Proverbs 15:29, God Changes Things Through Prayers!
October 7, Proverbs 15:29
Luke 11:1-13 “Believers have an Advocate with the Father at the Mercy Seat.”
God Changes Things Through Prayers!
We considered prayer in terms of a right or wrong relationship with God. There have been reminders of the responsibility to pray and not faint. Let us now consider the rewards of prayer. As with every godly exercise, the devil does his diabolical utmost to undermine and deprive us of our prayer-life in every way he can. “God will not hear you.” Your reply: “But He has bid me pray without ceasing.” “You are not worthy.” True, but have I not an Advocate who is? “Do you think you can change the Almighty?” Why then does He tell me to ask? He that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Heb. 11:6). Why, you may ask, does the devil seek to keep me from prayer, if it is of no avail? Why, you may well ask again, does he tremble when he sees me on my knees? “No prayer will be without God’s fruit” (Bridges).
1. Direct Answers: Ask! There are certain conditions that must be fulfilled. In the O.T. there was the prayer of faith. Samuel was born in answer to Hannah’s broken, but believing cry to God. So it was with the forerunner of the Lord Jesus. The Angel said to Zacharias, Thy prayer is heard (Lk. 1:13). Prayer, for N.T. saints must be in the Name and through the merits of Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:14). It must also be in simple faith (Jas. 1:5-6). It must be fervent prayer (Jas. 5:16; Lk. 18:1, 5). It is such prayer that “shakes the tree of divine promises till the fruit falls.” It must be in the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26). Above all, it must be according to the will of God (Jn.15:7). Jesus tells of God’s eagerness to answer His children’s requests (Lu. 11:13).
2. Delayed Answers: Seek! God’s answers come only in God’s time, and His timing is always right. Daniel had to wait 21 days for an answer (10:13). There are satanic influences and selfish interests that can intrude into our prayers. God knows what we need and when we need it. Our hearts must be constantly cleansed and our motives corrected before He says “Yes.” Truly, we can say our wonderful God has a living interest in his own elect, though he bear long with them. In this He also expresses His loving patience (Lk. 18:7). Adoniram Judson said, “I never prayed sincerely and earnestly for anything, but it came to pass at some time, no matter how far distant the day.”
3. Denied Answers: Knock! This suggests some barrier to be removed, not in God, but in us! This is the hardest to deal with. There are times God says Wait! There are times when He says No! We must keep on knocking! If God denied Paul’s prayer (2 Cor. 12:9-10), it was for Paul’s good and God’s glory. So it will be with God’s denials to some of your prayers. Dr. C. M. Ward was speaking about prayers that did not seem to be answered. He said, “There is a difference between clamour and faith. We need patience. We cannot rightly tell the Giver ‘how, when and where.’ We must trust His judgment.”
Thought: “Wrestle in prayer, but sit still in faith” (Bridges).
Prayer: Lord, help me to trust Thy judgment in all my requests.