KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 9:18 BBE” While he was saying these things to them, there came a ruler and gave him worship, saying, My daughter is even now dead; but come and put your hand on her, and she will come back to life.”

Prayer is a very important activity for all Christians. Unfortunately, many complain of praying without receiving answers. A story is told about a very devoted man of one of the Christian denominations. He was asked by a friend. Do you receive answers for the many prayers you have been offering? He answered and said should I be receiving answers? This man was only practicing prayer as a religious ordinance and so did not expect any answers. That is rather sad. We have a personal God, who hears the cry of His children.

1 Peter 3:12 BBE” For the eyes of the Lord are on the upright, and his ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

In our key scripture the ruler was able to get the Lord to respond to His request.

HOW did this man approach his prayer? The Bible said he first worshipped Him. To worship means he bowed or fell prostrate before the master. Worship is a protocol of prayer.

Psa 100:4 KJV” Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” The psalmist shows us how to approach the father. He said enter His gates with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving in one of the African languages means to lie below the one being thanked. It is an act of worship. Our father deserves to be thanked and praised always. Back to our story, the ruler, then stated his problem after worshipping the Lord. He said, my daughter is dead but come and place your hands on her and she would be well. He was so clear in His expectation. He did not complain. This man prayed to the Lord in faith. I believe this moved the Lord to go with him.

Some people even complain to the Lord. They make statements like Lord I’ve suffered so much and you have not been listening to my request. This kind of request is a prayer of accusation. God may respond to you only on the grounds of mercy. Mercy means you do not deserve that favour, yet out of His abundant love he responds. Praying in faith places God under the authority of his word to respond to you without fail.  Faith means taking your answer by violence. Faith in God would always move him. According to Hebrews 11:6, God is only pleased with our faith and moves to reward that act of faith

Please God loves you, and desires to answer every heart cry of His children. He said all His promises are yes in Christ 2 Corinth 1:20. Pray to the Lord with pleasure, I mean with joy, knowing he always answers you. The Lord said at the tomb of Lazarus that., I thank you that you have heard me, and that you always hear me. Anyone who prays this way definitely knows what he  or she is talking about. God will respond to you request made in faith

CONFESSION

Thank you, father, for the privilege of prayer. Thank you that I have such a means to engage you in my affairs. You always hear me. Now you have answered all my request. Thank you Lord. Amen.

FURTHER STUDIES

Joh 11:41-42 KJV” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.”

2 Corinth 1:20 KJV” For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. “