(John 17:1-26)

One of the most encouraging experiences as a Christian is to be prayed for by someone else – and not only prayed for but prayed with. When someone prays for you in your presence, something special happens in your heart: you feel warmed and encouraged. There’s a sense of intimacy, both between you and the other person and between you and God.

It’s like you’re knocking on heaven’s doors together. It is one of the best ways to build relationships between Christians and one of the surest ways of ensuring unity in the church. It’s pretty hard for division to exist and take hold when people are praying together. So I believe that we do have to pray for one another and also we ought to pray with one another more .

Do you realize that we have someone intercedes on our behalf?

Do you know that someone prays for you? Do you know that someone goes to the Father on your behalf? Who is that someone? Yes, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Listen to these words from Hebrews 7:25: “Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” And Romans 8:34 says something very similar: “It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.”

Jesus’ first prayer for us is a prayer for protection. Of course, unlike that young boy, we have the benefit of knowing in advance that our Father is there to protect us; although just like the young boy, we don’t always see our Father guarding us.

Jesus asks the Father to “protect” us. He prays, “Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”

A little later he prays, “I ask you to protect them from the evil one.”

Against what are we being protected? Jesus asks that we receive protection from the evil one, that we would be protected when faced with temptation, opposition, persecution, etc. He takes it as inevitable that we will face such things in the world.

But He doesn’t ask that we be removed from these things. As Jesus says, “I do not ask you to take them out of the world.” But while we are in the world, he wants us to be protected and guarded. Now the word that we translate here as “protect” or “guard” , which can also mean “to preserve.” Jesus wants us to be preserved while we are in the world.

Jesus says, “Protect them in your name that you have given me.”

This is the same as saying “Father, help them to remain true to what they have received from me. No matter what they face in this world, no matter how the evil one attacks them, help them to remain in me. Preserve them, protect them, and guard them.”

Jesus’ second prayer for us is a prayer for sanctification. Sanctification here means “to be made holy,” and being made holy means being set apart. Jesus wants us “to be consecrated” for service. It has to do with being set apart for the purposes of God.

Jesus is praying that we would be set apart by the truth of who he is for the purpose of being sent into the world. We are in the world, but we do not, as Jesus says, Being holy, sanctified, and consecrated means that we belong to God.

Jesus’ third prayer for us is a prayer for unity. What does it mean to have unity here? It doesn’t mean that we agree on every single point of doctrine. It doesn’t mean that there is only one denomination. But it does mean that we are united in confessing that Jesus is the Son of God. It means that we confess in a united way that the Father and the Son are one and that the Father sent the Son into the world and reveals who the Father is.

This is not a unity we can achieve by our own efforts. Our unity emerges as a result of our remaining in Jesus – by being focused on him.

Lastly it is very important that we recognize that this passage is a prayer. Jesus is asking his Father to accomplish all these things. He is asking his Father to protect us. He is asking his Father to sanctify us. He is asking his Father to make us one in heart and mind. These are not things we can accomplish. We cannot preserve ourselves.

We cannot sanctify ourselves. And we certainly cannot make ourselves one and create unity amongst ourselves. Jesus entrusts his disciples to God the Father. So should we.

Brothers and sisters!

I want you now to imagine Jesus is sitting beside you and to picture He is praying with you right next to you, bringing your concerns and needs before God.

Can’t it be a powerful picture for you, can it?

And Jesus began to say to them, “Take heed that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, `I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places, there will be famines; this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs. But take heed to yourselves; for they will deliver you up to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say; but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. “But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything away; and let him who is in the field not turn back to take his mantle. And alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! Pray that it may not happen in winter. For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not shortened the days, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. And then if any one says to you, `Look, here is the Christ!’ or `Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. False Christs and false prophets will arise and show signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take heed; I have told you all things beforehand. “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.” Gospel of Mark 13:5-27 THE LAST SUPPER And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”

Dear Brother or Sister in Christ, God loves you. He knows everything about you. The Bible says that there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repented. Through his Son, he has made you his child and joint-heir with Christ. God is a good Father. He takes great care of his children: he protects comforts, provides, teaches, natures, guides, loves, and desires your goods. Because Jesus has paid the debt for your sin, you are now free to worship God and to get to know Him. If you want Him to, He will do the impossible things in your life. The Christian life is not complicated at all when it is lived as found in the Bible which is God’s holy word. If you live right you will suffer, but even that is part of your growth. You will have peace in Jesus. Remember that you walk simultaneously in the kingdom of the spiritual and the temporal. You are in the presence and care of God whether you are cooking dinner or sitting in a Christian fellowship. Whether you are praying or washing your car reading your book, in your business. Being a Christian is a (lifestyle) that affects every area of your life. If you walk with God (do things His way), you will be blessed. Jesus said, “Whosoever loved me kept my commandments.” If you are a serious disciple of Jesus Christ, you will do His will. Here are some things that you must do to live victoriously in Jesus. AMEN

