The Secret of Answered Prayer

The Secret of Answered Prayer

As Sir Isaac Newton was walking through his orchard one day, he noticed an apple fall from a tree. Nothing so strange about that, but his scientific mind questioned, Why did it fall down instead of up? This simple incident led Newton to formulate one of nature's eternal laws, the law of gravitation. Even though this law had been in force since creation, man took thousands of years to discover and understand it.

There is another law more powerful than the law of gravitation and just as universal—the law of prayer. How strange that so few discover and understand its mighty workings and unlimited power!

When we apply the law of prayer to our own personal experience, we discover a power that can change circumstances, solve problems, and transform our lives. Jesus promised:

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."—Mark 11:24.

"Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse."—Steps to Christ.

1. IN CONTACT WITH DIVINE POWER

The universe is filled with the unlimited power of God. It is unseen, but it need not be unfelt. Through prayer heaven's power is released and God pours out blessings even beyond our capacity to receive.

"Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."—Malachi 3:10.

In a hydroelectric powerhouse, electrical engineers handle huge switches that turn on the current to light entire cities and set in motion the wheels of great factories. The power is there, but someone must pull the switch to make contact with it. With the circuit complete, the power flows unhindered.

The unlimited power of God is far greater than the power of gravity or electrical energy; these forces are but a demonstration in miniature of His eternal power. (Romans 1:20.) The universe is filled with God's power, but sin has broken man's contact with it.

Prayer may be thought of as man's way of completing the circuit so that the power of God may flow into his life and do for him what weak, helpless, sinful humanity alone can never do. Prayer is the switch that we control to make or break our communication with God.

God wants us to keep the power on, to keep it flowing constantly into our lives, performing works of grace and blessing which we ourselves could never do. The apostle Paul counsels us to keep the circuit intact, the power flowing. He says:

"Pray without ceasing."—1 Thessalonians 5:17.

How can we "pray without ceasing"? Must we be constantly on our knees? Must our lips be forever repeating set phrases of adoration or petition to God?

A soldier, reliving his combat experiences said, "At such a time everything you do is a prayer." This is the way it should be all the time—not just when we are in danger.

"There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. There is nothing that can prevent us from lifting up our hearts in the spirit of earnest prayer. In the crowds of the street, in the midst of a business engagement, we may send up a petition to God and plead for divine guidance. . . . We should have the door of the heart open continually and our invitation going up that Jesus may come and abide as a heavenly guest in the soul."—Steps to Christ, p. 99.

We should be so intimate with Jesus that it is always easy to experience His presence in our lives. Let us keep within speaking distance of Jesus, never beyond the reach of His influence.

2. WHAT IS PRAYER?

"Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend," is one definition. Prayer is communion with heaven, a two-way conversation between God and man. Prayer is the password of the humble heart as it approaches the Majesty of heaven. One of the early Christians wrote, "The empty vessel is by prayer carried to the full fountain."

Some feel they cannot pray because they do not know how to talk to God. They do not know what to say. But God listens to our hearts rather than to our lips when we pray. The words that we speak are insignificant in comparison with the feelings of our innermost selves.

"For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but THE LORD LOOKETH ON THE HEART."—1 Samuel 16:7.

A soldier who had not learned to pray before he entered battle came from that experience saying, "Men do not need to be told how to pray in the midst of battle."

Come to Jesus just as you are. If sin has broken the connection between you and God, come in prayer and complete the circuit again. The loving Father awaits the return of every prodigal son. Only come! He will receive you with open arms.

"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."—Luke 15:7.

3. HOW TO PRAY (Part 1 of 3)

When we pray in public or in private, we may wish to follow the outline of prayer given by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 6:9-13:

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

According to the pattern Jesus gave in this prayer, we are to come to God as children, addressing Him as our Father, and reverently giving Him honor. We are to pray for His will to be done in our hearts on this earth, as it is in heaven. We are to pray that Jesus will soon establish His kingdom of love on earth. We are to recognize that every good gift comes from God, and to thank Him for these blessings. We are to ask forgiveness of our sins. We are to recognize that our ability to resist sin comes from God. This model prayer concludes with adoration of the Lord to whom we pray.

Our Father is made glad when we are truly happy. His heart warms when our hearts go out to Him, expressing our love for Him.

Jesus taught us to make our requests to the Father in His name:

"Whatsoever ye shall ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME, he will give it you."—John 16:23.

Private Prayer

There are many things in our lives and on our hearts that we do not feel free to discuss with even our most intimate friends. With Jesus it is different; we can, and should, open our hearts to Him intimately and in private. He knows and understands our innermost feelings; our joys, our love for Him, our heart's longings, our weaknesses, our sins—all are open to His understanding.

3. HOW TO PRAY (Part 2 of 3)

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be TOUCHED WITH THE FEELING OF OUR INFIRMITIES; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."—Hebrews 4:15, 16.

Are you afraid? Are you worried? Then pray. Every personal problem that burdens your heart may be taken to God in private prayer. Prayer brings us within the circle of His mercy, where His grace is ours to the full extent of our need.

Must I have a secret place for private prayer?

"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."—Matthew 6:6.

Jesus here teaches us that we can best commune with God apart from others. The Master often found time to pray alone.

But secret prayer is not limited to the secret chamber. Prayer is heart talk, so we may pray without moving our lips. Let the heart's wishes be sent heavenward from the silence of the soul. You may be walking the street, working in the shop, engaged in home duties, or enjoying a social gathering; there is no place where one cannot send a heart message to the listening ear of our Father above.

Public Prayer

Public prayer should be short; the Lord's Prayer takes less than a minute to repeat. Our voices are not to be raised in unnatural tones; the name of the Creator should be spoken with subdued reverence. With a clear voice, in reverent humility, we should approach the throne of grace, remembering that we are talking to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Added blessing will come into our lives as we learn to pray in public with humble reverence. Never pray merely to impress others.

The Place of Prayer in the Home

3. HOW TO PRAY (Part 3 of 3)

The Eden home was the first church. Down through the centuries men have gathered their families together for daily prayer, a custom which has become known as "family worship." Morning and evening it is the privilege of Christian parents to gather their children for a few moments of prayer and Bible study.

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and THOU SHALT TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY UNTO THY CHILDREN, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."—Deuteronomy 6:6, 7.

Homes are happier, family relationships sweeter, love purer, when prayer surrounds husband, wife, and children. As a wall against the evils of life, prayer protects the family group.

Why not pause to pray with your loved ones? As the day begins, and again at its close, gather the family together for prayer. Let your home be included in this promise:

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."—Matthew 18:20.

Are you claiming this promise of Jesus? Are you having regular worship in your home?

4. CONDITIONS OF ANSWERED PRAYER (Part 1 of 2)

According to God's Will

Prayer in harmony with God's will is sure to be answered.

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, he heareth us."—1 John 5:14.

How can we know God's will for us? Through prayer, through study of God's Word, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, we come into harmony with God's will.

Our prayers are to be unselfish.

"Ye ask, and receive not, because YE ASK AMISS, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."—James 4:3.

Yet even though we fail to ask according to our real need, the Holy Spirit presents our need to God with inexpressible force.

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of THE SPIRIT, because he MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR THE SAINTS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD."—Romans 8:26, 27.

How reassuring to know that the Holy Spirit brings our prayers before God in the best possible way, that Jesus pleads our cause, and that our Father-God deals with us tenderly in love!

Faith

We must have confidence in the one of whom we make requests. The Bible says:

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God MUST BELIEVE that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."—Hebrews 11:6.

"Let him ASK IN FAITH, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."—James 1:6.

Does God take note of faithless prayers? A young man in trouble came to a minister and said, "I don't believe in God, but if you do, I want you to pray for me."

True, faith is a condition to answered prayer, yet our Saviour who loves us performed a miracle for the man who pled in desperation:

"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."—Mark 9:24.

Feel Our Need

Self-satisfied hearts seldom feel the need of God. He blesses those who realize their need of His power, and ask for it.

4. CONDITIONS OF ANSWERED PRAYER (Part 2 of 2)

"Blessed are they which do HUNGER AND THIRST after righteousness: for they shall be filled."—Matthew 5:6.

Turn Away From Sin

Has a fuse ever blown out in your home because of a short in the electrical circuit? Sin is the short that cuts off the power of God from our lives. Sin has short-circuited God's power, and we find ourselves in darkness, for sin is selfishness which separates us from the unselfish God.

