Of recent, we have all given our opinions about the elections, and utilized as much Scripture as possible to solidify our opinions about how to pray for “the will of the Lord”!
In most cases we have become convinced that our prayer life has been tossed to and fro like the ocean waves, only to conclude that I was right or wrong. Some probably thought that God had given up on them, and this whole thing of prayer was a waste of time. I throw out a few thoughts for your consideration.
If prayer is only answered in the manner in which I presented it to the Lord, it is certain that I would ultimately turn into a more selfish person. For instance, in Mark 8, the Pharisees thought that Jesus should give them a “sign from heaven”. Further, in verses 11-13, we read concerning their “hidden” intentions. They wanted to “test” Jesus, and it they desired “a sign from Heaven; He was standing before them! He just left them wondering!
I inject the story of the man who sought Jesus concerning his son. “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” (John 17-29)
After rebuking those present, the son is brought to Jesus, and the father elaborates further. “It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” And Jesus said to him, “If you can?” “All things are possible to him who believes.”
Immediately, the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”
Jesus rebuked the spirit, and we read: “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.” The spirit left, not to return. This produced a question from the disciples: “Why could we not drive it out? And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.”
Many are they who pray “The Lord’s Prayer”, and forget that there is in that portion of Matthew 6:10, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Prayer should always be in “faith”. I should be convinced of the Holy Spirit that which I am seeking of the Lord is within HIS Will, prior to rattling off mere words.
So, in seeking the Lord’s will, let us be reminded that God used righteous and unrighteous leadership to accomplish His desires for His people. Sometimes it was for immediate, sometimes long range, but as the Scriptures and History reveals, it is would ultimately bring glory to the KING OF KINGS, JESUS CHRIST!
ETCetera 