No One Earns Answers to Prayer

 “For there is no respect of persons with God.” Romans 2:11.

There could be much to say about answers to prayer, but this particular article will focus on the supposed worthiness of the person praying rather than anything else, and it is meant to be a help for the believer in Christ.

As you might guess from the title, God is impartial in His regard for the person. The Lord wants us to pray, and to cast all our cares upon Him (I Peter 5:7); but I see 2 extreme classes that have emerged, centered around the idea of “worthiness” before God; the first are self-righteous, and presumptous upon God in prayer. The second are those who pray little and expect little because they think God won't hear them for their unworthiness. Both of these extremes miss the mark.

The first extreme flows in harmony with the evil prosperity gospel that is so widespread in these last days, especially here in Africa. One example I've seen of this came from prosperity teacher Joyce Meyer, who declared that when you give into the offering you get a "receipt" from God, and the next time you need something this receipt tells God that He must give to you, for you are qualified; this is blatant HERESY against the Word of God! It directly violates the principles of being saved by grace, and NOT our works (Ephesians 2:8,9). Our God gave it all, His only begotten Son, to die for our sins-He owes us nothing. And what can we give to God, that He did not first give to us (I Corinthians 4:7)? Our merit with God rests with Jesus, and in the Bible promises He gave to us of His own character.

"What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD." -Psalm 116:12,13.

Another example of the first extreme comes from those teaching that everyone has a destiny. This is yet another unbiblical position, but the claim here is that we must align ourselves with our destiny in order for God to hear us. If we are aligned, all will go well, and we will be healthy, wealthy, and loved. They say that God can do nothing in our lives unless we are aligned. In the Bible, it seems to me that neither Jonah nor Pharisee Saul (Paul) were in line with God's "destiny" for their lives, and yet God chose and used them! The need to "align with destiny" is yet another works- based salvation plan that disagrees with God's revealed will in the Bible.

But the second extreme is also hurtful, if we lose faith in praying because we think we aren't "good enough" for God to hear & answer. Brethren, no one is good (Romans 3:10-12), or good enough, but Jesus is our righteousness; and the Bible assures us that we are justified through Him, and God the Father will hear & answer our prayers.

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." -2 Corinthians 5:21.

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." -Romans 8:31-34.

Because we have such confidence, God tells us to come BOLDLY to Him with our needs;

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." -Hebrews 4:15,16

We have Bible examples, though, that we can take comfort in over our feelings of unworthiness. God tells us that nothing of our own efforts saves us (Romans 9:16), and Jesus commends the publican over the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14;

"And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Bold type added.

Numerous Old Testament figures showed that they had a keen awareness of their sinful natures, yet God still used them and answered their prayers. Please read of the widow in I Kings 17:18; Elijah in I Kings 19:4; David in Psalms 25:7 & 40:12; Isaiah in Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:39; even Paul recognized it in Romans 7:18-8:1 & I Timothy 1:15. God has forgiven the sins of the Christian, and hears our cries;

"If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." -Psalm 130:3,4.

David was the "man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22) and was well acquainted with God's mercy. After David had sinned with Bathsheba, and had been confronted by Nathan the prophet in 2 Samuel 11&12, David repented and was forgiven. But one of the judgments pronounced upon him was that the child he had fathered with Bathsheba would die. When this illness came upon the child, David fasted for 7 days, for he yet hoped that God would have mercy in this matter (2 Samuel 12:22)! David knew he was forgiven, and could call upon God once again. Of the benefits the Lord gives His people, we find that David writes in Psalm 103:2-4;

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;"

There are many in this world that simply will not accept the sinful separation that is naturally between themselves and the Lord, and insist on their own good works to prevail with God in prayer. God will NOT recognize their works or cries, and anything they apparently accomplish will be only of their own effort, and not blessing; these desperately need humility and repentance.

But others are still wallowing in the shame of their sins, even after forgiveness, and do not call on the Lord like they should, and rob themselves of blessings and peace; yet others are also robbed due to the lack of their prayers. Brethren, we have to get over this! Jesus paid the debt for our sin that we could never afford, and by His righteous mediation we can now call upon God at will, fully expecting His merciful attention.

In the end, we see that no one can ever earn an answer to prayer, but Jesus bought those privileges for us by the price of His own blood. Seek the Lord! Trust in what He has provided.

"For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard." -Psalm 22:24.

"He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy." -Psalm 147:10,11.

" Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." -Matthew 7:7,8.