by Darin Smith
As a new believer, you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior through prayer. Your friends and family might have prayed to God that you would come to know Jesus. Your pastor might have prayed for you when you were in the hospital. These are all examples of prayer in a person’s life. However, when else can we use prayer in our life?
When living out your life for God and asking Him for daily help (Psalms 143:8).
When you are looking for deliverance from trouble (Psalms 34:17).
When Satan is tempting you (Ephesians 6:12-13).
When you are asking for forgiveness of your sins (1 John 1:9).
When you want to be an influence on others (Ephesians 6:18).
When you want to be a witness (Acts 16:25).
When you want to praise God’s name (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Remember, though, that prayer is not asking for what we want. Instead, it is coming into the presence of God, to seek what He wants for us. The Bible teaches that when we ask for anything in Jesus’ name, He will do it for us so that the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son. “If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14) However, this does not mean that praying to God will grant us every prayer request. In fact, He will only grant us what He knows will be best for us.
For example, as a child when you might have asked your mother for a cookie, you didn’t receive one. So your little friend says, “You request didn’t work.” That is how the world views prayer. What actually happens is you ask for a cookie, and your mother says, “No.” This was to teach you, that if you got the cookie, it would spoil your appetite for dinner, leaving you awake and hungry in the night.
God, just like your mother, sometimes says “No” out of love, when it hinders a greater fate that lies ahead.
Be the first to comment