GOD DOES ANSWER PRAYER
GOD DOES ANSWER PRAYER
BERNARD BURT
Why then has God, on many occasions, manifestly not answered the prayers of His servants? Even the giants of faith such as Moses, Deuteronomy 3:23-26 Elijah 1 Kings 19:4 and Paul 2 Corinthians 12:8 found themselves in this position. The man who had been blind said, "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth." John 9:31 How can this be reconciled with the case of Paul, cited above, a man who clearly was a worshipper of God and did His will? There is a need to look carefully at the subject and to bring to bear "the whole counsel of God" if we are not to jump to inadequate conclusions and experience much frustration in our lives.
What is prayer?
"Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.;" Psalms 141:2 "...therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name;" Hebrews 13:15 "...golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Revelation 5:8 RV Passages such as these indicate the close parallels between prayer and the concepts of the offering of incense and sacrifice which were taught to Israel under the Law. The evening sacrifice was a burnt offering. Exodus 29:38-42 This symbolised a life completely devoted and dedicated to God’s service. It would appear that the priest took live coals from the fire of the burnt offering, transferred them to the altar of incense and then burnt the evening incense thereon (cp. Leviticus 16:12-13 and Exodus 30:7-8). So prayer should flow out of a life dedicated to God’s service and rise up to Him as an odour of a sweet smell. The incense was composed of several different ingredients, Exodus 30:34-37 and so is prayer. A search of the Scriptures reveals its constituents, for example PraisePsalms 148:1 (whole ch.); The hallowing of God’s name Matthew 6:9;
Seeking the accomplishment of God’s purpose Daniel 9:1 (whole ch.);
Thanksgiving for God’s mercies Psalms 136:1 (whole ch.); The satisfying of our daily needs Proverbs 30:7-9;
Forgiveness of sins 1 Kings 8:33-36;
God’s involvement in our lives Romans 15:30-33;
God’s blessing on others Colossians 1:9-12.
Prayer is therefore far more than asking God for the things that we need; it is communion with God, it is fellowship with Him, it involves our aligning ourselves mentally and physically (insofar as we are able) with His mind, His character and His purpose.
God’s response to prayer
Since "the eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" Proverbs 15:3 and "all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do" Hebrews 4:13 it is clear that God is aware of all words spoken or even thought by the sons of men. Matthew 6:8 It is equally clear that there are circumstances in which God does not regard prayers which are addressed to Him. Jeremiah wept and pleaded for his people, yet he was told, "Pray not for this people for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them. Jeremiah 14:11-12 What is the principle involved here.
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination;" Proverbs 28:9 "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." Psalms 66:18 In order for prayer to be "heard" there must therefore be an attempt to turn away from sin and towards God’s law, otherwise the prayer offered will be no more acceptable than Cain’s sacrifice.
Four essentials for answered prayer The high priest was not to go "at any time" into the holy of holies. His approach was regulated by the law. Likewise, under the new covenant, although there is "a new and living way...through the veil," there are Scriptures which show that the saints must draw nigh to the mercy seat "after the due order".
1."If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7 This is reasonable. If a branch is severed from the vine it ceases to receive support and nourishment. As in the natural so in the spiritual: if Christ and his words are rejected then such an attitude will be reciprocated. cf. 1 Samuel 15:23 This of course, by no means precludes others praying that the severed branch might be "graffed in again." see James 5:19-20 On the other hand, if there is an abiding in Christ and his words then prayer will be answered.
2."Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." James 4:3 If brethren and sisters in the first century did this then so could we. There is a need to examine our motives and objectives. Why do I want that job? Is it really the better opportunities to do the Lord’s work, or is it the status, the prestige, or just simply the money? Why do I want to marry that brother? Am I thinking about the work we could do together in the ecclesia or about the impression it will make on my friends and family, or the higher standard of living his salary will bring? Why do I want to be a presiding/speaking/ arranging/anything-else brother? Is it a "here am I, send me" response, or do I really want to be some great one in the ecclesia? If motives are unworthy then God may withhold things which are otherwise wholly praiseworthy for our own spiritual good.