Who do you see Jesus as? Scripture: Luke 24:21 “But we were hoping that he would free Israel. Besides this, it is now the third day since this happened.” Observation: Two of Jesus’ disciples were walking on the highway to Emmaus when they happened upon Jesus after his resurrection. At first they didn’t recognize him. He asked them what was going on in Jerusalem. They in turn asked him if he was the only person in town who didn’t know what had happened, referring to his death. Additionally, they said that the people had hoped this prophet of God, Jesus, would be the one to redeem and restore the kingdom of Israel. They had missed the point of Jesus’ life on earth, so he began at Moses and went through the scriptures telling them about himself and what had to be fulfilled. The two men eventually realized who this man was when he took the thing, blessed it and ate it. Then he disappeared right in front of them. Application: Many Christians today miss the point of who Jesus is. They want a savior, but they don’t want a LORD. People desire to be saved from the ills around them along with their suffering and hard times. However, they don’t want to told what to do. It amazes me how people claim to be a Christian and say they love God but are unwilling to obey the scriptures. Jesus had told his followers again and again that he must suffer the things written of him in the bible. Yes, the Bible tells us that most of it was hidden from them, but some passages state that they were eventually given insight into the things going on around them. Here, though, we have a passage where two of his followers didn’t even recognize him after his resurrection. He looked no different than he had just four days before. They were so caught up in their grief over his death and the lost opportunity to restore Israel that they almost missed their Messiah – Savior! Are your eyes open to the truth of God? Can you see Jesus, or is he hidden from you, as were these two men? If you cannot see Jesus around you, then I would question your faith and trust in God. Each time you look in the mirror, you should see Jesus – if he truly lives inside you. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God’s Spirit?” Paul asked. Indeed, if Christ lives in you, then he should be seen through you. Everywhere you go, you bring him to people. Can they see Christ in you? Does your life demonstrate what it means to be God’s witnesses, first to your hometown, county/state, and the rest of the world? Thankfully for us Jesus did rise on the third day just as he said he would. People accused him of trying to destroy the temple and being able to rebuild it in three days. They didn’t know that he spoke of his bodily demolition through completing and his resurrection. This appearance to these two men proved that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead and occurred three days after his death just as prophesied and transpired – “…it is now the third day since this happened” – his death now until the resurrection. He died and rose again to save us from our sins. He informed the apostles that they would be his witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea, and the ends of the earth just before he ascended to heaven. This same proclamation applies to all believers of Jesus. We are his witnesses to the world both those far away and those in our neighborhoods. Let’s not miss the truth right in front of our faces. Jesus came to serve others and seek and save that which was lost. We also need to be about the Father’s business as Jesus did. We need to serve our fellow-man and seek out those that are lost and lead them to Jesus that they might be saved.

Prayer

• : Father, I have missed it at times in my life. There have been those instances where you stood right in front of me and tried to speak to me, but my head was thicker than a brick wall and wouldn’t allow me to see you and what you wanted me to do. I pray that you continually open my eyes to the truth of your Word and to speak to me daily from your Word that I might be able to grow more in you and to do what you have assigned me to do. I cannot do this on my own. I need you now more than I have ever needed you. You are my daily portion and life. Without you, I truly can do nothing that you have called me to do. I had my ideas about what you wanted to do in and through me and even went so far as to be like Abraham and birth my Ishmael instead of waiting on the promise through Isaac. Help me to observant and sensitive to your leading. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

IN JESUS NAME  BELIEVE

Jesus not only a way to pray directly to the Father,  also said to pray to the Father in Jesus’ name. In other words, we do not go to the Father without first going through Jesus Christ. If you’re trying to pray to God without Jesus, then you’ll get nowhere. You see, no one is worthy to go to God the Father in prayer because we have all sinned. No sinner can go to God since God is perfectly Holy. However, God made a way for mankind to approach Him. That way is Jesus!

“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John.14:6).

What about coming to God through Joseph Smith, Muhammad, Rev. Moon, Hare Krishna, or some other self-proclaim prophet? The answer is found in Acts 4:12:

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

There are some people who want to unite all religions together. They falsely teach, “All the roads of all religions lead to God.” But Jesus contradicted this by saying, “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matt.7:13-14). Jesus is the small gate and narrow road. You must go through the Lord Jesus to get to God.

Some time I was talking to a girl about God and her relationship to Him. It was apparent to me that she was not born again. However, she tried to convince me that she was religious. She said, “I pray to God every day.”

But God does listen to you? I asked.

“Why do you say that?” she asked.

I try to explain to her until she understood .

Many people are just like this girl. They pray to God and get no results. Why? They don’t get results because they don’t go through Jesus Christ the Lord. God listens to you when you go through Jesus.

GOD IS OUR FATHER

There is one more point I want to write concerning prayer: God is our Father! Many people think of God as being mean and angry. However, God is our loving, caring, and watchful Father. Whatever problem you might have pray to your very own Father, who will take care of your problems, if you’re born again of God’s Spirit. If you’re not sure that you’re born again, then please pray the following prayer out noisy and from your heart.

Dear God in Heaven. I come to you through your Son Jesus Christ. I come as a repentant sinner. Please forgive me of all my sins. I’m going to live for you starting right now. I believe that Christ died for my sins, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day and that he is Lord. I now make Jesus the Lord of my Life. I’m now saved by the blood of Christ. Heaven is my eternal home. And God is now my very own Father. Thank you Father-God for adopting me into your Family. Amen!

