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Topic: VI
Does God Answer All Prayers? |
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"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).
The Bible is filled with answered prayers from Genesis to Revelation. You are commanded to pray and God has promised to answer (Jer. 33:3 OT). In the above Scripture, there are two requirements for answers to prayer. First, you are to abide in Him; that is, to continue in HIm. It means to remain in His perfect will at all cost (Rom. 12:1,2). Second, His words are to abide in you; they are to become a vital part of your life. You are to be filled with, and guided by, His words (Col. 3:16,17). Meet these two requirements, and your prayers will be answered. |
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The prayer is sometimes immeditate. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, and as he began to sink, he prayed, "Lord, save me." The answer was immediate (Matt. 14:22-31). |
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The answer is sometimes delayed. The delay is according to His will (Rom. 8:28). The resurrection of Lazarus is a good example of delayed answer to prayer. Lazarus was sick. Mary and Martha sent for Jesus to come and heal him. But Jesus delayed coming until Lazarus was dead and in the tomb for four days. Then He came and raised Lazarus from the dead. The answer was delayed--but not denied (John 11:1-44). |
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The answer is sometimes "no." When God answers with a "no." He always accompanies the answer with peace (Phil. 4:6,7) and grace (II Cor. 12:7-10). |
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The answer is sometimes different from what you expect. You pray for paience and God sends tribulation--because "tribulation worketh patience" (Rom. 5:3). God answers all your prayers--not according to your wishes, but according to His perfect will. |
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