Do We Want Our Prayers Answered?

Unless we are ashamed of our wrong attitudes and actions, even confessing them openly, we will not grow. Only those who are embarrassed enough to admit their mistakes and sins, will take a step forward in progressing toward holiness.

James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

If we refuse to confess, not only will we not grow, any prayers we utter will be ignored by God.

James 4:3

"3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."

James 1:5-7

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and [a]without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

1 John 5:14-15

"14 This is the confidence which we have [a]before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him."

1 Peter 3:7

"7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered."

Psalm 66:18

"18 If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear;"

If we want the Lord to hear us, we must desire His will His Way! We must care whether or not we are pleasing Him. To pray asking for our desires without concern for His Will, angers Him.

Romans 1:18

"18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,"

Do we want our prayers to be heard? If the answer is yes, then it is best to ask God to show us His Will, obey what He tells us through His Word.

Know It All's Cannot Grow

Know It All's Cannot Grow

Those who think they already know everything, refusing to listen to others, cannot learn. They remain spiritual babies because of their arrogance.

Arrogance: "Excessively and unpleasantly self important." New American Heritage Dictionary.

Wisdom Calls Out!

God says Wisdom calls out to us, she is all around us if we only would ask. No one has an excuse for lack of understanding. All we have to do is ask God for His wisdom and He will give it.

James 1:5 "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Proverbs 8:1-13
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Excellence of Wisdom

"8 Does not wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?

2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,
Beside the way, where the paths meet.

3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors:

4 “To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.

5 O you simple ones, understand prudence,
And you fools, be of an understanding heart.

6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will come right things;

7 For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;
Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.

9 They are all plain to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;

11 For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion.

13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate."

Job Understood Trials

Job's experience was very intense, we feel only a slight inkling of the misery he endured here in our country. However in other countries of the world the misery is much like Job's.

Job 17:6-10
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 “But He has made me a byword of the people, And I am one at whom men spit.
7 “My eye has also grown dim because of grief, And all my members are as a shadow.
8 “The upright will be appalled at this, And the innocent will stir up himself against the godless.
9 “Nevertheless the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.
10 “But come again all of you now, For I do not find a wise man among you."