Praying With Expectation

  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-7

When you pray - do you pray with expectation? What expectation? Well - that God is listening. He is not taking orders at a drive through. He is the creator God and our Father by adoption. Have you ever asked your parents for something - hoping that they would say yes. Or maybe you got no response as if they were not even listening to you.  Frustrating? Yes - especially if the request was not frivolous. When Jesus prayed in the Garden before His crucifixion asked that that cup be removed from Him - but He added "not my will but your (the Father's) will be done. Are you willing to defer to what God deems to be best, even if it means that you don't get what you want?  Are you ready to be like Jesus or do you  think you are more deserving than Jesus? 

I am certain you have heard the saying, "The heart wants what the heart wants" as if we have no choice in the matter. This is what the Bible says about the heart.

The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? - Jeremiah 17:9

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. - Matthew 12:34

What is in our hearts comes out in our prayers - or our hearts are revealed by our lack of prayer.  We say we love God with all of our being but never talk to Him. Oh we don't mind if others talk to Him for us, but we don't make the effort.  Well, until we need or want something.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  - James 5:13-16

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone