Follow Up to Class Last Night

I don't know about you but I left class last night praising God for His steadfast love and care for me. I heard your comments, prayer requests and your heart. During my devotion reading today I came across a fitting writing that I want to share a summary of the thoughts with you. The text for the reading was taken from Psalm 62:5: "My hope comes from him."

So often we neglect to look for the answers to what we have asked. That can show a lack of sincerity or earnestness in our petitions. A farmer is never content until he reaps a harvest; a marksman observes whether or not his bullet has hit the target; and a physician examines the effect of the medicine he prescribes. Should we as Christians be any less careful regarding our labor in prayer?

God always answers our prayers when they meet certain biblical requirements: They must be prayed in faith and in accordance to God's will. It must rely on God's promise, be offered up in the name of Jesus Christ, and prayed under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

We have the example in scripture that Jesus never rejected a single petitioner who came to Him, therefore we can believe that no prayer offered in His name will be in vain.

Just like a seed underground in winter cannot be seen and may seem hidden and dead, it is nevertheless taking root for later in spring and harvest.

Delayed answers to our prayers and the apparent denial of our request can and should be opportunities for us to honor God as we bear witness to our faith and confidence in Him.

Do not give up! Never cease in your prayers. Be as Epaphras, wrestle in prayer..., so that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured....Col. 4:12

I will be gone for a couple of weeks so I will not be with you in body but certainly I will be thinking of you. Thank you for your participation last night and may God bless and keep you until we are together again.