Lesson 402: "Emotional Answers"
Lately I have become more aware of other people's prayers and their "report" of answers. The talk goes like this; "Well, I prayed about this or that and in my heart I "feel" I should do or should not do………"! Or perhaps; "I prayed and at this present time so much is happening in my life that I "feel" I should take a break from gathering together in church, Sunday school, bible study and et cetera". Do you realize that when you pray in God's will that your "feelings" are not a consideration? I do not intend to present God as uncaring but I will stress that every prayer request is not answered by the way you want or expect and things will not always be the way you feel they should be.
When a prayer is answered, it will be God's way and God's timing. To pray and make up your own answer is simply not good enough for God. Another point to ponder is a caution to be very careful when saying God said. Sometimes you might be making it up in your own head (Neh. 6:8). When we pray, we are standing at the Throne of God (Isa. 6:1-3) and it is foolish to assume He does not see our hearts and penetrate our souls (Ps. 7:9, Heb. 4:12, Jer. 17:9, Pro. 14:12). "God cannot be mocked" (Gal. 6:7)! He condemns messages being given that He did not endorse (Jer. 29:9) and He will not tolerate being used as an excuse to justify your actions (Isa. 59:1-3). Be careful about starting every sentence with; "I prayed and God said"! Sometimes Jesus said to tell no one (Matt. 8:4) and at other times He said to tell everyone (Mark 5:19). And sometimes He simply says; "be still" (Ps. 46:10). Listen carefully for His instructions.
Emotions can be confusing, uncertain and even dangerous. This is why we should allow the Spirit to intercede for us in accordance with God's will (Rom. 8:26-27). Where does God's Word say that feelings will show us right from wrong? Emotions are good and natural as we serve God but we must not let emotions determine if or how or when a prayer has been answered. To pray for God to answer a prayer with a feeling would be unscriptural. The Apostles did not teach to pray for a feeling of peace and assurance but rather they "reasoned" with the people (Acts 28:23, 17:17, 18:4). God said; "come let us reason together" (Isa. 1:18) showing us that He yearns to communicate with us not just be a slot machine filled with answered prayers.
Faith does not come from feelings but from hearing (Rom. 10:17). The Lamp of His Word guides us not our feelings (Ps. 119:105). To believe that we can know right from wrong by praying for a feeling is to expose ourselves to disappointment when we "feel" our prayers are not answered. Yes, sometimes God answers prayers while we are still speaking but more often we must persevere and not be dejected when we do not receive an immediate answer (Lk. 18:1, 1 Thess. 5:17). Answered prayers are conditional, for instance we pray for provisions (Matt. 6:11) but this prayer may be answered by God providing a job (2 Thess. 3:8-10). A prayer for wisdom (James 1:5) is answered when we study God's Word (2 Tim. 2:15 KJV). Prayers with wrong motives will not be blessed (James 4:3).