Devotionals

---

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures James 4:3


Surprisingly, a large number of Christians are members of the D.U.A.P. club; ‘Doubter of Unanswered Prayers. These individuals will argue God does not respond to prayers because He did not provide their desires in a reasonable time frame. There is yet another belief that prayers are instantly answered. Let me remind you God does hear all prayers however it’s only in due season and his time that he responds. Jesus clearly stated whatever you ask in my name I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:12. What’s most often omitted from this verse by believers is they are not asking in Jesus name for the desires. Furthermore, prayers are typically for your own satisfaction opposed to the Father being glorified in the Son. John also elaborates, prayers are answered because we keep God’s commandment of believing in the name of Jesus Christ and loving one another. 1 John 3:22-23.


Praying can close G.A.P.S., (which stands for God Answers Prayers Still) that so many face daily: faith building, praise, worship, and interceding for others. Prayer is empowered by reading and meditating God’s word daily. I ran across an acronym, T. R.I. P., which teaches to pray using the scriptures by asking four questions of the verse read:


THANKS: What in this verse makes me thankful?


REGRET: What in this verse causes me regret?


INTERCESSION (prayer): What does this text lead me to pray for?


PURPOSE: What action does this text encourage me to take today?


During your supplication, incorporate T.R.I.P as a way to develop your relationship and grow in faith. Otherwise you fall back into bad habits by quarreling in your mind for the desires and asking God with some doubt. He who has doubt is like waves of the sea James 1:5-8. Most assuredly, such a mind set will keep Christians confused, bitter, and angry with God. Transformation of the mind and spirit begins when you show humility and start applying the A.S.K. principle during prayer, as Jesus stated Matt 7:7: ask, and it will be given to you, seek and you will find and it will be opened. There is blessedness from answered prayers when you lift God’s name in praise, trust in him and ask, with right motives. Though weeping may endure for a season, in return God arms you with strength by turning your mourning into dancing, and depression into gladness. Never be silent, sing praise and give thanks to God so that your prayers will not fall in the GAPS again.


Tigner J. Rand

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE