2011-06-17 Prayer and Obedience

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in IAUA (ee-ah-oo-ah) our Father, Greetings on this day of preparation for the weekly Sabbath. I pray this newsletter finds you in good health and happy in the service of IAUA. This is the 15th day of the 3rd month of God's Sacred Calendar in the estimated year 6014 Anno Mundi. The yearly Fall Sabbaths begin in 14 weeks and six days starting with Trumpets Sabbath the evening of the 1st day of the 7th month (Thursday, September 29th on the 2011 Gregorian Calendar, beginning sunset on Wednesday, September 28th). An amazing thing occurs in the Gregorian Calendar years of both 2011 and 2012. Those who follow the Millerite Calendar and the Jewish Calendar agree with what my research, and many others, has determined for the Gregorian Calendar dates of God's Sacred Calendar! _____ There is an extraordinary emphasis on prayer in these last days. This is as it should be. Prayer is very important. However, sometimes there is a dangerous lack of a balancing emphasis on faith, which is based on a knowledge of God's Word through Bible study, and obedience to all of God's Law. I read an article from last month's Lake Union Herald for Engineering worship at 3ABN. The topic follows right behind last week's newsletter on "Love vs Law" so I will make it the start of this week's newsletter. I am using the article as a beginning but I have modified some of the wording which makes me a little uncomfortable and added some thoughts. You may read the original here: Lake Union Herald, May 1, 2011, Volume 103, Issue 5, Columns, Conversations with God, The Life that Can Pray http://www.lakeunionherald.org/103/5/42180.html The KJV version of the Bible says: 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. I John 3:21-22 The NIV uses the word obey, which is a little more explicit: 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. I John 3:21, 22 (NIV) Obedience is fundamental to effective prayer. People who obey God have the most freedom to go into His presence with requests. God in His love and grace listens to all His children but the results can be limited by disobedience and an unwillingness to joyfully follow God's guidance. James give special guidance and encouragement on this topic. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 God takes special delight in the prayers of His obedient children. When we learn of God's will through study of His Word and are changed by the work of the Holy Spirit, we want what God wants and live the way He has designed us to live. Then we will tend to pray prayers God will answer in the way we expect. And God, in answering our prayers, is supporting what He has designed. Were God to answer every prayer of the disobedient, He would be aiding and abetting what He has not designed. That would be out of character for God. However, God in His grace continues to pour out His blessing on all His children. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:43-45 In other words, if we expect God to do for us what we ask, we should be prepared to do what God asks. If we listen to His words of command and guidance, God will more freely listen to our words of request and will be able to grant us the desires of our heart. This principle also explains much of the weakness of some prayer. Lack of power, lack of perseverance and lack of confidence in prayer all stem from some lack of committed obedience in the life. Sometimes, when prayer fails and we receive no answers, we assume the problem is in God while in reality the problem may really be in us. The obedience God expects of us is not beyond our reach. God, who is particularly committed to hearing the prayers of His obedient children, also gives enabling grace so we are able to live obediently. Touched by His grace and with His Spirit living in us, we have both the desire and the strength to do God's will. If you want to become powerful in prayer, spend time with IAUA and spend time in the Word. That's where you will find the will of God clearly stated. That is where you will find strength and power. Let "the word of Christ dwell in you richly" and control what you do and say (Colossians 3:16 NIV). Jesus reminds us that if we remain in Him, and His words remain in us, we may ask whatever we wish and it will be given us (see John 15:7). Or, to put it more simply, let me ask, Do you want to have confidence when you pray and receive from God what you ask for? Then begin by living a life of obedience. That's the bottom line. Reflect on these thoughts: What difference do you think the confidence of knowing you are obedient to God's plan will make in your prayer life? What kinds of things will the obedient person ask for who prays confidently? What kinds of things do you think God is eager to give to those who obey His commands? Prayer needs to include these components: Praise God for His generous, giving nature. Confess any failure to keep God's commands or to do what He asks. These sins that may be keeping you from effective prayer. Ask God for the desires of your obedient heart. Expect Him to give what you ask. Thank God for the amazing promise, John proclaims, to answer your prayers, when we are obedient. Act on these ideas: Pray for yourself Paul's prayer for the Colossian Christians. As God answers, you will be growing spiritually in a way that will provide underpinnings of obedience for your abundantly growing prayer life. 9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Colossians 1:9-13 Is your prayer and life energized because you obey all of His Law of Love to guide us? I pray we may all continue to seek love, peace, and unity in truth preparing for the soon coming of Iaushua (ee-ah-oo-shoo-oh) Messiah, the Son of God. Frank T. Clark Eliau@IAUA.name www.IAUA.name Next: 2011-06-24 How to Study Your Bible

Revised 2011-06-24