LEARNING DAILY

John 14:13-14, Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

What happens when you know Jesus answers prayers but doesn’t, even when you ask in his name? That is the question Jonathon Moore, Lead Pastor at NorthRock Church answered this week in his message. It is important to write what he began with. “Life is not about you. God does not exist to serve you; you exist to serve Him. Getting God to do your will is not a matter of trying to manipulate Him to do what you want. But getting to know Him as well as possible can get you to know His will and then pray it.” Too many times, the Scripture above (and other Scriptures about God answering prayer) is taken alone and made into a theological doctrine. No, read and study the entire Word of God to show yourself approved and to know correctly what it says.

Pastor Moore gave four reasons why God might not have answered your payer. First, he said, “You may have a broken relationship.” In Mark 11:25, one is praying and the Lord said that if you are praying but have something against you, forgive that person so God will forgive you (PM). Pastor also used Matthew 5:23-24 to tell the importance of being reconciled to others for prayer to not be hindered. I Peter 3:7 is a reminder that “when one mistreats those closest to us, prayer could also be hindered” (JM).

The second possibility for why God did not answer your prayer according to Pastor Moore is, “Maybe you have wrong motives.” Is the reason for your prayer selfish motives – to build yourself up to others, to be seen by as others (like the Pharisees in the Old Testament)? In Matthew 5, Jesus called those who prayed to be seen and prayed using “vain repetitions” hypocrites. Prayer is to be done in a “secret place; and your heavenly Father will reward you openly” (Matthew 5:6). “Jesus did not condemn public prayer but prayer that was self-serving” (David Jeremiah Study Bible).

“Maybe you do not believe God ‘will’ do it.” This is not a reflection of whether God “can” do it but a question of “if” He will do it. In Mark, Jesus dealt with this idea when a father comes to Him and states “If, You can do anything….” The father did not have great faith; he may have heard of miracles Jesus had done but he did not know what Jesus would do for him. That may be where many Believers are today. They know Jesus can do anything, but they are not sure He will for them. So, they struggle with whether God “will” answer their prayer. Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Jesus said to the father, “Everything is possible for those who believe.” The father’s answer is one every Believer needs to speak to God, “I do believe – help my unbelief!”

The last point, “Maybe God has something better for you!” “God knows better what you need more than you do” (PM). 1 John 5:14-15 tells us God hears our prayers, but they must align with His will. “He may have something different for you than you are praying. God’s grace is all you need (2 Corinthians 12:9).

“God’s power works best when we are at our weakest. When we do not get what you want or need, His power is still with us. He wants to set you free on the inside to deal with what we are dealing with on the outside. Persevere, develop greater faith in the face of tough situations. Remind yourself that you are not in control; you need to get closer to the One who is.” (Pastor Moore).

That is great advice!