When was the last time you saw God answer a big prayer? I get really excited when I see God answer prayer. Especially when it is something that is clearly beyond my control.
How satisfied are you with your prayer life? Do you find yourself praying regularly? Consistently? Are you seeing answers to your prayers?
During the fall of 2011, I was privileged to take a sabbatical. I read many books during that time of rest, reflection and renewal. Several days ago I came across the notes that I took from “Answers to Prayer” by George Mueller.
Mueller observed that God answered prayer regularly: “Over and over again we see how God provided for the needs of the orphanage each day. Usually in amazing ways, unexpected ways.” I have certainly found this to be true in my life and at Joy El.
- God has provided for campership funds for summer campers in amazing ways, and often “just in time”
- God has opened the eyes of a disillusioned camper
- God has revealed truth to blind minds
- God has provided staff needed for every week of summer camp
- God continues to provide volunteers for Released Time
- And the list goes on
Muller lists five conditions for prevailing prayer. I find these to be significant as we seek to improve our prayer life.
- Entire dependence upon the merits and meditation of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only ground of any claim for blessing (John 14:13,14; 15:16)
- Separation from all known sin. (Psalm 66:18)
- Faith in God’s word of promise as confirmed by His oath. Not to believe Him is to make Him both a liar and a perjurer (Hebrews 6:6; 6 13-20)
- Asking in accordance with His will. Our motives must be godly: we must not seek any gift of God to consume it upon our lusts (1 John 5:14; James 4:3)
- Importunity in supplication. (Dictionary.com defines Importunity as: Urgent or persistent in solicitation, sometimes annoyingly so.) There must be waiting on God and waiting for God, as the husbandman had long patience to wait for the harvest. (James 5:7; Luke 18:1-8)
What is your next step for improving your prayer life? I am excited to see God reveal himself to you.
