“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1 John 5:14-15.) 

A loving father would never give his children something that would intentionally harm them. “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?” (Luke 11:11). Even so much more with our Heavenly Father. The Lord God Almighty formed us from the dust of the ground, and He blew into us the breath of life. My friends, God loves us, so when we have a need and go to Him in prayer, we can rest assured that He will answer- it may be yes, no, or wait, but He knows what’s best for us!

Luke chapter eleven gives us a glimpse at Jesus’ disciples seeking His guidance in prayer. Jesus is our greatest example: as God, He is the One we pray to; as a man, He prayed Himself; and even though He was a Son, He learned obedience in it. In light of this, we should seek and follow our Lord’s example as obedient servants in prayer. Scripture in Matthew 6:33 teaches: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”Therefore, first things first, our hearts and minds should be seeking the Giver of life and His divine will above all things.

When we fervently pray, our Heavenly Father hears and will answer according to His plans for our lives. The same scripture lesson in Luke 11:13 states, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” What a great spiritual blessing! The Holy Spirit is the divine comforter, keeper, and guide in the life of every born-again believer. 

Therefore, when we are heavy-laden and unsure how to pray or what to ask, the Holy Spirit, our divine parakletos, steps in to help us. “Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26.)  

So, as Scripture admonishes us, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16.) With this encouragement, we must have confidence in our loving, gracious, and faithful Heavenly Father. He orchestrates and orders our footsteps, and He promises that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1 John 5:14-15.) 

Remember that I wrote that God answers with “yes,” “no,” or “wait.” It’s hard to hear and accept those times when He says “no” or “wait”. The truth is we think we know best, but God sees what’s next, and right around the corner. He’s molding, growing, protecting, and guiding us through it all. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

My friends, hardships, delays, and quiet periods are not punishments; they are part of God’s refining process. Just as gold is purified in fire, He uses the trials in our lives to build our character and shape us to look more like His beloved Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

So, let us hold on, trusting in His faithfulness, knowing that one day, we will come forth as gold: “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.’ Job 23:10..

God’s Blessings and peace to all.