Bible Studies

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Prayer requests for oneself or intercessory prayer requests in behalf of others should always begin with the phrase, “If it be Your will… .”

We all know what WE want, and we may know what many of those for whom we make intercessory prayers for, may want, but we do NOT always know what God wants, or what is the objective that He has in mind for ourselves or for the one’s whom we make intercessory prayer requests.

There are times that our desire to help can get in God’s way.

This is in view when our “helping” provides them with a safety net to catch them when they fall. As long as the net is there, there is an available “fix” for their rebellious or irresponsible behavior. If we are not careful, we can become an enabler, facilitator, or sustainer of the very thing(s) from which the person(s) involved need to address.

One of the indicators that this is taking place is when, after providing others with such things as logistical support to get them out of their self-induced mess, is when they continue on, or quickly return to, the same sin or lifestyle that got them into trouble in the first place, making no effort to repent and or to forsake it.

I’m not talking about helping someone who fell off the wagon while trying to get his or her act together, as there may be several setbacks on the road to recovery. I am talking about supporting someone who has no desire to help himself, or herself, by making permanent change(s) for the better.

The father of the prodigal son (Luke 15) welcomed his wayward son back home with open arms, but there were still consequences (the permanent loss of his inheritance that he had already squandered away) for his actions. All that the father owned was to become the sole possession of the older son. Nor was there any indication that the father would allow any of his ungodly behaviors to continue, or to take place, as long as the returned son was going to live under his roof!

Such scenarios will put the discipleship of such a parent to the Luke 14: 26 test.

Tough love can be just as painful to the one who gives, as it is for the one who receives it. Doing the right thing can be a painful experience.

Granted, Jesus accepts everyone (at the moment of salvation) as a born-again, child of God, just as they are, at that moment. But this does not mean that He intends for us to continue to participate in ungodly activities. Born-again believers are called to conform to the likeness of Christ (Rom. 8: 29).

Salvation is never in jeopardy (Rom. 8: 1), but there is divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6) here on earth for all of God’s children, and the forfeiture of specific reward (1Cor. 3: 14) and privileges (Rev. 2/Rev. 3) in Heaven (1Cor. 3: 15) for born-again believers who commit post salvation sin. Divine discipline can range in anything from living with a guilty conscience, up to and including physical death.

Our obedience to God is an expression of the love we have for Him (John 14: 15). Our love for others is expressed in our concern for their spiritual well-being, above and beyond the issues of this life, that are here today, and will be gone tomorrow.
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When we begin our intercessory prayers with the phrase, “If it be Your will…”, we can rest assured that we are praying for the right thing. If whatever we are praying for is not in line with His will, the prayer request is withdrawn. This does not mean that we are to reduce our personal and intercessory prayer requests to generalities. We are to pray for the specific issues with which we and others are experiencing.

Acknowledging that God is aware and has a genuine interest of the “number of hairs on our heads,” that meaning the smallest details of our individual lives, is what builds the type of intimate and personal relationship that God desires to have with us.

Keep in mind, we do NOT know all the facts, but He does. We may not know what the end result of our intervention will produce, but He does. We may not know what to do (or not to do), but He does. We can make unintentional mistakes, trying to help others, but He can’t. We may have no control over what is going on, but He does.

It’s been said that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions!

There are times for us to speak and to act, and there are times to keep our big mouths shut and or to do nothing. When dealing with what WE think others NEED, pray for the discernment to know when it’s the time to say or to do something, and when it is not!

The problem with prayer requests is that we often assume to know what it is that we or others need, reflected in the nature and the content of the prayer requests that we make. What we need and what we want for ourselves and others can be two very different things. We might want to give (or receive) a hug, but what we or they need is a swift kick in the butt (Prov. 13: 24).

The hug can (and should) come later!

We seldom have all the information, and even when we do, we may be totally ignorant of what God, Who knows what the future holds, has in mind for us or for the other individuals involved.

Doing the right thing is often difficult and will take us down the path least travelled.

When doing what God would have us say or do, the advice of the late Dr. Charles Stanley comes into the picture. Stanley often taught that we are to obey God and leave the outcome in His hands.

End of Part Four

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