THE SECRET OF ANSWERED PRAYER

THE SECRET OF ANSWERED PRAYER

By Pastor William "Mark" Bristow

When people see God give definite answers to prayer they will ask, "Pray for me, too." Then will come a question, " How did you pray?" When I walk through the Christian Bookstore, I see hundreds of variations of book titles with the subject of "HOW I DID IT!" When it comes to prayer, those titles are bestsellers. Everybody wants to know how this thing of prayer works. I'm going to give you, perhaps the only formula given in the Word of God. I usually do not believe in formulas when it comes to the things of God, because God is a person. He is not some "thing" I can manipulate by laws or rituals, or that I can "use" by correctly performing certain formulas.

However, in Luke Chapter 11, I find a clear formula for answered prayer. Remember, this example was to the disciples before the cross, before we could boldly enter the throne room and ask God for whatever we have need of (Hebrews 4:16). So, for our purpose today, this is an example of "how" to pray, not of "what" to pray.

Here in Luke, Jesus tells the story of a man who goes to his neighbor's house and bangs on the door, asking to borrow loaves of bread with which to serve unexpected guests. It's late and everyone has gone to bed. Because of the man's persistence, the neighbor finally gets up and gives him the bread just to get him to go away. Later Jesus tells the disciples, if you as men would get up and give a friend their request just to get them to stop bothering you, how much more will our heavenly Father who loves you, give us those things we have need of. In the midst of this parable comes the formula for answered prayer.

It is found in Luke 11:9-10 (KJV), "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." The Amplified Bible says, "Ask, and keep on asking, Seek and keep on seeking, knock, and keep on knocking ..."

1) Ask and keep on asking. 1 John 5:15 (KJV) "And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." Make your petitions known. Although God is still God Almighty and He is Sovereign and He can do anything He wants to do; God likes to be invited. I remember a Government class in High School. A discussion came up as to whether or not God intervenes in the affairs of men and governments today. I was known as "the preacher" then, so the question came round to me. I knew it was coming and sent up a short prayer for wisdom. "Mark, you're the preacher here. What do you think? Does God intervene in individual lives today?" My answer was, "If I let Him." Oh sure, God is still in control of the beginning and the end. But it is clear in the Word of God, as individuals, you and I have a choice. James 4:2 (KJV) "...yet ye have not, because ye ask not." God becomes involved when we ASK!

2) Seek and keep on seeking. What should we seek? Luke 12:29 & 31 (KJV) "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. (31) But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." Seek God. So many people seek what they have asked for. I remember a girl out of the children's story, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." Her name was Verruca. All she ever said was, "I WANT IT AND I WANT IT NOW, DADDY! IF I DON'T GET IT I'LL SCREAM!!!" Lots of people pray that way. Let me ask you a question. Would you give your 13 year old the keys to the car because he wants it? Of course not! Sometimes we demand things in prayer, when a loving God knows it's not time yet, or He knows a better answer. We must seek HIM and be yielded to HIS will and HIS way. After all, He loved us enough to give His only son to die for our sins, therefore, He will not deny us any good thing that is best for us.

3) Knock and keep on knocking. So many Christians will ask. They will seek God, but then they just sit there and wait for the answer to fall out of the sky. You'll never get a thing just sitting there! Get up and do what you know to do! Then God will answer! Let me give you an example of what I mean. People will pray for a job, some will even seek the will and purpose of God. Then, they sit down and wait and wait and wait and tell everyone how spiritual they are in living by faith, (when in truth they are usually freeloading off family and friends). Get up! Knock on doors, send resumes and keep at it until God opens the right door! Old timers call it, "Putting feet to your prayers." Remember, "...faith without works is dead" (James 2:20b). The miraculous happens when we have done all we can. The possible is up to us. The impossible is up to God. There it is: ask, seek, knock. One without the other two and the formula will not work. "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (Matt. 19:26b). When you ask God's help, and you seek His will and way, and then get up and do what you know to do -- you and God together are an unbeatable combination!

William "Mark" Bristow and his wife, Lisa pastor a church in Monahans, Texas called Grace Fellowship. He is an anointed servant of God who is blessed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in his ministry. He is also multi-talented in a music ministry of leading in praise and worship vocally as well as on the organ and piano. He can be contacted via email at: grace@ultravision.net