Author: Pastor Rufus Ajiboye

«Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons» (1 Timothy, 4:1).

It is sad that people depart from the faith; their love grows cold; they get offended and leave God. (When our relationships with God start growing cold it is a sign of departure from the faith). I would want it to happen with any of you; I wish none of you fall because of the wicked winds of the last days.

Answer Nr.3 – God says «No!» In this case you should be glad with this answer as much as glad you are when God says es”. “No” is the most difficult thing to hear and to pronounce. Some people never accept answer “No” at all. Those who dare say “No” to them become enemies of such people. Sometimes we are not able to accept negative answer from God too.

Apostle Paul wrote in his letter about a thorn in his flesh used by the angel of satan to inflict pain on him. Paul prayed for three times for removal of it, but God said “No!” Didn´t Paul remain in God and the word of God in him?

Nevertheless, there are four possible God´s answers to the right prayer said by the right person.

First answer – we pray and receive an immediate answer. It works this way in the life of newly born Christians, but not only. Also Peter received an immediate answer to his prayer. He called to the Lord for help when he started to drown, and the answer came immediately – Jesus stretched His hand to save Peter´s life.

«If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.» (John 15:7).

There is a God´s promise in this scripture: «whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.» Which one of you had prayed for something but it was not given to you? I guess many of you had, so where is the problem? We often read in the Bible that people prayed and received the answer to their prayers. God Himself told us to pray, and He promised to answer our prayers.

God cleanses and heals us from inside out. And one of the most important elements leading to the inner healing is confession of our sins before God and forgiving of other people’s transgressions. «And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors» (Mathew, 6:12).

When we come to God in prayer, we must confess our sins and ask Him to heal us. Such a prayer brings healing and deep inner cleansing.

Everything that bothers us can be brought to God in prayer.

«Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus» (Philippians, 4:6-7).

When we continually pray and worship God, then our main desire is doing the will of God. Many prayers remain unanswered by God, because these prayers have a wrong foundation and demonstrate wrong priorities. For example, you may pray for a person with some serious problems. And you ask God to remove his or her problems or to solve them. At the same time you know that even if the answer to this prayer comes, the problems might return, since the cause of them has not been removed. That is why when Paul prayed he always asked for the people to learn the will of God and have a desire to do His will and be fruitful.

When things go fine and when God answers our prayers, it is easy to thank God, – at those times we thank God and adore Him. But as soon as God decides to answer us in a way that does not fit our plans, we start thinking whether there is any sense in prayer. The Bible calls us to thank God in everything. The Bible calls us to praise God aloud so that other people would hear it. Be grateful to God, praise him, and sing to Him – aloud! Thanksgiving is the very model of prayer that Jesus gave to His disciples.

Thinking about God and His Majesty, focusing our mind on Him should become something we are constantly worried about. That´s what Jesus taught His disciples. You have to look at God with the eyes of your heart before you open your mouth for prayer.

Humble meditation of the God´s character He revealed to us is another way of how to worship Him. We receive His mercy when reading His Word, this, in turn, testifies about God´s character.

God wants us to talk to Him the way we talk to our father. Jesus said in His prayer: “… blessed be Thy Name!” The word “bless” means He worshipped the God Father in reverence to Him. Worship prepares our soul to meet the God. It also involves our spirit. Just like in order to listen to a broadcast on the radio you need to tune it up first, worship helps us to turn our spirit on and tune it up on the God´s wave. Jesus taught:

«You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve»