Arminians are always looking to help God in the attainment of spiritual things. In this article the author assures of God will do if we do certain things. It is another means of grace tit-for-tat - ed.
Prayer can be such a beautiful, simple, and complicated thing at the same time. Everyone prays in their own different way and still, our loving God hears every one. Getting an answer? That can be a whole different story. Sometimes an answer comes right away and sometimes we have to wait. However, there are some things we can pray for that God will always answer. Why does he always answer? Because of the desire we have to grow in him and see more of him in our lives.
Does God hear prayers every time? Yes of course he does. He "hears" all the things in the universe. But the word "hear" refers to more than simply hearing, but to granting the request in the prayer. We have here an example of this kind of hearing: "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61.1-2. Ms. Lowrance confuses us. First, she said that God always hears us, but that the answer can come right away. But then, she tells us that certain kinds of prayers will be answered: "right away". How does she know this? David did not know it:
Psa. 13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? forever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;Psa. 35:17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. 18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among many people.
Psa. 79:4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. 5 How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry forever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
Psa. 80:3 Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. 4 O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? 5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears, and givest them tears to drink in great measure.
Psa. 89:45 The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah. 46 How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself forever? shall thy wrath burn like fire? 47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
1. "Use me to glorify you."
One of the Lord’s greatest desires is to use us to glorify him. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to do or where he is directing us. Simply ask him and he will answer. It could be something as big as starting a non-profit for a specific cause or something small, but just as powerful, like buying a homeless person a meal. It could also be using the unique talents he has given you to reach other people for him.
The writer assumes that the glorification that God provides his children is a physical one. He may glorify himself by bringing about the suffering of his children. Indeed, the two ideas are connected: Rom. 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
2. "Forgive my sins."
We serve a loving and merciful God and every one of us are sinners. There is no such thing as a perfect Christian. We all stumble and sometimes backslide, but by opening our hearts and confessing our sins we can be redeemed. The Lord died to save us from our sins. Not just that day on the cross, but every day of our lives.
There is no need for believers to ask God to forgive their sins. He already has through the precious death of his son! Our author confuses the confession that we are sinners by asking for forgiveness. This leads to a false interpretation of the often-cited passage in I John 1.9 where often confession is confused with repentance, which word is not even mentioned in the passage.
3. "Reveal yourself to me."
In the busyness of life, it can be hard to see and hear where the Lord is leading us. If we simply stop and ask him to reveal Himself to us, he will, and it’s usually in awesome, amazing ways. He reveals himself in different ways to each one of us. To some of us, he is an inner voice, to others he speaks through visions and dreams. He also speaks at times by revealing the job, opportunity, or resources we need exactly when we need them. If you’re really struggling, take some time during the day to just get quiet and ask him to reveal himself in your life. Then get into the habit of noticing the smallest of things during your day. He doesn’t always reveal himself in big ways. Sometimes he reveals himself in small ways as well.
We serve a loving and merciful God and every one of us are sinners. There is no such thing as a perfect Christian. We all stumble and sometimes backslide, but by opening our hearts and confessing our sins we can be redeemed. The Lord died to save us from our sins. Not just that day on the cross, but every day of our lives.
There is no need for believers to ask God to forgive their sins. He already has through the precious death of his son! Our author confuses the confession that we are sinners by asking for forgiveness. This leads to a false interpretation of the often-cited passage in I John 1.9 where often confession is confused with repentance, which word is not even mentioned in the passage.
3. "Reveal yourself to me."
In the busyness of life, it can be hard to see and hear where the Lord is leading us. If we simply stop and ask him to reveal Himself to us, he will, and it’s usually in awesome, amazing ways. He reveals himself in different ways to each one of us. To some of us, he is an inner voice, to others he speaks through visions and dreams. He also speaks at times by revealing the job, opportunity, or resources we need exactly when we need them. If you’re really struggling, take some time during the day to just get quiet and ask him to reveal himself in your life. Then get into the habit of noticing the smallest of things during your day. He doesn’t always reveal himself in big ways. Sometimes he reveals himself in small ways as well.
This is another false statement. God is not at our beck and call to obey our requests. Sometimes, he will purposely NOT reveal himself to test our faith.
4. "Give me your wisdom."
As the Bible tells us, we are not to lean on our own understanding. This can be especially hard in difficult times. When you are facing a situation where you don’t know what you should do, ask him to give you his wisdom. It may help to speak with your pastor or a trusted friend as well. Sometimes when we are all stressed out and “in our own minds” he will speak through a trusted clergy member/friend as to what you should do. Other times he will speak to you directly.
4. "Give me your wisdom."
As the Bible tells us, we are not to lean on our own understanding. This can be especially hard in difficult times. When you are facing a situation where you don’t know what you should do, ask him to give you his wisdom. It may help to speak with your pastor or a trusted friend as well. Sometimes when we are all stressed out and “in our own minds” he will speak through a trusted clergy member/friend as to what you should do. Other times he will speak to you directly.
There is nothing wrong with asking God for wisdom. The book of James tells us to ask God for it. As for God speaking through a trusted friend or pastor, we doubt it. Why would James not tell us to ask the pastor or a friend? Divine wisdom is Divine wisdom and must come directly from God in an inner voice that tells us that the words we are hearing are right. The communication must be direct. Jesus is the only teacher.
5. "Strengthen my obedience."
We all know that when the Lord asks us to do something, we need to be obedient. However, at times it can be very, very hard. For example, if we are waiting for something to happen, it can be hard not to take matters into our own hands. When you have days of anxiety and doubt, ask the Lord to strengthen your obedience. Ask him to help you to do what you have been commanded to do. For me, whenever I hear or see the phrase, “Be still and know that I am God.” it reminds me to be still and obedient. For he is working even if I can’t see it. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 (NLT)
This quote from James would have been better cited in the previous point. But we would like to know how our author is able to obey God's commandments for her in light of Paul's own experience in Romans 7. And even if she somehow were to be able to obey God's commands, she would still be an unprofitable servant, since she only did the things that were required of her.
6. "Help me spread your love."
Our world is a crazy place, full of opinions and thoughts and ideas. We know the best way to interact with people is to show the love of the Lord, but sometimes it’s hard to know how to do this. When you ask him to help you spread his love, he will. You may find a Christian non-profit or charity to volunteer at or you may do something on your own, like help a single Mom pay for her groceries or drive an elderly neighbor to a doctor’s appointment.
We are to live peaceably with all men. But never are we told, to our knowledge that we are to love all men. And even more, God's love belongs to God, we as sinful creatures cannot show the love of God.
7. Give me Clarity
Walking this path called life can be difficult and muddled at times. The last thing the Lord wants is for you to go down the wrong path or make the wrong choice. It may take time and patience, but the Lord will always answer a prayer for clarity. "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6 Our own lives can be chaotic let alone all the things that are going on in the world. With everything going on, finding peace can seem almost impossible. The Lord does not want us living in a state of anxiety and peril, he will always answer and help us find peace. “In those days you will pray and I will listen. If you seek me wholeheartedly you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NLT) Our own lives can be chaotic let alone all the things that are going on in the world. With everything going on, finding peace can seem almost impossible. The Lord does not want us to live in a state of anxiety and peril, he will always answer and help us find“In those days you will pray and I will listen. If you seek me wholeheartedly you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NLT)
Our own lives can be chaotic let alone all the things that are going on in the world. With everything going on, finding peace can seem almost impossible. The Lord does not want us living in a state of anxiety and peril, he will always answer and help us find peace. “In those days you will pray and I will listen. If you seek me wholeheartedly you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NLT)
The Lord will always help us find peace. The Lord GIVES peace and is the only one who can. He does not HELP anything. He is the cause of all things and feelings. The peace talked about here is not an absence of anxiety. It is peace in the midst of anxieties. We cite Stephen who must have had anxiety as he was being stoned, yet had an inner peace.
9. "Align my heart with yours."
This world can be a mean-spirited place and it can be hard sometimes not to hold judgment, resentment, or other feelings in our hearts. By asking the Lord to align our hearts with his and asking for forgiveness, he can cleanse us of the toxic things that build up in our hearts and be more aligned with him. He loves us and wants us to be more like him so this is a prayer he will always answer.
9. "Align my heart with yours."
This world can be a mean-spirited place and it can be hard sometimes not to hold judgment, resentment, or other feelings in our hearts. By asking the Lord to align our hearts with his and asking for forgiveness, he can cleanse us of the toxic things that build up in our hearts and be more aligned with him. He loves us and wants us to be more like him so this is a prayer he will always answer.
Once a person is born again his heart is aligned with God. Believers are justified, they are sanctified, and they are in Christ! What kind of forgiveness do they need? What kind of cleansing do they need if Christ has cleansed them with his blood. God gets what he wants. If he wants to be more like him, we will be!
Dear Lord, I want to grow in you and have more of you in my life. I pray that you will strengthen me in using me and my talents to glorify you. I thank you for loving me and forgiving my sins each day, every day. I pray you will reveal yourself in my life. Give me your wisdom as to what I should do in every situation and strengthen my obedience to what you ask of me. Show me the right path to travel and correct my ways if I stray. Show me ways to show and spread your love to those around me. Clear my mind to receive crystal clear clarity when you speak. Help align my heart and mind in their purest form to be an imitation of you. Thank you for answering all my prayers in your perfect timing with your perfect answer, even though I may not always understand. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Dear Lord, I want to grow in you and have more of you in my life. I pray that you will strengthen me in using me and my talents to glorify you. I thank you for loving me and forgiving my sins each day, every day. I pray you will reveal yourself in my life. Give me your wisdom as to what I should do in every situation and strengthen my obedience to what you ask of me. Show me the right path to travel and correct my ways if I stray. Show me ways to show and spread your love to those around me. Clear my mind to receive crystal clear clarity when you speak. Help align my heart and mind in their purest form to be an imitation of you. Thank you for answering all my prayers in your perfect timing with your perfect answer, even though I may not always understand. In your name, I pray. Amen.
These prayers are for those who do not pray from the Spirit. Rote prayers are not commanded in scripture. We do not even know what we should pray for, forget about writing prayers for others! We will let the Pharisees, the Roman Catholics, and the Reformed read rote prayers,
We see just how far from the Scriptures the evangelicals of this sort have wandered.
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