Did I Really Mean what I had Asked for Or was I Just Trying to Impress God with Words: Part 1

Tip! So when we ask Christ to carry out His works in our hearts we are fervently praying that our Father may be glorified in His Son.

While praying during the quiet hours of the morning in my bedroom room a few years ago, I was burdened to pray that I would be available for God to use me anyway He saw fit to use me. The church I was attending set one evening a week to go out and visit the people who were sick or could not get out because of physical problems, most were older people. This was also a time we visited people who had not been to church for awhile and new members; this was the group I was comfortable visiting. However, this night the pastor assigned my team to visit an 84 year old man in a nursing home.

I was about to sound my protest when the Holy Spirit reminded me of my prayer earlier that day. Did I really mean what I had asked for or was I just trying to impress God with words. On my way to the car I asked the Holy Spirit to show me what Scripture from God's Word to read to this man, because I did not know this man at all.

I had met him several years earlier, I knew he had played the piano beautifully for many years at the church and I knew he loved our Lord. I also could see he was crippled by polio and had been told that was why he had to stop playing the piano at church. His mind was like a child's mind now as well.

Tip! “Supplication” is the very soul of prayer in the way of pleading for some one thing, very much needed, and the need intensely felt.

I was unhappy about the choice that God had made for me. Of all the people to visit tonight why would you send me to this one? Why are You taking me out of my comfort zone? Why?

The Holy Spirit in His loving and fatherly way led my team to this saint of God's bed side for a time of worship and praise. The two other people on my team know Mr. North quite well and he was very happy to see them. After the small talk I asked him if I could read from God's Word and pray with him before we left. He consented, so I went to the passage the Holy Spirit had put in my heart.

Tip! 1 Timothy 2:1. Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile." -- Jeremiah 29:11-14 RSV

Mr. North, with tears running down his cheeks, said that I had read his favorite passage from the Holy Bible. He then asked me a question; how did I know? This time with tears in my eyes all I could say was the Holy Spirit led me to it.

We prayed and thanked God for answering our prayers and gave Him all the glory and honor and praise, because if the Holy Spirit had left us alone, we would have never experienced His presents in that room.

The Holy Spirit was not finished using me yet that night. I could feel in my heart that Mr. North wanted to talk to me alone another time. So I gave him my phone number and made sure he would call me if he needed me.

Lord willing I will tell you the second part in tomorrow's blog entry. God loves you and wants to hear you, so pray to Him. He has something for you.

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Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

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With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

Will God Override the Individual Will of People Just to Answer Our Prayers?

Tip! So when we ask Christ to carry out His works in our hearts we are fervently praying that our Father may be glorified in His Son.

"...Golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints." -- Revelation 5:8.

Jesus Christ is the single and only mediator that is between God and humankind. All our prayers must be presented to Him and in His Name only. I am totally certain that every prayer that is offered in accordance to the will of God will be answered either in our natural life here on earth, or after we have entered our home with Christ in heaven. On the other hand, I have looked in God's Word, the Holy Bible, thoroughly, and cannot find anything to warrant anyone in believing that the translated or died saints can pray for us, the people living now on the earth. Praying to the translated people of God, and requesting them to pray for us, is a modified form of idolatry. So do not do this type of praying! Only pray in the Name of Jesus to our God the Father with the help of the Holy Spirit, the Three in One.

When I state that every prayer presented in the Name of Jesus will be answered, I am not saying that God will override the individual will of people just to answer our prayers. No! God cannot and will not save any person against his own will; however He will convict a person by the Holy Spirit of his sinning in opposition to His will.

Perhaps two examples will help you understand what I mean when I talk of an immortal prayer. The first example is about a man who came to the altar one night during a camp meeting, weeping in deep conviction of sin. After a period of earnest prayer, he was converted and gave this amazing testimony. His father had been a faithful preacher for many years and had repeatedly prayed throughout those years for him, his unsaved son. His father did not live to see his son saved, however at this particular camp meeting and on this exact night, the loving Lord Jesus answered the father's prayers and saved his wrecked son. This all happened years after the faithful servant of God had died and gone to heaven. Amazing love!

Tip! If we, God’s people expect to carry out the works of Christ that will glorify our Father, then we must believe in Him for the very work’s sake, and pray fervently in His Name.

The second example is about Moses, the man who led the children of Israel to the Promised Land. If you remember the story, Moses had been in the wilderness for 40 years and had witnessed the mighty hand of God through out that whole journey from Egypt. His prayer was to get all the children of Israel, including himself into the Promised Land safely. But Moses got mad at the people of Israel and hurt his testimony before God by his words and actions. God therefore would not allow Moses to enter the Promised Land. God did however allow Moses to see it from a mountain top, and then he went to be with the Lord.

Several hundred years later at a different mountain in the Promised Land, when Jesus and three of His chosen disciples were on the high mountain of Transfiguration; who was seen with Jesus? There were two other men with Jesus and one of them was Moses, in the Promised Land. Answered prayer is never on our time frame or in or way of things; but the One how owns eternity and time will answer your prayers according to His will and way.

It helps me to picture our Savior calling to His faithful servant in heaven and saying, "My child, I have many of your prayers in golden vials. They are the same as sweet aroma poured out in front of Me. I have your prayers that you presented on behalf of your sinful son during your natural life on earth. It is time now to answer your prayers during this camp meeting where you faithfully preached My Gospel several years ago. Now My child, I have just approved for your son a pardon in answer to your prayers and prayers of My people." Does it not cheer your heart to believe that God will answer every prayer that is prayed to Him in His will? It encourages mine to know these truths about immortal prayer.

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Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

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With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

Every Prayer Authorized by the Holy Spirit Becomes an Essential and Everlasting Part of Salvation

Tip! A person’s character is always demonstrated in their behavior. The Savior again said,“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good ...” -- Luke 6:45

"...Golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints." -- Revelation 5:8.

