HomeUnanswered prayers
"You ask but do not receive..."
James 4:3 NKJV
Pastor Jerry Sittser writes: "What would happen if all our prayers were answered? I thought about my early years when I was ready to conquer the world, with or without Christ. The group I led grew, I was riding a wave of success, everything I touched turned to gold. Eventually the ministry levelled off and lost momentum. Thank God it did...I'd become insufferably proud, a self-appointed expert. What would've happened if my prayers had been answered, our group had continued to grow and our programme had continued to receive recognition?"
James says, "You ask but do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives." There are certain prayers God won't answer for your own good.
Sittser continues: "Your cause may be right, but you may still be wrong; manifesting pride, gloating in victory, punishing wrongdoers with excessive severity and excusing sin. The great hazard for people on a crusade is...they become blind to their own faults. They fight for civil rights but treat...janitors like second-class citizens. They uphold standards of Biblical sexuality, but show little grace towards their spouse. Unanswered prayer is God's gift...it protects us from ourselves. If all our prayers were answered we'd abuse the power...use prayer to change the world to our liking, and it would become hell on earth. Like spoiled children with too many toys and too much money, we'd grab for more. We'd pray for victory at the expense of others...intoxicated by power...we'd hurt people and exalt ourselves. Isaiah said, 'The Lord longs to be gracious to you...therefore He waits...' (Isa 30:18 NAS). Unanswered prayer protects...breaks...deepens...and transforms. Past unanswered prayers, which left us hurt and disillusioned, act like a refiner's fire to prepare us for future answers."
Aya's Divine Devotions
aya_hime- Nakama
Number of posts : 258
Age : 33
Location : Baguio
Registration date : 2009-07-28
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Thanks sis! 
Lagay nmn tau ng something positive pra stin.
Lagay nmn tau ng something positive pra stin.
You'll get through this storm
"'It is I; be not afraid.'"
Mark 6:50
Are you in a storm today? Then read these words: 'The boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out...But immediately He talked with them and said to them...'It is I; do not be afraid.' Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased' (Mark 6:47-51). There are four lessons here for us:
1) It's when we feel most separated from God, that He's teaching us the most. Dave Dravecky said, 'Looking back...I have learned that the wilderness is part of the landscape of faith, and every bit as essential as the mountaintop. On the mountaintop we are overwhelmed by God's presence. In the wilderness we are overwhelmed by His absence. Both places should bring us to our knees; the one, in utter awe; the other, in utter dependence.'
2) God doesn't show up early. Usually He comes in the worst part of the storm when you think you can't take any more - but He will always be on time.
3) God takes us through different storms, revealing more of Himself to us in each one. Otherwise there are aspects of His character, and divine strategies we'd never understand.
4) God's presence alone should be enough for us in any storm. The moment He shows up and says, 'It is I,' our every fear should be calmed.
Merry Christmas everyone
"'It is I; be not afraid.'"
Mark 6:50
Are you in a storm today? Then read these words: 'The boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out...But immediately He talked with them and said to them...'It is I; do not be afraid.' Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased' (Mark 6:47-51). There are four lessons here for us:
1) It's when we feel most separated from God, that He's teaching us the most. Dave Dravecky said, 'Looking back...I have learned that the wilderness is part of the landscape of faith, and every bit as essential as the mountaintop. On the mountaintop we are overwhelmed by God's presence. In the wilderness we are overwhelmed by His absence. Both places should bring us to our knees; the one, in utter awe; the other, in utter dependence.'
2) God doesn't show up early. Usually He comes in the worst part of the storm when you think you can't take any more - but He will always be on time.
3) God takes us through different storms, revealing more of Himself to us in each one. Otherwise there are aspects of His character, and divine strategies we'd never understand.
4) God's presence alone should be enough for us in any storm. The moment He shows up and says, 'It is I,' our every fear should be calmed.
Merry Christmas everyone
Guard against lust
"Above all...guard your heart..."
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Jesus said, "...Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt 5:28 NIV). Why did Jesus say this? Because every lustful glance damages your marriage bond. The less you desire your mate, the more you'll look for things in them to justify your fantasies. And the saddest part is, you'll never know how good your marriage could have been.
To win, you must decide once and for all to be fully committed to God. Here are three Scriptures you need to live by: 1) "I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully..." (Job 31:1 NIV). Before David got into trouble with Bathsheba we read: "...He saw a woman bathing...inquired about the woman...and took her..." (2 Sam 11:2-4 NKJV). Pay close attention to the progression: "saw", "inquired," "took." If what you're looking at is not yours, pull your eyes away immediately. 2) "...Take captive every thought...make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor 10:5 NIV). Police your mind. Instead of giving in to your daydreams or the internet or magazines fill your mind with God's Word and memories of your best moments with your mate. "Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You" (Ps 119:11). 3) "Above all...guard your heart." Work on strengthening your bond with your mate. Decide to love even when you don't feel like it, and your love will begin to blossom. And if you need to, find someone who can help you. "...A brother is born for adversity" (Pr 17:17). Sometimes the difference between victory and defeat can be as little as five or ten minutes on the telephone, talking and praying with someone who understands.
"Above all...guard your heart..."
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Jesus said, "...Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt 5:28 NIV). Why did Jesus say this? Because every lustful glance damages your marriage bond. The less you desire your mate, the more you'll look for things in them to justify your fantasies. And the saddest part is, you'll never know how good your marriage could have been.
To win, you must decide once and for all to be fully committed to God. Here are three Scriptures you need to live by: 1) "I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully..." (Job 31:1 NIV). Before David got into trouble with Bathsheba we read: "...He saw a woman bathing...inquired about the woman...and took her..." (2 Sam 11:2-4 NKJV). Pay close attention to the progression: "saw", "inquired," "took." If what you're looking at is not yours, pull your eyes away immediately. 2) "...Take captive every thought...make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor 10:5 NIV). Police your mind. Instead of giving in to your daydreams or the internet or magazines fill your mind with God's Word and memories of your best moments with your mate. "Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You" (Ps 119:11). 3) "Above all...guard your heart." Work on strengthening your bond with your mate. Decide to love even when you don't feel like it, and your love will begin to blossom. And if you need to, find someone who can help you. "...A brother is born for adversity" (Pr 17:17). Sometimes the difference between victory and defeat can be as little as five or ten minutes on the telephone, talking and praying with someone who understands.