Hope In Crisis
  • Home
  • Materials
  • Articles
    • 5-27-16 Perspective
    • 12-17-15 Suffering
    • 12-8-15 How to TRUST the Lord
    • 11-16-15 Gospel Communication
    • 11-7-15 Bridging the Gap
    • 10-30-15 Burden Bearing
    • 10/21/15 Language
    • 10-14-15 Speak Scripturally
    • 10-7-15 Being Soul-Conscious
    • 9-30-15 Ambassador for Christ
    • 9-24-15 Overcoming Evil With Good
    • 9-16-15 Resolving Conflict
    • 9-9-15 Seeking Forgiveness
    • 9-2-15 A God-Centered Focus
    • 8-11-15 Praying Effectively
    • 8-4-15 Handling Crisis Biblically
    • 7-29-15 Sovereignty of God
    • 7-23-15 Meditating
    • 7-1-15 Trials
    • 6-24-15 Applied Faith
    • 6/18/15 Theology 911
    • 5-27-15 Scriptural Praying
    • 5-20-15 "What Saith the Scripture?"
    • 4-22-15 How to Handle Crisis
    • 4-15-15 A Quiet Spirit
    • 4-8-15 Biblical Hope
    • 4-1-15 Wisdom
    • 3-17-15 Joy
    • 3-11-15 Obedience
    • 3-4-15 Worry
    • 2-25-15 Repentance
    • 2-18-15 G.R.A.C.E.
    • 2-11-15 Communication
    • 2-4-15 Ephesians 2:8-10
    • 1-17-15 Seeking Forgiveness
    • 1-21-15 Dealing with Suffering
    • 1-14-15 S.P.A.
    • 1-7-15 Covetousness
    • 12-17-14 Deceit
    • 12-10-14 Gentleness
    • 12-3-14 Discipleship
    • 10-30-15 Burden Bearing
    • Archived Articles
  • Contact Us

Scriptural Prayer

5/2/2012

 
Early in my Christian life,  the subject of prayer was a bit of a difficulty for me.  Many times I struggled as to whether or not God was hearing my prayers, or then, if they would be answered.  

I heard a variety of resolutions to my conflict from a myriad of individuals.  However, my struggle was only amplified when the answers I heard came into disagreement with each other.  I began, with serious intent, to seek God's heart in providing answers to those questions.

There was no question in my mind about the importance of prayer, from God's perspective.  It was clear to me that John 9:31 addressed the need of salvation in order for my prayers to be heard. (Of course, the prayer of repentance and faith unto salvation is always heard, according to Romans 10:13)  James talked about how asking for willful interests of the flesh interrupts the communication lines with Heaven.  In Psalm 66:18, David declared that resident willful sin in my heart results in my prayers not being heard.

I was very aware that the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much, as seen in James 5:16.  I knew that the Apostle Paul had taught us to pray without ceasing in  1 Thessalonians 5:17.    Still the question continued to nag, wondering if it were truly possible to have confidence and assurance that the  prayers of my heart are heard by the heart of God?

The day God spoke to my heart from 1 John 5:14 continues to bring comfort and peace regarding that long-standing question that I had.  When I read "and this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, he heareth  us.". I had learned from my spiritual mentors that the Word of God and the will of God were synonymous.  Therefore, if I asked anything according to His Word, I could have confidence that He heard me.

I began praying the wisdom of God from James 1:5 for those who faced decisions; the joy of the Lord to be their strength from Nehemiah 8:10 when seemingly insurmountable difficulties lie ahead of them.  It was an encouragement as the faithful God promises that no trial will be greater than what His grace will be sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9 and 1 Corinthians 10:13).
In the matter of peace in perplexities, I quit asking God to give them peace, but rather asking Him to help them keep their mind stayed on Him, that they might avail themselves of His promised peace (Isaiah 26:3)

Heard? I can affirm with confidence.  Answered? Incredibly!  As I began to share what God had taught me to others, first to a few, then to the many, each individual responded as I have described.

What a privilege to be able to, according to Hebrews 4:10, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we my obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

  (c) 1992 N.A.Collins  DO NOT REPRODUCE except for 1 personal copy

Comments are closed.

    Archived Articles

    All articles are (c) 1993, 2012 N. A. Collins - Limited copy permission for one personal copy

    Archives

    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed