Let Us Pray ( 12)
JOHN wrote his first pastoral letter to reassure Christians in their faith and to counter false teachings. Assurance of our relationship with God is a promise, but it is also a way of life. We build our confidence by trusting in God’s word and in Christ provision for our sin. Psalm 123: 1- 2 says: “Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. 2: Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so, our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He has mercy on us.”
We must pray with utmost sense of expectancy for answer to the things, which we know for sure are in line with His will.
God delights to give and answer prayers ( Ps 147: 11).
“The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy,” ( Ps 147: 11).
Sometimes God withholds from us the very things He encourages us to pray for — things, which, beyond any doubt, are within the scope and compass of His will.
To understand the divine intention behind this strange and mysterious ‘ way’ of God, we must first ask ourselves another and more basic questions: Does God really delight to give good things to His children? Is He really eager to give, or does He hand out His blessings dutifully, but with indifference? It is very important that we have a clear understanding of the magnanimity and largeheartedness that exists in God, for any doubt about this can sabotage our whole approach to prayer. If you are not absolutely sure that God is eager and willing to provide, you may not be able to approach Him with absolute confidence and this, in turn, will affect your feeling about Him, your spiritual expectancy and ability to receive.
Read 2 Sam 7: 1- 22 — see what surprised David: “The King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? 20: Now what more can David say to You? For You, Lord God, know Your servant.” ( 2 Sam 7: 18,20)
Read John 16: 23- 27 — See what Jesus promised.
“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24: Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full ( John 16: 23,24). God Is A Father — And A Concerned Friend
“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9: In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name,” ( Mat 6: 8,9).
Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. 2: Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so, our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He has mercy on us.