3."But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting...let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." James 1:6-7 RV There are two factors involved here. The one who asks must believe that he is rightly motivated in his asking (see No. 2 above), and also that the petition is one such that God will grant (see No. 4 below). Both of these factors need to be present, otherwise there will be doubt in the asking, which, James teaches, is fatal to the success of the prayer.
4."And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us." 1 John 5:14 Again, this is reasonable. A human father will not give a deadly serpent to a child who asks a fish-but neither will he give the serpent if the child asks for a snake to play with. He knows that the gift would do harm, not good. Conversely, when the things asked are according to God’s will, ".. whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." 1 John 5:15 What is God’s will? The need to abide in Christ, to ask aright and to ask in faith, are matters which are reasonably clear and unambiguous. The major question which arises in connection with this area of the subject is, "What is God’s will?" If God’s will could be known in relation to every subject upon which we petition Him then there would be far more prayers answered and far fewer problems with the subject of prayer. The question then becomes one of trying to find out what God’s will is with regard to a particular subject. How can this be done?
It is only because God has revealed Himself to men that His will can be known. "Canst thou by searching find out God?" Job 11:7 God’s revelation to us is His Word; therefore the more intimately acquainted with the Scriptures a man becomes, the more he will know God and His purpose and the more his prayers will conform to God’s will. It has been well said that through his Word God speaks to us, and that through prayer we speak to Him. If we do not bother to listen to God, Whose thoughts are higher than our thoughts, can we reasonably expect to know what to say to Him or what to ask Him?
It does not require a very profound reading of the Scriptures to discover that it is God’s will to set up a Kingdom on the earth and that the setting up of that Kingdom will be accompanied by a catastrophe to the kingdom of men. e.g. Daniel 2:44 Consequently to pray that God will guide and direct the rulers of the nations so as to bring about a state of peace and tranquility upon the earth at a time when He is, in effect, saying, "Prepare war, wake up the mighty men," Joel 3:9 is not to pray according to His will-although such prayers are frequently offered in the churches of the apostasy. By contrast, Paul enjoined prayer "for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour." 1 Timothy 2:2-3 Likewise Jesus teaches that his servants should pray, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10 Jesus’s prayers and God’s will
There was something about the way that Jesus prayed and the way in which his prayers were answered which intensely attracted the disciples: "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." Luke 11:1 Clearly Jesus was always abiding in his Father; he did not ask amiss,e he asked in faith and according to God’s will. Few of his prayers have been recorded in detail in the Gospels, but those that have are profoundly helpful.
Jesus knew in advance that Peter would deny him; he even knew the details: "before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice;" Mark 14:30 yet for all this he loved Peter and prayed for him. For what should he pray? To ask that Peter might be saved/prevented from denying him would not have been to pray according to the will of his Father, Who had revealed to him that these events would take place. Should he therefore not pray for Peter? No! "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:32 Here is a deep lesson in the principles of prayer. To have prayed for an alteration of the course which he knew Peter must take would not have been according to the will of his Father; but to pray that out of the time of evil good might eventually come was something that he could do, nothing doubting, and a petition which his Father answered.
There are many modern parallels to this situation. A sister is terminally ill. To pray, "Lord heal her," would be to ask for something concerning which we cannot know the will of God; therefore, "Lord, if it is Thy will, heal her" would be better. To pray, "Lord, may her faith not fail in this time of trial, but may she endure to the end, whether short or long," would be to transfer the objective of the petition from the physical to the spiritual plane. To pray, "Lord, may we be Thine instruments in helping to strengthen her faith in this time of trouble, and may her example of enduring this trial encourage us, to the end that we all might enter into life," might be best of all if we go out to try and do our part toward that end.
Jesus’s prayer in John 17:1 (whole ch.) A whole article could be written on this prayer alone, but this consideration of it will be limited to some of the specific petitions which Jesus made. For what did he ask? How are these petitions related to God’s will? Is there any likeness between his petitions and ours?
"Keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given me, that they may be one. As we are. John 17:11
"I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world. but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil." John 17:15 "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth." John 17:17
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father. art in me. and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou has ‘ t sent me." John 17:20-21
"I in them. and Thou in me. that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved me. Father. I will that they also. whom Thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which Thou hast given me..." John 17:23-24
Very few of these petitions have to do with material things; their main objective is the manifestation in glory. and in oneness with him and with the Father, of his disciples and their converts. Even "keep them from the evil" must mean evil in the sense of corruption or spiritual shipwreck; it cannot mean persecution or martyrdom, for these things happened to some of the eleven and to many of their converts.
Jesus then, in praying for the disciples, was concerned for their spiritual well-being and their ultimate salvation. His prayers were heard and, as far as we can tell from the Scriptures, answered in full, for there is no record of any of the eleven falling away.
Jesus in Gethsernane
Jesus was "in all points tempted like as we are," Hebrews 4:15 and even for him there were times when prayer was hard and difficult. When he entered the garden of Gethsemane there was a conflict in his mind which it is impossible for any other to appreciate. "And (he) began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy." Mark 14:33 These, it is said, are words which are supremely difficult to translate. They express the utmost degree of unbounded horror, suffering and distress of mind. "Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me." Matthew 26:38
It is necessary to draw together the records given through Matthew, Mark and Luke in order to try to appreciate and understand Jesus’s prayers in Gethsemane-or any other incident mentioned in more than one Gospel, for that matter. The writer has attempted to do this, taking every word into account and using what is sometimes called "Bullinger’s method," that is, adding together all the details given and not assuming that they are slightly different renderings of the same events and words. The first prayer Matthew 26:39Mark 14:35-36Luke 22:41-42
"And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast," and, at first kneeling down, then falling on his face to the ground, prayed that, "if it were possible, the hour might pass from him." And he said:
"Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from me.
"O my Father, if it be possible, if Thou be willing. let this cup pass from me; remove this cup from me
.
"Nevertheless not as I will, but...as...Thou...wilt".
Notice the conflict, the struggle, which is expressed in these words. The prayer begins with a direct appeal to the Father on the basis of Scripture, to "take away this cup." "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee" of course they were! Had not Jesus taught his own disciples so? "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 Was not that teaching itself based on God’s own revelation through his angel to Sarah?-"Is any thing too hard for the Lord?" Genesis 18:14 Were not his "strong crying and tears" directed towards the One Who "was able to save him from death" in all senses of that word?
Here, as in the wilderness temptation at the beginning of his ministry, was a usage of Scripture "which seemeth right unto a man," but which was not in harmony with the totality of God’s revealed will. He could not be "My servant" if the Father were to take away the cup. So, as he wrestled and agonised in this protracted prayer a new note was heard. "O my Father, if it be possible..." Here is the first recognition and acknowledgement in the prayer of the superiority of the Father’s will over the Father’s unquestioned ability. Then, "If Thou be willing, remove this cup from me" shows (after how long a struggle we know not) a preparedness to accept and submit to his Father’s will. Still the conflict continued until in the last phase of the prayer his own will was negated and the Father’s exalted. "Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt". The second prayer Matthew 26:42Mark 14:39Luke 22:44
Reconstruction of this prayer is more difficult than the first. The record through Mark states that the same words were spoken again; that through Matthew reveals additional words, thus:
"Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from me.
"O my Father, if it be possible, if Thou be willing, let this cup pass from me; remove this cup from me.
"Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.
"O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, Thy will be done". This prayer reveals that even for the Lord, knowing the will of his Father as he did, long wrestling and striving in prayer did not immediately result in a diminution of his own will and a submission to that of the Father. His objective is the spiritual good and ultimate salvation of those for whom he prayed, and where he is concerned with the things of this life it is in the context of the furtherance of the work of the gospel. Romans 1:8-12Romans 15:30-33Ephesians 6:18-19Colossians 4:2-4, etc. The third prayer Matthew 26:44Mark 14:41 This is the most difficult of the three to reconstruct. It is not mentioned in the record through Luke; that in Mark only alludes to Jesus’s actions after it; so if the record in Matthew is taken at its face value, the Lord prayed:
"O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, Thy will be done".
How different is this from the opening pleadings of the earlier prayers! Here, in one of the most wonderful paradoxes of the Truth, is utter triumph manifest in total submission. The will of the flesh is completely denied and even eliminated from the prayer, while that of his Father is exalted above all. This all too brief consideration of the prayers in Gethsemane shows that to know the will of the Father is not of itself the end of the problem of prayer. It may well be, in one sense the beginning, as the need to submit one’s own will to God’s is recognised. "Thy will be done" may be a prayer expressed in words of one syllable, but much effort may have to be expended in order to utter it. The prayers of Paul
Some 50 of Paul’s prayers are recorded in his epistles; he was clearly a man of prayer. A thorough analysis of his prayers is beyond the scope of this article, but there are striking similarities between the nature of his prayers and those of Jesus. His main objectives in praying for others were that they might walk uprightly and might increase in wisdom, knowledge, etc.; Ephesians 1:15-19Php 1:9-11Colossians 1:9-121 Thessalonians 3:9-13 that they might be saved; 1 Thessalonians 5:232 Thessalonians 1:11-122 Timothy 1:18 and that he might have opportunity to strengthen their faith. Romans 1:8-12; Romans 15:30-331 Thessalonians 3:9-13 The overwhelming majority of his prayers as recorded in the Scriptures have as their The objectives of prayer In the Lord’s prayer, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" comes before "Give us this day our daily bread," and, "Forgive us our debts." This perhaps illustrates one of the great lessons of the prayers of Jesus and Paul, that the objectives of prayer are primarily spiritual. There is no doubt that God is concerned with and involved in the details of our daily lives passages about the number of our hairs and the falling of sparrows make this clear nor is there doubt that such things should be included in our petitions; but the greatest gift that we look for from Him is not wealth, health or even happiness now, it is eternal life. The great things of God’s purpose were of prime concern to the giants of faith whose prayers are recorded in the Scriptures. We do well if we share their longings.
Waiting for answers
It has been well said that God answers prayer in one of three ways: "Yes, No’ or "Wait." The human desire is always for an immediate response, but often this is not God’s way. Long indeed must have seemed the years that barren couples such as Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Zacharias and Elisabeth, prayed and waited, prayed and waited ‘ but in the end the answers came in each case. Patience is a virtue which God often teaches his servants by putting them into situations calculated to develop it, and the fact that a prayer is not answered immediately does not mean that God has not heard, nor that he is indifferent to our needs. It may simply be that His answer is, "Not yet".
Praying for the Holy Spirit With a foundation of Scriptural principles established in relation to the subject, some attention must now be given to such matters as praying for the Spirit, for wisdom and for guidance. There are a number of passages which link the subjects of prayer and the Holy Spirit. Many of these passages have to do with the Spirit gifts which were manifest in the first-century ecclesias. The brother who had the gift of tongues was exhorted to pray for the gift of interpretation of tongues so that he might better edify the ecclesia. 1 Corinthians 14:13 The apostle instructed the Corinthians to "covet earnestly the best gifts" ( 1 Corinthians 12:31); presumably they were to pray for them. Gifts were bestowed through prayer and the laying on of hands. Acts 8:15-17 This situation does not obtain today since this is the dry period between the early and latter rains of the Spirit
There are, however, passages of a more general nature which are used by some to indicate that petitions for the Holy Spirit should form a part of our prayers, for example: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him."‘. Luke 11:13 Is this a general statement of the continuous willingness of the Father to give the Holy Spirit? What is meant by "the Holy Spirit" in this passage? that is, what benefit would result from it being given as described? These are questions which must be answered before general conclusions can be drawn from the passage and present-day applications made of it. The only way to answer such questions is to study the context of the passage. When the twelve were chosen they were not immediately given power to perform miracles: "He ordained twelve...that he might send them forth...and to have power to heal..." Mark 3:14-15 Later, when he sent them out by two and two he gave them the foreshadowed power which specifically included power "over unclean spirits." Mark 6:7 Some six months later, however, nine of those same twelve disciples could not between them perform one such miracle of casting out a spirit. Mark 9:17-18 Jesus, in answer to their question as to why they could not do this, gave the enigmatic reply, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting".’ Mark 9:29 Obviously prayer and fasting were not the means by which the miracles were performed; what the Lord was saying was that this was the way to obtain the power to do such miracles. If the disciples had in their daily lives applied themselves to such spiritual exercises, their ability to perform miracles would have been continuously replenished by fresh supplies of power.