Jesus Christ regularly chooses some extraordinary place on earth to illustrate or show Himself to humankind. It is noticeably in harmony with His Divine Nature and eternal purpose for His salvation to reveal Himself in some out of the ordinary place and in some unforeseen way.

Let me give you a few examples; He appeared as I Am to Moses in a burning bush in the middle of the desert. Then while He was here on earth He appeared Himself to a woman of disgusting character at Jacob's well to be the long anticipated Messiah. Another time He revealed only a part of His radiating glory to three of His chosen disciples on the high mountain of Transfiguration. Remember when He showed Himself and His purpose to give the Gentiles the Gospel to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus?

There are many other times that Jesus appeared to His people, but perhaps the most amazing exposure ever given to a human person was given to John. That was when our Savior presented Himself clothed in His majesty and power, positioned in the center of the seven churches. John could only write,

"...When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead...." -- Revelation 1: 17.

Wow! Christ decided to show Himself to His holy disciple who was sent away, banish, exiled. John on the lonely isle of Patmos; this wave-washed and wind-swept mound of crushed stones and shifting sands; had the awesome privilege to see and witness the reveled Word of God and wrote it down for us.

"...For the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." -- Revelation 1:9.

Our Savior had selected this faithful man, before time, to be the human conduit through which His magnificent truth could be given to us, His believing people. It pleased our sacred Lord to show the inspirational truth about prayer in John's pictorial words, "...Golden vials full of odors..."

Evidently our Lord wants us to know that prayer is a part of worship. A prayer resembles the odors of sweet incense rising up in the air to God. Our heavenly Father is well pleased with our fervent prayers when we load them with the aroma of our heartfelt worship.

Tip! What really determines’ the effectiveness of our labor for Christ is the measure of our faith and the fervency of our prayers. If our faith is poor and our praying is indifferent; how can we expect to achieve much for Him?

Our Savior wants us to understand that our prayers are placed in golden vials or bottles in His Holy Place in heaven like the golden censer (the container for burning incense), and the ark of the covenant that is covered all around with gold, were it is held in the most Holy Place in the temple, the place of worship.

Have you not fully grasped this fact yet? The fact that as God's praying people, all of our sincere prayers are immortal. Yes that is true! And the Lord preserves these prayers like a sweet incense that He keeps in golden vials.

If Jesus breathed the power of His endless life into His prayers and His prayers are immortal because He is immortal. If Jesus' prayers will be answered because He is the answer to all prayer; then we unquestionably are aware that Christ's prayers are living petitions sealed, saved or waiting for us in His plan of eternal salvation.

Tip! It opens the door for salvations. (Act 2:42) “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”.

All the prayers that are documented in Holy Scriptures are an everlasting piece of the Divine map of salvation. These requests or prayers were made immortal only by the power of the abiding Holy Spirit. Our indwelling Holy Spirit makes it possible for us, God's people, to pray with such longings that we do not know how to ask and cannot voice.

"And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." -- Romans 8:27.

This amazing Scripture that Paul wrote under the inspiration of the same Holy Spirit that indwells us today simply says; every prayer authorized by the Holy Spirit becomes an essential and everlasting part of the total economy of God as is shown in the plan of salvation.

Tip! 1 Timothy 2:1. Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

Unless you are born again through the blood of Jesus Christ, the only prayer God will hear is your prayer asking God to forgive your sins. I can talk about prayer all day long and it will do you no good until you come face to face with your Savior Jesus Christ. He is the mediator between you and God the Father. The only way to God is through Jesus. Will you simply ask Him to forgive you? Ask Him to come into your heart and be Lord and Savior of your life, because you believe He died for your sins and in three days rose again so you can have life with Him for ever. God bless you and keep you until the day Jesus comes for us. Amen.

Will I see you in heaven?

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Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

<><><><><><>

With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

You Want More Things? Then Seek Jesus with All Your Heart

Tip! If we, God’s people expect to carry out the works of Christ that will glorify our Father, then we must believe in Him for the very work’s sake, and pray fervently in His Name.

Luke 11:10 says: "For every one that [asks receives]; and he that [seeks finds]; and to him that [knocks] it shall be opened."

Jesus Christ is the Door connecting the spiritual part and the physical part of us. When we are born again of the Holy Spirit through Jesus, we go through the Door into a spiritual kingdom, which is the spiritual part of us. This is where we live, move, and have our being in a spiritual realm with Christ. Of course we are in the world physically, but we can say that we are not of this world spiritually. God's holy Word pronounces that we as His people are like a tree. A tree lives in two places in this natural world; it lives in the ground, and it lives above the soil. Paul documented this marvelous truth when he wrote,

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." — Colossians 3:2.

Our Lord similarly revealed a wonderful truth concerning the door when He said, "...And shall go in and out, and find pasture." It is clear that a saved person can go in and out, from one realm to another to find spiritual food or the Bread of Life. Jesus has made a sufficient supply to sustain us, His people, both in this physical realm and the spiritual realm. He cares greatly for His people in this natural world as well as in the spiritual kingdom. Our Savior wants us to be acquainted with our Good Shepherd, and know that He will care for His flock while we are out in the field; the same as He cares for us when we are in the fold. In other words, our Savior will protect us while we labor and witness for Him on this earth, just like He will safeguard us when we are resting securely in the knowledge of His love. Because is it not written?

Tip! So when we ask Christ to carry out His works in our hearts we are fervently praying that our Father may be glorified in His Son.

"The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." -- Psalms 121:8.

Our everlasting Savior, Jesus Christ has spoken with total authority pertaining to the open door.

"...Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." — Rev. 3:8

"...To him that knocks it shall be opened."

It will remain open to all eternity.

It is Jesus' will for us to open His Word, the Holy Bible, to find the answers to our prayers. I can personally say that our Lord speaks to His children more through His Word then by any other way. It has been my experience to daily hear God while I am studying His Word and praying. Do not separate the two, because you can not have one without the other. Our Father loves to hear us pray His Words back to Him. He enjoys hearing His people pray and claim His promises in our prayers. How can we give Him pleasure if we seldom or ever open His Word or when we pray we ask only for our selfish needs? Remember what Jesus said?

Tip! 1 Timothy 2:1. Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33

You want more things? Then seek Jesus with all your heart; then and only then will "…all these things shall be added unto you!"

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Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

<><><><><><>

With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

Is there Anything more Easy to Understand in Life than Knocking at a Door?

Tip! Let us always be aware of the fact that the power that is achieved to do the greater works that are required for Christ, is only gained through fervent prayer and faith in Jesus Christ.

Luke 11:10 says: For every one that [asks receives]; and he that [seeks finds]; and to him that [knocks] it shall be opened.

What did Jesus mean when He said, "...To him that knocks it shall be opened." I believe He was trying to demonstrate to us that it is possible for us as His praying people to enter into the heavenly place where He is seated on the throne as mediator. This is where He presents our petitions to God our Father. This truth is verified by Paul, who wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,

"…Seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God." -- Colossians 3:1.

Jesus described this wonderful truth in His Word when He said, "I am the door..," John 10:7, and again in verse 9 of this same chapter. We can come in through the door, to His presence and pray before Him in the same effortless way that we can go into another room in our home, through an open door. Once we realize this incredible truth, we will discover that it is possible to bring other people, like our friends, families and people we work with, into His presence and talk with Him concerning their needs.

I have taken others into the presence of Jesus many times, and it has been my joyful pleasure. When I saw the truth of this promise, I entered into an agreement of prayer with Christ. It did not happen over night, but by building a relationship with Jesus in prayer, I can honestly say, I do not find it difficult to enter into His presence at anytime, day or night.

The Holy Spirit motivated prophet clearly saw this great truth about Christ when he said,

"...He shall be for a glorious throne to his Father's house." -- Isaiah 22:23.

Is there anything more easy and understandable in life than knocking at a door? Of course not even a little child can knock at a door. But if we have failed to grab the meaning of Christ's simple teachings concerning prayer when He said, "...To him that knocks it shall be opened," please ask Him to open Himself to you. We who are God's children have a magnificent throne in our Father's house. We have every right to come boldly to this wonderful throne of grace to make our requests known unto our heavenly Father. We had nothing to do with this; it is all because of what Jesus did for us; that is why God's everlasting truth will shine with a new light if we will only knock at His door in prayer.

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Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

<><><><><><>

With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

Can You See How Christ is Both an Entrance and an Exit?

Tip! Praise and thanksgiving – This is the earnest, heartfelt prayer where we come before the Lord thanking and praising him for his mighty power and love. We may praise him in both our earthly and spiritual language.

Luke 11:10 says: For every one that [asks receives]; and he that [seeks finds]; and to him that [knocks] it shall be opened.

Jesus' will is for us to open His Word in answer to our prayer. It is Christ who is the door. It is He that is the only doorway to God the Father, and only through Jesus can we have entrance to salvation. So this is why, when we put Him in the promise concerning our constant knocking in prayer we can see the plain and simple truth in His Word. We can surmise this guaranteed promise to say, "To him that knocks, Jesus, the Door, shall be opened." For this reason, Christ is the One who will open Himself to us only in answer to our prayers.

Stop for a moment and think on this holy truth. Jesus opens His undying hope only to His praying people. He opens His unconquerable strength only to His praying people. Jesus Christ opens His loving heart only to His praying people. And He opens His continuing holiness only to His praying people. In the light of this Divine eye-opener, a person must be allowed to say as Paul did,

My Prayer Book - A Collection Of Christi. Now you can have powerful and inspiring prayers instantly at your fingertips. Free Download.

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" -- Romans 11:33.

Because what our Lord has done for us at Calvary, He opened the gates of eternal life, the immensity of His permanent love, and the splendor of His similarity to us, His praying family. Through our prayers we can come in; to the enjoyment of an ultimate salvation and delight ourselves in the wealth of peace. Is this not what we all desire for ourselves, our families and our friends? It has pleased our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to open His unchallengeable purpose only to His faithful saints and allow us to see His decisive victory over sin and death. It is only through prayer that we can break away from the traps of Satan, and escape the evil intentions of the enemy.

Tip! 1 Timothy 2:1. Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

Can you see how Christ is both an entrance and an exit? Look at it this way; we can pray our way into the sacred truths of a spiritual life, right? Well then, can we not pray our way out of the confusing problems and troubles of life in this world as well? Of course we can. Our Lord so lovingly revealed these gracious facts to us when He said, "...To him that knocks it shall be opened."

"When Jesus opens Himself to His praying people He opens eternity to them, for He fills eternity with Himself and contains eternity in Himself. He is the First Cause and the Final Conclusion of everything in time and in eternity. Our concept of Christ is enlarged when He opens to us." (T. M. Anderson}

Tip! So when we ask Christ to carry out His works in our hearts we are fervently praying that our Father may be glorified in His Son.

Look for a moment at what the Psalmist said. He was completely aware of this wonderful truth,

"...Thou hast set my feet in a large room." -- Psalms 31:8.

Christ is the door. He is the only entrance to God, and the only entrance to salvation. Do you know Jesus? He is the way the truth and the life, no one can get to the Father but through the Door that is Jesus Christ. "...To him that knocks it shall be opened."

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Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

<><><><><><>

With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

If we had the Good Things Without Asking for Them, We Would Think of Them as Mundane Things

Tip! God’s people do not have authorization to demand the Savior’s promise of, “...Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do,” in order to gain something very special for themselves.

Ezekiel 36:37 (KJV) Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

Prayer is the excess of mercy. Give notice to sacred accouts and you will realize that hardly ever did a wonderful mercy come to the human race with no prayer to God the Father.