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How can Christians say Jesus is the only way to God? Isaiah 45:21 “There is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me.” John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” How can Christians be so sure they’re right and everyone else is wrong? Isn’t that arrogant? Logically, it’s not possible for all the major world religions to be valid ways to God. As seen in the verses above, Christianity states that the God of the Bible is the only true God and salvation is only possible by accepting Christ as Savior and Lord. Judaism states that the God of the Torah/Old Testament is the only true God, but that Jesus is not the Messiah, putting it directly at odds with Christianity. Jesus either is the Messiah, or he is not. If he is, Judaism is not a valid way to God; if he is not, Christianity is not a valid way to God. The mutual exclusion only grows when other religions are added: Islam says that Allah is the only true God, and that anyone who says Christ is the Son of God will be condemned  Furthermore, if religions other than Christianity are valid ways to God, then one of Christianity’s basic principles is false; in that case, can it still be said to be a valid, trustworthy religion? (See also 1 Cor 15:14-19.) No matter what belief system you adopt, you will be saying that your system is right and that the billions of people who don’t accept it are wrong. If Islam is correct, the billions of non-Muslims are wrong; if Orthodox Judiasm is correct, the billions of Gentiles are wrong. If it is correct to approve of multiple belief systems because they’re all valid ways of achieving spiritual enlightenment, the billions of Christians, Jews, Muslims and others who believe in exclusive religions are intolerant and therefore wrong. How can Christians be sure their religion is the right one? Being born into a Christian family or growing up in a Christian community doesn’t make one a Christian; culture and ethnicity don’t determine one’s relationship with God. Instead, people become Christians because they are convinced of the truth of Christianity and/or have had experiences with God – in short, they have good reasons for believing Christianity to be true. (See the testimonies of people who have become Christians.) Also, Christians are not saying that their personal ideas are true, but that the Christian God exists, and his words are true. Furthermore, Christianity is unique among religions because it addresses the fact that we can never be good enough to be in the presence of a perfect, holy God. In order to be perfectly good, we would have to be doing good all the time. If we do something wrong, we can’t undo it, and we can no longer be considered perfect. Nor can we do more good to make up for our wrongs, for perfection requires doing the most good possible at all times – we can’t be more than perfect to make up for when we’re less than perfect. Other religions teach that we can somehow do enough good to earn heaven or nirvana, but they don’t address the fact that we continually make mistakes. Christianity teaches that our sins were paid for by Jesus’ death on the cross, and that by accepting his payment and believing in him we can be forgiven; we don’t have to earn our way into heaven, which is a good thing, because we can’t do it. Christ is the only way to God, because without the forgiveness that comes through his death and resurrection, there’s no way for us to be able to stand before a holy God. Saying that Christianity is right does not mean that Christians themselves are right about everything, or that they are innately superior to non-Christians. What Christianity teaches is that both Christians and non-Christians “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23) and need salvation, which comes only by the grace of God, not the individual’s actions or merits (Eph 2:8-9, 1 Cor 1:26-31). Christianity is intolerant of other beliefs Is refusing to call a belief false always the right thing to do? For instance, is it right to say that racism and Nazism are simply alternate belief systems that we shouldn’t pass judgment on, or should we condemn these beliefs as being morally wrong? If someone believes they have the right to rape or kill whomever they please, should we accept their beliefs as an alternate lifestyle, or denounce them? Tolerance is an admirable virtue in many circumstances, but tolerating wrong by refusing to say it’s wrong is in itself wrong. If Christianity is true, then there is only one God and salvation comes only through Him, and religions that deny this are not merely alternate forms of spiritual expression, but systems of belief that prevent their adherents from obtaining salvation. If Christ is in fact the only way to God, then to claim that he’s not is both false and dangerous. If someone has a fatal disease, telling them that they don’t need to seek medical treatment is wrong. If someone can only have salvation by accepting Christ as their Savior, telling them they don’t need to accept Christ is even more wrong, no matter how tolerant or well-meaning it may seem to be. Christianity is exclusive – those outside the church aren’t saved First of all, would a religion that taught that everyone goes to heaven be a good religion? We would all like to think that we and our loved ones will go to heaven. Yet if everyone automatically goes to heaven, this includes evil people as well as good people. Should an unrepentant killer go to heaven? Should someone who enjoys torturing people, or who molests children and feels no guilt, go to heaven? If not, then there are cases when it’s morally right for people to be excluded from heaven. Christianity does not teach that only Christians deserve to go to heaven. Rather, it teaches that no one deserves to go to heaven, because we have all done wrong during our lives (Rom 3:23). We can gain admittance to heaven by repenting of our wrongs, accepting Jesus Christ’s death as payment for our wrongs and deciding to follow and worship him as Lord. The principle is that Jesus is the only way to God, not any particular church or denomination (Jn 6:40). Thus, salvation is accessible to everyone and is intended by God for everyone: Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth. (Is 45:22) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men. (1 Tim 2:1, 3-6) (See also Is 49:6, 52:10, Rev 5:9.) Indeed, there are people “from every nation, tribe, people and language” who will be saved (Rev 7:9). Thus, far from being exclusive, Christianity is inclusive. Anyone who chooses to accept Christ as Lord and Savior is a Christian and has equal standing with all other Christians before God. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:26-28)

HOW WONDERFUL IT IS FOR ME AND FOR YOU TO BE THE CHILDREN OF OUR ALMIGHTY GOD! THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS! I WISH YOU WHO ARE READING THIS TO BE ON THIS PART OF SALVATION.

AMEN.

1. We are all accustomed to promises. We are also accustomed to seeing them made and broken. Anyone who has lived for a number of years would certainly never lay claim to having kept every promise made. There are many reasons why this is true. Sometimes we forget, sometimes we are negligent, and sometimes it may be due to circumstances beyond our control. A broken hearted young lady will often say, “But he promised to marry me”. And the answer comes back: “Yes, but I changed my mind”. People do change their mind, and they do break their promises. What about the promises of God? How certain are they? The Apostle Paul, in writing about the promises of God to Abraham, addressed the church at Rome with these words: “For the promise that he should be heir of the world, was not to Abraham or his seed through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith . . . therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed” (Romans 4:13, 16). God’s promise to Abraham was first spelled out in Genesis Chapter 12. It was repeated in Chapter 22. Verse 18 reads: “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice”. Now a promise is of no more value than is the ability of the one who makes it to carry through. It also includes willingness to do so. God did carry through with Abraham. Paul points out in Galatians 3:16, that it was through Christ God intended to fulfill the promise to Abraham. Also in Acts 13:32-33, the Apostle says: “And we declare unto you glad tidings how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again.” The contour of Jesus’ life, while living on earth, was shaped by his trust in the power of the promises of God. When Jesus said: “I am that bread of life”, John 6:48, “I am the light of the world”, John 8:12, “I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25, He did so fully realizing that He had been empowered with this right by the Father who had promised to raise Him from the grave. There were more than 500 brethren at one time who bore witness to the fulfillment of this promise according to I Corinthians 15:1-6. What can be said about God’s promises to us? He has promised to supply every need we have. The Bible says: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. That’s Philippians 4:19. Now notice, God has obligated Himself only to the extent of our needs. That would include food, clothing, shelter, companionship, love, and salvation thru Jesus Christ. It would not include the multiplicity of luxuries that we have come to think of as needs. God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us. (II Corinthians 12:9). in fact, He has made provision for our salvation by His grace through faith. Read Ephesians 2:8. It is through an obedient faith that we have access into the grace of God according to Romans 5:2. God has promised that His children will not be overtaken with temptation. Instead, He assures us that a way of escape will be provided. This promise is recorded in I Corinthians 10:13. Jude wrote: “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present your faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude v 24). Darius, King of the Medes, said to Daniel, “Thy God whom thou serves continually, he will deliver thee” (Daniel 6:16). He did deliver Daniel from the den of lions. God has promised us victory over death. He first resurrected Jesus by way of assuring our resurrection. Peter said: “This Jesus hath God rose up, whereof we are all witnesses” (Acts 2:32). Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3,4). Later on he adds: “but thanks are to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57). God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully (Romans 8:28). It may be difficult for us to see and understand how this is accomplished at times, but God has promised it, and He will deliver. God has promised that those who believe in Jesus and are baptized for the forgiveness of sins will be saved. (Read Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38). God has promised His people eternal life (John 10:27,28). In closing, let me appeal to you to live so that the promises of God will be yours.

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1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

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<< John 14 >>

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Does prayer change things? What is the purpose of prayer? Does God answer prayer? Many Christians have a difficult time answering these questions in light of scripture. This is partly due to their struggle with harmonizing the idea of God’s sovereignty and immutability, with God’s word that we should pray and our prayers will be answered. For many conclude that since God answers our prayers, this means that our prayer changes things. But while it is true that prayer changes things, the question is, exactly what does it really change? Does it work to change the mindset of those who pray, or does it actually change the mind of God? This is the question they struggle with. Because God is quite clearly Omniscient, infallible and immutable. And yet prayers are declared in scripture to be answered. Thus this leaves many with a conundrum of sorts. For if God knows all, and He is infallible and perfect in all His judgments, how can He change His mind in accordance with the will of our prayers? In this FAQ, we will endeavor to shed some light upon this very puzzling question.

First and foremost we should establish that the Holy scriptures are crystal clear that the mind of God is to do His will, not ours. Thus, any answered prayer must be considered in the light of that first principle. And perfect judgments are not judgments that will be countermanded. Would our humanistic judgments be better for anyone than what the mind of God had ordained, that He would allow it to supersede His perfect will and divine Providence?

Job 23:13

* “But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.”

Whatever is His will, He does! Clearly God’s counsels are immutable, and there are no earthly interests or counselors by whom God may be persuaded to turn away from His ordained purposes and will. Thus if we pray for a blessing, and we receive it, it is not that we altered the course of things. It is that we prayed for what was in the purpose of God. i.e., God had always intended for us to petition Him (for our own sakes) for what was in His will to give us. In other words, His counsel stood sure and didn’t change, it was just that we didn’t know His counsel, and asked according to His foreknowledge and will.

Psalms 33:11

* “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”

God doesn’t change His counsel. Because the foreknowledge and immutability of God that is declared in the Scriptures, and implied in His absolute perfection, means He would not make a judgment that He already knew He would change. Unless it was already His will to change it. What many Christians don’t fully comprehend is that the purpose of prayer is not as a means for man to change the counsel God, but as a channel for communion with God, that we are the one being taught some lesson and being changed.

Isaiah 40:13

* “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counselor hath taught him?”

We don’t counsel God on what changes we want, prayers bring us closer to His teachings. His omniscience precludes Him from being surprised by any prayer that would subsequently change His mind. Since He knows the end of all things and of all matters, how could our prodding change His mind?

Malachi 3:6

* “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”

Shall the petitions of unrighteous man change the mind of a righteous God who judges perfectly? No, that cannot be. And yet from the scriptures, it is also clear that God says He does answers prayer. So does God answer prayer and does prayer change things? Or more to the point, does God change His mind because of those prayers, or were the prayers that are answered always the will of God to begin with? We can only come to one Biblical conclusion if we deem God an all-knowing being. For you can’t change your mind if you already know the final outcome. Obviously God uses prayer for the benefit of His people, as a help for them that they may be strengthened and grow in grace. It is truly a privilege for Christians to be able to approach God on a personal basis in supplication and prayer. It is this prayerful communion with God that I believe brings us closer to Him. God graciously uses believers as vessels participating in carrying out His will. And that means building us up that we may gain spiritual strength and fortitude through prayer. We are as clay in His hands used in the service of what He has preordained unto honor. We are not vessels that guide His hand, direct His steps, or that change His mind. We don’t really move God by prayer, but by prayer God moves us. When we pray, it is God attending to us, through the communion of the Spirit of Christ.

