Friday 16 December 2011

LORD, PLEASE MAKE PARIS THE CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES


The story is told of an 11-year-old girl who wrote an examination. In answer to the question, “What is the capital of the United States?” she answered, “Paris” (bless her heart!). On her return home, she discovered from a quick look on the Internet, that she had given the wrong answer. And not wanting to fail the examination, she decided to go to the Lord in prayer. Who wouldn’t? “Oh Lord”, she prayed, “please make Paris the capital of the United States, so I can pass my examination”.

There are many reasons why our prayers go unanswered. One reason is praying with the wrong motives. James 4:3 puts it this way, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

Another reason why prayers are not answered is asking outside of God’s will.  Listen to what the Bible says in 1 John 5:13-15 (MSG): “My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.” Wao!

There is also the problem of not praying at all! In James 4:2, the Bible tells us: “You do not have because you do not ask God.” I would have thought it would make sense to assume that if you don’t ask, you don’t get! Well, apparently not for some people. For those who haven’t been praying, perhaps you need to ask the Lord. Instead of moaning and crying and throwing a pity-party, why not ask the Lord?

Prayer is simply communicating with God. Like every communication, it should be a two-way thing. We speak to the Lord through the name of Jesus, and we wait for him to communicate with us. Let me let you into a little secret: To walk in victory over the devil in your everyday life, you would need to learn to pray. Prayer is crucial. Seven days or one WEEK without prayer makes one WEAK!

You’ve tried everything else. Now try prayer. But please be sure to do it on God’s terms - In the name of Jesus, and according to His will!

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