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."—Psalm 66:18.

We hinder the answers to our prayers through disobeying God's law, by clinging to known sin.

"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination . . . He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."—Proverbs 28:9, 13.

"For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."—1 John 3:20-22.

How careful we should be to live in harmony with the Word of God! Jesus has promised to pray for those who, in love, keep His commandments.

"IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. AND I WILL PRAY THE FATHER, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever."—John 14:15, 16.

Do you want to experience answered prayer? Then surrender your life to Jesus; let Him bring it into loving obedience and complete harmony with the will of God. Let nothing separate you from His blessing and power.

5. WHAT SHALL I PRAY FOR?

We should seek forgiveness for sin. Jesus taught us to pray, "Forgive us our debts." Matthew 6:12. Sincere confession always brings forgiveness.

"IF WE CONFESS our sins, HE IS FAITHFUL and just TO FORGIVE us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."—1 John 1:9.

We should ask God for increasing faith.

"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."—Mark 9:24.

We should ask God for wisdom to know and understand His Word and His will.

"IF ANY OF YOU LACK WISDOM, LET HIM ASK OF GOD, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."—James 1:5.

We should confess complete dependence upon God for the necessities of life, and ask Him to continue to supply our needs.

"Give us this day our daily bread."—Matthew 6:11.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."—Matthew 7:7.

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: NO GOOD THING WILL HE WITHHOLD FROM THEM THAT WALK UPRIGHTLY."—Psalm 84:11.

We should pray for the sick and the sin-sick.

"And THE PRAYER OF FAITH SHALL SAVE THE SICK, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."—James 5:15.

We should pray for the blessing of the Holy Spirit. The Bible compares the gift of the Spirit to rain coming down to bless us.

"Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field."—Zechariah 10:1.

No care is too small to take to God in prayer.

"Be careful for nothing; but in EVERY THING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."—Philippians 4:6.

Remember that faith and works are twins. When we need bread, we should ask God for it. But, if we are able, He expects us to search for it or work for it. Our Father in heaven never put a premium on sanctified laziness.

6. PRAYER MEANS VICTORY

If you will make a habit of sincere prayer, your life will be very noticeably altered. Prayer stamps with its indelible marks our actions and demeanor. A tranquility of bearing, a facial and bodily repose, are observed in those whose inner lives are thus enriched.

Pray definitely; the enemy yields only what he must; he yields only what is taken. Pray persistently; the enemy yields only when he must. But he can't hold back when we steadily choose to take in Jesus' great name. Pray simply. The simpler and the quieter the praying the steadier it can be, and the steadier the praying the greater its intensity can be, the bolder and better it becomes. Pray in faith. Faith is this—looking at Him; resting in what He is and what He has done.

"If we keep the Lord ever before us, allowing our hearts to go out in thanksgiving and praise to Him, we shall have a continual freshness in our religious life. Our prayers will take the form of a conversation with God, as we would talk with a friend. He shall speak His mysteries to us personally. Often there will come to us a sweet, joyful sense of the presence of Jesus. Often our hearts will burn within us as He draws nigh to commune with us as He did with Enoch. When this is in truth the experience of the Christian, there is seen in his life a simplicity, a humility, meekness, and lowliness of heart, that show to all with whom he associates that he has been with Jesus and learned of Him."—Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 129, 130. (Italics ours.)

A man of God, in his last illness, was being visited by a fellow minister. As they talked together into the evening the sick man said, "Let's pray together."

The visiting minister asked the dying man to pray first.

The old man quietly folded his hands. "I have remembered all the way that Thou, my God, hast led me." Then he continued to pour out his heart to God.

The fellow minister, in recalling the incident, said, "I was afraid to stretch out my hand in the darkness lest I touch God."

This lesson on prayer will never be complete until you experience God's presence. Prayer places you, your life, your heart, in touch with the Divine. It is God's antidote for doubt, despair, and sin. Will you reach out and avail yourself of its power?

O my dear Father in heaven, I love Thee more than I can tell. I want to know Thee with all my heart. Help me just now to surrender myself so that I may be in constant touch with Thee. Teach me how to pray prevailing prayers, how to commune with my Saviour, to be like Him. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen.