Specific Prayers are Answered [Podcast]

The Answered Prayer: And whatever you ask in My name, I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14).

Corporate prayers [in church or other religious events] differ from individual prayers. We are to pray with humility revealing every unrighteous thought and action to God. And we are to pray a specific prayer asking God for our needs [which He promises to supply] and our desires [within His will].

Throughout the Bible, there is a common occurrence: praying specific prayers.

Moses prays for water: …For three days, they walked through the desert, but found no water. 23 Then they came to a place called Marah, but the water there was so bitter that they could not drink it. That is why it was named Marah. 24 The people complained to Moses and asked, “What are we going to drink?” 25 Moses prayed earnestly to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood, which he threw into the water; and the water became fit to drink. (Exodus 15:22-25)

David’s prayer of confession for adultery and premeditated murder: “For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight…” (Psalm 51:3-4)

Elisha’s prayer for his fearful servant: “Then Elisha prayed, ‘O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!’ The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.’ (2 Kings 6:17)

Jesus’ prayer for the unbelievers: “And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.’ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!'” (John 11:41-43)

Recently, I heard a testimony of someone who said, “It is the secret sins that we have a problem with naming and confessing to God.” Why? “Because pride or shame keeps us from confronting [by verbalizing] our specific sins that no one else knows but God.”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Our secret closet prayers reflect the desire to have intimacy with God. We are in a relationship with Jesus Christ, who calls us His “friend.” And it is a relationship that has no equal on this earth. Yet, we are disciples–followers of Jesus Christ. Be intentional with your prayers of confession and repentance, and for God to reveal His plans for your life. Make a covenant with God to overcome and live a faithful and obedient life with His help. Our goal is to hear, “Well-done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Prayer: God, our secret sins of pride and disobedience causes us not to outwardly confess to You. Still, you know every thought and action we think and do every day. Forgive us for the sin of deception and the pretense of living double lives. We pray for the strength to tell Satan “to get behind us” when tempted. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.