What if you received everything you prayed for? Be careful before answering too quickly.
Prayer is a powerful tool in the hands of the believer. It is our communication to God, Who is Faithful to answer our needs. It is the process of bringing our petitions to Him as we boldly approach the Throne of Grace. Prayer combined with Faith is the language of the Holy Spirit. The scripture speaks of praying correctly. Jesus offered the pattern of prayer to His disciples, which has been referenced, as The Lord’s Prayer. This pattern features the recognition of God and His Holiness. His Kingdom is included and His divine will is invoked. There is forgiveness offered and forgiveness sought.
The Bible also warns against foolish prayers. Let us not pray “amiss” or use “vain reputations as the heathen do.” All prayers are not the same. Some seek for personal gain or profit. Some think of prayer as an escape mechanism to remove the consequences of poor decisions and carnal living.
Balaam prayed a prayer for permission to travel with unsavory men. God said, Numbers 22:12 “Do not go with them.” Balaam desired to join a group contrary to Israel and God clearly rejected his request. However, Balaam would not take “No” for an answer. So after repeated attempts to get his way, the Lord finally said, Numbers 22:20 “Go with them.” The coming scene was not in Balaam’s favor. He received what he thought he wanted, but God’s judgment was against him. He got what he prayed for, but the result was God’s wrath upon him.
There is a growing chasm between fleshly prayers and spiritual desires. Just because it is a prayer does not mean it is godly. I can only imagine that it is the goodness of God that keeps us from getting everything we pray for. When we filter God’s written Word out of our petitions we become carnal. Seeking for things that are contrary to God’s Word and His Will work against us. It could be that He protects us even from our own human desires, which are designed to lead us away from eternal life.
Paul prayed three times that a “thorn” would be removed from him. Nevertheless, God rejected that prayer and said, “My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in your weakness.” It was the Will of God to keep Paul in check and ultimately, he accepted God’s answer which allowed him to experience profound grace.
I pray today… “Thy Kingdom come in my life and Thy Will be done in me.”
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole