Conditions in Answered Prayer.
By I. E. L.
1. What confidence do we have in asking for anything that is in accord with the will of God? "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." 1 John 5:14, 15. 2. Are there other conditions, also? "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." James 1:6, 7. "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself." John 7:17. 3. Having complied with the conditions, what may we with confidence say? "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." 1 Cor. 2:12. 4. May we not depend upon the learning of our wise men? "It is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." 1 Cor. 1:19. 5. What has the Lord said about trusting in man? "Thus saith the Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord." Jer. 17:5. 6. But may we not depend upon the ministers? "Her priests have violated My law, and have profaned Mine holy things; they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them." Eze. 22:26. 7. How long will God's word endure? "The word of God, . . . liveth and abideth forever." 1 Peter 1:23. 8. What does the wise man say regarding anything that God does? "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him." Eccl. 3:14. 9. Then when God speaks, is His word unalterable? "Nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it." 10. What warning are we given against attempting to add to God's words? "Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." Prov. 30:6.