June 4, 2023
“Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16.
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.
“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” James 5:16.
Have you gotten up in the morning starting your day rushing to work or an appointment and did not take the time to speak with the God that Created you? The God that allowed you to wake up and as my Big Mama Gentry would say “in my right mind,” the God that is your Creator, Savior, Sustainer, Protector, Deliver, and soon coming King. Well, I must confess, I have been guilty! God waits for us to seek Him and talk with Him to hear us and what He has to say to us. WOW! We can approach a Holy, Omnipotent, and Righteous God in prayer. You are not permitted to talk to God, you are invited to talk with Him! Hallelujah!
The most powerful weapon on earth is PRAYER! It is the instrument and means that God has chosen to communicate and direct His will in our lives. The most incredible privilege God gives to us is the freedom to approach Him in prayer. I stand amazed at the thought that the Creator of the universe invites us as His Children to the Throne of grace in prayer. We have instant and direct access to God.
The Mystery of Prayer is a fundamental characteristic of Christianity and many religious traditions. It is the most universally practiced yet least understood of human experiences. It is one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith. By definition, it is communication between us and God. However, sadly, we often approach prayer like a one-way telephone conversation, forgetting that God also wants to speak to us. Prayer serves various purposes and holds different meanings depending on the context in which it is used.
Prayer is:
- A relationship with God. It allows you to express your thoughts, feelings, and desires to Him and to seek His guidance and support establishing and maintaining an intimate relationship with a God who hears, cares, and is able to act on your behalf.
- Communion with God, entering into His presence, aligning your heart and mind with His, and experiencing His peace and comfort.
- Petition and intercession making requests to God, seeking His intervention and help in specific situations: personal needs, forgiveness of sins, healing, guidance, or provision as well as intercession, praying on behalf of others, lifting up their concerns and needs to God.
- Worshiping and adorating God where you as a Believer in Christ express your reverence, gratitude, and simply being in awe of God and honoring Him as the ultimate authority in your life.
- Not just about asking for things, prayer also plays a role in personal growth and transformation seeking spiritual enlightenment, wisdom, and strength. and aligning your will with God’s will, seeking His guidance in making decisions, and surrendering yourself to His purposes.
- Exploration of the mysteries of God’s will, seeking to discern His plans and purposes acknowledging that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than human understanding. It involves trust and surrender, acknowledging that God’s ways may not always align with your human expectations.
- Is deeply connected with faith and trust in God, believing that God is present, attentive, and capable of responding to prayers according to His wisdom and timing. The mystery lies in trusting that God’s answers may not always align with human desires or expectations but are ultimately for the greater good.
While the Bible provides guidance on prayer, the specific ways in which God responds to prayer and the reasons behind His responses remain part of the divine mystery. The mystery of prayer extends far beyond a comprehensive understanding of its workings and outcomes.
DOES GOD ALWAYS ANSWER PRAYER? YES! 
Sometimes He Answers, Yes, No, and Wait!
God Said “No” to David’s PRAYER
David was 30 years of age when he became king, and he reigned for 40 years. His reign was the end of a period in Judah. His shoes were so big that none who came after him could ever fill them. As great as Solomon was, he never attained the stature of his father David, spiritually speaking. In Acts 13:36, the Apostle Paul tells us that David served his own generation by the will of God.
David’s dream was to build a house for the Lord. In 1 Samuel 7:1-3, David experienced a peaceful rest, a calm, quiet period in his life, which for him was really unique. He was a courageous warrior, usually involved in battle with one or another of the surrounding nations. At this point, while sitting quietly, he looked around at his own beautiful palace and compared it to the tent that housed the ark of God. The comparison sorrowed David. He wanted to build a beautiful, permanent home for the holy vessels of the Tabernacle. His motive was pure and admirable because he wanted it for God’s glory, not his own. He expressed this desire to Nathan the prophet, who encouraged him.
But God had a different plan. The Lord spoke to Nathan and told him to tell David that it was not His will for David to build His house, but He promised to make David’s dream come true through Solomon, his son. God refused David’s request, reminding him that he was a soldier, a man of war, but not a builder. How often we have wished for talents other than those God gave us?
Many times, God’s “NO” is just a redirection of His plan for us according to His will.
How About You?
How did you respond when God did not answer your prayer in the manner in which you asked Him? Can you still give Him praise? Can you still give Him praise, and worship Him in spirit and in truth?
Not many are called to fulfill such a great purpose as David or to build temples. God’s intended purpose for you may not be as great as your dreams, or it may be greater than you ever imagined. How sad that so many never become aware of that purpose which is the only way to true happiness and satisfaction.
AN TRUSTING 
HEART: Although God did not heal my mother or my husband, or yet bring family unity, I can still trust HIM, I must praise HIM, and I must give HIM glory. I can continue to pray each day for divine guidance and direction, not feeling guilty, hurt, or disappointed when my plans don’t work out.
Trusting in His sovereign will for your life can keep you sane!
You do not have to waste time asking God
“ WHY?”
We can have confidence that God’s way is best, even when we simply do not understand! We must leave the results in His hand. When God says “NO,” He has a better way, and our best response to His “NO” is submissive cooperation with His plans for His glory. ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3.
God has put each of us here for a purpose, however humble. Not many are called to fulfill such a great purpose as David or to build temples. God’s intended purpose for you may not be as great as your dreams, or it may be greater than you ever imagined. How sad that so many never become aware of that purpose which is the only way to true happiness and satisfaction! Prayer is never an attempt to induce God to manipulate events and situations but otherwise act on our behalf.
FATHER GOD: Thank You for Your Word that provides us with clear instructions on how to live and glorify You! Help us to always trust You even when our finite minds cannot comprehend Your answer, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!