Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- Some categories of prayer may or may not be in God's will. You are totally dependent upon the guidance of the Spirit when you pray for these things, and you should always word your petitions "if it be Your will." You have every right to be bold in your requests, to be persistent in prayer and to claim God's promises again and again.
Pray on until you get God's answer unless He guides you to discontinue your specific petition. He may do this by taking away your interest or desire, or by giving you an inner restraint that suggests this is not his will. However, until He does so, press on in faith. (Praying hands)
Prayer for material benefits. "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" God loves mankind so completely that He delights in helping them.
The only times God is not willing to grant material blessings are when He must punish because of sin, when He must discipline His children, or when, in God's infinite wisdom, such blessings are not best at the time.
Sometimes the specific blessing you are asking God to bestow might tend to make the recipient spiritually careless or self-sufficient, feeling able to get along without God. Again, God may have something far better in mind for that individual, or a better timing for the particular blessing.
God's highest love may be revealed by not granting your request in exactly the way you have asked, since His ways are far beyond yours.
Prayer for removal of trials, problems, and difficulties. Trials can be a source of great spiritual blessing to you and can lead to great eternal reward (1 Peter 1:6-7). Present sufferings can prepare for eternal glory (2 Cor. 4:17). "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed" in heaven (Rom. 8:18).
Just as hard work is good for the physical health of a normal person, so pressures, problems, and trials can increase your spiritual muscle, your spiritual vitality, your faith, patience, and other spiritual virtues.
"We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us" (Rom. 5:3-5). "You know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:3-4).
God does not willingly bring affliction and grief to mankind (Lam. 3:32-33). It pains him to see anyone suffer. But He works for our eternal good. Hence the psalmist could say: "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word . . . . It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees" (Ps. 119:67, 71).
Father, may we learn that we're dependent upon Your Spirit's guidance for effective praying, that we would be able to make bold requests, and to be persistent in our praying. Remind us that we're to say "if it be Your will" to complete our prayers.
When we pray for material blessing for someone, may we understand that it may not be Your will to do so at the time we request it. You know what would be best, as You know the person and circumstances in their lives. We need to trust Your wisdom and guidance in praying for them.
Today's Bible verses-
~ We find that God is with us in moments of trouble, helping us to manage. He's there to guide us through the maze of questions and decisions. He is our Hope, our protector and our Comfort, all at once. May we be aware of His presence with us in all kinds of challenges, and in good times.
Today's question-
What is the best solution for anything that troubles us?
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,
broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15
You can view past services too.
Thanks Jean for sharing
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