Praying with Confidence

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

When someone complains about God not answering prayers I turn to Scripture for comfort and guidance about our Lord’s desire for what is best.

Our perception about prayer, right or wrong, is often based on our personal perception of what we think is best for ourselves. As Oswald Chambers puts it, “The correct concept is to think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts.” We can struggle to be aware of Christ Jesus keeping us in perfect union with Father God – but if we are surrendered to His Will and obey His ways, our prayers are in perfect union with God by our relationship In Christ.

There’s an irony that our prayer life is not an exercise in obedience, it is the life of the Saint. Beware of anything that becomes an obstacle to your prayer life. “Pray without ceasing . . .” Jesus doesn’t mention unanswered prayer. We have the certainty that prayer is always answered.

Are you certain that God answers your prayers or does it seem that God did not answer? Jesus said, “. . . everyone who asks receives . . .” (Matthew 7:8). Yet we say, “but there have been many times that I have not received what I’ve asked for in my prayer life.” God answers prayer in the best way — not just sometimes, but every time.

The evidence of the answer may not follow our personal desires. Do you expect God to answer prayer? He always does. God’s answer may not align with our “common sense.” He answers as He works all things together for good. The answer may be yes, no, later, this other way, or in a fashion that you wouldn’t consider in your limited perspective.

Here are some basic tenets of your prayer life. First, prayer should be unceasing. It should not merely be an exercise, but it should be a constant part of your life. Second, prayers will always be answered. Remember times when an answer was not immediately evident in the domain in which we wanted it. Don’t misunderstood verses like Luke 11:10 that promise an answer to all prayers. Take Jesus at His word, and pray without ceasing because your prayers will be answered correctly by Him who knows all things and is sovereign over all things!

Finish this prayer: “Holy Spirit, I know that you can help me pray as I ought. Please give me continual . . .”