the door asking to borrow three loaves of bread. His
friend told him it was not a good time because they were all in bed. But he
kept on knocking and because of his persistence, the friend got up and gave him
as many as he needed (Luke 11:5-8).
Karen Wheaton said she prayed to God in this same persistent
manner regarding her prodigal daughter. Her three loaves were deliverance, healing,
and salvation for her daughter.
One night at church, while Karen was in worship, the Lord
showed her a vision. She was standing in front of a door when it opened a
little and two arms reached from behind the door and handed her three loaves of
bread. She said in a surprised voice, “Oh Lord, You’re giving me the bread?”
When she said that, the door swung wide open and she walked in and looked up to
see a storehouse full of bread as far as the eye could see… shelves and shelves
so high that she couldn’t even see the top of it. Then Karen heard a soft voice
ask her, “You only want three?”
* * * * * * *
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the
works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do,
because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I
will do it. John 14:12-14 (NKJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the
LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then
you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah
29:11-12 (NKJV)
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians
3:20 (NKJV)
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and
mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)
May the Lord bless
you
And keep you;
May the Lord make His
face
Shine upon you,
And be gracious to
you;
May the Lord lift up
His countenance upon
you,
And give you perfect
peace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Click here to go to the Our Prayers Matter Series
To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove
