I have been reading through the small but useful book How To Pray by R.A. Torrey. I appreciate his clear, concise, and logical approach to interpreting and applying scripture. I am thankful for books like this which allow seasoned believers to share the practical truth of God's Word in a way those who desire to learn can grow.
Of the many verses he shares in the book, two passages have stood out to me. The first is found in 1 John 5:14-15: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." One point of emphasis is the will of God is a very definite thing which can be known through the Word of God. This is plainly spelled out many times like in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." We do not need to wonder what the will of God is, for in understanding scripture we can know God's true character. When we pray in faith, taking God at His Word, we can know we have whatever we ask.
But there is another verse which also should be considered. We can pray according to God's will but that does not mean we have submitted ourselves to His will! If we want to receive what we ask for, the Bible is clear we must be obedient to God. 1 John 3:22-24 says, "And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us." If we desire God listen to our pleas, should we not also heed His voice and walk in obedience to His commands to love one another? Many prayers go unanswered because we have not met God's conditions. We do not earn God's favour by our obedience, but as we abide in Him we adopt a posture which enables us to receive.
Let us continually seek the LORD in prayer and not lose heart, taking heed that we do those things which are pleasing in God's sight. This is God's will for you and me!
Of the many verses he shares in the book, two passages have stood out to me. The first is found in 1 John 5:14-15: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." One point of emphasis is the will of God is a very definite thing which can be known through the Word of God. This is plainly spelled out many times like in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." We do not need to wonder what the will of God is, for in understanding scripture we can know God's true character. When we pray in faith, taking God at His Word, we can know we have whatever we ask.
But there is another verse which also should be considered. We can pray according to God's will but that does not mean we have submitted ourselves to His will! If we want to receive what we ask for, the Bible is clear we must be obedient to God. 1 John 3:22-24 says, "And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us." If we desire God listen to our pleas, should we not also heed His voice and walk in obedience to His commands to love one another? Many prayers go unanswered because we have not met God's conditions. We do not earn God's favour by our obedience, but as we abide in Him we adopt a posture which enables us to receive.
Let us continually seek the LORD in prayer and not lose heart, taking heed that we do those things which are pleasing in God's sight. This is God's will for you and me!
No comments:
Post a Comment
To uphold the integrity of this site, no comments with links for advertising will be posted. No ads here! :)