Does God answer prayers? In a word, Yes. You can bet the farm on it.

Many often struggle with this, because they have difficulty believing it. Sometimes that is because, of course, God's answer is no. Let's just get that out of the way from the start so we can look a bit further.

Sometimes it is because we ask amiss. Obviously one must pray in harmony to God's will and not just our own. When someone is sick, it is my will that they get better, but that does not mean it is God's will. Better to pray that they be encouraged, and that I get busy being the one who is the encourager. Nothing wrong with asking for things according to our will as far as I can tell unless it is sinful, but we cannot lay blame to God if we do not receive it. A child may ask for a cookie in my house, I would have no problem with that, but if it is not an appropriate time they will not get it. The asking is fine, but my will prevails.

Also we may confuse consequence with God not answering prayer. My father used to say young people often "sow their wild oats, then pray for crop failure." When we get ourselves into a fix and then ask God to get us out of it, it is unfair to say God is not answering our prayers when we, due to our own choices, are left taking our lumps. David got a girl pregnant and nowhere does he pray for God to undo that - it doesn't even seem to cross his mind. Oh he lies, and even murders, but he doesn't ask God to undo the consequence of what he has done. When we commit sin or bring trouble on ourselves, I hope we pray for mercy, I think we should, but we must still be ready to accept the results of our (poor) decisions without claiming that God doesn't answer prayers.

Today I put scriptures on the front from Peter. Read them! Peter writes a LOT about our expectations as to Christian living, and I love him for it. Over and over he mentions we WILL suffer for Christ's sake. Those who do are still held to a high standard before God, regardless of how the world may treat them. The passage screams at us that unless we show mercy and love to our mates, and others, we have no right to expect it applied to us from God. When we are without pity, or act proud, we are going to reap in kind. Deserving or not, we will suffer - expect it. We will be persecuted - expect it. Can we pray about it? Sure - but understand that God's will is also that we are given the opportunity to be tried for his sake, because in doing so we are able to reach others by showing our humbleness and faithfulness. We may ask a burden be lifted, yet we are expected to live by his will and not our own. Doesn't that ring familiar? Aren't you glad Jesus wasn't selfish in demanding his will over Gods? Would you prefer God "answered" his prayer, and so all perish as we deserve? Do you think God didn't care about Christ?

Shall we suffer in faith and glorify him? Or is it all about us?

Randy