KeysToAnsweredPrayer

DavidOyedepo

Introduction

Anditcametopass,that,asHewasprayinginacertainplace,whenHeceased,oneofHisdisciplessaiduntoHim,Lord,teachustopray,asJohnalsotaughthisdisciples.AndHesaiduntothem,whenyepray,say…Luke11:1-2

PrayerisoneofthemostimportantrightsGodhasgivenHischildren.Prayeristhebreathoftheregeneratedspirit.Itsveryimportancedemandsthatweknowhowtogoaboutit.For,exceptweknowhowtoprayintheGod-givenway,wecanbecertainthatwecannotreceivefromHim.

TheScripturesaysverysimply,

“Everyonethataskethreceiveth.”(Matthew7:8).

Butinitssimplicityalsoliesonetruth:wemustaskaright.Therefore,knowinghowtoprayisasvitalastheneedtopray.Itisoftensaidthatthewaytolearnhowtoprayistopray.However,thisisnotcorrect.Thewaytolearntoprayistobetaught.FromtheMaster’smouth,welearnthemechanicsofprayer,“…whenyepray,say…”Wemusthumbleourselvesandlearnlikechildren.Thepurposeofthisbookistoteacheffectualprayer.Thereis,asIhavealreadystated,aplaceforknowledgeinprayer,whichnothingcanreplace.Withoutknowledgewe“askamiss,”andaskingamissisthereasonsomedonotreceive.(James4:3).Thisbookwillteachyouhowtopray,usingthewordofGod,andthewordofGodisthesourceofknowledgeforeffectualprayer.

WhatIsPrayer?

PrayeriscommunionwithGod.TheBibletalksaboutdifferenttypesofprayer.Basically,however,prayerisaskingGodtointerveneinagivensituationonthebasisofHisword.Asyoucansee,itisnottellingGodaboutourproblemsandneeds.No!Heknowsourproblemsandneedsbeforeweask.(Matthew6:32).Rather,itisthewordofGodconcerningourneedthatwereturntoHim(Isaiah55:11).Iwanttoassureyouthattheprinciplesoutlinedinthismini-bookwillworkforyouifyoufaithfullyfollowthem.Theyhavealwaysworkedforme.Godhasnofavorites,neitherhasHerespectofpersons.

Chapter1:ComeWithPraise–AndMaintainIt

AndHesaiduntothem,whenyepray,say,ourFatherwhichartinheaven,hallowedbeThyname…Luke11:2

EverbeforewemakeourrequesttotheFather,Hishighpraisesmustbeonourlips.Prayermustbeprecededbypraises.Thereareheavenlygates,andittakespraisetounlockthem.ThePsalmistsang:

EnterintoHisgateswiththanksgiving,andintoHiscourtswithpraise:bethankfuluntoHim,andblessHisname.Psalm100:4

Thesaintsofoldcertainlyknewthesecretofpraise.Theyuseditwithgreateffect.Nehemiahprayed,

OLordofheaven,thegreatandterribleGod,thatkeepethcovenantandmercyforthemthatloveHimandobserveHiscommandments.Nehemiah1:5

TheeffectofhisprayerwasthatGodusedhim(aslave)tobringabouttherestorationofJerusalemandthetemple.

IntheprayerofDaniel,recordedinDaniel9,Nehemiah’sintroductorypraiseisrepeatedalmostverbatim(verse4).Theresultwasaratherunprecedentedrevelationofthingsthatareyettohappen.

TheBookofActs,chapterfour,tellsusoftheprayerofthedisciplesthatreceivedinstantaneousanswer.Oncemore,praisewasthekeythatunlockedtheheavenlygates.Inverse24,weread,

Andwhentheyheardthat,theylifteduptheirvoicestoGodwithoneaccord,andsaid,Lord,ThouartGod,whichhasmadeheavenandearth,andthesea,andallthatinthemis.

Theanswercameimmediately,accompaniedbyashakingoftheplace

wheretheyweregatheredtogether.

WhenJehoshaphat’sJudahwasinvadedbythecombinedforcesofAmmon,MoabandMountSeir,itwaspraisethatgottheearofGod(2Chronicles20:6,22).Afterthat,theLordheardtheprayerofthekingandthepeople.Toeveryone’ssurprise,Hechoseanunlikelyweapon.

Andwhentheybegantosingandpraise,theLordsetambushmentagainstthechildrenofAmmon,MoabandMountSeir,whichwerecomeagainstJudah;andtheyweresmitten.(Verse22)

Notbynumbers,orspearandbowsandarrowsandthesword—butbypraise!

Wherepraiseisreplacedwithmurmuringandcomplaining,theflowofblessingiscutoff.Infact,sometimesmurmuringwillbepunishedbyGod.Therefore,takeheedtothewarningin1Corinthians10:10,

Neithermurmurye,assomeofthemalsomurmured,andweredestroyedofthedestroyer.

Rather,createahabitationforHim–bypraisingHim!(Psalm22:3)Itisnecessarytomentionthatthisattitudeofpraisemustbemaintained.Addedtootherkeys,itensuresthemanifestationoftheanswer.Praiseisstillheard,whenprayerislongover.InPsalm119:164,thepsalmistsaid,

SeventimesadaydoIpraisetheebecauseofThyrighteousjudgements.

ComparethiswithPsalm55:17,Evening,andmorning,andatnoon,willIprayandcryaloud:andHeshallhearmyvoice.

Seventothreeistheratioofpraisetoprayer.

Everybelieveroughttolearntolivealifeofpraise.Praiseiscomelyuntotheupright.ThereisnolimittowhatGodwilldowhenHeisadequately

praised.Psalm67:5-6says,LetthepeoplepraiseThee,OGod…Thenshalltheearthyieldherincrease;andGod,evenourGod,shallblessus.

ThatiswhathappenedtoJehoshaphatandhispeople.Theygotsomuchspoilthatittookthemthreedaystogather.(2Chronicles20:25.Comewithpraiseandmaintainit!

BeSpecific

AndtheycametoJericho:andHewentoutofJerichowithHisdisciplesandagreatnumberofpeople,blindBartimaeus,thesonofTimaeus,satbythehighwaysidebegging.AndwhenheheardthatitwasJesusofNazareth,hebegantocryout,andsay,Jesus,ThouSonofDavid,havemercyonme…AndJesusansweredandsaiduntohim,WhatwiltthouthatIshoulddountothee?Theblindmansaiduntohim,Lord,thatImightreceivemysight.Mark10:46-47,51

Inthispassage,Jesussoughttoteachagreatlessonineffectualprayer.BlindBartimaeuscriedfervently,“Havemercyonme”.HewasconvincedJesuscouldhealhimofhisblindness.HisappealwastothecompassionoftheLord.

Itallseemedverysimple.ThatiswhythereplyoftheLordwasratherstrange.Heaskedhim,“Whatdoyouwantmetodoforyou?”AllexceptablindmanwouldfailtoseethatBartimaeuswasblind.Whatelsethen,wouldablindmanwantbutarestorationofsight?

Itseemedsoobvious,thattheLordHimself,whoknowsthesecretoftheheartsofmen,oughtnottohaveasked.Or,soonewouldthink.Yet,theLordaskedhim,“WhatdoyouwantMetodoforyou?”

Manypeopleengageingeneralitiesandcallthatprayer.Prayerhastobespecific.Youhavetoidentifyyourneed.ManythinkthatbecauseGodknowseverything,thereisnoneedtopresenttheircasewithprecision.“Heknows,anyway,”isoftenthestatementusedbysometocovertheirignoranceofsomeofthesethings.

Vaguenessinprayersuggestsanunsettledmind.Suchamindisawaveringmind.AwaveringmindwillnotreceiveanythingfromGod(James1:6-7).

OneimportantreasonwhyGodwantsustobespecificis,sothatwewillhavenodifficultyassigningtheglorytoHimwhentheanswercomes.Ifyouarevagueornotspecific,itprovesthatyoudonotexpecttheLordtoansweryou.YouarelimitingGod’sabilities,becauseyouareoperatingintherealmofdoubtandunbelief.

Youmustdeterminewhatyouwant,andbeprecise.Avoidambiguities.A

prayerlike“GodblessallNigerianministers”isentirelyvague.Nigerianministerswouldexperiencenogrowthatalliftheyhadtodependonsuchintercessors.

Comewithpraise,andbespecificaboutyourneed!

AskAccordingToHisWill

Theproblemwithalotofbelieversis:theyhavedifficultyunderstandingwhatismeantbythewillofGod.TheythinkthatGod’swillisbottledupsomewhereinheaven.Then,fromtimetotime,Heletssomeoldprophethaveapieceofit.Forthisreason,theypray,“Lord,ifitbeThywill…”Nowthisispartoftheignorancewhichhasstolenthepeople’sblessingsfromthem.

Theaveragepersonknowswhatawillis.Awillisthedocumentwhichapersonleavesbehindbeforehedies.Ittellshowhewantshispossessionstobesharedamonghisrelations,etc.

Now,youseethathiswillmeanshisintentionconcerningthedistributionofhisproperty.Theyhavehisword,expressinghisintention.Thus,afterhisdeaththeydonotneedtogoaboutcomplaining“whatonearthdoeshewantustodowithsuchandsuch?”Alltheydoisshareoutthepropertyasinstructedinthewill.HowdoesthisapplytoGodandwe,Hischildren?

Godisupthereinheavenandhereonearth,we,Hischildrenhavetoliveourlives.Soherearethequestions:HowdoesourFatherintendforustolive?WheredowelocateHiswill?WediscoverthatGod’swillisnotupthereinheavenatall.Itisrighthereonearth.TheBible,thewrittenwordofGod,isGod’swillforus!

Hereisonemorething.Weallknowthewillofmanhardlyfails.Ifyougothroughrecords,youwilldiscoverthatmostwillsmadebymengenerallystand.Nowwesaythisinrelationtomanandhiswill.Yet,manybelieversdonotthinkmuchaboutthewillofGod.ManythinkGod’swillmaysomehowfail.TheydonottrustHiswill.WeknowthatHiswordisHiswill,andyet,theydonottrustHisword.

IwantyoutoknowthatGod’swillisforyourspiritualandphysicalwelfare(3John2).

ForIknowthethoughtsandplansthatIhaveforyou,saystheLord,thoughtsandplansforwelfareandpeace,andnotofevil,togiveyouhopeinyourfinaloutcome.Jeremiah29:11(Amplified)

ThatistheplanofGodforus,Hischildrenwhileweareyethereonearth.Donotbetrappedbythesubtletyofthedevil.SatanhasputintotheheadsofGod’speoplethatGodplacessicknessesonpeopletohumblethem.Satantellspeopleifitiswelltoday,itmightbeilltomorrow.ButGodwantsittobe

brighterwithuseachday,thatwegrowfromstrengthtostrength.

Butthepathoftheuncompromisinglyjustandrighteousislikethelightofdawn,thatshinesmoreandmore–brighteranddearer–until(itreachesitsfullstrengthandgloryintheperfect(to-beprepared)day.Proverbs4:18(Amplified)

God’swillisgood.Hehasnodesiretoputyouunderanyplague.Hiswillisthatyoulacknogoodthing;Hedoesnotintendtowithholdanygoodthingfromyou(Psalm84:11).

ItisimportantyouhaveasettledmindconcerningthismatterofthewillofGod.Iwanttostateitsosimplyyoucannotmissit.EverythingthatisgoodcomesfromGodandeverythingthatisbadcomesfromthedevil(James1:17;John10:10).

Havingdeterminedwhatyouwant,digintotheWord(TheBible)andfindthepromisethatcoversyourparticularneed.Youcannotmissitwhenyoupraythisway.For1John5:14says,

…ThisistheconfidencethatwehaveinHim,that,ifweaskanythingaccordingtoHiswill,Hehearethus.

Comewithpraise.Specifyyourneed.AskinaccordancewiththewillofGod.

AskInTheNameOfJesus

AllprayermustbemadeinthenameofJesus.TheuseofthenameofJesusinprayercanbeexplainedwiththissimpleexample.Mostofusarefamiliarwiththeworkingsofthechequesystemusedbythebanks.

Thechequeispresentedtothebank,butitmustbeartheauthorizedsignatureofthedrawer.Ifhissignaturedoesnotappearonthecheque,thebankwillrefusetohonourthecheque.Itwouldnotmatterthathehasonemillionnairainhisaccount.Thisiscalledendorsement.Thebanklooksfortheauthorizedsignature.

Inmuchthesameway,GodlooksfortheauthorizedsignatureofJesusontheprayeroftherighteous.He(Jesus)mustendorseyourprayer,oritwillnotbeacceptedbeforetheheavenlycounter.Thereasonis,

AllthepromisesofGodinHimareyea,andinHimamen.2Corinthians1:20

Jesusownstheaccountyouintendtodrawfrom.AllthingsweremadebyHim,wearetoldinJohn1:3.Hehasthemonopolyoftheheavenlybank.NotethatitisnotforthesakeofJesusyouask.Youaskforyourownsake,butinJesus’name.ThereisanaddedreasonwhytheFatherwouldactinthenameofJesus.TheFatherhasdecreedthatatthenameofJesuseverykneeshouldbow.(Philippians2:10).Noticethatverse9says“Hisnameisaboveeveryname.”

Hereistheidea.Nonamewilldoforasubstitute.Believersarenotacceptedonthebasisoftheirownnames.Wecannotcomeinourownrecognition.WedonothaveastandingwithGodseparateandapartfromthestandingwehaveinJesus.Inverse10,itsays,“everythinginheaven,onearth,andinhell.”

Allthingswewouldordinarilyaskforinprayerareincludedhere.AllthesethingscanbeoursifweaskinthenameofJesus.AndHehasgivenustheassurancethatwhateverweaskinHisnamewecanhave(John16:23).Itisapowerofattorney—apowertoactinanotherperson’sname.Whenwepraythisway,itisasifJesusHimselfisdoingthepraying.

Additionally,JesusisthemediatorbetweenmanandGod(1Timothy2:5).Heisthesoleauthorizedattorneyforallbelievers.Nootherattorneyispermittedinthecourtofheaven.Comewithpraise.Bespecificaboutyourneed.Findtheappropriatepromise.AskinthenameofJesus.

AskInFaith

Youhaveidentifiedyourneed.Youhavealsofoundtheappropriatepromisethatcoversthatneed.Youarereadytoask.Hereisthenextthingyoushouldknow:askinfaith.

Butlethimaskinfaith,notwavering.James1:6

Whyso?BecauseGoddealswithusonthebasisoffaith.

WithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseGod.Hebrews11:6

WhenJesuswasphysicallyonearth,HesucceededinhealinganddeliveringpeopleonlyiftheybelievedthatHecoulddoit.Iftheydidnotbelieve,thentheydidnotgetanything.Matthew9givesusanaccountofthehealingoftwoblindmenbyJesus.

NoticethatHedidnotaskthemfortheircasehistories.ManyofushavetheideathatwecansomehowarouseGod’ssympathybytellingHim,andeveryoneelse,thehistoryofoursuffering.IwantyoutonoticethatJesuswasinterestedinonlyonethingtheirfaith.Heasked:“BelieveyethatIamabletodothis?”(verse28).

IftheydidnotbelievethatHehadtheabilityandthewillingnesstohealthem,theywoulddieintheirblindness.ItwouldmatterverylittlethatJesuswasanointedwithoutmeasure.

Inverse29,Hetoldtheblindmen:“Accordingtoyourfaith,beituntoyou.”Theycouldreceivehealing,becausetheybelieved.

So,youseethattochangeyoursituation,itisnotbyweepingandself-affliction.NeitherisitbylongassociationwithGod.

Matthewchapter13,recordsthefollowingincident.JesushadgonetoNazareth,whereHewasbroughtup.HisownfolkssaidHewasafake.TheywouldnotbelievethatHedidthosethingseverybodysaidHehaddone.

ThosefolkshadlivedwithJesusallHisyouth.TheyknewallaboutHisphysicallife.Thatwasalltheyknewandhadseen.ThereforeitwasdifficultforthemtobelievethatHewasanythingotherthanthat.

AndHedidnotmanymightyworkstherebecauseoftheirunbelief.

(Verse58)

GodcandonothingforyouexceptyoubelievethatHecandoit.soaskinfaith.

Forblessedisshethatbelieveth:forthereshallbeaperformanceofthosethingswhichhavebeentoldherfromtheLord.Luke1:45

WhatIsFaith?

Hebrews11:1definesfaithasthesubstanceofthingshopedfor,theevidenceofthingsnotseen.

Itworksoutthisway.ThewordofGodisthepromise…Thispromiseisnotseenwiththephysicaleye.Thispromiseiswhatyouhopefor.Faithwillmakeithappeninthephysical.Inotherwords,faithwillmakewhatyouarehopingforareality.

Faithtransformstheunseentotheseen.Whensomethinghappensbeforeyoubelieveinitsexistence,thatisnotfaith.Thisistheevidenceofthesense.Faithisoftherecreatedhumanspirit.Itcallsthosethingswhichbenotasthoughtheywere,justlikeGod(Romans4:17).

YouhavetobefullypersuadedthatwhatGodpromised,Heisabletobringtopass.

Comewithpraise.Bespecificaboutyourneed.Findtheappropriatepromise.AskinthenameofJesus.Askinfaith.

BeEarnest

Theword“earnest”meansseriousdetermination.Whenyourheartisfixedonsomething,thatisdetermination.Therefore,asusedinreferencetoprayer,earnestnessmeansheartfeltprayer.ItistheheartfeltprayeroftherighteousthatGodreckonswith.TheAmplifiedversionofJames5:16reads:

Theearnest(heartfelt,continued)prayerofarighteousmanmakestremendouspoweravailable—dynamicinitsworking.

ThereasonwhyyoumustbeearnestisthatGodlooksintotheheart.Half-heartedprayer,orprayerthathasrootonlyinthemindofthepersonpraying,willhavelittleornoeffect.Suchprayeramountstotheconfessionofidlewords.Earnestnessinprayermeansthe“pouringoutofsoul”(1Samuel1:15).Ithasnothingtodowithphysicalexertionsandposturesassumedinprayer.TheaccountofHannahprayinginthetemplestates,

Shespokeinherheart:onlyherlipsmoved,buthervoicewasnotheard.1Samuel1:13

Fervencyinprayerhastodowiththeheartalone.Yourheartmustbefixedonwhatyouarelookingfor.James5:17-18states,

Eliaswasamansubjecttolikepassionsasweare,andheprayedearnestlythatitmightnotrain:anditrainednotontheearthbythespaceofthreeyearsandsixmonths.Andheprayedagain,andtheheavengaverain,andtheearthbroughtforthherfruit.

Earnestnesswasthedeterminingfactor,andtheaimoftheSpiritofGodinexhortingustoemulateElijah(Elias)issimple:thatwemighthavepowerinprayer.

Comewithpraise.Bespecific.AskaccordingtoHiswill.AskinthenameofJesus.Askinfaith.Beearnest.

BelieveYouHaveTheAnswerAndGiveThanks

ThereforeIsayuntoyou,whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceivethem,andyeshallhavethem.Mark11:24Blessedisshethatbelieved:forthereshallbeaperformanceofthosethingswhichweretoldherfromtheLord.Luke1:45

TheScripturesemphasizeoneimportantprincipleineffectualprayer.Youmustbelieve,atthetimeyoupray,thatGodhasgrantedalreadythethingyoudesireofHim.“Believingisseeing,andthisistheexactoppositeofwhattheworldisaccustomedto,that,seeingisbelieving.

Thisisextremelyimportant.Ifyouarewaitingforthearrivalofthethingdesiredbeforebelieving,youwillmissitentirely.Youhavetocallthosethingswhichbenot,asthoughtheywere.

IntheScripturescitedabove,thefuturetense“shall”isused.Itmeansthatthereceiptissubsequenttothebelieving.Inotherwords,itfollows.Thebelievingprecedesthemanifestation.Therefore,untilyoubelieve,youarenotreadyfortheanswer.

ItisnotenoughtobetoldthatallthingsarepossiblewithGod.Thedevilalsobelievesthatandtremblesattheknowledgeofit.Theprofitcomestotheonewhoactsuponthatknowledge.Therefore,theMaster’sadmonitiontothemanwhosesonhadadumbspiritisforeveryoneofus.

Ifthoucanstbelieve,allthingsarepossibletohimthatbelieveth.Mark9:23

Believe,then,atthetimeyoupray,thatyouhavetheanswer.Afterprayingandbelieving,thenextthingforyoutodoistogivethanksfortheresultsofyourbelievingprayer.

Thisisbasically,ademonstrationofyourconfidenceinGod’sabilityandpreparednesstoanswerandperformthethingsyouhavebelievedfor.Toyou,

itisasgoodasdone.Youseeitdone,evenifsituationsdonotseemtoportrayit.Yougivethanks,becausethisisGod’swillconcerningyou.

Inallthingsgivethanks,forthisisthewillofGodconcerningyou.1Thessalonians5:18

GivingofthanksisGod’swillconcerningyouafteryouhaveprayed.ThisissobecauseGodhasmovedonyourbehalfandyouareacknowledgingHisgoodnessandfaithfulnesstoHisword.NotethatGod’sprogrammeforansweringprayerincludesgivingofthanks.Itisvitaltoguaranteeyourprayersbeinganswered.

Becarefulfornothing:butineverythingbyprayerandsupplicationwiththanksgiving,letyourequestbemadeknownuntoGod.AndthepeaceofGodwhichpassethallunderstandingshallkeepyourheartandmindsinChristJesus.Philippians4:6-7

Thisisimportant.ItisGod’sexpressedwillforyoutopraiseHim.GivingthanksisGod’swillforyou.

Foryouhaveneedofpatience,thatafteryehavedonethewillofGod,yemightreceivethepromise.Hebrews10:36

UnderstandthattheBiblesaysthathavingdonethewillofGod,yemightreceivethepromise.Thepromiseisyouranswer.ItiswhatyouarebelievingGodfor.ItwillonlycomeafteryouhavedonethewillofGodwhichisgivingthanks.

Comewithpraise.Bespecific.AskaccordingtoHiswill.AskinthenameofJesus.Askinfaith.Beearnest.BelieveyoureceiveandthankGodfortheanswer.

Chapter2:BeRelaxed

Becarefulfornothing;butineverythingbyprayerandsupplicationwiththanksgivingletyourrequestbemadeknownuntoGod.AndthepeaceofGod,whichpassethallunderstanding,shallkeepyourheartsandmindsthroughChristJesus.Philippians4:6-7

TheBiblehasmuchtosayaboutworryandanxiety.WorryandanxietywillcauseyoutowanttoactaheadofGod.Theyaresymptomsofunbelief.IfyoubelieveintheabilityofGodtointerveneinyoursituation,youwillhaverestandpeace.

InGenesis15,GodpromisedAbrahamanheir.HeandSarahhiswifewaitedseveralyears.ThenitseemedtothemthatGodwouldnotmakegoodHispromise.Abrahamwastempted:“assumingGodwouldnotdeliveronHispromise?,”thetempterquestionedSarah.“WhatwouldbecomeofyouandAbraham?…Youwillbothgotothegravewithoutanheir!”

ItwasquitenaturaltowanttodosomethingtohelpGod.SoSarahsaid,“Abraham,mylord,youcanhaveHagar,mymaid:wejustmightgetthechildGodpromisedusthroughher.”AndAbrahamagreed.

Theresultofthisseeminglyharmlessarrangementiswellknown.WehaveseveralhundredsofArabs(descendantsofIshmael,Hagar’ssonbyAbraham)readytorootout(iftheycould)theveryseedofcovenant(theJews).NowwehaveadangeroussituationintheMiddleEast.

TheenmitybetweentheJewsandArabsstartedfromwhenIshmaelwasbornaheadofIsaac.Itwasamomentofanxietythatcaused.

Someaskthesamequestiontoday:willGoddosomethingaboutmysituation?

DoesHereallycare?

Yes,Hewill.Andyes,Hecares.Hiswordsaysso.Isaiah55:11reads,SoshallMywordbethatgoethoutofMymouth:itshallnotreturnuntoMevoid,butitshallaccomplishthatwhichIplease,anditshallprosperinthethingwheretoIsentit.

IfyouhaveGod’sword,itwillcometopass.Onlyifyoudonotworryandfret.AnxietyisthethiefofGod’sblessing.Itwilldestroytheeffectoftheword.Let’slookatanotherexamplefromtheBookof1Samuel13.

Inthispassage,SaulhadbeeninstructedbySamueltowaitinGilgal.There,theprophetSamuelwouldmakeanofferingthatwouldgiveIsraelvictoryoverthePhilistines.

Ontheseventhday,SaulworriedthatSamuelwouldnotcomeafterall,andhemadetheofferinghimself.Now,accordingtothelaw,hewasnotsupposedtodoitatall.Yet,anxietydrovehimtoactcontrarytoGod’sword.

Thatmomentofanxiety,lestGodwouldnotfulfillHispromisetodeliverthepeoplefromthePhilistines,costSaulhisthrone,andhisverylife!

Samueltoldhim:“thouhasdonefoolishly”(1Samuel13:13).Hedestroyedhisfuturebygivingintoworry.

God’sgraceisfrustratedwhenwebegintoquestionHisintegritythroughworry.Worryandanxietyaredeadlyfoes.Resistthem.Petersays,

CastingallyourcaresuponHim;forHecarethforyou.1Peter5:7

RefuseToQuit

Castnotawaythereforeyourconfidence,whichhasgreatrecompenseofreward.Foryehaveneedofpatience,that,afteryehavedonethewillofGod,yemightreceivethepromise.Hebrews10:35-36

SomeonerightlysaidthatwaitingonGodislessdifficultthanwaitingforGod.Manyhavethrowninthetoweltoosoon.Butwemusthavethefaiththatwillnotgivein.Wemusthavetenaciousfaith.Byactionandbywordofmouth,manyhavecastawaytheirconfidenceinGodandHisability,andevenHiswillingnesstoanswerprayer.“Donotquittheline”isagoodadmonition.Forifyoumustreceive,thenyoumustbepreparedtoholdoutinfaith.

JesustoldtheparableoftheunjustjudgeinLuke18:1-8.HereishowHetoldit:

Andtherewasawidowinthatcity;andshecalleduntohim,saying,Avengemeofmineadversary.Andhewouldnotforawhile:butafterwardhesaidwithinhimself,ThoughIfearnotGod,norregardman;yetbecausethiswidowtroublethme,Iwillavengeher,lestbyhercontinualcomingshewearyme.(Verse3–5)

Herewasatriumphoffaithovergreatobstacles.Itwasthesingle-mindeddeterminationofthewidowthatturnedtheheartoftheunjustjudge.

Ifthewidowhadquittrustingthatshewouldbeheard,shewouldnothavebeenheard.Faithreckonswithnoopposition.Rather,asJamessays,faithrejoicesinthefaceoftrials,testsandtemptations.Theinitialstone-walling(opposition)oftheunjustjudgewasbroughtonbythedeviltostealthewidow’sfaith.Theperiodbetweenprayerandmanifestationissustainedbyfaith.Youensurethemanifestationofyourblessingbymaintainingasettledheart.

Confidenceisderivedfromasettledheart.ItconsidersasdonewhatGodhaspromised.Thepoorwidowbelievedabsolutelyinherrighttobeavenged.Deepwithinherspiritsheknewjusticebelongedtoher.Thus,shewasnotmovedwhentheunjustjudgerefusedher.Wemusthavesuchanattitude.

IntheirlastbattlewiththePhilistinesbeforethedeathofEli,thepriest,

theIsraelitestookthearkofthecovenantintobattle.

WhenthePhilistinessawit,theywereafraid.Theysaid,“Godiscomeintothecamp.Woeuntous!Fortherehathnotbeensuchathingherebefore.”But,somehow,thoseheathensknewthesecretoffirmnessandconfidence.Somebodytoldthem,

Bestrongandquityourselveslikemen,OyePhilistines,thatyebenotservantsuntotheHebrews,astheyhavebeentoyou:quityourselveslikemen,andfight!

Andfight,theydid.TheydefeatedtheIsraelitesandcapturedthearkofthecovenant.(1Samuel4).Victoryhadcometothem,becausetheyheldfastuntotheconfidenceinspiredinthembytheircommanders.

Oursisafightoffaith,yetweneedconfidencenoless.ThustheHolySpiritteachesusin1Corinthians16:13,

Watchye,standfastinthefaith,quityoulikemen,bestrong.

Wemustguardourfaithwitheveryspiritualweaponatourdisposal.Wemustrefusetoquit.

WalkInLove

Paulidentifiesloveasthegreatestofthethreeimportantspiritualqualitiesoffaith,loveandhope(ICor.13:13).ItisnotbychancethatJesusdemandedloveasaprerequisitetosuccessfulprayer.(Matthew6:12,14-15).Outsidelove,thereisnoeffectualprayer.

Faithworkethbylove.Galatians5:6

Godislove.LoveisnotsomethingwecandetachfromGod.ItisHisnature.BeingGod’schildren,wearecreaturesoflove.Therefore,wemustlove.IndeedtheScripturesayswhensomeonehateshisbrother,itisproofthatsuchapersonhasnotpassedfromdeathtolife(1John4:20).

Everybelievermustmakeadeliberateandconsciousefforttolove.LovedefinesthecharacteroftheChristian.ItistheonethingthatmarksoutthebornagainChristianinaworldofhatredandvariance.Jesuscommandedthatwereturnhatredandill-treatmentwithlove.Wearetoloveourenemies.Thisisallforonepurpose:thatwehaveboldnessinthedayofjudgment(1John4:17).

Onecanhardlyexhaustthesubjectoflove.Itisimpossibleforthebelieverconsumedbylovetoliveinsinatthesametime.Whenyoustepoutoflove,youwalkinsin’srealm.ForthelawoftheSpiritoflifeisalsothelawoftheSpiritoflove.Loveandlifeareinterchangeable.Whereloveis,youwillfindlife.TheNewTestamenthasonlyonecommandment,

ThatweshouldbelieveonthenameofHisSon,JesusChrist,andloveoneanotherasHegaveuscommandment.1John3:23

Ifyouentertainbitternessandill-willconcerninganyoneevenanunbeliever,youblocktheeffectivenessofyourprayer.Loveisessential.Donotallowtheslightestseedofunforgivenessinyourheart.Refuseitabsolutely.

InoneoftheseriesofFaithSeminarsheldinKaduna,Nigeria,therewasonewomaninthecongregationwho,Ilaterlearnt,hadbeenprayingandfastingforaparticularneed.Herhusbandhadgoneoverseasandsheintendedtojoinhimoverthere.Butanembargoonissuanceofinternationalpassportshadmadeitimpossibleforherapplicationforpassporttobegranted.

AsachildofGodsheknewwellthatifthoucanstbelieve,allthingsarepossibletohimthatbelieveth.Nodoubt,shebelievedthatverseandonthatbasis,sheusedherfaithtoclaimherpassport.Itneverworked.Herfastingcouldnothelpeither.

Confounded,sheattendedtheseminarwhereshelearntthatthebasichindrancetoansweredprayerisfailuretowalkinlove.Itturnedoutthatshehadbeennursinggrudgesagainstherin-laws.InPsalm66:18,theBiblesays,

IfIregardiniquityinmyheart,theLordwillnothearme.

Herfaithwasthereallright,butitneededthefueloflovetosetitinmotion.ThatfuelwaslackingandtherewasnowayGodcouldmoveher“mountain”withoutcontraveningHisownlaw.Withthisunderstanding,thiswomanwenthome,boughtgifts,soughtandobtainedreconciliationwithherin-laws.Afewweekslater,sheobtainedherpassportandforeignexchangeandwasreadytoflyouttojoinherhusbandabroad.

Herfaithdidnotworkuntilshebegantowalkinlove.Loveisessentialtoansweredprayer.Fastingcannottakeitsplace.Faithcannot.Nootherthingcan,because,

Faithworkethbylove.Galatians5:6

Chapter3:Talk,ThinkAndActLikeYouHaveTheAnswer

Thisbookofthelawshallnotdepartoutofthymouth;butthoushaltmeditatethereindayandnight,thatthoumayestobservetodoaccordingtoallthatiswrittentherein:forthenthoushaltmakethywayprosperous,andthenthoushalthavegoodsuccess.Joshua1:8

Theperiodseparatingtheprayeroffaithandthemanifestationoftheanswerisacrucialone.Butthetruthofitisthatitalllieswithintheabsolutecontroloftheindividual.Joshua1:8isthekey.Hisconfessions,thoughts,andactionsaretheprincipaldeterminantsofwhetherhewillhavesuccessandprosperityorfailureandwant.

Confession

Thisbookofthelawshallnotdepartoutofthymouth.

Entirevolumeshavebeenwrittenonthepowerofthetongue.Jameswarnedagainsttheunbridleduseofthetongue.ItisaseriousthemeintheBible.Thisisbecausenothinggetsdoneuntilitisspoken.

Hebrews11:3says,Throughfaith,weunderstandthattheworldswereframedbytheWordofGod,sothatthethingswhichareseenwerenotmadeofthingswhichdoappear.

Godsaidsomethingbeforeanythinggotdone.(SeeGenesis1:3).GodexpectsustoactlikeHim,callingintobeing,thingsthat(atthemoment)donotexist,asif,infact,theyexist(Romans4:17).Faithisthesubstanceofthingshopedfor.Whenweactinthefaithrealmweareseeingtheoutcomeofthingswithouttheaidofournaturalsenses.Thus,thelanguageofthemouthmustcorrespondwiththehopethatisintheheart.InMark11:23,Jesussaid,

Whosoevershallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubtinhisheart,butshallbelievethatthosethingswhichhesaithshallcometopass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.

Youcanhavewhatyousay.Therefore,itwillmatterverylittleifafteryouprayforsomething,youtalkquitecontrarytoyourexpectation.Youhavewhatyousay,notwhatyoubelieve.Theheartandthemouthmustagree.AstheLordputit,

Outoftheabundanceoftheheartthemouthspeaketh.Matthew12:34

Somepeopleallowwrongteachingstointerferewiththislevelofoperationoffaith.Ithasbeentaught(wrongly,ofcourse),thatthisispsychology,amanipulationofthemind.Theythinkthatitiswrongtocontinuallytalkaboutsomethingyouhavenotseen.Thatiswhytheymissit.First,ifyouwaittoseeithappenbeforeyoubelieve,thatisnotfaith.Youdonotneedfaithtoreceivewhatyoualreadyhave.Faithistheevidenceofthingsnotseen.

Secondly,confessionisGod’sownsystemofoperation.Wehavetobewisetothesethings.ThatishowHeHimselfacts.He,forexample,confessed,throughhundredsofyears,rightfromAdam’sdisobedienceinEden,tillthatgloriousmorninginBethlehem,thattheMessiahwascoming.HetoldAdamandEve,Abraham,Moses,andtheProphets.Hewasconfessing.Hewascallingthosethingsthatbenotasthoughtheywere.Hesaid,

IproceededforthandcamefromGod.John8:42

JesusconfessedHisSonshipseveraltimes.HehadtodosotomaintainanawarenessofHisSonship.KeepthewordofGodcontinuallyinyourmouth.

ThoughtLife

…butthoushaltmeditatethereindayandnight,…

Meditationmeansdeep,continuedthoughtorreflection,toponder,solemnreflectiononsacredmatters,asadevotionalact.ItmeanslettingyourthoughtsdwellconstantlyonGod’sword.Yourthoughtlife,orthewayyouthink,afteryoupray,isextremelyimportant.Thereasonforthisissimple.

Asamanthinkethinhisheart,soishe.Proverbs23:7

Amanisnotdifferentfromhisthoughts.Therefore,letyourthoughtsdwellontheanswer.Doubtisaweaponofthedevil,anditisaimedatdestroyingyourfaith.Whenfaithisdestroyed,thereisnobasisforreachingouttoGod.Hebrews11:6isstraighttothepoint:

“Withoutfaith,itisimpossibletopleaseHim(God)”Faithistheticketforreceiving.Guardyourthoughtsjealously.Continuallycastdownimaginations(orreasoning)thatarecontrarytothewordofGod.

Actions

…thatthoumayestobservetodoaccordingtoallthatiswrittentherein:…

Youractionsmustcorrespondtotheconfessionoffaithyouhavemade.Youmustdotheword.Jamestakestotaskthosewhoprofesstohavefaith–withoutactingonit.Heconcludesthat“faith,ifithathnotworks,isdead,beingalone”(James2:17).Jamesismerelypointingoutwhatmustbeaninconsistencyinafaithwhichdoesnotproducefruit.Ifthereisfaith,then,therewillbesomethingtoshowforit.Andthisisnotonlysothatmenwillknowwehavefaith,butGodHimselfweighsactionstoo.

FortheLordisaGodofknowledge,andbyHimactionsareweighed.1Samuel2:3

Doingthewordrequiresactingoutinfaith.Faithisa“touch.”Theclassicexampleisprovidedbythewomanwiththeissueofblood,recordedinMark5.

WhenshehadheardofJesus,cameinthepressbehind,andtouchedHisgarment.Forshesaid,ifImaybuttouchHisclothes,Ishallbewhole.(Verses27,28)

Ofcourse,anoteofcautionisnecessaryhere.Actionalonewillnotproducetheworkoffaith,normustactionprecedefaith.Thetruepositionisthatwherethereisaction,theremustbefaith.

IntroductionChapter 1: Come With Praise – And Maintain ItChapter 2: Be RelaxedChapter 3: Talk, Think And Act Like You Have The Answer