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Permalink Reply by Tammy on December 3, 2018 at 1:39pm

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PRAY FOR?

March 25, 2015

by Lenny Cacchio

“Be careful what you pray for because you might just get it.”  I have heard that assertion and it puzzles me.  It’s akin to prayers answered for Uncle Harry’s cancer, only to see the man die in a car wreck two weeks later.  Did God answer our prayer to heal him, and then pull a double cross because we didn’t ask God to protect him too?  

Be careful what you pray for because you might just get it?  That doesn’t seem like the God that Jesus described:  “Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?” (Matthew 7:9-11 NKJV)  His point, of course, is that “if you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Verse 12 NKJV)  He won’t give us a scorpion if we ask him for an egg.

Indeed, God often gives us more than what we pray for because “the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26 NKJV)

And then there is Matthew 6:32 and thereabouts.  "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”

Solomon’s encounter with God is a great example of how it all works.  God asked Solomon what he wanted, and instead of riches and power and honor, Solomon asked for wisdom so that he could properly lead his nation.  God was so pleased with the response that he not only gave Solomon the wisdom he asked for, he gave him the riches, power, and honor that he did not ask for.

Now that I think about it, maybe it does make a difference what we pray for.  Pray for things that benefit others and God will shower his blessings on all of us. 

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Permalink Reply by Glorious on December 3, 2018 at 1:53pm

Seeking personal experiences.

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on December 4, 2018 at 2:04pm

I find seeking God's will is always best. I am always specific with my prayers but I do ask His will be done just as Jesus did. He wanted the cup to pass from Him but prayed not My will by Thine be done.  I also pray that He reveals to me His will so my prayers will fall in line with His perfect will.

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Permalink Reply by Carla on December 4, 2018 at 8:29am

When I've received answered prayer in the form of a 'yes' it's always overwhelming as I see verses like Romans 8:28 and Isaiah 41:10 come to life in a very personal way.

Romans 8:28 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²⁸ And we know that ^[a]God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Isaiah 41:10 is another verse that has strengthened my faith in regards to answered prayer:

Isaiah 41:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹⁰ ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

I am always overwhelmed when God answers my prayers.  I recall one time I did receive what I asked for.  It came about in ways that I would not have wanted or considered at the time... But like I said-- Romans 8:28 comes into clear view and remembrance over the situation I am thinking of.  It was absolutely overwhelming, and it wasn't something I could have gone through in my own strength.

The result is a stronger faith and dependence on Him. 

I think it is good to be overwhelmed by Him-- Afterall, HE is God!  ;-) 

Blessings...

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Permalink Reply by Glorious on December 4, 2018 at 1:45pm

Thank you Carla for providing worth some scriptures that makes my situation clear. I have really been going through a lot lately and my pastor's sermon Sunday made me realize that the devil is not always responsible for every trail I was experiencing. I was going through what I was because it came along with what I was asking God for.

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on December 4, 2018 at 2:02pm

The devil gets far too much credit for things he has nothing to do with. Most things just occur because we live in a fallen world. 

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Permalink Reply by Carla on December 4, 2018 at 2:09pm

You're welcome Glorious!

Also remember these important truths:

Hebrews 13

⁵ Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
    I will never abandon you.”^[b]

⁶ So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper,
    so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?”^[c]

AND

John 16

 ³³ I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Jesus Himself will never leave us or forsake us, and HE has overcome the world.  Keep your eyes on Him.

Here is a devotion from my favourite devotion writer Oswald Chambers.

The Never-forsaking God

By Oswald Chambers

He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." —Hebrews 13:5

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What line of thinking do my thoughts take? Do I turn to what God says or to my own fears? Am I simply repeating what God says, or am I learning to truly hear Him and then to respond after I have heard what He says? “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

“I will never leave you…”— not for any reason; not my sin, selfishness, stubbornness, nor waywardness. Have I really let God say to me that He will never leave me? If I have not truly heard this assurance of God, then let me listen again.

“I will never…forsake you.” Sometimes it is not the difficulty of life but the drudgery of it that makes me think God will forsake me. When there is no major difficulty to overcome, no vision from God, nothing wonderful or beautiful— just the everyday activities of life— do I hear God’s assurance even in these?

We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing— that He is preparing and equipping us for some extraordinary work in the future. But as we grow in His grace we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, at this very moment. If we have God’s assurance behind us, the most amazing strength becomes ours, and we learn to sing, glorifying Him even in the ordinary days and ways of life.

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Permalink Reply by Glorious on December 4, 2018 at 2:38pm

Yes Tammy I absolutely agree and trust me I am guilty of doing so. Carla you have been most helpful.❤

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Permalink Reply by Mary O on December 8, 2018 at 11:50am

Hi Glorious, God bless you!

I try to remember that God cares about the little things and the big things. I don't get back to back big things, but I do get little things often. Why wait to pray for big things only. It's a relationship. Sometimes I'll just think about gee that would be nice. Next thing I know, God has taken care of it. I don't always realize that I've asked. Just when you think He isn't listening, God has heard you. I make sure I thank Him. God, You did that for me. Thank You.  He does listen. 

The most recent event was I bumped the trash bins with the car's outside mirror. It was twisted. I know. I know. I misjudged the distance. A nice man at the Popeye's drive thru window came outside in the winter cold/snow, and fixed the mirror. It took a minute. I thanked God for sending him my way. Fixing and straightening the mirror is a small thing, but it meant a lot to me.

When you walk up stairs, do you jump to the 5th stair or do you take one step at a time? It's easier to ask for the big things when they come when you have asked for the little things and seen results and have become aware He's listening. He hears you.

God bless, 

Mary

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Permalink Reply by Glorious on December 8, 2018 at 11:55am

I agree Mary ❤

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Permalink Reply by Timothy on January 9, 2019 at 12:12am

....but I have been asking for a good job since I finished university, I haven't gotten any. I don't have any one to support me financially to start a small bussines (even for the fact that I have the ideas). Could this be a problem I caused for myself?

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Permalink Reply by Carla on January 9, 2019 at 8:30am

Hi Timothy,

Keep being faithful to the work that you're already doing.  God is already working whether you see it or not. 

I don't think any of us here can say if you caused it yourself, we don't know you.

It's difficult to find someone to financially support a small business.  In Canada people usually take out a bank loan.  If this is what God has called you to do, then pray for open doors.  Ask God to make it clear to you, He will.  Pray for His wisdom and discernment, He will give it to you.

After you've prepared the way in prayer, go talk to a bank, present your business plan and ask them what else they need from you.  What other preparation do you need to make this work?  What research do you need to do to make sure you have covered all bases?  What foundation needs to be put in place?

It may be helpful to find an accountability partner.  Someone that you trust in your life.  Someone who will always hold you to a higher standard and keep encouraging you to move forward. 

You have finished University, that's wonderful!  A lot of young people out of University or College are struggling to get started in their career (at least that's true in Canada).  It's very competitive. 

I don't believe God just hands things to us like a good job, I'm not saying He can't or won't, I'm just saying I don't think He does....  We're on a journey which requires preparation, hard work, dedication, humility, perseverance, diligence,  learning to get back up after failing, etc... 

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