GOD IS LIMITED BY OUR PRAYER LIFE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2023.

SUBJECT : GOD IS LIMITED BY OUR PRAYER LIFE!

Memory verse: "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one." (Ezekiel 22 vs 30.)

READ: John 15 vs 5 - 7:

15:5: I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

15:6: If anyone does not abide in Me, He is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

15:7: If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

INTIMATION:

Prayer has diverse benefits to the believer. As the issues and circumstances of life vary, so also does prayer address the various needs of man. The statement that John Wesley made years ago has stayed with me, and impacted greatly on my prayer life. Wesley said, "It seems God is limited by our prayer life—that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him." The Bible, in Matthew 7 vs 7 - 8 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and ye will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Therefore, we must ask, and ask in prayer to receive.

You may ask why would God wait for someone to ask? The Bible tells us in the Book of Genesis that God made the world and the fullness thereof. He made His man, Adam. Then He said, "Adam, I give you dominion over all the work of My hands" (Genesis 1 vs 26 - 27; Ps 8 vs 6). God didn't say, "I am going to dominate through you." Therefore, Adam had dominion upon the earth and in this world. He was originally, in a sense, God of this world.

But Satan came and deceived Adam through his helpmeet Eve. Adam committed high treason and sold out to Satan, and then Satan became “the god of this world” as he is referred to Second Corinthians 4 vs 4. As such he has dominion in this world. He will have that dominion—he will be god of this world, until Adam's lease runs out. God, being “just,” cannot legally and justly move in and take away that dominion from the devil. The devil has a legal right because he has Adam's lease. And God cannot do anything unless somebody down here asks Him.

To prepare a ground for legally handing the lease back to us, He sent His Son Jesus as a propitiation for our sin (First John 2 vs 2). Jesus paid the legal wage (Romans 6 vs 23), by dying on the cross. And whoever believes in Him; accepts His sacrifice, and confesses Him as Lord and Savior reclaims the legal right. Once the legal right is reclaimed, the enforcement of the powers in prayer becomes your inheritance in Christ. Therefore, the believer can prevail against every circumstances in life, being assured of God’s help when we ask in prayer.

As the circumstances are different so our prayers ought to be different for any circumstance. The Scripture in Ephesians 6 vs 18 says, "Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people)." (Amplified Version.)

This implies that there are different kinds of prayer, and they accomplish different things in a believer's life by provoking help from above in every circumstances. Without help from above, we are helpless on the earth. The enemy is fierce. He knows his time is short, so he is out against the children of God with full force. 

The wickedness on the earth is intense, but we have access to help from heaven to overcome them all through prayers. This help from above is freely available to the believer. The Scripture says in Hebrews 4 vs 16, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Prayer is our approach to God in fellowship, and we are to come "boldly" to our Father. Some Christians approach God meekly with heads hung low, afraid to ask Him to meet their needs. Others pray flippantly, giving little thought to what they say. We are to come with reverence because He is our King. But also come with bold assurance because He is our Loving Father, Friend and Counselor.

Every blessing and accomplishment in life comes as a result of the help of God. The apostle Paul said in Acts 26 vs 22, "Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come."

Paul was preaching the same message as other apostles in his time, but he got better results because he had the help of God. King David who was a great man of war, and never lost a battle, knew this secret. In Psalm 60 vs 11 - 12, he prayed, "Give us help from trouble: for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies."

Prayer is not just telling God your needs, because He already knows them (Matthew 6 vs 32). It is getting Him to intervene in your situation on the basis of His Word. God is your Heavenly Father and He knows your needs, but you require His help to overcome the enemy. God is ever committed to sending help from above for all His children who call upon Him. He gives this assurance:

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them  - Those who contend with you. Those who war against you shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'" (Isaiah 41 vs 10 - 13.)

Prayer: Abba Father, what can I do without You? Absolutely nothing! In You I live, and move, and have my being. Give me the grace, O Lord, to remain prayerful—in fellowship with You at all times with divine strength, and helping me to overcome all even and unseen battles of life, in Jesus Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!