Have you not determined this to be correct in your own private experience? Has not God given you many an spontaneous favor, nevertheless great prayer has continuously been the prelude of great mercy for you? How about the time when you first discovered peace through the blood of the cross, where you had been praying so much, and intently begging with God that He would eliminate your doubts, and carry you from your griefs. Was it not your guarantee that was the consequence of prayer? Think about it; has it not been during the times that you have had high and triumphant happinesses that you have been required to look on them as responses to your prayers. When you have had great rescues out of painful dilemmas and Almighty support in great perils, you have been able to say, "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." To God be the glory great things He has done!

Prayer is continuously the preface to good things. It goes before the good things as the blessing's silhouette. When God loads up a hill of mercies, He Himself shines after them, and He throws on our thoughts the silhouette of prayer, so that we may rest in no doubt, if we are completely in prayer, our sincere pleadings are the silhouette of mercy. Or, to use another example, when the sunbeams of God's mercies climb up on our necessities, it will cast the silhouette of prayer far down on the plain.

Prayer is consequently joined with the good things to show to us the importance of it. If we had the good things without requesting for them, we would think of them as mundane things; but through prayer it makes our mercies more priceless than diamonds. The things we request are priceless, but would we grasp their worth if we sought after them without intense prayer? I do not think so.

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Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

<><><><><><>

With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

There is Something Much More Inspirational in His Teachings Concerning Prayer

Tip! Jesus promised to pass on the power from heaven to accomplish greater works for Him in this world. That promise is His Holy Spirit. Jesus intended for His chosen apostles to go and bring in a lot of fruit, the same goes for us.

"...To him that knocketh it shall be opened." -- Luke 11:10

These words of our Master Jesus state the third fundamental principle of the effectual enthusiastic prayer that profits much.

Our Master disclosed the value of praying persistently in His discussion about the friend asking for three loaves of bread at midnight. There is something a lot more promising in His teachings concerning prayer than we find in the words of the unwilling neighbor, who said, "...Trouble me not: the door is now shut..." Our Lord would have us realize that the goodness of our heavenly Father far exceeds the goodness of the weary friend. Our Father is teaching us that we can prevail in prayer in spite of the depressions and troubles confronting us in this life.

The bread that was so urgently needed to gratify the desire for food of the tired out traveler was on the other side of the closed door. A great deal depended on the unrelenting and insistent knocking on the part of the man looking for bread. If he had been discouraged by his friend's cranky words, "...Trouble me not...," he would have departed away beaten and without the bread he needed. If he had thought that his dreamy friend had spoken his final word once he said, "...The door is now shut...," he would have sadly left with a deep sense of aggravation and failure.

Our heavenly Father will at no time discourage His praying people, by saying, "...The door is now shut..." Our Savior is educating us to pray through unwavering faith and firm confidence. He moved us with determined courage to pray unwaveringly when He said, "...To him that knocketh it shall be opened."

Tip! In (Phil. 4:6) we have these words about prayer: “Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

Our Savior's stirring words involve that a enormous zone of truth will be opened to us when we knock at the door of our Father's home. It will enhance our knowledgeconcerning the possibilities of prayer if we will assign some time to analyze what our Savior has said concerning the open door set before His children.

Jesus acknowledged Himself as being the door when He said,

"I am the door: by me if any man will enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." — John 10:9

His astounding words allow us to understand more wholly the truth concerning prevailing prayer.

Tip! It opens the door for salvations. (Act 2:42) “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”.

The possibilities of prayer are tested by faith in God's ability to do. Faith is the one main order by which God works. Faith is the one main state by which a person prays. Faith draws on God to its full extent. Faith gives character to prayer. A feeble faith has always brought forth feeble praying. Spirited faith creates spirited praying. Christ asks this pointed question, "When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?"

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Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

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With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

His Intent is Not to Leave Us Confused or in Doubt as to the Things to be Discovered during Prayer

Tip! Jesus said they were to do even greater works than He had achieved during His ministry in the world. Wow! Then our Master went on to show them that by praying in His Name, Jesus, this is the channel through which the authorized power is acquired to carry out the works that glorify our Father in the Son.

God's perfect Word the Holy Bible explains that He did show Himself to His people in the generations of long-ago. If the timeless history is the only occasion that God has ever shown Himself, then we that are of the grace dispensation, or this time we live in now, have no truth to prove our claims that Christ is raised from the dead, and He has shown Himself to us, alive by many reliable testimonies.

So if our Father revealed Himself in His Beloved Son, Jesus, in the days long ago, why can we not be expecting Him to reveal Himself in His Son in the present days? Is our need any less then those of His demanding disciple? I do not think so, that is why when Jesus said, "...He that seeks finds...," His intention was not to leave us puzzled and in doubt regarding the things to be revealed through prayer.

Why do we persuade ourselves then, to believe that Christ has covered Himself in continuous silence, and cannot and will not show Himself to His people? If we believe that a seeking soul cannot be as fully aware of Christ's presence as a child is aware of his own father's presence, then our Master's words are completely empty and worthless. What was it that Jesus said? "...He that seeks finds...," Then believe that He ejected for ever our puzzling distrust and the uncertainty in our mind regarding the truth of our heavenly Father's permanent presence with us, His happy family.

Our prayer of faith can find the substance of things that we are hoping for, and can make genuine to us the proof of things we cannot see by our natural eye. Therefore, if our minds fall short in grasping the importance of our Savior's teachings about prayer, we need to wait patiently before Him in humble obedience and in silence thought until our minds are clear and our faith grows strong.

Tip! In order to accomplish His high purpose, Jesus showed us His purpose in answering our prayers when He said, “...That the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

If you want to find reliable witnesses who will testify that Jesus has revealed Himself to them, you must find a truly born again Christian. These are people who live, think and act like Jesus in all their ways. You will know them; they will be the ones that will tell you that while they were devoutly seeking Jesus in prayer He visited them. These godly people are neither fanatics nor mystics, and they consider the recurrent visitations of Jesus to be the normal way of spiritual life. In fact they cannot be satisfied without this visit from their Master.

Tip! THE possibilities of prayer are gauged by faith in God's ability to do. Faith is the one prime condition by which God works.

I am one of them; in fact I am sure that some of my friends definitely believe that I am sick. Certain others are greatly troubled about my mental condition. Perhaps some have devoutly prayed for my immediate healing. I am very thankful for their earnest prayers, because I need them. But in my meticulous search for the truth, I remembered that our Savior had said,

"...He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." -- John 14: 21.

These gracious words glow with a new light, and disclose a new meaning to my rejoicing soul. His promised words were all I needed to substantiate my faith and answer my confusing questions. I found many promises in the Holy Scriptures, but this one promise was enough to satisfy my heart and mind. I hope and pray that you will look to Jesus for His saving grace, and claim the promises of God for yourself and for ever. He is waiting for you NOW!

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Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

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With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

Power of Intercessory Prayer

Tip! The person who prays, has a belief that they will receive an answer. The prayer is intended to inculcate certain attitudes in the one who prays, rather than to influence the recipient.

Not every Christian can just sit down after coming back from work and think of praying for others. Intercessory Prayer and its amazing power of God's grace are greatly dismissed in this culture of egotism and independence. Our American culture have confused how communities of Christians should regard one another. It is truly disheartening to see Christians forget the spiritual and emotionals needs of their fellow brothers and sisters and not pray for them. God desired us to lift one another's burdens to him, not just our own. Just as Jesus has prayed for his disciples and the world, we are to look to the needs of not just our fellow Christians but also to those who misunderstand us.

Until we understands the differences that can be made through intercessory prayer, we will not fully grasp the knowledge of God's amazing power and grace. Intercessory prayer is praying for others, and ultimately the protection from God. It is the veil of His sweet mercy and grace that comes down upon those we pray over. Through intercessory prayer, God can do the things that we can't do for our loved ones and the ones we care for, even those who do not know Jesus and persecute Christians. Through intercessory prayer, people are blessed and their hearts are touched by the hand of God.

A blessed church knows how to pray for one another and for God's kingdom. Power of intercessory prayer is not found in the number of those who gather to pray during prayer meetings nor the amount of prayer requests that are put in the prayer boxes. God gives us the burden to pray for others because He has plans for them, because He loves them too. In short, the power of intercessory prayer comes from a unified heart of believers who seek God's kingdom and His will to be done. He honors those who pray and those who know that God cares for those we pray for. Because knowing God cares for them is building faith that God will answer.

If you are having trouble remembering to pray for others, remember conviction for prayer comes from God, so ask Him for people to pray for first. Try getting a habit of jotting down prayer requests for yourself. Once you make a habit of jotting down your own problems or issues you need pray for, you will be surprised how quickly you think about family members, friends, and others who may be going through similar problems. Also, make it a habit to ask for prayer requests, and yes, even from those who do not know Jesus Christ. It is amazing to see how much people appreciate it when they know you think of them in prayer.

Tip! But, He didn't say we would see the manifestation of our prayers immediately. We need to give God time to work things out, continue in our faith, and not doubt, 'For a man who wavers is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed.

God greatly blesses those who pray for others and He remembers their prayers. It is written in scripture and people testify of how good God has been to them while they prayed for others. As it is said, God will provide. Be sure to ask others to pray for you as well. Give them the chance to bless you and be blessed by God's amazing grace. Try it today and see how your prayer walk can be empowered by God's own heart and desires.

Dear God, I thank you for those who do read these convictions from my heart. I pray that all those who read these words would be blessed, that your love and power would grace them today and forever. I also ask that you would give us all the conviction to pray for your people, our friends, our enemies, and others. Put in our hearts your desires and we pray that your Kingdom will come, and your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Author's Bio: Elizabeth Kim is currently a college student in California, studying Computer Science. She dedicated her life to Jesus Christ when she was 17 years old. Ever since then, her goal in life was to continually be an inspiration and a blessing to people. She loves to write, sing, play video games, and create digital art. Currently, she is developing a computer game with a team of other women and working on her Christian store: True At Heart (http://www.cafepress.com/trueatheart).

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Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

<><><><><><>

With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

We Make the Greatest Discovery in Life when we Discover the Secret of Pleasing God Our Father

My Prayer Book - A Collection Of Christi. Now you can have powerful and inspiring prayers instantly at your fingertips. Free Download.

Luke 11:10 - 11 (KJV) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

"...He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." -- John 14: 21.

I have often wondered how some people can construe our Savior's very own promise to us, that He will manifest or show Himself to them that love Him. I wonder, do we think that such an experience is possible in this present day and age? I am certain that many do not believe that our Savior's promise can reach just any person. They believe it was only for His chosen twelve disciples. They obviously think that all of the consistent testimony from God's people as being far-fetched and fanatical.

If we cannot believe this truth, then we will surely fail to grasp the fact that frequent visitations from our Lord are to be expected in a normal Christian life. If we allow ourselves to be hindered by the unbelief of this modern age we will miss out on God's best for us.

Remember when Jesus said, "...He that seeks finds...," He expected to make an impact on us; that an obedient child of God would seek to please Him in all things suitable for life today. This truth is clearly uncovered in the above parable of the son asking for bread. Of course the son wants to please his father. The same is when a person loves our heavenly Father; they would want to please Him in all matters of life. And of course the obedient son would also become conscious of the fact that his father was pleased with him. The ideal illustration of this is shown in Jesus, the Son of God. Our Father observed this and spoke of His pleasure in His Son when He said from heaven,

Tip! So when we ask Christ to carry out His works in our hearts we are fervently praying that our Father may be glorified in His Son.

"...This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." -- Matt. 3:17.

Jesus said as the Beloved Son of God this truth,

"...The Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." -- John 8:29.

As a respectful child of our Father, we live day by day in an attentiveness of His pleasure; this is when we have truly discovered a pearl of great value. We truly have made the greatest advance in our life when we discover the secret of pleasing God our Father.

In our human shortcomings and in sickness of this body and mind, we will time and again get in the way of performing the things that please our heavenly Father. But remember that there is nothing in the world that is stopping us from being a pleasure to Him; only we must be willing to obey Him in all the things relating to this life. We can be a pleasure to our Father way before we are able to comprehend how to do the things that are well-pleasing in His sight. The support of God rests continually on us who believe in Him and diligently seek Him. The writer of Hebrews wrote this under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,

"...Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." -- Heb. 11:6.

Tip! Jesus said they were to do even greater works than He had achieved during His ministry in the world. Wow! Then our Master went on to show them that by praying in His Name, Jesus, this is the channel through which the authorized power is acquired to carry out the works that glorify our Father in the Son.

When we get His approval, we will have received the supreme reward ever known to humankind. All the earthly pleasures that we leave here when we come to the end of life's journey are not as important as we thought, but the eternal pleasures we receive at the end of our life will be worth the all the heartaches and cost to obtain them. But we must have faith in Jesus Christ in order to receive our Father's approval. Do you believe?

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

<><><><><><>

With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

The Fact that He is With Us All the Time, in All Places Should Fill Our Hearts with Unspeakable Joy

Tip! Seeking God's will for our life – This type of prayer requires us to really open up our spirit and seek to hear what God is saying to us. We need to come humbly before him, asking him to use us as a tool for his work – and praying for guidance and wisdom as we seek to follow where his is leading us.

Luke 11:10 - 11 (KJV) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

Remember Philip, one of Jesus' disciples; he expressed a lot in his brief prayer when he asked Jesus, "...Show us the Father, and it suffices us." Philip was a faithful disciple and when he made this request; he was praying what we sincerely desire for our human hearts today. How can we be content in this troubled world without a clear revelation of our heavenly Father? Did Philip ask for the impossible when he made his persistent prayer to Jesus? Conceivably he had heard Jesus say, "...He that seeks finds..." That is why our Savior answered Philip's prayer by saying, "...He that hath seen me hath seen the Father..."

Look at the words Jesus gave us in the parable about the son asking for his daily bread from his father. Jesus fully intended to make an impact on us with several significant truths about prayer. The truth in this parable that the son seeks and gets the things that are provided for by his father is not the only fact contained here. A son that is good enough for such a loving father would think of him to be more than just a generous provider; he would be delighted that his father is present with his family. To an innocent child the very presence of the father means so much to them in this temporary world.

Tip! In order to accomplish His high purpose, Jesus showed us His purpose in answering our prayers when He said, “...That the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

So the obvious truth that Jesus wants us to see is that it would be absolutely unthinkable that an intelligent child would not be aware of his father's presence at the time he asked him for his daily bread. It would be equally opposite to the truth to assume that the child's father would be happy to remain anonymous and unnoticed by his family. With this thought in mind our Master's word presents us with a legitimate reason to expect our heavenly Father to reveal Himself to us in His Son Jesus.

Do we not know that our Father has provided good things for us? And does He not mean more to us than a just a generous Provider? The very fact that He is here with us at all times, and in all places should fill our hearts with such joy unspeakable and full of glory. Jesus wants us to understand that our heavenly Father, God Almighty, is present with His family in this world today.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

<><><><><><>

With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

We Must Set Aside the Stuff We Count as Gain for Us to Seek and Find All the Riches of Truth

Tip! Jesus promised to pass on the power from heaven to accomplish greater works for Him in this world. That promise is His Holy Spirit. Jesus intended for His chosen apostles to go and bring in a lot of fruit, the same goes for us.

"...When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..." -- John 16:13

At the time that Jesus told His disciples that our Father's promise to give us the Holy Spirit in answer to prayer, He clearly planned to make an impact on us as His trusted children with the fact that the Holy Spirit would make it possible for us to seek and find all the riches of truth. Can you see this remarkable fact regarding the ministry of the Holy Spirit? He will come, the Spirit of truth, to guide us in all truth.

We can not learn the things of God by simple chance; nor can we find them by a course of human logic. The things of God are only shown to us by His Holy Spirit. The Word of God proclaims,

"...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." -- 1 Corinthians 2:9, 10.

Look at it this way, a prayer is like the telescope that lets a person discover remote stars, burning suns and spinning worlds in deep space. Or think of prayer as a microscope that allows a person to look into the area of the very small things. Both the telescope and the microscope enable us to see the things that are invisible to the naked eye.

Tip! In (Phil. 4:6) we have these words about prayer: “Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

The same is with the Holy Spirit; He makes the invisible things of God visible. He enables us to understand the Word of God, and to pray so tirelessly that we can learn to focus on the light of Christ and on the resources of God. We soon start to discover worlds, wealth, and wisdom never seen or heard before by the natural person. This same idea inspired the Apostle Paul to write,

"...We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." -- 2 Corinthians 4:18.

The person, who seeks God methodically, trying the best as they can to know the things that God has set for them that love Him, will be rewarded by a much greater measure of knowledge than the person who is laid-back and uninterested in their seeking. We can only receive the eternal things of God in direct proportion to the measure of our seeking the things of God in prayer.

Tip! Talking to God – This is the one on one type prayer – where we converse with God to develop our relationship with him. We may ask him to help us in areas that we need spiritual, physical or emotional support.

Is it really necessary to deny ourselves of many things in order to seek and find the wealth of our Father that is shown in His Son, Jesus? Look again at what the Apostle Paul said about this truth,

"...What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord..." -- Phil. 3: 7, 8.

It is not possible to achieve a more faultless or true knowledge of Christ until we decide to count all of our things a loss for Him. We must set aside the stuff we count as gain. A daily awareness of Christ in our life is a far greater value than all worldly knowledge we could ever acquire in this world today. The prophet Jeremiah knew this when he wrote,

Tip! The person who prays, has a belief that they will receive an answer. The prayer is intended to inculcate certain attitudes in the one who prays, rather than to influence the recipient.

"...Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." -- Jeremiah 29:13.

