Bible Study "How to Pray"
New Lesson every Monday Thru Friday.
Prayer
DBS POP #005
Four Ways Prayers are Answered
Today's Lesson:
Four Ways Prayers are Answered
Many times we pray for things because we think that what we ask for will bring happiness to ourselves or to someone else. The petition may be for some specific detail of life such as good health, money, or success in some enterprise. But the desire is for something less tangible, perhaps, like prosperity or happiness. Often the Lord will answer prayer by granting the unstated inner desire, without granting the petition directly. Sometimes we get everything we ask for, sometimes nothing. Here are the four methods which God uses to answer prayer.
PETITION GRANTED; DESIRE NOT GRANTED
"And he gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul." Psalm 106:15
In Numbers 11 is the story of the Israelites wanting meat to eat. Their petition for meat was granted; but their desire for a pleasant experience was not answered.
In 1 Samuel 8, the children of Israel asked for a king. They did not want to continue under God's personal rule. Their petition, to have a king, was granted. Their desire, to be like other nations and to have peace, was not granted. Instead, they had strife and civil war as long as Saul was their king.
PETITION NOT GRANTED; DESIRE GRANTED
In Genesis 17:18, Abraham asks that Ishmael might be his established heir. His petition was denied; but his desire for a son and heir was later granted in the birth of Isaac.
In Genesis 18, Abraham prays for God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah. His request was denied; but his desire, that Lot and his family be safe, was granted.
See also 2 Cor. 12:7,8
PETITION GRANTED; DESIRE GRANTED
In 1 Kings 18, Elijah prayed that God would destroy the altar on which offering had been made to Baal. His desire was that God would be glorified. His petition and desire were granted.
Samson asked God to strengthen him so that he could have vengeance on his Philistine enemies. Both petition and desire were granted. But God had already decided to judge the Philistines.
One of the thieves on the Cross petitioned Christ, "Remember me..." His desire was for salvation. Both his petition and his desire were granted.
PETITION AND DESIRE DENIED
Refer to an earlier lesson on the reasons why prayers are not answered for information as to why God sometimes does not grant either the petition or the desire.
Conclusion
The Lord uses a variety of means to bring about those things we desire for ourselves and for others. However, His responses take into account His knowing all there is to know about every situation and what is best for everyone concerned. His answers are sometimes obvious, but at other times they are quite subtle. When the believer is aware of the various ways God answers prayer, he is better able to recognize the answers to prayer.
As an example, we might pray that a person be healed from some illness, not knowing why God has allowed that illness to occur in the first place. But our desire is that the sick person be happy, be prosperous, and be free of discomfort and pain. The person may remain ill, in spite of our prayers; yet God might make the Word of God more available to that person; and in his sick condition, the person may have more time to think on spiritual things. This could result in a great improvement in the growth of spiritual fruit in his life along with inner peace and prosperity. Therefore, one might see his desires realized while the actual prayer request seems to be unanswered.
Free Online Bible All Versions "You Version" Bible Software all versions and lots of translations including Duetsch, Espanol, Italiano and many, many more. No d/l.
http://www.youversion.com
Remember, send your questions to (PastorJeffLilley@Gmail.com), I will grade them and after the study is finished, those of you with a passing grade will receive a certificate from JJL Ministries.
Ask any questions you may have below in the comments.
Abundant Blessings
Pastor Jeff
Many of You have asked How You can Help our Ministries:
There is no charge for our JJL MInistries Bible Studies.
You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
JJL Ministries
1463 Senita Dr
Beaumont, CA 92223
"How to Pray Bible Study" is a dynamic life changing ministry of JJL Ministries Inc.
Please Support our ministry online, JJL Ministries
is a Federal 501(c)3 Org on file with the IRS.
Remember donations are Tax Deductible.
http://bit.ly/19PY0f
Who We Are at JJL Ministries
Pastor Jeff & Janette Lilley
PastorJeffLilley@gmail.com
JanetteLilley@gmail.com
Copyright © 1999-2009
All Rights Reserved
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New Lesson every Monday Thru Friday.
Prayer
DBS POP #005
Four Ways Prayers are Answered
Today's Lesson:
Four Ways Prayers are Answered
Many times we pray for things because we think that what we ask for will bring happiness to ourselves or to someone else. The petition may be for some specific detail of life such as good health, money, or success in some enterprise. But the desire is for something less tangible, perhaps, like prosperity or happiness. Often the Lord will answer prayer by granting the unstated inner desire, without granting the petition directly. Sometimes we get everything we ask for, sometimes nothing. Here are the four methods which God uses to answer prayer.
PETITION GRANTED; DESIRE NOT GRANTED
"And he gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul." Psalm 106:15
In Numbers 11 is the story of the Israelites wanting meat to eat. Their petition for meat was granted; but their desire for a pleasant experience was not answered.
In 1 Samuel 8, the children of Israel asked for a king. They did not want to continue under God's personal rule. Their petition, to have a king, was granted. Their desire, to be like other nations and to have peace, was not granted. Instead, they had strife and civil war as long as Saul was their king.
PETITION NOT GRANTED; DESIRE GRANTED
In Genesis 17:18, Abraham asks that Ishmael might be his established heir. His petition was denied; but his desire for a son and heir was later granted in the birth of Isaac.
In Genesis 18, Abraham prays for God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah. His request was denied; but his desire, that Lot and his family be safe, was granted.
See also 2 Cor. 12:7,8
PETITION GRANTED; DESIRE GRANTED
In 1 Kings 18, Elijah prayed that God would destroy the altar on which offering had been made to Baal. His desire was that God would be glorified. His petition and desire were granted.
Samson asked God to strengthen him so that he could have vengeance on his Philistine enemies. Both petition and desire were granted. But God had already decided to judge the Philistines.
One of the thieves on the Cross petitioned Christ, "Remember me..." His desire was for salvation. Both his petition and his desire were granted.
PETITION AND DESIRE DENIED
Refer to an earlier lesson on the reasons why prayers are not answered for information as to why God sometimes does not grant either the petition or the desire.
Conclusion
The Lord uses a variety of means to bring about those things we desire for ourselves and for others. However, His responses take into account His knowing all there is to know about every situation and what is best for everyone concerned. His answers are sometimes obvious, but at other times they are quite subtle. When the believer is aware of the various ways God answers prayer, he is better able to recognize the answers to prayer.
As an example, we might pray that a person be healed from some illness, not knowing why God has allowed that illness to occur in the first place. But our desire is that the sick person be happy, be prosperous, and be free of discomfort and pain. The person may remain ill, in spite of our prayers; yet God might make the Word of God more available to that person; and in his sick condition, the person may have more time to think on spiritual things. This could result in a great improvement in the growth of spiritual fruit in his life along with inner peace and prosperity. Therefore, one might see his desires realized while the actual prayer request seems to be unanswered.
Free Online Bible All Versions "You Version" Bible Software all versions and lots of translations including Duetsch, Espanol, Italiano and many, many more. No d/l.
http://www.youversion.com
Remember, send your questions to (PastorJeffLilley@Gmail.com), I will grade them and after the study is finished, those of you with a passing grade will receive a certificate from JJL Ministries.
Ask any questions you may have below in the comments.
Abundant Blessings
Pastor Jeff
Many of You have asked How You can Help our Ministries:
There is no charge for our JJL MInistries Bible Studies.
You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
JJL Ministries
1463 Senita Dr
Beaumont, CA 92223
"How to Pray Bible Study" is a dynamic life changing ministry of JJL Ministries Inc.
Please Support our ministry online, JJL Ministries
is a Federal 501(c)3 Org on file with the IRS.
Remember donations are Tax Deductible.
http://bit.ly/19PY0f
Who We Are at JJL Ministries
Pastor Jeff & Janette Lilley
PastorJeffLilley@gmail.com
JanetteLilley@gmail.com
Copyright © 1999-2009
All Rights Reserved
