Prayer – Part 3

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7

Jesus said, ‘If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.’ For your prayers to be answered you must: 1) Make Christ the center of your life.‘ If you abide in Me.’ John was close enough to lean his head on Jesus’ breast, but Peter ‘ followed [Him] at a distance’ (Luke 22:54). How close to God do you want to be? It’s up to you. 2) Fill your mind with Scripture. When you pray the words of Scripture your faith is activated, the devil retreats as he did from Christ in the wilderness, and God responds because you’re praying in harmony with His will. So ask yourself, ‘Is my request in line with Scripture; will it blend with my gifts; will it draw me closer to God; what is my part in answering it; have I obeyed the Lord?’ Now, when you pray,‘ Give us this day our daily bread’ (Matthew 6:11), God probably won’t rain down groceries! He will give you opportunities you must seize and act on. The words, ‘Pray without ceasing’ (1 Thessalonians 5:17), mean you should stay in God’s presence long enough for Him to answer your prayer, or change your request. 3) Before you ask, examine your heart. ‘If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me’ (Psalms 66:18). Achan’s sin had to be dealt with before Israel could go forward in the Promised Land (Joshua 7:10-26). And so does yours! The moment you become conscious of sin, confess it, then be confident that God has forgiven you and move forward.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, the more I read Your Word the closer I am to You and the more open I am to talk to You. Thank You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen