Christian Living

PART 2 PRAYER

by james rondinone 
03/05/16
Free to Share
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

Does God hear and answer our prayers?               

●What Is The Basis Or Condition For God Hearing And Answering Prayer?

During The Age Of The Jews (From The Exodus Of The Jews From Egypt Under Moses To The Birth Of Jesus Christ)

During The Church Age (From The Day Of Pentecost To The Rapture Of The Church)                                             

CHAPTER 1

What Is The Basis Or Condition For God Hearing And Answering Prayer?

During The Age Of The Jews (From The Exodus Of The Jews From Egypt Under Moses To The Birth Of Jesus Christ)

   Now that we believe we know what the condition is for God hearing and answering prayer let’s see if we can confirm it by looking at two individuals who prayed to God?

Saul

1 Samuel 9:27; 1 Samuel 10:6; 1 Samuel 16:14-16; 1 Samuel 17:37; 1 Samuel 18:7-9

  The first person we will look at is Saul, who became Israel’s first king.

   Why did God allow for a king to be placed over the Israelites?

   Before the children of Israel entered the land of Canaan, the land of promise, God appointed a new leader to replace Moses. This man’s name was Joshua. Under his guidance they crossed over the Jordan River into this new land. While there they set out to conquer its inhabitants. After Joshua died the leadership changed. The Jews had no distinct ruler over the twelve tribes. When they would disobey God over time they would find themselves in subjection to one of their enemies. So God after hearing their cry would raise up a person to be in  charge over them, who was otherwise known as a judge. The judge would receive instructions from God as to how to secure Israel’s freedom. This period of time would be known as the period of the Judges, which lasted for over 400 years.

   Israel decided that they no longer wanted a judge to rule over them. Apparently both of the sons of one of the judges, whose name was Samuel, were considered corrupt. So this is what prompted them to ask God for a different form of leadership to be placed over them. God consented to their demands and chose a man named Saul to be their first king.

   God spoke to the prophet/judge Samuel and told him that on the following day to look out by the city gate for a man from the land of Benjamin. On the following day Saul comes to the gate of a city in the land of Zuph where Samuel was waiting. God spoke to Samuel and told him that this was the man, who will be Israel’s next king. Samuel proceeded to declare unto him the word of the Lord, and after which anointed him with oil. He then told him to go to a certain place, where he will meet up with a company of prophets. So Saul did as he was directed. It would be at this time, when the Spirit of God would come upon him. 

And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God. (1 Samuel 9:27)

And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. (1 Samuel 10:6)

   During King Saul’s reign the Israelites gained victories over many of their foes. However, Saul at times would disobey the divine instructions that were relayed to him via the prophet/judge Samuel. In one instance he was commanded to destroy all the people and animals of one of Israel’s enemies known as the Amalekites including their king Agag. Rather than doing exactly as God said, he spared not only their king but also the best of the cattle. This disobedience continued to be evidenced by him. Eventually he was approached by Samuel and told that God had rejected him from being king. Samuel would receive a glimpse from God as to who the next king would be. He was instructed to visit the sons of a man named Jesse and it was revealed to him that the youngest son whose name was David would be the next king. As Saul continued to do things his own way God eventually caused the on-resting Spirit to depart from him and instead gave him an evil spirit. Saul would never be the same again.

But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. (1 Samuel 16:14-16)

   Saul would meet the person who unbeknownst to him would become the next king of Israel in an unusual set of circumstances. At this time the Israelites and their enemy the Philistines were ready to engage in battle. Goliath, a champion of the Philistines, decided to come forward from the ranks and challenge Israel to send one of their men out before him in a fight to the death match. However, neither the king nor any one of his men would reply. David in the meantime had just shown up having been sent by his father to bring food provisions for his elder brothers who were enlisted in Saul’s army. While there he heard Goliath’s challenge and comes before the king letting him know that he will fight him. Saul tries to discourage him by mentioning that he has no experience in military matters. But David replied and said that yes he has experience as evidenced by the lion and bear which he killed by means of the deliverance of the Lord.

David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee. (1 Samuel 17:37)

   Saul upon hearing this allowed him to confront the giant. David approached him and by using a sling shot hits him right in the middle of his forehead with a small stone. Goliath becomes unconscious and falls down. David takes Goliaths sword and finishes the job. Because of this victory David receives admiration from the Jewish people. Saul upon hearing that the people praised David more highly than himself became jealous of him, which caused him to entertain the idea that David might have aspirations to usurp the throne.

And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. (1 Samuel 18:7-9)

   This poisonous mindset caused Saul to eventually try to take David’s life on numerous occasions. Eventually, David was appointed by Saul to be captain over 1000 men of war, which allowed him to be away from his presence. As time goes by David becomes a friend to one of Saul’s sons, named Jonathon. He told him about his father’s attempts to kill him and asked him if he could try to find out why this has been the case. During this time one of Saul’s daughters has aspiration to marry David. So Saul upon hearing this used it as another opportunity to slay David. David and Saul’s daughter Michal marry, however, a short time after she became aware of a plot by her father to have her husband killed. After she informs him, he flees.

   Saul learning of David’s departure takes with him his army and decides to hunt him down. On a couple of occasions he came very close to carrying out his directive. Likewise, David on the other hand had opportunities to kill him, but chose not to. Eventually Saul realized that David had no aspiration to usurp the throne. He admits to him that he was wrong in pursuing after him. David not being sure if his confession was truthful decides to leave the land of Israel and enter into the land of the Philistines.

   It was at this time that Saul would find himself in a situation where he desperately needed to hear from God in prayer. Surely God would answer the king and provide deliverance. Another battle between Israel and the Philistines was about to take place. Saul was concerned that this battle might not go his way so he decided to seek guidance by means of the Urim and Thummim. Many believe that the Urim and Thummim were two stones which were contained on the inside of the breastplate, on a piece of beautifully embroidered fabric, that hung on the high priest’s chest. On the breastplate itself it is believed were contained twelve beautiful jewels arranged in four rows, each stone representing one of the tribes of Israel². Some thought that if the high priest was approached by the king for an answer to a question that God would convey his answer by means of illuminating one of these stones.

   What was God’s answer to Saul’s prayer (request) in regard to the outcome of the battle, nothing? God chose not to answer him by this or any other means (e.g dreams, prophets, etc.).

And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams nor by Urim, nor by prophets. (1 Samuel 28:6)

   Did God hear and answer Saul’s prayer, no?

   Why not, because Saul was no longer in fellowship with him? Saul was only looking out for himself. He had no desire to repent of his ways. So God left him up to his own doing.

   I want you to take a look at one more person, who was also a king that made some decisions, which were contrary to God’s word. Like Saul he would eventually find himself in a place where his very life was at stake. He decided to pray (make request) to the Lord. Did the Lord hear and answer his prayer? Let’s find out.

King Hezekiah

Suggested Reading: 2 Kings 18:1 -19:37

   The next person we will look at is King Hezekiah, who reigned over the two tribes of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Why was he king of only two tribes? After the reign of three successive kings (e.g. Saul, David, and Solomon), the nation of Israel became split. Ten tribes cooperated together and formed what was known as the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The remaining 2 tribes formed a kingdom, which was known as the Southern Kingdom of Judah, which had a priesthood and temple at Jerusalem. Eventually, the Northern Kingdom would go into captivity by Assyria never to reunite again. Years later the Southern Kingdom would also go into captivity by the Babylonians. Cyrus the Great of Persia would be used by God to overthrow the Babylonians and set the Jews free thus allowing them to return to their homeland.

   The scriptures are not clear as to when God made himself known to King Hezekiah. But what we do know is that he faithfully adhered to keeping his commandments. This is a clear indication that he communed (fellowshipped) with God.

He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the Lord, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses. And the Lord was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not. (2 Kings 18:5-7)

   At age 25, he became the new king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. His father, Ahaz, had defiled the temple and finally closed its doors, thus prohibiting the Levitical ministry of the Mosaic Law from being exercised. The temple worship was at the heart of the Jewish nation, and if that was wrong, everything else would be wrong³. On the very first day of his reign as king, Hezekiah commanded the priests to clean the temple inside and out, removing all of the remnants of idol worship. It took 16 days to complete the work. Also at this time, he commanded that all of the high places, the places of pagan worship, be destroyed. As the worship of Jehovah was reinstituted the nation experienced agricultural prosperity. 

   It is abundantly clear that Hezekiah loved the Lord. But this didn’t mean that every decision of his was made in accordance with God’s commands. One of his decisions, which God clearly said in his word to not engage in, came back and caused him trouble. In the 14^th year of his reign, the army of King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded the territory of Judah and was heading toward its capital, Jerusalem to inflict punishment unless Hezekiah changed his mind in regard to a particular practice. Apparently, he had continued to engage in providing tribute money to Assyria, as had the previous kings of Judah before him. He decided at this time to no longer provide tribute. Being aware that a war with Assyria was eminent unless he changed his mind, he decided to do just that. It appears that he was torn over this decision. Here he was encouraging the people to worship Yahweh and yet in this very area, which was prohibited under the Mosaic Law, he was allowing this practice to continue.

   Eventually, he changes his mind again and the tribute stops. This precipitated the Assyrian army to come back to Jerusalem with warnings of dire consequences if the tribute was not reinstituted. A messenger of the Assyrians named Rab-shakeh was sent to speak to a man named Eliakim, who was over the household of the king. He was told by Rab-shakeh that if the tribute was not forthcoming soon that not even their God could help them. After hearing this pronouncement of doom Eliakim contacts the king and tells him this message.

   Instead of changing his mind again the king decided to do something entirely different. He goes into the temple of God and abides there. While there he sends men to search out the prophet Isaiah and convey to him what was going on with the hope that God would give him a word in response. Almost immediately the Lord conveyed to Isaiah a response which was to tell the king to not be afraid of the words, that he heard from the Assyrians. So the messengers returned and told the king these words.

   The king of Assyria decided to flame the fire a little more. He reinforced his demands by sending messengers again to Jerusalem with a letter to be given to King Hezekiah. In this letter, he mocks Hezekiah’s God by saying, let your God not deceive you into thinking that Jerusalem will not be handed over into the hand of the king of Assyria. Hezekiah instead of reconsidering his position takes this letter

and spreads it out before him in the temple. After which he prayed to his God. His prayer consists of praising God for who He is and declaring unto Him the words of the Assyrian king. He then asked God to save him and his people not just for their sake, but so that all of the nations around will know that He is God.

   Unbeknownst to him God heard his prayer and gave the answer to the prophet Isaiah, who had His response sent back to Hezekiah. Hezekiah received assurance that the Assyrian army would not enter Jerusalem. God in his unique response sends the angel of the Lord into the Assyrian camp causing about 185000 men to be killed. The Assyrians decide to withdraw and go home to the city of Nineveh. While there King Sennacherib decided to enter into the house of Nisroch his god for worship. Little did he know that two of his sons would decide to kill him in this very place with the sword

And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said, O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth. Lord, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, Lord, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only. Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard. Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it. (2 Kings 19:14-16,19-20,32)

   Why did God hear and answer Hezekiah’s prayers on a number of occasions, when he disobeyed one of his commands?

   I think the difference between Hezekiah and Saul was that Saul habitually sinned and didn’t repent. Hezekiah was faithful to God in not only reopening the temple, but in obeying most of his commands. At some point he decided that he would not continue in the practice of paying tribute. I’m sure he repented, the evidence of which was in his change of mind toward it. I believe that God saw that his heart was after him. Yes he made a mistake, but he eventually acknowledged it, turned from it, and made the right decision in addressing it, which was to go to the temple and seek counsel. 

   I believe that the lives of these two people confirm the condition for having one’s prayers heard and answered by God. I will reiterate them here again.

   The initial basis for having one’s prayers heard and answered is the person must have believed in God, when he appeared before them or communicated with them.  

   Secondly, we can assume that at some point in this person’s life they received the on-resting Spirit.

   Third, they trusted in what God said, hid it away in their heart, and obeyed it. We can add to this by saying that God provided direction as He did for those who lived during the Age of the Gentiles. However, He provided for the Jews clear instructions as to how they were to live as contained in what is called the Mosaic Law. This Law can be divided up into four sections each of which can be denoted by one word. Here are the four words and the sections of the Law which pertain to each.

~ Statutes - [the Spiritual Code-the ordinances of the Law (e.g. the Tabernacle, the Holy Days, the Offerings, the High Priest, The Meat Offering, the Trespass Offering, the Levites, etc. Exodus 26-31; 35-40; Leviticus 1-24)]

~ Commandments - the Moral Code which included not only the 10 commandments called the Decalogue (e.g honor thy father and thy mother…Exodus 20:12-17) but more than 100 other commandments (e.g. thou shalt have no other gods before me; the Sabbath,…thou shalt not do any work…Exodus 20:12-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Deuteronomy 12)

~ Judgments - (the Social Code which are the laws belonging to civil government. (e.g. dietary, marriage, military, conservation, etc. along with the related consequences (punishment) Deuteronomy 14-28).

~ Testimonies - the laws directing the commemoration of certain events (e.g. Seventh year Sabbath rest; the 50^th year, the year of Jubilee; the ordinance of the Passover; the feast of unleavened bread; etc. Exodus 12:43-50; Numbers 28: 16-25; Deuteronomy 25-26).

   The king or person who appropriated, reflected upon, and obeyed the Law were said to have communion (fellowship) with God.

   So with this said, my next question for you to consider is this.

   What is the basis or condition, which will cause God to hear and answer the prayers of those, who are New Testament believers?

   You might say, that’s easy, the condition is the same as for the Old Testament saints.

   Believe in God, receive the Spirit, and do what God says.

   This sounds right, right? The only way to know if this is right is to present scriptural information that pertains to the three components of this condition. In the next section we will take a look at the Church Age, which is the age in which we as believers live, and determine what the condition is that will cause God to hear and answer our prayers.

During The Church Age (From The Day Of Pentecost To The Rapture Of The Church)

   The Church Age, the age in which we currently live began on the day of Pentecost. On this day the indwelling or baptism of the Holy Spirit was poured out on 120 disciples who were waiting for the promise of the Spirit at Jerusalem. Jesus, while he was alive on the earth, spoke of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in John 7:36-39.

What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come? In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

   The pre-requisite for receiving the Holy Spirit was different for those living in the Church Age. It was not believing in God as he was revealed as in the Old Testament, but it involved repenting (acknowledge one’s sins) and believing in one of the members of the trinity, Jesus Christ, who came to earth in the form of a man, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross as a substitute of mankind paying the debt of sin owed to God the Father, rose again after three days, and ascended into heaven.

   Those who repented and believed in him, following the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, would receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. By means of the Spirit a believer would have direct access to God the Father.

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 2:18)

   So just like the Old Testament saint the first two components of the condition which cause God to hear and answer our prayers is in place.

   ~ Repent (acknowledge one’s sins) to God the Father and believe in his son Jesus Christ.

   ~ Receive the indwelling Holy Spirit.

   Here is where it gets tricky. The third component of this condition in regards to the Old Testament saint involved trusting in what God said, hiding it away in their heart, and obeying it. A person who operated in this manner would be said to be in communion with God. But for the New Testament saint this idea of communion with God (the Father) is described in a different manner.

   Before I describe to you what this is about, I would guess that for many who attend church if they were asked what would be the third component of the condition that would allow our prayers to be heard and answered by God they would say that it would be to not commit overt sins (e.g. lying, cheating, adultery, extortion, homosexuality, lesbianism, drunkenness, etc.). I would agree that we as Christians should not be practicing these sins. However, is this the manner in which communion (fellowship) with God would be attained?

    In order for the New Testament saint to have communion (fellowship) with God the scriptures indicate that there are three pre-requisites concerning this.

   The first one is found in 1 John. 

If we confess:

1 John 1:9

   Sin is no longer confined to committing an overt act against a fellow Jew as in the Old Testament, but now it also has to do with what we think, our mental attitude. When we sin in any area, we should confess by admitting oneself guilty to God the Father, who will forgive (remission of the punishment in time; restore fellowship with Him) us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

   The second pre-requisite is also found in 1 John.

Keeping his word:

1 John 2:5

   The initial idea that might come to your mind when I say that you must keep God’s word is that this must mean that you must not commit verbal or overt sins according to a commandment as in the Old Testament. The word “keepeth” means to continually keep on keeping or giving watchful care to the word. In what sense?

But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected:hereby know we that we are in him.

   We should be giving watchful care to the word as it provides for us:

   An awareness of not only who we are, but of all of the spiritual realities which have taken place in our lives at salvation. Some of these spiritual realities are as follows.

● We are quickened by the Holy Spirit.

This means that by the power of the Holy Spirit we have been spiritually resurrected or another way of saying this is we have been made spiritually alive with Christ. 

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:4-5)

● Our old man is crucified with Christ.

Our old man refers to the sinful and corrupt nature that has been crucified with Christ on the cross through our identification with Him. The body, which has belonged to or has been ruled by the power of sin, may now cease to be an instrument of sin and no longer be subject to its control.

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6)

●We are sealed with the Holy Spirit, the seal signifying:

When the Holy Spirit comes into our life He is the seal (a stamp of ownership) indicating to God who is His. A seal can also refer to a down payment in the sense of having tasted the Spirit we have begun to taste the life of the future world that God had promised⁴us.

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)

●We are baptized into one body.

By the agency of the Holy Spiriteach of us has been suited to our appropriate place by means of the endowments (gifts) of the Spirit to constitute the body of Christ-the church.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

●We have been made an heir through God.

We are no longer to be treated as servants, being bound by the oppression of the Mosaic Law, but as sons - members of God’s family. And because we are sons, we are also heirs as those who: possess God himself, partake of His nature, possess every blessing to which we are entitled.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Galatians 4:6-7)

●We are given eternal life.

Eternal life is the quality of life one experiences when God rules his life. This can also be called the Zoe life. It is also conceived of as life that never ends, because it comes from God⁵.

And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (John 5:11)

●We are seated together with Christ in heavenly places. 

God the Father has raised us up from spiritual death to spiritual life — from a death to sin to a life of righteousness, being made alive and raised spiritually with Christ. He has also caused our spiritual position to be in heavenly places in Christ, who is seated at the right hand of the Father as our Head and Representative. We are admitted to exalted honors in virtue of our connection with Him. Even now our life and thoughts are raised to the heaven lies where He reigns⁶.

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6)                                                                                    

●We are God’s handiwork.

For we are God the Father’s workmanship (denotes a work of art or masterpiece; spiritual handiwork), being made a new spiritual creature in which there is a moral and spiritual renewal for good deeds, which God has prepared beforehand a path of good works that He will perform in and through us as we choose to walk by faith.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10)

●We are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God.

Whether Jew or Gentile we are members of the same family of God, being entitled to the same privileges, and regarded by Him as His children.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19)

●We are complete in Him.

This completeness includes the furnishing of men with all that is required for their present (i.e. to be richly furnished with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit⁷) salvation.

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10)

●We are sanctified.

The will of God, which was for the sanctification of men, was accomplished through Jesus atonement for sins on the cross. When we believed in Christ we were placed in a sanctified state meaning that we are in a permanent and continuous state of salvation into which we are brought and in which we live.

… Jesus… For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren (Hebrews 2:9,11)

●We are known by the Lord.

We are marked by God so as to be recognized by Him as His; and this mark also serves as a perpetual reminder to us that they are not our own⁸. The mark or impression serves to identify what is sealed, together with its owner,

and to specify its purpose or function.

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)     

●We are reconciled to God the Father.                                                                

For the unbeliever this reconciliation refers to a changed relationship between God and a lost world. The means of reconciliation is Jesus Christ, who was given as a propitiation for the sins of the world, which removed the rebellious and sinful man’s enmity toward God, thus satisfying His justice.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, … (Romans 5:10)

For the one who repents and believes. Jesus has made it consistent for God to pardon. He has made atonement so that God can be just while he justifies the sinner, who repents and believes in his Son. And on the part of man, He, Jesus, by the agency of His Spirit, overcomes the unwillingness of the sinner to be reconciled, humbles his pride, shows him his sin, changes his heart, subdues his enmity against God, and secures in fact a harmony of feeling and purpose between God and man, so that they shall be reconciled forever⁹.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18)

●We are translated into the kingdom of His Son.

God the Father rescues us from the dominion (the spiritual power by which mankind is held) of darkness and places us in the kingdom of his Son.   

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Colossians 1:13)

   A divine perspective concerning those areas of weakness (e.g. jealousy, fear, anxiety, sexual lust, covetousness, hate, …etc.) which inhibit us.

Renewal of the mind:

Suggested Reading: Romans 12:1-2

   We are to yield ourselves as those who are alive from the dead, appearing as new persons with new habits by means of a complete change for the better of our mental processes (the changing into new views and feelings that results in the restoration of the divine image) so that we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.

   God transforms our minds and makes us spiritually minded by using His Word. As you spend time meditating on God's Word, memorizing it, and making it a part of your inner man, God will gradually make your mind more spiritual. If the world controls your thinking, you are a conformer, if God controls your thinking, you are a transformer¹⁰.

   Let’s say we have a weakness in regards to being jealous. The word jealous means to have a feeling of resentment against someone because of that person's rivalry, success, or advantages¹¹. How can we overcome this? We can overcome this by finding out how God would have us to think in this regard? A verse that provides us with the divine perspective in this area of weakness is found in the book of Hebrews. It says that we are to be content (depending on God’s providence; happy; satisfied) with what God has given us. We should memorize and meditate upon this verse so that when a situation arises where jealous thoughts try to creep in we can apply these thoughts in their stead.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)

   As we appropriate and reflect on them throughout our day an amazing thing happens, which causes us to have communion with God.

   What is that you ask?

   The Holy Spirit fills us with himself. What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?

Be filled with the Spirit:

Ephesians 5:18

   To be filled with the Spirit means that the Spirit fills us with himself so that we can express the nature of the Spirit filled life.

…but be filled with the Spirit;

   When the Spirit fill us with himself, we are able to evidence his spiritual qualities of:

~ Love - (self-sacrifice for the benefit of the one loved).

~ Joy - (inner rejoicing which does not depend on circumstances, because it rests in God’s sovereign control of all things¹²).

~ Peace - [restoration of right relationships between people¹³; the calm, quiet, and order, which take place in the justified soul,

   instead of the doubts, fears, alarms, and dreadful forebodings¹⁴ (a strong inner feeling or notion of a future misfortune, evil¹⁵, etc)].

~ Longsuffering - (patient endurance of wrong under ill-treatment, without anger or thought of revenge.¹⁶)

~ Gentleness - (unruffled disposition, to treat all with politeness, makes others around us as happy as possible).

~ Goodness - (gracious giving, no strings attached).

~ Faith - (faithful to one’s word and promises; faithful to God’s promises).

~ Meekness - (humility; submissiveness of spirit to God and man).

~ Temperance - (being able to say no to one’s own desires; mastery of one’s own desires and impulses).

   So now you know what the components of the condition are for God hearing and answering our prayers. What are they? Let’s recap.

   To repent (acknowledge one’s sins) to God the Father and believe in his son Jesus Christ.

   The result of which is in the receiving of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

   To learn about what sin (mental, speech, actions) is and confess (by admitting oneself guilty) it to God the Father.

   To learn about, memorize, and meditate upon the spiritual realties which have taken place in our life at salvation.

   To learn about, memorize, and meditate upon God’s divine perspective in regards to any area of weakness.

   To be filled with the Spirit, thus evidencing His spiritual qualities to others.

   This is not to say that we shouldn’t attend to the gathering of the saints and along with what is mentioned here learn about other biblical topics (e.g. forgiveness, redemption, justification, sanctification, eternal security, etc.) which are relevant to our walk with God. But what I also want you to realize is that our spiritual life at least initially shouldn’t be characterized by doing good works. Unfortunately for many churches one’s spiritual walk is exemplified by doing good for others and volunteering to please whatever it is that the leadership of the church is asking for. What happens in this case is the emphasis is on the outer and not on the inner. Recognition comes from man and not from God. Spiritual growth should start from within, in our inner person. As we grow learning how to put off the old man and put on the new we will be walking in the spiritual qualities of the Holy Spirit whose motivation is to serve God and others. When this occurs our good works will be performed with the correct motives.

   So now that we know the condition that causes God to hear and answer our prayers, what else should we know about prayer.

   Some questions come to mind.

   How long and how often should we pray for?

   What should we pray for?

   Should Jesus be our example as we seek to answer these questions?

   Before we attempt to answer these questions I would like to leave you with a personal story on prayer, which will be presented in the next chapter.

Follow this series on-line at:

Weekly Messages: http://bit.ly/1N9SHdX

Author Page: http://on.fb.me/1Q0MJ3w 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.rondinone

Website: http://www.makingtheonerightchoice.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamesrondinone/media