Prayers, Answered and Unanswered
By L. D. Santee
ELIJAH prayed four remarkable prayers, which God openly answered. He is held before us as a living example of the power of earnest, insistent prayer. James 5:17, 18. He prayed that it might not rain, and it rained not for three years and six months. He prayed that life might come into the widow’s child, and God gave the life. He prayed again for rain, and rain came abundantly. He prayed for fire from heaven, and God sent it. But a little later, we find him sitting under a juniper tree, praying that he might die, and God denied him his request. Was not God’s denial as much in love as his answers?—Surely it was. God had something better for him. He never died, but was caught up to heaven to live forever. The first condition in the prayer that God answers is faith. “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. Again, prayer, to be regarded, must be in accordance with the will of God. In 1 John 5:14, 15, this is made plain: “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” When these conditions are met, how free and full the promise! to “freely give us all things” (Rom. 8:32), to bless “with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3), to “supply all your needs.” Phil. 4:19. Do we want more power? Do we want liberty? Do we want the baptism of the Holy Ghost? They are offered full and free in Christ. He has purchased for us all these blessings, and it is his will that we shall have them. Why, then, do many pray for years for these things, and never seem to receive the things for which they pray? Have they exercised the faith spoken of by Mark, “Believe that ye receive them”? If we do this, then follows the promise, “And ye shall have them.” There may be still another cause: David says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Ps. 66:18. That professed faith that accompanies a life of sin, is only presumption, and cannot claim the promise of God. “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Prov. 28:9. Submission and consecration must precede that living connection that will entitle us to have our prayers answered. “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” 1 John 3:22. We often ask for things that we desire, and they are not granted. In that case, we must acquiesce, and say, God knew best. The prayer of Christ in the garden was not granted. Paul besought the Lord thrice that his “thorn in the flesh” might depart from him; but it was denied. And yet I doubt not that Paul, strong, impulsive, resolute by nature, became more tender, thoughtful of the infirmities of others, and gentle, in his ministry, by reason of the wearing pain caused by his infirmity. When we comply with the conditions accompanying the promises, with the keys of faith and trust we can unlock any room in the treasury of heaven. Christ encourages us to ask largely: “Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24. May the Lord help us to ask according to his will, and have our needs supplied.