“One day Jesus told His disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. ‘There was a judge in a certain city,’ He said, ‘who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, “Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.” The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, “I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!”’ Then the Lord said, ‘Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to His chosen people who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will He find on earth who have faith?’” (Luke 18:1-8 NLT)
Is justice what you seek most in prayer? And, if so, for whom? In consideration of justice, as in Jesus’ illustration above, someone wins, someone is granted a just response to their pleas. For what just response are you pleading in your prayers? Are you most concerned about getting what you want or need? What someone else wants or needs? The outcome God desires? How can we know for sure?
One way of knowing is considering who will get the glory, honor, credit, or benefit? If the Lord answers your prayer exactly as requested, who wins? Who is glorified, honored, given credit, or benefits from His favorable response? Much of the time I spend in prayer is for those who are lost, who need to find forgiveness, wholeness, new life, and a new beginning in Jesus.
Where do I fit in that equation? I don’t. Why is that important? Because it gives me certainty that what I’m asking of the Lord is to His honor and glory, and to the benefit of those who respond to His invitation to come to salvation through Christ alone by faith alone. And even in the many cases where I ask for specific things that WOULD benefit me, I always seek to leave the final decision to the Lord. And no, I don’t say – “If it be Your will” because most of the time it’s a copout to get us off the hook if He doesn’t answer like we’ve prayed. We must leave the door open for Him to say “no” or “wait!”
If we don’t believe we’re praying in line with God’s will, why are we praying? We’re always praying in line with God’s will to ask for someone to be saved, healed, restored, delivered, and in most other instances. How do I know that? Because that’s why Jesus came in the first place – to deliverer, give life, health, strength, deliverance from the tentacles of Satan in whatever form they may appear. “Yeh, but what if it’s me I’m praying for?”
Knowing I’m selfish and like to get my own way, in that scenario I genuinely want the Lord’s will, so, I let Him know that I trust His judgment and will leave the ultimate decision up to Him. How is that different from saying, “If it be Your will?” It’s different because I ask with an attitude of expectation. I expect the Lord to answer, but where it’s different, I’m open to accept His response, on His terms, and in His way. I don’t demand my own way.
That relates to an interesting quote I came across a few days ago by Chris Hodges where he asked a very penetrating question: “If God answered all your prayers, would it change the world or just change you?” Another related question could also be asked: “If God answered all our prayers, HOW would it change the world and/or me?
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 