“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14

As a young man, Mike used to think that if he just kept praying, God would give him exactly what he wanted.  But he learned how self-centered that attitude is… not God-centered.

Friend, prayer is not an equation of – you pray and God acts. The bible says: “that if we ask (God) anything… according to His will… He hears us.”
Mike says that when he prays now, God’s plan will be done and in God’s timing…and it will be in Mike’s best interest.

So whether your prayer is for a loved one to come to Christ or a new job, go to God with that prayer.  Then look for God’s answer of yes, no, wait, or a totally unexpected solution!

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

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The post The Equation Prayer appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“So Peter was being kept in the prison, but the congregation was intensely praying to God for him.” Acts 12:5

What is the focus of your prayer life? Do you pray more for yourself than for others? Many Christians jump into their prayer life with a grocery list of personal things they want God to do in their life.

While it is proper to bring our personal cares before the Lord, it is of greater importance to pray for others, both the saved and the unsaved. Praying for ourselves and for others is something God commands us to do.

Effective prayer for others will bring us closer to God, because effective prayer is based on a knowledge of His will. It will also bring us closer to others, as we learn more about them and focus on their needs.

Praying for others is important because we are to emulate Jesus who prayed for us
(John 17:20). Here are some ways the Bible tell us we should intercede:

• We are to pray for all people (1 Timothy 2:1).

• We are to pray for government leaders  (1 Timothy 2:2).

• We are to pray for the unsaved (Romans 10:1).

• We are to pray for fellow Christians (Ephesians 6:18).

• We are to pray for ministers of the gospel (Colossians 4:3).

• We are to pray for the persecuted church (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

Praying for others gets our focus off of ourselves and onto the needs of those around us. As we “carry each other’s burdens,” we “will fulfill the law of Christ.” Begin praying for others more today and help to build up the body of Christ. It is a great way to grow spiritually.

Lord, help me to pray more for others than for myself. May I see the needs of others and bring them before the throne of grace, and may I grow spiritually in the process. Amen.

By John Grant
Used by Permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3

As the man, late for an appointment, drove around the packed office parking lot he could find not one parking space. He kept driving and increased his fuming. Suddenly he thought to pray, saying, “Lord, you know how important this meeting is and if you will find me a parking space, I will attend church every Sunday for the next year.”

Suddenly a space miraculously opened up right in front of him and he pulled right in. He thought and suddenly began to pray, “Oh God, never mind. I found a space right in front of me.”

God hears and answers prayer, sometimes, yes, sometimes no and sometimes wait.

Sometimes we get frustrated as we want immediate answers and we want what we prayed for. But God is God and not a celestial order taker.

I have asked God for a lot of things, but in retrospect, I am glad He didn’t give me what I asked for, as it would have been a disaster for me. He knows much better than I do what is best for me and what is His plan for my life. Prayer is not an exercise in asking for what we want but praising Him and asking what He wants for our lives.

Sometimes God answers our prayers in strange ways and we need to focus on. we are often unprepared for the answers we receive from God. His answers frequently do not look at first like answers. They look like problems. They look like trouble. They look like loss, disappointment, affliction, conflict, sorrow, and increased selfishness. They cause deep soul wrestling and expose sins and doubts and fears. They are not what we expect, and we often do not see how they correspond to our prayers.

The Lord of the universe isn’t under obligation to say “yes” to every prayer. That’s a good thing, considering some of the things we request. But sometimes God says “no” to our most heartfelt requests. Have you discovered this to be true in your own life? I certainly have.

When we pray we should look carefully for a response. It may be disguised even though it is right before our eyes. And when God answers our prayers we should rejoice, give thanks and give Him all the glory.

By John Grant
Used by Permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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The post When God Answers Do We Hear? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:7-8

There was a man in the church where I grew up who prayed the most eloquent prayers I have ever heard. He would often pray during the service and when he did, I heard others talk about how beautiful his prayer was. He just had a way with words.

On the other end of the spectrum, I have come before God while I have been in places so dark and confusing that I could barely speak. The most I could utter was, “Help me. I need you, Lord.”

I’ve known many believers, both young and old, who don’t like praying out loud in a group because they don’t feel like they have the right words to say. But if we can get past the words and just share our heart, then we begin to open ourselves up to each other and align our wills with the heart of God.

Jesus taught that it is not the eloquence of speech that God desires when we come to Him in our need. In fact, the only ones who are impressed are other people. He doesn’t delight in fancy words. He delights in a heart that comes humbly to Him.

Even when we have no words, whether from joy or pain, the Spirit, who lives in us, knows our needs and prays for us (Romans 8:26). The Father knows what we need before we even ask. We only need to call out to Him.

Lord, I am thankful that you know me so well. Be near to me. Thank you for hearing what’s in my heart even if my words are few. Amen.

By Debbie West
Used by Permission

The post God Doesn’t Need Pretty Words appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8 (NKJV)

Do you believe God knows what you need, before you ask Him?  Ruth, a young African girl, believed God would answer her prayer.

Ruth lived in a mission home for orphans.  One night, a tiny infant and her crying two-year-old sister were left motherless.  A hot water bottle was needed to keep the baby warm.  But in tropical Africa, none could be found!

Ruth prayed that God would send one that afternoon.  She prayed, “Would You please send a doll for the little girl, so she knows that You really love her?”

Oh, friend, a hot water bottle arrived that very afternoon.  And a doll!  Five months earlier a women’s Bible study group had been led by God to send that parcel.

The Bible says God “knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”  Believe it.  I certainly do!

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

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The post A Hot Water Bottle appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Recently, I received an email with this question. “Why is it important to pray?”

Before I answered the question, I reminded the writer that praying is a two-way communication between God and His people.  God speaks to us through His Word, through impressions, nature and people. We talk to God out loud or in our mind.

There are Many Reasons to Communicate with God.

1.    To glorify God. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13).    The Father loves us and wants to bless us. We ask, He will do, and the Father will be glorified (get the credit).

2.    To obey God’s command.  “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We should talk to God thousands of times a day about everything. Big problems, small problems, quick prayers of thanksgiving, “help me” prayers or “help them” prayers.

3.    Fellowship with God.  “The prayers of the upright are His delight.” (Proverbs 15:8).  Revelation 3:20 tells us that if we open our heart to Him, He will come into our hearts and have fellowship (we hang out with Him) with us.  The Westminster catechism tells us the chief end of man to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  God loves for us to talk to Him.

4.    We follow Christ’s example.  There are so many references in the gospels of Jesus taking time to pray.  (Luke 5:16) says, “But Jesus often slipped away to others places to be alone so that He could pray.”  We are His followers and we too must make prayer a priority.

5.    Prayer brings results.  “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16).  I encourage you to take the time to think about the prayers that God has answered.  And also, make a goal to pray more.

6.    Prayer is vital to Christian maturity.  We will not grow in our faith, if we do not spend time with God and His Word.  We can go without food for a day or two without too much effect but then we begin to get weak.  In the same we way, we will get weak in our spirit if we go without spending time with the Lord every day.  Prayer and the Word are food for our souls.

Father, what a privilege it is to talk to You.  How awesome to think that You actually love to hear our prayers. Help us to spend more time talking to you—about everything.  Amen.

Some of the content was taken from “How to Pray”, by Dr. Bill Bright.

By Katherine Kehler
used by permission

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The post Why Should We Pray? appeared first on Thoughts About God.