Shema Yisrael Adonai Elohaynu Adonai Echad
"Hear Israel,Adonai is our God, Adonai is One"
A Reader Asked:
Questioner: Nihal
Private: no
Subject: Answering Prayers
Question:
Refrence 1 John 3:22 & John 9:31
Does God answer prayers of sinners/unsaved?My reply:
Hi Nihal,
HaShem, the God of Israel, is the One True God and He does as He wishes. No one can instruct Him nor limit Him.
Rebbe Y'shua (Jesus) explained this:
Matthew 21:21 Y'shua answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.And his brother Ya'akov (James) adds:
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.So, as with I John 3:22 and John 9:31, the apparent answer would be no. If one wishes to have ones prayers answered affirmatively one needs to be obedient to God's Will.
... HOWEVER "proof texts" can be misleading!
Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.And again,
Job 40:1 Moreover Adonai answered Job, and said,
40:2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.God is Sovereign over all. How often we forget this.
The Scriptures also says:
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you...
7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth...This is not always the case even for those who are "saved" and right with God. Sincere Believers have often prayed for many many things that were not received. Why is this?
God is Sovereign over all and He knows what is best for us.
HaShem hears our prayers always, nothing is beyond His notice -- He even knows the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 30:10) -- however sometimes His answer is simply no.
We need to realize that we exist to bring Him Glory, not the other way around. Will our prayers bring Him Glory? That's the question.
Do I want this or that for my glory, for my comfort, enjoyment etc. or to better serve Him?
Consider the example of Cyrus the Great. He was not a man of God and yet he is referred to as a moshiach (an anointed ruler). This is because HaShem chose to answer his prayers in order to empower him as a servant. HaShem used Cyrus to do His Will concerning Israel (Isaiah 41:1: the Hebrew word mashiach, messiah, is translated as anointed). Throughout the Torah we see God answering the prayers of the infidel Ishmaelites, Canaanites and others in order to discipline His People Israel. He does not do these things because they ask nor because they are righteous, but because it brings Him Glory as Sovereign.
We are ALL the children of God, whether infidel or Believer: there is but One True God and He is the Father of us all. Of course God loves all of His children and wants what is best for us. He understands however that what is best for us is to live in harmony with Him. When our prayers produce harmony He will more often reply yes. If our desires are disharmonious with His Will or when they might adversely effect us or others however, the answer is often no. The same is the case with all good parents. Father knows best and wise sons and daughters say: Amen!
Also understand that HaShem is not the only one who answers prayers!
II Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.It is so important that we keep our focus on HaShem and seek to advance His Kingdom and His Will always. Else seeming blessings may end up as curses. HaShem is our well-wisher, Lucifer is our adversary.
Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign...We can not trust in apparent miracles and answered prayers. The Bible is our only reliable source book for the Truth. It shows us how to pray:
Mathew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.We first pray for God's glory to be done through us. What an honor to used by HaShem to manifest His glory!
Then we may ask for our honest needs.
We ask for forgiveness because HaShem resists the proud and unrepentant (Psalms 138:6).These are the kinds of prayers HaShem hears and answers.
As for the rest, Baruch HaShem! Adonai does as He pleases.
The Noahide Nazerene Way |
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John of AllFaith |