We have a promise to get our prayers answered, but we have to know what His Word says. The prerequisite is that His Word abides in us.

For example, concerning our children, how do we pray? Do we pray what we think should take place in their lives? What we think is good for them? What does the Word say concerning their situation?

Don't pray "God do whatever You have to just get their attention." The devil hears your prayers too. His job is to steal, kill, and destroy. Don't give him any ideas on what evil to bring into your children's lives.

Pray for God to send His Holy Spirit to draw them with His love. Pray for the angels to be about them protecting them. Pray that God will send laborers to them who will speak the Word of God into their lives. Pray that restoration will come to them; that they will know that God is for them and not against them.

Many times we make choices that will open a door to the devil. We remove God's hand of protection. That is when we need to pray for God's divine intervention. Think about how you would want prayers to be made for you. If you're out there doing your own thing, you know that you're in rebellion. How would you want your loved-ones to pray for you? Would you want them to pray, "God, get them for that" or "Teach them a lesson they won't forget"?

God corrects us with His Word. When we pray, then His Word becomes the sword that divides. When God corrects us, it's because He loves us so much that He wants us in relationship with Him. He uses His Word. So we are to pray according to His Word. Pray in love and not judgment or in resentment. Pray in the Spirit. When we don't know how to pray, the Holy Spirit will pray through us as we yield to Him. Then we trust the Holy Spirit to pray the perfect prayer.

To the Glory of God,

sheila@sheilaweddle.com