Tuesday, November 13, 2007

God's Conditions For Answered Prayers

Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

We have a giving God. He delights in giving to His children. We are blessed and He delights in blessing His children.

Many are not getting their prayers answered. Many are being disobedient to God. In this post I will hit on a few things that can and hindering the prayers of many of God's children.

God wants His children to be a giving people. God does want to bless His people but in order to receive God's blessings we must be obedient in this thing of giving. I'm not just talking about tithing. There will be times that God will want us to give to someone (whether it be money, a gift or a service) and when we do as He wants us to He will be blessing the person we give to and when we obey Him then He will bless us. When we don't do as God wants us to then not only is the person we would be doing that thing for or give that money to be missing out on a blessing... so would we. I don't know about you but it is a blessing to give. If you don't get a blessing out of being a blessing then your motive is wrong in why you are doing it. We should not do things or give things so we'll receive God's blessing...we should do it because we love Him. God knows our heart and our motive behind what we do...so if you're motive is right...He'll bless you. If it isn't...He won't.

Are you praying for a loved one to be saved? Maybe its a spouse or one of your children. Do you want to see them saved so they can be used of God and glorify Him or is it so your life will be made easier? Which motive do you think God will hear?

Psalm 84:11 "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." To see God answer our prayers we also need to be walking uprightly. To walk uprightly means to live a clean life. Are you wanting to see that loved one saved so much that you are willing to put away that television program that you watch and know God doesn't approve of? How about that music you listen to that doesn't glorify God? What about those things you like to do and places you like to go that you know God has shown you is wrong yet you continue to do and go to? God wants us to walk uprightly. When we do He'll honor that sacrifice.

So examine your motives for why you're praying for those things you're not seeing God answer. If you know your motive is right then examine your life to see if you're walking uprightly. Ask God to show you if you're not and be willing to change those things He shows you.

As long as we are being obedient and there is no unconfessed sin in our lives we can rest assured that He will answer. It is all in His time.

14 comments:

PamelaK said...

Great post! It is so important that we examine ourselves daily!! Our pastor recently spoke about the importance of not having unconfessed sin in our lives.
Thanks, Sis Julie.

Sis. Julie said...

pamelak...Amen!

~~Deby said...

Amen..amen...thanks for the RIGHT on teaching.
Deby

Sis. Julie said...

sis. deby...Amen!! You're very welcome.

Ginger said...

What a great post. Every word was so true. I love it when you make me think!!lol
Ginger

TO BECOME said...

Wrong motives for doing good things reminds me of where the Bible talks about wood, hay and stuble, but if we do good things with pure motives then our works will be as gold, silver and precious stones and they want be burned up. It is very important that our motives be right. Good post, sis. Julie. connie from Texas

Unknown said...

So true! Our motives for giving can get a little mixed up at times. Also, this matter of obedience in other area is so over looked by many Christians I know. They wonder why so many things are going badly in their lives, but they aren't willing to see or admit their disobedience to Christ. I've been guilty of that myself. Keep up the good posts Sis.

Sis. Julie said...

sis. connie....you are so right. I know my motive hasn't always been right and I know that when those things are tried by fire they will burn. We should always make sure our motive is right.

Sis. Julie said...

sis. pam...I think we have all been guilty at one time or another. Love you!!

Anonymous said...

Amen Mrs Julie. I am reminded of ps 66:18 when thinking about answered prayer. Most people want to keep sin in their life and then when they need God get rid of the sin so they can get an answer. I believe when our prayers don't get answered there is definitely a reason and we need to find out that reason.

Bro Tim

Sis. Julie said...

bro. tim...you are so right. There is always a reason as to why our prayers aren't getting answered. God wants to answer our prayers...so the problem is usually on our part.

Apples of Gold said...

Good Post!

Sis. Julie said...

apples of gold...Praise the Lord!

Lyndy said...

Great post as usual Sis Julie. Sorry I have not been around much this week but I had computer problems that were just fixed yesterday.

Have a blessed Sonday.

Love you, Lyndy

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