It has been said that when the gods are angry with us, they answer our prayers. Some Greek philosophers taught to only pray for good things because we don't know what good things are! Many a preacher has done an exposition on unanswered prayer or when God says "no." Remember that He said "no" to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, so He certainly can do so to us. Jesus does sympathize with our plight or dilemma. Usually, they say that God is just telling us to wait, or that He has something better; a negative reply is for our own good.
God also says "yes" to our prayers when He is really saying, "Okay, have it your way." As they say, "Be careful what you pray for; you may get it! He alone knows what is best for us and is always interested in our welfare and works on our behalf, whether we want it or not. Some of the ancient Greeks would only pray for good things because they didn't know what good things were, and they left the option open to God. Just like wondering why God says "no," we should also wonder why He says "yes," just the same. Are we praying, "Thy will be done?"
Some people get all they want and still aren't happy. God has His glory in mind front and center: We should always respond, "Why me Lord?" Living hell has been described as the place where everyone gets what they want--and have no capacity to enjoy it. I've heard of millionaires who have everything to live on and nothing to live for.
Some brethren believe God gives us a carte blanche or a blank check to get from God what we want as long as we abide by the right formula. God isn't a genie or a vending machine! Prayer is not to get our way, but to tap into God's will and get done through us. "I venture not to speak of but what Christ has accomplished through me" (Rom. 15:18). Psalm 106:15 says, "He gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them." Another translation renders it: "He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls." Think of the parable of the prodigal son who got what he wanted only to finally come to an end of himself and return to God in repentance. God is really teaching Israel a lesson to trust in Providence.
We should always pray for God's will to be done, not ours; believe me, we would mess up our lives if we always got our way--"Father knows best." The best prayer we can pray is simply: "Thy will be done!" Even Jesus had to struggle whether He'd submit to the Father's plan or not. I am an example of a person who usually got his own way and now realizes the wisdom of God despite myself. We need to thank God, that in His wisdom, He denies some of our requests and we cannot boastfully say, "I did it my way." Soli Deo Gloria!
God also says "yes" to our prayers when He is really saying, "Okay, have it your way." As they say, "Be careful what you pray for; you may get it! He alone knows what is best for us and is always interested in our welfare and works on our behalf, whether we want it or not. Some of the ancient Greeks would only pray for good things because they didn't know what good things were, and they left the option open to God. Just like wondering why God says "no," we should also wonder why He says "yes," just the same. Are we praying, "Thy will be done?"
Some people get all they want and still aren't happy. God has His glory in mind front and center: We should always respond, "Why me Lord?" Living hell has been described as the place where everyone gets what they want--and have no capacity to enjoy it. I've heard of millionaires who have everything to live on and nothing to live for.
Some brethren believe God gives us a carte blanche or a blank check to get from God what we want as long as we abide by the right formula. God isn't a genie or a vending machine! Prayer is not to get our way, but to tap into God's will and get done through us. "I venture not to speak of but what Christ has accomplished through me" (Rom. 15:18). Psalm 106:15 says, "He gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them." Another translation renders it: "He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls." Think of the parable of the prodigal son who got what he wanted only to finally come to an end of himself and return to God in repentance. God is really teaching Israel a lesson to trust in Providence.
We should always pray for God's will to be done, not ours; believe me, we would mess up our lives if we always got our way--"Father knows best." The best prayer we can pray is simply: "Thy will be done!" Even Jesus had to struggle whether He'd submit to the Father's plan or not. I am an example of a person who usually got his own way and now realizes the wisdom of God despite myself. We need to thank God, that in His wisdom, He denies some of our requests and we cannot boastfully say, "I did it my way." Soli Deo Gloria!
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