Some
Biblical
wisdom:
Biblical
wisdom:
1. Over and over again, Jesus tells us how important it is to have
faith that God will give us what we ask for.
2. God wants us to believe---and thereby get our petitions granted.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6).
3. Jesus also gave two other clear directions about getting prayers
answered. The first is in Mark 11:25: "Whenever you stand
praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone." (This idea
is also part of the Lord's Prayer!)
4. The second of Jesus' directions is "if you ask anything of the
Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not
asked for anything in my name." (John 16:23-24) At the very least,
"in Jesus' name" means with LOVE of God & of all others.
faith that God will give us what we ask for.
2. God wants us to believe---and thereby get our petitions granted.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6).
3. Jesus also gave two other clear directions about getting prayers
answered. The first is in Mark 11:25: "Whenever you stand
praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone." (This idea
is also part of the Lord's Prayer!)
4. The second of Jesus' directions is "if you ask anything of the
Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not
asked for anything in my name." (John 16:23-24) At the very least,
"in Jesus' name" means with LOVE of God & of all others.
Some other tips:
How to find out which
transformations you
need to undertake:
transformations you
need to undertake:
Listen to your conscience, which is the voice of God within
you. Try to talk back-and-forth with God, looking at any
negative feelings you have and comparing them to the attitudes
you know you "ought" to have. For whatever it is you're
asking God to do for you, ask yourself, "How do I really feel
about this issue, and how do I know God (who is love) would
prefer I feel?" Your answers to all these "inner oughts" are the
transformations you need to undertake. And remember, you
very likely will find yourself powerless against your natural
feelings, but God will help if you sincerely ask him (or her or
it) to!
you. Try to talk back-and-forth with God, looking at any
negative feelings you have and comparing them to the attitudes
you know you "ought" to have. For whatever it is you're
asking God to do for you, ask yourself, "How do I really feel
about this issue, and how do I know God (who is love) would
prefer I feel?" Your answers to all these "inner oughts" are the
transformations you need to undertake. And remember, you
very likely will find yourself powerless against your natural
feelings, but God will help if you sincerely ask him (or her or
it) to!
1. Take a deep breath, RELAX, and "act as if."
2. With what little faith you have, ask God to give you more
faith.
3. Sing or recite hymns or Christmas carols or any other
music or poetry—whatever gets you in a faithful mood. The
way you feel when you feel faithful has just as much basis in
reality as the way you feel when you feel unfaithful. So you
can choose which to follow!
4. For a spiritual shortcut, use the three-pronged method of
forgiveness (of everyone you have anything against),
submission (of your will to the will of the universe), and faith.
2. With what little faith you have, ask God to give you more
faith.
3. Sing or recite hymns or Christmas carols or any other
music or poetry—whatever gets you in a faithful mood. The
way you feel when you feel faithful has just as much basis in
reality as the way you feel when you feel unfaithful. So you
can choose which to follow!
4. For a spiritual shortcut, use the three-pronged method of
forgiveness (of everyone you have anything against),
submission (of your will to the will of the universe), and faith.
Petitioning Tips
Petitioning God: How to Get Your Prayers Answered