Psalms 141:2

* “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”

Prayers can only come up before God as the sweet smell of burning incense, if they are brought before Him in Christ Jesus. For it is Christ, the burnt offering, that makes our prayers as a sweet incense. It would be truly vain and egotistical for us to think that sinful man’s selfish petitions would change the mind of God. The carnal imperfect will of man in prayer is obviously vastly inferior to the perfect plan of God for him. These two wills must be brought into harmony for any prayer to be answered.

As a practical example, consider the Old Testament story of Hannah. She was a Godly woman who desired a son, and so prayed earnestly until ultimately God answered her prayers and gave her the son she desired. But we have to know that God’s mind wasn’t changed by Hannah’s prayers. God (being omniscient) had always intended to raise up Samuel through Hannah, but it would be in His own good time, not Hannah’s. And yet He gloriously allowed her the privilege to petition Him in this regard, that she (and we who come after) might grow in grace and in the trust of the Lord for all our needs. Those who claim that the Lord’s mind was changed by her petitions are effectively declaring that they don’t think that God was really sure of His will in this, or questioning His Omniscience. Because that implies that God really didn’t have foreknowledge to know the end from the beginning. We must understand that the perfection of God’s judgments, and man counsel changing God’s judgments, are ideas that are antithetical to each other. And in this instance, let’s not forget that it was the Lord who shut up Hannah’s womb to begin with. and that no doubt so that she could participate in this communion with God, grow in patience, grace, resignation, and also to be set forth an example. For God is not our bondservant to do our will, but we His.

1st Samuel 1:5-6

* “But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
* And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.”

1st Samuel 1:19-20

* “And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
* Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.”

God shut up Hannah’s womb, and she prayed and petitioned the Lord for a son, and God indeed answered her prayer. But there is a big difference between God answering prayer, and God having a change of mind because of prayer. This is what seems to confuse some people. The point being, the Lord had always ordained and intended to raise up Hannah’s son Samuel as a great prophet, but He answered her prayer that she might be an example of how God uses us, granting us participation in His glorious salvation program. As a result of this scripture notation, she is a roll model of sorts, a continuing witness to all of us who come after, of the power of prayer concerning God’s people.

1st Samuel 3:19-20

* “And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
* And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.”

Samuel wasn’t an afterthought of God. God had established and ordained that Samuel would be His prophet long before it ever came into Hannah’s mind to pray for a son. It was not a quirk of fate that changed God’s mind where He opened up Hannah’s womb. It was God’s omniscient sovereign good will and intentions from the very foundation of the world to raise up Samuel as a prophet in Israel. Samuel was Predestinated unto the adoption of sons from the beginning. Thus God worked through Hannah’s prayers, not changed things because of them. The distinction is very important.

The objection may be raised, “Why then do we have to pray, if God is Sovereign and will do according to His will anyway?” That is a very good question. And the answer is twofold.

First, because God told us to pray to the father for what we need. God is all knowing and infinite, we know only in part and are finite. Thus we don’t have to understand His counsel, but we do have to be obedient to it. God knows, He instructs, we obey without question, because we are servants not counselors.

Second, it is because we are not only growing ourselves by prayer, but we are the tools that God uses to get His work done. Whether God intends that work of prayer to be in us, or in others whom we pray for, He ordained prayer to change things. Thus the prayer of the elect is always meaningful and effectual because it is our petition that His will be done. And it brings about intangible, internal, spiritual benefits and growth for the petitioner, even when the petition is denied. All the good that we receive from God have their source from beyond human agency. And as the vessels of mercy that God before has prepared unto glory, our prayer is part of that preparation in our walk in this world. Our prayer in repentance in seeking Him, or in petitioning on behalf of others, produces change in us as we submit to accept the outcome. For benevolence and prayer go hand in hand, even as Love of God aligns with love of our neighbors even as ourselves (Galatians 5:14). For if we truly love our neighbor, we will desire for them the same gift of salvation as we ourselves have been granted. A noble prayer that is taken perfectly before the throne, is according to the will of God.

Luke 10:26-28

* “He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
* And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
* And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.”

Does God answer prayer and does prayer change things? We all know benevolent prayer is noble, but God’s will supersedes our own (sometimes vain) will. Does God answer selfish prayer in the sense that our present monetary situation, or our physical condition, or the condition of others will be changed by our petition? No, not always. Maybe not even a majority of the time. Because it’s not always God’s will that one be made physically well, or that one be made financially set, or that they might have enemies removed from their sphere. But prayer does change things in that it changes the trust we have in ourselves, wherein we transition to recognize and accept our full dependence and trust upon God. Indeed, in times of doubt, trouble or despair, that is when “we” need our prayers the most. It is a conduit to our Lord God, and it strengthens us. Even when some may not feel God is listening, prayer is working because it is in human weakness that the perfection of God is realized. We find that strength in the Spirit, as it brings our prayers perfectly to the throne of God. He will not close His ears to the prayer of the believer, even though it may appear so.

Proverbs 15:29

* “The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.”

