Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
(1 John 5:14-15)
As Christians, there are several things we should know when we pray. Too often Christians pray for things that, in reality, God does not want for them. And sometimes God has things for us that we don’t receive because we don’t ask.
God’s Will And Our Motives
According to the Bible in the book of James, sometimes we ask God for something that is according to His will, but we still don’t receive it because we ask with the wrong motives. When we pray, we must pray the will of God and pray with the right motives.
Several years ago, I heard of a girl who wanted to marry a certain man. He attended her church and every Sunday she would see him and think to herself, “That’s the man I want to marry.” She was in love and she had spotted her man.
One Sunday the minister of her church preached a sermon on getting your prayers answered. It was a good sermon. He used Mark 11:24 as his text where it says, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Later in the same message the minister said we must confess God’s Word and act on it in order for it to be profitable. He said that if we speak and act on what we believe, we will receive.
Selective Hearing
He went ahead and preached the message in balance, but the only thing the young lady heard was “whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them.” She remembered he said to speak and act, so she devised a plan.
When the service was over she went to the back of the church, pointed her finger in the young man’s face and said, “I stand on the Word of God and believe that whatever I want, I will have. And what I want is you!”
The startled young man didn’t know what to say but as soon as he figured out what was going on he said, “I’m sorry, lady, I’m married.”
The young girl was devastated. Had the minister lied to her? Was God’s Word not true? What had happened? The young girl actually quit going to church because she felt the Word of God wasn’t true and didn’t work.
Don’t Blame God
This may seem like an extreme case, but unfortunately many Christians are in the same situation. They ask God for something and when it doesn’t come to pass, they blame God.
Well, let me say this. We can’t get upset with God. He has made promises to those who believe in His Son, Jesus. He gave those promises in His Word, the Holy Bible. But we must know exactly what He promised and all the conditions.
Parents may promise an ice-cream cone to their children if they clean their room. The ice cream cone is promised, but only if the room is cleaned. The children who do not clean their room cannot blame their parents for not getting an ice cream cone. The conditions must first be met.
God’s Will is His Word
When we pray, we must ask for things that are His will. How do we know His will? By reading His Word. First John 5:14 says “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.