18 THE LORD is CLOSE to all who CALL on HIM, YES, TO all who CALL on Him in TRUTH [sincerely].
19 HE GRANTS THE DESIRES OF THOSE WHO FEAR HIM; He HEARS their CRIES for HELP and RESCUES THEM.
20 THE LORD PROTECTS all those WHO LOVE HIM, But He destroys the wicked."
Psalm 145:18,19 (NLT)
• God is close to those who call on Him, in truth.
- It is not enough to call on God in prayers, but the calling had to be in truth. The Truth in the passage talks about sincerity, a genuine and an open Heart.
- It is the prayers of those who call sincerely, those who called in Truth, that God granted.
- And God would bring to fulfilment the godly desires of those who fear Him (John 14:13; 15:7; 16:23).
- What are your desires? Whatever desire that is not in line with God's Word would not be fulfilled: "IF YOU ABIDE IN ME [Jesus], And MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, YOU WILL ASK WHAT YOU DESIRE, AND IT SHALL BE DONE FOR YOU" (John 15:7 NKJV).
- The conditions through which a believer's prayers would be answered are premised on:
a. The person, the Believer, must abide in Christ,
b. And His Word, Jesus' Word, should abide in the person. - It is when the conditions are met that the prayers of such a believer can be a result oriented one.
- Someone can pick the passage of the Bible and say, since Jesus said whatever one desires, It shall be done for him or her.
- But the desire must be the right one. And the only way through which your desire could be right is when you have the Word of God in you. It says: "IF YOU ABIDE IN ME, [Jesus Christ], And MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU . . . "
- The presence or the abiding of the Word of Christ, God, in you; gives you a right desire. It would be difficult for someone, who's heart is not filled with the Word of God, to have good desires.
- The Word of God is the light in the path of believers (Psalm 119:105). Someone who does not take time to feed on the Word of God would not know what He, God, wants and what He does not want.
- Through the knowledge of the Word of God, you get to know the likes and the dislikes of God. You would know the prayers that God would consider for answering, and the ones He would not.
- This knowledge of the Word would help you in praying aright, and not amiss (James 4:3); And that would save you from dissipating your energy or strength on things which you would never receive an answer on.
- There are prayers God would never answer, especially those that are contradictory to His Word.
• And most importantly, every Believer should know that God is not moved by emotions; crying and wailing, or whatever. But rather by His principles which are stated in His Word—the Bible.
- Although, some prayers could be considered for answering by God, on the platform of mercy; but answering such prayers should not be seen As God's way or pattern of answering prayers.
WHEN the person praying the prayer is ignorant of the truth, God in His infinite wisdom and mercy, might consider the plea of the person and answer; but that is not the standard. - God however would not want the person to remain in that state or level, after He has answered the prayers. He rather would want the person to grow and know what the Bible says about such a thing which he or she is praying for, and how one should pray on it—how to approach God on it, in order to receive an answer.
• Now, the issue is, because God chose to answer the person's prayer that was not in line with the Biblical principles, some or the person might want to assume, thinking that, It is a normal way to pray, and God would always answer him or her whenever they approach Him in Such a manner.
- No, God would want the person to grow up, and wise up, and know to pray in line with His Word—the Bible. APOSTLE Paul said: "It’s like this: WHEN I WAS A CHILD I SPOKE AND THOUGHT AND REASONED AS A CHILD DOES. BUT WHEN I BECAME A MAN MY THOUGHTS GREW FAR BEYOND THOSE OF MY CHILDHOOD, And NOW I HAVE PUT AWAY THE CHILDISH THINGS" (1 Corinthians 13:11 the Living Bible).
- The childish prayers you were praying when you have not had the understanding of God's Word, had to stop. God expected you to grow in your approach to Him, when you come to place or put a request before Him.
- When you had the understanding of the Word of God, there are prayers you would not bother at all to take before God, because you already know through His Word that such a prayer would not be answered by Him—God (James 4:3).
- And of course, God Himself would not expect you to bring such a request or prayer before Him, based on, or considering, the level of your growth in Him.
• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
- Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in Jesus' name.
- Hold of sicknesses is completely broken in your life in Jesus' name.
Peace.
TO BE CONTINUED
STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
- If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!