Sometimes it seems that many Christians today leave out the most essential element of prayer, which is God’s participation. In other words, prayer isn’t just words in the air, God is the conduit of prayer and also the arbiter deciding what the answer of the petition will be. We are not the power of prayer. There are no, “Name It And Claim It” gospels with the God of the Bible. Such gospels make God our slave, rather than our Saviour. God is the one who ultimately answers prayer. And it is always according to His will. And it is not prayer that ultimately heals people, but God. And it is according to His will for their lives, not ours. Prayer is the vehicle, but God is the power of prayer. Can prayer affect a person’s healing? Yes, but only in the sense that God had always intended to heal that person, and had always intended your petition to be granted, working His will through your prayer. In other words, it was a God glorifying, God inspired prayer, to the benefit of both those prayed for, and the petitioner. Let’s not forget, all righteousness comes from God, we are not the source.

James 5:16-17

* “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
* Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”

We might assume from this that God had no intention of holding back rain, and then Elijah’s prayer changed His mind. But assumption is the mother of most errors. In point of fact, God had every intention bringing this judgment of holding back rain, and inspired the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man to bring it to pass. Note here the qualification of the petitioner. He was a righteous man. Not righteous in the sense that he was a good person (there is none good but God), but in the sense that he was justified by faith, and thus Christ dwells within Him moving and guiding Him. His unending prayer is that the will of God be done, not his own. That’s the key here. It was ultimately God’s will that this is done, not Elijah’s will. It is the Spirit that moved Elijah, and that works within us, according to God’s will and purpose. It is what made Elijah’s prayers effectual, according to God’s will.

Romans 8:26-28

* “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for : but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
* And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
* And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

This is the prayer that is guaranteed to be answered. God will answer the prayer that is harmonized with the mind of Christ, and carried perfectly to Him by the Holy Spirit. For we don’t really know what is the will of God for anyone, for their sicknesses, for their daily situations and lives, and so we do not really know exactly what we should be praying for. But the Spirit brings our imperfect desires in prayers, “perfectly” before the Lord. And notice again that scripture says that the Spirit intercedes for us “according to His own will.” And that ultimately all things work together for good to them that love God and are called “according to His purpose!” So as long as our purpose is in the will of God according to His purpose, our prayers will be answered. Selfless prayer is the result of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, and that Spirit is the normal instrument that God uses to move us and answer prayer.

Does God answer prayer and does prayer change things? Yes, it changes things. But it doesn’t change God, because His judgments are already perfect, even as He has eternally known the end from the beginning. So what is the purpose of prayer then? It is so that we are brought into alignment with God’s purposes, to strengthen us, and to glorify God. The change that occurs is within us, and within those whom we pray for that God is calling. Our prayer is our outward expression of dependence and reliance upon Him for all things. Prayer is for our own repentance, or to increase our awareness of God and His role in our lives, and in the lives of others. The outcome of our prayers was already determined long before we uttered any petition before God. For God is not left out of providence, He knows not only our desires, but our needs, and is constantly supplying them, according to His will. The beauty of weakness is confirmed in that, through prayer, we are made strong in our recognition of total dependence upon the Lord. Even as the Apostle Paul petitioned the Lord for deliverance, and was strengthened not by the removal of the adversary as he had asked, but by his understanding that God’s favor upon him was better than this thorn which he endured, and which was not God’s will to remove.

2nd Corinthians 12:8-9

* “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
* And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

What the apostle Paul asked God to take away, God did not take away. But He took away so much more than the mere thorn in the flesh requested. And He added to the spirit of Paul so much more than worldly peace or a lack of tribulation. He added to him the knowledge that in our weakness we see revealed God’s helping power more illustrious. The rejuvenation of the soul is often accomplished through our prayers. For in our weakness, we are made strong in the Lord, our faith. In our humanity, we may desire gain, life, relief, but His grace is sufficient and far better than any gain or worldly relief we might pray for. So in the final analysis, we must trust and leave it up to God to determine the matter. Our prayers are the basic declarations of our need, and they are answered through faith in God’s provision, according to His will. Prayer maintains our personal relationship with God. It nourishes our trust so that we may find God-given strength in our dependance upon Him. So when we pray, we should seek the eternal things of the kingdom, not the temporal things that profit little. Ergo, pray according to the will of God.

Luke 12:29-31

* “And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
* For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
* But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

God knows what we want, but more importantly, God knows what we need. And more often than not, they are not the same things. Have you ever prayed earnestly that God might intervene in some situation, either that He might heal someone, or that someone might find Christ, or that a financial situation might be made stable? And yet your prayers seemingly went unanswered? Not at all, for the answer was obviously that it was not God’s will that this person be physically healed. We have to remember, ultimately everyone dies of some sickness or disease. Or the answer was that the person you prayed for will not be drawn to Christ. Again, ultimately God does not draw everyone. Or the answer was that God would not intervene to help in some financial situation. For ultimately, our trust is not to be in mammon, and His grace is sufficient. And yet, still it is a faithful truth that prayer is effectual. The statement is very Biblical and true that the effectual fervent prayer (James 5:16-17) availeth much. That is to say, it is of “strong force.” And the reason is because effectual prayer is in God’s will, and His will has the power necessary to accomplish it. People are misguided in thinking that the purpose of prayer is to impose our will upon God.

Does God answer prayer and does prayer change things? Does the fervent effectual prayer change our cancerous or broken body? No, not unless it was always God’s will to heal us of this malignancy. Because Christ didn’t go to the cross in order to heal our broken physical bodies, as we “all” eventually die physically. Christ went to the cross to heal our broken and sin sick souls. Yet our prayer is the channel to God that will change our outlook, and will be illustrative of our source of strength and comfort.

Will fervent effectual prayer change our financial situation? Probably not, but it will change who we look to and trust that will always supply our every need. That might mean our financial situation will get better, or it may mean it will get worse. In other words, fervent “effectual” prayer is in the will of God to be done, not our own. It may not change what we want done, but it will bring our will in harmony with the will of God.

In short, prayer changes our perspective, frame of reference, dependence, and lives in ways we cannot fully comprehend. Because Christ inspires them for our good, and the good of those around us. Prayer changes our attitude so that we can act in accordance with God’s will for our lives. Therefore we should pray continually, especially on behalf of others. For in seeking to help others, you both help yourself and show the love of God working in you. If you have neglected prayer, then renew yourself now in effectual prayer. Because prayer changes things, and is for our good in all things lawful.

1st Thessalonians 5:17-18

* “Pray without ceasing.
* In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Prayer in the Spirit of Christ, is the will of God concerning you. And praying and rejoicing go hand in hand. For according to our constancy in prayer, such will be our joy in resigned submission to the will of God in all things. For the Spirit also helps our infirmities or weaknesses, as we often do not know what we should rightly pray for. So we ask/petition God, according to His will, and it will be done “always.” Praying, rejoicing and the spirit are in harmony when we ask all things according to the will of God.

John 16:22-24

* “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
* And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
* Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

What does praying in the name of Christ mean? Surely it doesn’t simply mean anyone who asks something using Christ’s name, it will be done. Rather, it illustrates those who are truly in the Spirit of Christ, and who have been purchased by Him for this privilege. They are the vessels of God’s purposes, and the messengers of His plan. To be in prayer that will be answered in the name of Christ, is to be praying with the mind of Christ (1st Corinthians 2:16), according to God’s will. Those are the prayers that will be answered. Prayers of charity, of benevolence and of love. Prayers that seek to build up, according to God’s will. Even as demonstrated in the book of Matthew when the Apostles ask Jesus how they should pray. Note that in instructing them, Christ specifically teaches them to pray that the Lord’s will be done.

Matthew 6:9-13

* After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
* Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
* Give us this day our daily bread.
* And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
* And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

The manner in which we are to pray is, “Thy will be done!” Our desire should be towards His will for our lives, not our own. We must always pray with this “qualification” in mind. For we must be careful not to fall into the snare of effectively acting as if God is our slave we call upon to do our bidding. In prayer, we remember that we are His slaves/servants to do His will. True, it may sometimes “appear” that God is changing to accommodate us, but truly we are changing to accommodate God, and the outcome was already written in the book ahead of time.

We can see this principle illustrated in the practical example of Abraham pleading with God to spare the wicked city of Sodom. From the perspective of Abraham we may surmise he may very well be thinking that he is changing God’s mind on the issue. In Genesis chapter 18 Abraham petitions God that if there are 50 righteous in the city, that He will not destroy it. God answers, if there are fifty, the city will not be destroyed. I’m sure Abraham, being a man of compassion, senses there may not be fifty and petitions again that if there are forty-five, will God please spare the city. And God answers, he will spare the city if there are forty-five. This continues, and Abraham gets all the way down to ten. And God says, yes, if there are ten righteous, He will not destroy Sodom. The point here being, there were “none righteous” in the city but those whom God had ordained preserved, Lot and his daughters. Yet through Lot’s petitioning, God is demonstrating He is not destroying righteous people, and in doing so is also enlightening Abraham’s understanding of both God, himself, and that city. This is the power of our petitions to the Lord. Abraham’s petition did not make a difference in the outcome of the city of Sodom, but it did change Abraham’s understanding and knowledge of God. Ergo, in communing with God, we are the ones enlightened and changed and who grow in grace and understanding. In truth, Abraham’s petitioning didn’t change God’s “perfect” and righteous plan for Sodom anymore than the prayers of the people of Nineveh changed God’s plan for them. It was always His plan to save the city of Nineveh and use them as an example (Matthew 12:41) of repentance and salvation. God had ordained their repentance to be used as an example to Israel. God uses prayer in this way to help and change people. That is the point. Because prayer did not change God’s mind, as an omniscient God who knew all along that He would not destroy Nineveh. i.e., the people’s prayer in sackcloth and ashes were not a pleasant surprise to an Omniscient God, thus it is impossible that God’s mind was changed when He heard their prayer. He had foreknowledge of all these things before He ever said He would destroy Nineveh.

In [agape] charity or benevolent love, when we use intercessory prayer on behalf of others, we are affecting ourselves, and possibly them. But we are not changing God’s counsel. In this interpersonal sharing, we experience the love of God, the communion with God, and the acceptance of His will and perfect judgments, over our own. It is we who have our minds changed by prayer. So when the question is asked, “Does Prayer Change Things?” The answer is yes, but it does not change an immutable omniscient God who always makes perfect judgments. And are our prayers answered? Yes! The fact is, all the prayers of God’s elect are answered, just not always in the manner that the petitioner might like. As demonstrated in Abraham’s prayer for Sodom, or David’s prayer for the life of his son. For prayer does not put the power in our hands, it is the recognition that all power ultimately belongs to God, and answered prayer is in His power.

Revelation 3:19

* “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

Should we pray that this chastisement be removed from us, or would true effectual perfect prayer be a petition that whatever act we did to incur this chastisement, be removed? The thing we are praying to have removed may very well be God’s chastisement upon us for our dereliction or unfaithfulness. Our prayer, in communion with God, may bring this important fact to light. When we open up a line to God, God speaks to us in ways we cannot fully understand. But it indeed is a real communion together in love, for our benefit. The Phrase, “ask and it shall be given,” is not a blank check, but rather a goad to righteousness and harmony with God.