We cannot obey the conditions declared in this promise unless we rid ourselves of all the heavy worries we carry around with us. Give them to Jesus. He is waiting for you now!

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

Our Father’s Will is to Grant the Diverse Needs of His Praying and Trusting Children

Tip! “Intercession” is amplification in prayer; it is going out in broadness and fullness from ones self for others. Primarily, it does not center in praying for others, but refers to the freeness, boldness and childlike confidence in praying.

Luke 11:9 - 10 (KJV) And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

"...He that [seeks] [finds]." -- Luke 11:10 Will be our discussion in this article.

This brief statement that Jesus voiced represents one of the greatest challenges ever known to all people. His teachings on prayer are a strict evaluation of our profession of faith. Do we not believe that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life? Then we must believe that some very important revolutions can be made regarding these necessary details about Him.

When Jesus revealed the second basic principle of prevailing prayer He said, "He that seeks finds..." His eternal words promised us that we can make some very significant discoveries only by praying.

I am often astonished at what people will do when they are motivated and influenced by the hope of finding the things of earth they so passionately wish for. They will sail the skies around the world in a hot air balloon, endure the sweltering heat of the desert, scale the ice-covered mountains, and they will brave the dangers of the unmapped jungles in hopes of finding the things they so diligently seek.

In our efforts to find the things we seek from God we do not require a chart, or compass, or even costly equipment. We have no stormy winds to concern us, no blazing sands to navigate, no snow-clad mountaintop to go up, and no unknown jungles to brave. We are not troubled day and night by the disturbing doubts that we can not get the answers to our heartfelt prayers. We have God our Father's holy Word through His Son Jesus' promise that "…He that seeks finds…" and that is all we need.

Tip! Let us always be aware of the fact that the power that is achieved to do the greater works that are required for Christ, is only gained through fervent prayer and faith in Jesus Christ.

We do not have the smallest amount of reason or uncertainty in the authority of Christ's announcement, "...He that seeks finds..." Our faith to seek the things of Christ is rooted on His truthfulness and reality. When Jesus spoke the words, "Seek and ye shall find...," He was obviously talking about finding the wealth of our heavenly Father. If we are guaranteed that His provision is as great as the many needs of His children; and our Father's will is to grant the diverse needs of His praying and trusting children. Then the ones who are exhausted and tired can seek and find rest. The feeble and weak can seek and find strength. And the sick and the ones in poor health can seek and find health.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?

In his most powerful book since What's So Amazing about Grace? and The Jesus I Never Knew, Yancey probes the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing, and deeply rewarding aspect---the very heartbeat---of your relationship with God: prayer. In theory, prayer is the essential human act, a priceless point of contact between you and the God of the universe. In practice however, prayer is often frustrating, confusing, and fraught with mystery. Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

Does Our Relationship to God Depend on Good Health, Prosperity, and Financial Security?

Tip! In (Phil. 4:6) we have these words about prayer: “Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

"...Every one that asks receives..." -- Luke 11:10.

To understand fully the teachings of Jesus concerning the fundamental principles of effectual praying, a substantial amount of time is required. There are no shortcuts in this school of prayer. If God's people will take adequate time to meditate and ponder on these basics principles in the art of prevailing prayer, they will no doubt be rewarded richly for all the hours spent in the school of Christ.

Once we finally grasp the gracious truth contained in the words of Jesus, and take a firm hold on these promises relating to prayer, we will then understand the meaning of His words, "...Every one that asks receives". I confidently believe that our Master, Jesus Christ, declared the truth when He said, "...Every one that asks receives..." Yet we are challenged often with the surprising and disturbing reality that we do not always receive an exact answer to our prayers. We often find it extremely hard to settle these troubling facts with this clear account that Jesus said concerning the answer to our prayers.

Think about the happy relationship that exists between us, as an obedient child and our loving heavenly Father. Our prayers will be successful with Him if we pray as that of an obedient child.

When He sees us, His children, with a genuine reason and a stable determination, continually seeking attentively in everything we do and are living as His children should, He will answer are prayers.

Consider again our Master's teachings on prayer; we can never use them for our own selfish and wishful thinking, concerning the answer to our prayers. Could it be that we have set our hearts on getting something we greatly desire for our own personal gratification? Then when we say our intense dissatisfaction because the request was not granted to us as we thought it should have, we get angry at our Father.

To answer this difficult question about prayer we must go again to Luke 11:11-13 where we read Jesus' words about the son asking for bread. Can you see that the son cannot live without bread? He must have it or he will die of starvation. However, there are many things the son could have asked for that is not as important to life as food. He could ask his father for money, or fine clothing, or even toys. The father may think it wise to give his son these good gifts; but then again he may consider it best for his son's own good to refuse to give these things he requested. But can you not see that it is a different matter when a child asks for food? Of course we can, because food is needed for life where as the other things are not.

Tip! Talking to God – This is the one on one type prayer – where we converse with God to develop our relationship with him. We may ask him to help us in areas that we need spiritual, physical or emotional support.

Our heavenly Father may think it wise to give us many good gifts, such as good health, prosperity, and financial security. But what if He wills to withhold these things from us? Will we submit to His sovereign will without complaint? Perfect health, prosperity, and earthly goods are nice but they are not essential to life in this world. Does our relationship to God depend on these creature comforts? No! These things cannot teach to us the moral strength we need to deal with the trials that occur in life in this evil world we live in today. It requires the "Bread of life" to give us the spiritual strength to maintain us in these final days. Our Father will give us the Living Bread of His Word from heaven to keep us strong in faith, fearless in courage, and unshakable in hope if we only ask.

The grand high point of our Lord's talk on prayer was achieved when He announced that our Father's promise was to give the Holy Spirit to His praying children. He wants us to understand that every urgent request for the bread from heaven is answered by the Father's gift of the Spirit.

Tip! Praise and thanksgiving – This is the earnest, heartfelt prayer where we come before the Lord thanking and praising him for his mighty power and love. We may praise him in both our earthly and spiritual language.

Jesus is teaching us that the Spirit is given to us, the children of God for the only reason to sustain and satisfy us in life. Our never-ending demands for spiritual food is supplied by the indwelling Spirit. Our daily prayer must be, "Lord, evermore give us this bread." The answer from heaven is, "...Every one that asks receives..."

Matthew 6:33 says: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

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With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

We Owe it to Ourselves to take Adequate Time While Praying, to Listen to His Voice

Tip! “Intercession” is amplification in prayer; it is going out in broadness and fullness from ones self for others. Primarily, it does not center in praying for others, but refers to the freeness, boldness and childlike confidence in praying.

"...Every one that asks receives..." -- Luke 11:10.

In these words, Jesus is stressing the fact that we are not to rest or stop praying without an answer to our request. In other words, He is saying that if it is our Father's will, and the rule of His house to give the requests of His believing children, then we can expect Him to answer us; But only in His time and way.

Most of the time when no answer is received we jump to the conclusion and say that it must not the will of our Father to grant us an answer to our prayers. It is much easier to give up to our own bogus way of thinking about the answer to prayer than it is to shake off our laziness and seek God until we receive an answer. There are too many people who will rest easy and never grasp a true distinct understanding of answered prayer. This sad fact reveals just how serious a decline we have in our Christian life in these last days. These miserable souls pray every day, they ask their Father for many things, and sincerely hope that He will answer some of their prayers. They obviously do not know that our heavenly Father wills to do for us daily what we ask in faith. This is the rule of spiritual life; we receive definite answers to prayer.

Look again at the words of Jesus just as they were spoken. Do not allow our human way of thinking to obstruct or weaken the power of His teachings about our asking and receiving. We owe it to ourselves to take adequate time while praying, to listen to His voice, and believe this truth that "Every one that asks receives."

What has happened in our past has been forgiven through the blood of Christ, if you are truly born again. Therefore we should never use our numerous failures of the past to measure our faith for the present. We have to hold on to the guaranteed fact that the effectual fervent prayer of God's obedient child avails much.

Tip! THE possibilities of prayer are gauged by faith in God's ability to do. Faith is the one prime condition by which God works.

Read Luke 11:11-13 again in your Bible. Can you see that the son's request for bread is based on his relationship to the father? It is because of this good relationship that the son has the undeniable right to anticipate that his father will answer his requests. So when Jesus speaks about the son asking bread from his father, He is talking about an obedient son, a child who has a good relationship with his father. The child that finds no pleasure in obeying his father and assumes that they can still ask and receive what ever they wish will unquestionably be let down. But for the child who loves and honors their father will find it is the father's good pleasure to answer their daily prayers.

Consistent living on our part as children of God is the stipulation for achieve the answer to prayer. God's instructions require obedience in the way we live, and His promises relating to our praying are inseparable. You can not have one without the other. That is God's Word not mine.

Tip! The person who prays, has a belief that they will receive an answer. The prayer is intended to inculcate certain attitudes in the one who prays, rather than to influence the recipient.

We can definitely count on God to accomplish His promise of answering our prayer if we obey His sovereign will in every thing we do. Think for a moment and take time to meditate on all the tenderness and love our heavenly Father has for us as His obedient children.

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With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

God’s Word Says for His Children to Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace, in Our Time of Need

Tip! Praise and thanksgiving – This is the earnest, heartfelt prayer where we come before the Lord thanking and praising him for his mighty power and love. We may praise him in both our earthly and spiritual language.

"...Every one that asks receives..." -- Luke 11:10.

When our Lord voiced these enduring words He gave to every born again child of the Living God the absolute right to pray. This was all new to Jesus' disciples, so with this fact in mind He impressed on them the importance of asking in order to receive by asking them some relevant questions:

"If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 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 11:11-13

Is it not the most natural thing in the entire world for a father to listen to the requests of his family? If the father loves his son, would it not go against his own human nature to give his child a stone, or a snake, or a stinging scorpion instead of bread? The father will give to his children accordingly to the amount of his love for his child. When Jesus said, "...Any of you that is a father," He wants us to compare a man's love for his children to God's love for His children. He is telling us to look beyond our earthly fathers, and determine for ourselves how much more our heavenly Father will be motivated to give good gifts to His children. Jesus is teaching us to understand that as much as God's goodness surpasses the goodness of mortal man, so much greater is our guarantee that He will give to us what we ask for because of our childlike prayers.

Tip! In (Phil. 4:6) we have these words about prayer: “Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

God's holy Word says for His children to come boldly to the throne of grace, and find grace to help in our time of need. Every child of God from the youngest to the oldest irrespective of age, sex, or race, has every right to ask the Father for the bread of life. Underprivileged people as well as the crippled, the weak, and the sick have every right to ask their heavenly Father for the living bread from heaven.

Our Savior wants us to understand this never-ending truth that, "...Every one that asks receives..." It would be totally ridiculous for our loving Father to pay no attention to our intense prayers. He can not remain silent and insensitive when His own children are weeping and facing Him in our earnest petitions.

Tip! It opens the door for salvations. (Act 2:42) “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”.

According to Jesus' teachings prayer has two sides, a human side and a divine side, and He wants us to understand them both. Our side or the human side is simply the asking part, and then the divine side is the giving part from our Father. So these two halves that make up the whole part is our prayer; the asking and the receiving. You see our asking and the Fathers' answering go hand in hand with to each other. Without one there is no need for the other and vice versa; our requests on earth and our Father's reply in heaven are intended for each other. If we can believe that our Father has made sufficient provision for our needs as His children, then how can we not also believe that He will surely give us all the good gifts according to His promise?

Look again at what Jesus teaches us; we must come to Him day by day in order to receive the bread of life to maintain us in this world today. It is His will that day by day; not week by week or month by month; but day by day He wants to do for us what we ask from Him in simple faith.

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With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!