Musing - How to get prayers answered?

Hebraic Musing - How to get prayers answered?

Who doesn’t want his/her prayers answered?  Silly question!   Does God the Father want to talk to His children?  Naturally!  And when a child wants something, they know to go to Daddy, or Mommy.

Jesus made some amazing red letter promises in Scripture:

 “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:13-14  NIV

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”  Jesus did add a qualifier we sometimes overlook --  “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:24-25

Too often these references are interpreted to be just like a blank check that Jesus has signed.  The Father is the one who is to answer our prayers.  Hmm… I don’t think a child should ask his father to buy him a new bike after the child just deliberately broke a neighbor’s window!?!   Proverbs 28:9 addressed that issue.  “If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.” And the word “Law” is “Torah” in the Hebrew, which could be called Father God’s guide to a joyful life.  How generous will a father be if the child is not willing to follow the house rules?  Or, if the child will not even try to understand the rules?   

Jesus taught us to pray “Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  How many prayers have you heard requesting selfish, personal desires, but not necessarily kingdom of heaven desires?  Let’s not abuse God’s generosity.  After all, good parents try not to spoil their children.

This is not a complete study on the topic of prayer; just some things to think about, to ponder.

Points to ponder

Before praying, should we ask whether the request aligns with God’s will?

How important is it that we read, study and know the Torah,
God’s guideline for His family’s good life?

Does Jesus sometimes want to say “Just talk to me”?

 Shalom

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                   August 30, 2016

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage” “Musings - A Victorious Life”  “Musings - The Torah and New Testament”
Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      www.InsightsByYosef.com

Note - Inspired by Ron Cantor’s “The Secret to Seeing your Prayers Answered” Aug. 9,2016