Prayer. Seems simple enough. Talking with God. But why are some prayers answered and other prayers not? Good question. Sitting here tonight, it came to mind the difference is in our prayer attitude, begging God vs believing God.
As a majority, I believe it's safe to say, that most prayers said, are prayers where we are "begging" God to intercede on our behalf. We pray....Lord, please heal so and so, provide for us, please give me this or that, etc, etc. But inside we are questioning God, whether He will answer or not. Deep down inside we aren't really praying, as much as we are just hoping that He will attend to our request. Basically, begging God to do something for us.
True prayers, the ones He does answer, are based on believing...true believing. Prayers with confidence in God, His ability, and His word. So many times, we go to Him in the posture and attitude that answered prayer is more of a God lottery. Hoping He will pick our prayer to answer. But, that's not the way.
There have been times, I've prayed in the begging attitude, truly wondering IF He would answer. And other times, I've prayed with true belief in Him, His power, and His word....in other words, prayed in power. Those are the prayers that were answered.
God isn't moved by our circumstance or our emotions...our begging. He is moved and moves when we step in with total assurance into His character and His word with our prayer. There are two verses He gives us which lead us to this place of total confidence in prayer.
In Jeremiah 1:12, He tells Jeremiah that He watches over His word to perform it.
"Then the Lord said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it."
In other words, when He declares something by His word, He will make sure it happens! I don't know about you, but that makes me excited! All of God's promises, we can take and claim because He is standing by His word ready to fulfill those promises. All it takes, is our true faith and confidence in Him that He will do it.
Which brings me to the next point. Our standing with Him. Either we aren't sure of His willingness to answer, as I just pointed out, or we aren't sure about our own standing with Him. Doubt on either side will hinder prayer. The answer is found in Hebrews 4:16. "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Through Jesus Christ, we have access to the throne room of grace. The very place of meeting with God. And how are we to enter into His grace...with "confidence". We are to enter with confidence. Confidence in Him, and confidence that we are accepted by Him. When Jesus was crucified, the veil was torn. The veil represented the separation of God from us. The veil was taken away. We are no longer separated from Him. Therefore, we are able to go to confidently to Him.
So, lay aside those doubts and stop begging God, and begin believing God. He's waiting to move on your behalf. He's waiting, watching, and ready to perform His word. Believe it!
