God’s Promises
“All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew. 21:22.
We are to “ask in faith, nothing wavering.” James 1:6. Why is it that people ask God for something, and wonder if he will give it to them? Unless we ask in faith, nothing wavering, we shall receive nothing from the Lord. Faith is childlike simplicity, confidence in God. Faith comes into the heart through obedience to the Word of God.
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16. God is delighted to hear the prayer of the righteous. How we thank God that the old-time Gospel really puts us in touch with God, on intimate terms with the Lord. Many know Him afar off; but God is pleased to dwell with His people, and they can walk with Him in these days, as His people walked with Him in the days gone by. When our lives are pleasing to God, He will meet with us and help us in our daily affairs. God answers the prayer of His people. Look to Him in faith, believing. “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Heb. 11:6. That is one of His promises. Another is, “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11. Let us not be weak in faith and doubt whether God will hear our prayer, but say, “I know my prayer has gone through, and God will work out according to that which is well pleasing in His sight.”
Sometimes the Lord does not answer the first prayer we make. We read of Elijah on Mount Carmel, praying for rain. It was seven times he prayed, and he prayed effectually and fervently. God heard the first prayer, but delay is not denial. If we are determined to get a prayer through and an answer back from Heaven, we shall get the answer, because God knows what we need. He knows our hearts and because of our “importunity” He is going to grant the desire of our heart, according to His will.
God wants people to pray in earnest. He wants our live to be such that we can pray with absolute confidence that God hears and answers prayer. There is a reason for unanswered prayers. “If our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” I John 3:21, 22. That is what the Bible says. If you are under condemnation, you have not faith to believe that God will hear and answer prayer. The faith channels are clogged. You need to get right with God.