Still, others have asked to make their prayers more real and less like they are talking to themselves? The answer is to be cognizant that you are talking to God, and so speak accordingly. Because if you have the mindset where you feel you are talking to yourself, you are not on the right path to begin with. When you have a personal relationship with someone, you talk to them. And the more personal that relationship, the more trusting, open and honest that talk will be. When we are truly saved, we have that very personal relationship to God. The Holy Spirit of God is the vehicle of the love of the Father, through the Son. We are never guaranteed that prayer for any physical healing, gain or miracle will be granted. What prayers are guaranteed to be answered are prayers the Holy Spirit itself maketh intercession for, with groanings which cannot be uttered. In the bond of prayer, which is the bond of charity [agape] or love, we are changed forever. A perfect God provides us with that which always improves our spiritual well being, and denies us whatever would detract from this. Ergo, a perfect God doesn’t change according to our prayers, He has already made provision for us for everything for our good, according to His will. Thus we need to come to grips with the truth that the real purpose of prayer is to assist us beyond the circle of our own vain and selfish will and desires.

Does our praying really make a difference? The Biblical answer is yes. The difference prayer makes is in us and in those around us, not in God. Prayer is for our sakes, for it is through prayer that the believer is learning more about Himself through his lifeline to God. In this spiritual conduit of power he can better understand that the Lord is his only protector, foundation, strength and fortress. For it is in this conductor of prayer to God, that His will is revealed to His servants. It is how we consciously petition and receive power from on high, that we may live the life that God intends for us. The practice of petitionary prayer is very Biblical, and the truth of its efficacy is deeply rooted in the scriptures. God desires us to petition Him that we may grow in grace and communion with God, by our identification with Him. It instills God-consciousness in an individual. For an integral part of the purpose of prayer is to assist us in aligning ourselves with God. In the act of repentance and petitionary prayer, God teaches us to submit to His will. Even as David, who both repented and prayed earnestly for the life of his son (2nd Samuel 12:16), but ultimately accepted what he subsequently learned was the will of God in the matter. In this we see demonstrated both his trust and His faith. Unlike humanistic man, he is not angry with God, not blaming God, not pointing an accusing finger at God, but growing in Grace whereby he can accept God’s will. i.e., it’s not that God was unforgiving, or that He couldn’t spare David’s son’s life, but that David might learn and grow from this, to his own good, to the glory of God. The whole purpose of prayer is conformity with the will of God, not the commanding of our own, in self-gratification.

Again, “Does God answer prayer and does prayer change things?” …Absolutely! For prayer, viewed in this very Biblical way, accepts God as sovereign and makes every prayer righteous, answered, and a blessing. And through those prayers we learn more about ourselves, and how to live nobly that we orient ourselves properly toward God. Let is then thank the Lord for the privilege of coming boldly before the throne of grace in humble prayer. May He graciously grant us the wisdom to trust in Him fully, that we possess the ability to succeed in all of life’s noble and worthy challenges and endeavors, through His blessing of prayer!

Amen!

LET US LOOK WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Gospel of John 1:28-29

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this, to lay down his life for his friends.”
Gospel of John 15:12-13

Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, entered time and history through the Incarnation.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:1, Romans 1:4), is a gift of love from the Father for the salvation of the world (John 3:16-17), the one who died for all of mankind (2 Corinthians 5:15), our “Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:21).

Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, fulfills Old Testament prophecy. The Lamb of God recalls the Passover Lamb, whose blood was sprinkled on the houses of the Israelites to protect them during the Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12). The Messiah as the suffering servant will give his life as an offering for sin (Isaiah 53). The Lamb anticipates the victorious Lamb of the Apocalypse (Revelation 5-7).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10), affirmed the Ten Commandments of God (Matthew 5:17-20), and taught us the prayer of hope, the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). Jesus promised the Apostles and his followers that “When I go I will prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you will be also” (John 14:3).

God is love (1 John 4:8)! The mystery of the Cross reveals the open arms of Christ Jesus. The Church Fathers interpreted his open arms to reveal his obedience and glorification of his Father and at the same time reveal his devotion to all of mankind. His open arms of prayer symbolically represent worship and brotherliness, the indivisibility of service to mankind and glorification of God.

The Paschal mystery in the Gospel of John reveals Christ as the new Adam. “One of the soldiers thrust a lance into his side and immediately blood and water came out” (John 19:34). Eve came from the side of the first Adam. The open side of the new Adam is the beginning of the new definitive community of men with one another, a New Covenant in Christ, symbolized by water and blood, the sacraments of Baptism and the Lamb’s Supper, the Eucharistic (Divine) Liturgy, and through them the Church as the sign of the new community of mankind.

Christ revealed to us the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Following his Resurrection, Jesus instructed his Apostles: “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you,” that He will be with us to the end (Matthew 28:19f).

Jesus actually identifies himself with the Church in the Acts of the Apostles. Saul was persecuting the Church, consenting to the death of the first martyr Stephen, and laid waste the Church, dragging off men and women and throwing them into prison (Acts 8:1-3). But while going to Damascus, Saul was struck from his horse by a great light, and a voice asked “Why do you persecute me?” Saul asked who spoke: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:4-5). Saul experienced the grace of Conversion, and Paul, as Apostle to the Gentiles, became just as passionate spreading the Christian faith as he was in persecuting the Church.