Transferring the study now from Mark to Luke (the incident of the boy with the unclean spirit is in Luke 9:1-62), certain of the 12 were subsequently annoyed that someone who was not of themselves was doing miracles; Luke 9:49 James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven; Luke 9:54 70 others (that is, not including the twelve) were sent out and given power, and when they returned rejoiced that "even the devils are subject unto us." Luke 10:1-17 As a result of this Jesus seems to have had to calm some indignation amongst the twelve. Luke 10:17-24 Later Jesus is seen by his disciples as he is praying, Luke 11:1 and after a short conversation with the disciples which includes the verse under consideration Luke 11:1-13 he casts out a dumb spirit. Luke 11:14 The teaching of Luke 11:13 is therefore seen to be that if the disciples wanted to be able to continue to perform miracles they must give themselves to prayer. The problem was not a lack of willingness on the part of the Father to give, but a reluctance on their part to ask. To give the verse a wider application than this is to wrest it from its context. God does answer prayer, He was willing to give the power of the Spirit to the twelve if only they would ask. We live in a different dispensation, but God is just as willing to answer our prayers when we ask according to His Will.
Praying for wisdom
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5 All sorts of conclusions are drawn from passages of this kind, but what do the Scriptures teach about God giving wisdom? Bezaleel was "filled...with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding..." Exodus 35:31 In order that he might build the tabernacle. In New Testament terminology this would be called the Spirit gift of wisdom, yet Bezaleel never reached the promised land’. The building of the tabernacle evidently did not sufficiently impress upon his mind the need to exhibit that faith which was seen in Joshua and in Caleb.
Solomon asked for wisdom and was given it so liberally that he was "wiser than all men;" through the Spirit he was caused to write many chapters of the book of Proverbs concerning the dangers of the strange woman; yet "even him did outlandish women cause to sin." Nehemiah 13:26 This God-given wisdom was bestowed for the achieving of specific objectives, and in the circumstances of the New Testament ecclesias it is clear that there was great need for active Divine involvement as new ecclesias were established with little to guide them in a wicked and corrupt world except that which was revealed from above. By contrast the apostle writes of "the holy Scriptures (in context the Old Testament), which are able to make thee wise unto salvation;" 2 Timothy 3:15 that is to say, the Word of God can do that which the miraculous gift of wisdom was never given to do provide us with that sagacity to order our lives aright in the sight of God.
Praying for guidance In apostolic times there was very direct and specific guidance given to certain individuals: where they should go, to whom they should preach, and so on. Acts 16:6-10 Today such revelations are not given to God’s servants, but we do have the benefit of "the whole counsel of God" in His Word. To pray for guidance in respect of a particular matter and to neglect to search the Scriptures for information relating to it would not be to act wisely. To pray for God’s guidance concerning a matter upon which the teaching of the Word is clear (for example, whether or not to marry someone who shows no interest in the Truth) would seem to be trying to evade the issue, or to hope that God would make an exception to His principles. The "ways of providence" are, however, to be seen (and looked for) in the lives of his servants. There is no record of Joseph receiving any vision or revelation between the ages of 17 and 28, yet the record constantly states that "the Lord was with Joseph;" and "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Since the angels are all ministering spirits "sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" Hebrews 1:14 there can be no doubt that constant Divine activity is being undertaken on our behalf, and that providing we seek to hold fast to the principles of His Truth He will direct our steps.
Men ought always to pray The Scriptures contain many exhortations to "continue instant in prayer," "pray without ceasing," etc. It is as if God recognises that "pray(ing) always," "night and day praying exceedingly" is not always easy, especially if no answer seems to be visible for a long time. There is always a need to remember the life of the one "who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered." Hebrews 5:7-8 In consequence of which, "we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 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 4:15-16