Revive me! Weekly Reflections #30 ©www.christian-recovery.com

Mar 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Are we less burdened when we pray? Do we walk away from prayer with relief and gratitude? Do we believe and receive in that moment, or do we still turn away as beggars still unsure that God will do as He promised?

In no way does this verse promote instant gratification. It does not say what you have asked for will mystically drop into your lap. It enjoins you to believe and receive. There should be great relief knowing that God has heard and will grant your desire if prayed according to the pattern the Lord has laid out for us. Why does God encourage us to pray if His answer is always no or a lesson in futility? Why would our Lord devote so much time in further instructing us in the art of prayer if it were not to teach us the pattern of perfection? The lesson is to pray what is pleasing to God, believing it is His will to deliver it and thereby be glorified, and you shall have it met with much enthusiasm on your part.

If you haven't walked away from prayer less troubled than when you began communicating your needs to God, you have missed the simple instruction of this verse. If you have asked in sincerity to be freed from that which binds and afflicts you, would God not be honored in doing what is best for you, and His highest will that His people be free to serve no one but Him? The Lord says, "All things." Not frivolous things, so if some of your prayers for materialistic items have never come to pass, don't confuse it with spiritual things. It might well be His will to provide those things also, but His concern is with your spiritual life. Revive me! is about the soul and awakening. That is the "all things" He speaks of in this passage. God is Spirit and those that worship Him must worship in the Spirit. It is His will that you serve no other god but Him. That is a spiritual law. If you have asked for deliverance from that addiction or sin that has always come before obedience to God, you can believe He will perform recovery and that you do indeed have it. Now lay that burden down right now and thank Him for His mercy.

Lord, I can see that trust on my part must come into being. And then gratitude for You are Who You say You are. Thank You that I need not be overly anxious about the manifestation of my freedom, for Christ has won that victory on the cross already. Thank You, God Almighty. You are the One I place my faith, hope and trust in. Amen

My commitment this week ______________________________________