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The Petitioning Process: How It Works
Basically, Jesus said it all: When you pray, if you have
anything against anyone, FORGIVE them (Matthew
6:15), and then MAINTAIN FAITH that God is granting
your requests. (Forgiving others is actually only one of
the many radical transformations of mind that God
frequently wants us to make before he grants our
petitions.)
anything against anyone, FORGIVE them (Matthew
6:15), and then MAINTAIN FAITH that God is granting
your requests. (Forgiving others is actually only one of
the many radical transformations of mind that God
frequently wants us to make before he grants our
petitions.)
The Catch:
The Simple
Formula:
Formula:
The problem is that both these spiritual tasks---
forgiveness and faith---are quite difficult to accomplish
and sustain. Forgiveness is usually achieved only by
working very hard to let go of our resentful or vindictive
feelings and then humbly entreating God to replace them
with good will. Likewise, faith is typically attained and
sustained only by working very hard to keep ourselves in
a faithful mood, as well as by asking God to help.
forgiveness and faith---are quite difficult to accomplish
and sustain. Forgiveness is usually achieved only by
working very hard to let go of our resentful or vindictive
feelings and then humbly entreating God to replace them
with good will. Likewise, faith is typically attained and
sustained only by working very hard to keep ourselves in
a faithful mood, as well as by asking God to help.
The Solution
(and the Purpose of Life):
(and the Purpose of Life):
The solution is based on this truth: that the purpose of
life is to spur us to remake ourselves in God's image.
The circumstances of our lives are thus tailor-made to
coax us toward such transformation. Therefore, if we
ask God to change a particular circumstance, we can
greatly increase the chances that he'll grant our request
by undertaking the corresponding bit of
self-improvement. What might he have been trying to
teach us by allowing that circumstance in the first
place? If we can identify the lesson and start trying to
learn it, we clear God to change the circumstance.
We still have to maintain our faith, but that's much
easier to do when we know we're doing what God
wants, whether it's forgiving others or transforming our
minds in some other manner.
life is to spur us to remake ourselves in God's image.
The circumstances of our lives are thus tailor-made to
coax us toward such transformation. Therefore, if we
ask God to change a particular circumstance, we can
greatly increase the chances that he'll grant our request
by undertaking the corresponding bit of
self-improvement. What might he have been trying to
teach us by allowing that circumstance in the first
place? If we can identify the lesson and start trying to
learn it, we clear God to change the circumstance.
We still have to maintain our faith, but that's much
easier to do when we know we're doing what God
wants, whether it's forgiving others or transforming our
minds in some other manner.
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Overview
Petitioning God: How to Get Your Prayers Answered