Good morning!
‘Active listening’ is a counseling technique where you listen to someone and repeat to them what he/she said in your own words. It is meant as an exercise to improve communication since many conflicts arise in relationships because of misunderstanding or bad communication.
A wife says, “Please take out the garbage” but her husband hears, “When it is convenient, please take the garbage out.” So, she walks back in the room an hour later to see the garbage still in the house, and the battle is on!
Prayer is ‘active listening’ with God. He speaks perfectly and with power, and we should respond in faith by praying for His will to be done. Much of our frustration in our prayer lives comes, I think, because we have not really been listening to God and we end up praying for results that He does not want for us.
But He does give us a marvelous promise about having our prayers answered!
John 15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
The beauty of the promise here is that we can receive whatever we ask for. This is truly one of the most amazing promises in the Bible! It is nearly beyond belief. But…
There is a condition to the promise. The condition is that we must abide in Him and His words in us.
By faith we dwell in Christ. And because of this relationship, we devour God’s word as the food for our spiritual life. When the word of God is in us, it will continually transform us; changing our desires, hopes, and plans. The result of this transformation by the Word is that our prayers will line up with God’s character and revealed will for us. So, of course God will grant you whatever you wish since your wishes will be for His will to be done.
The lesson here is that a key ingredient to having your prayers answered is to have the word of God dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16). Prayer and the Word should always be together in the Christian’s life. God speaks through His word. We listen, allowing the Spirit to transform our hearts into Christ’s likeness. Then, we respond in prayer asking God to do the very things He already wants to do. He will then do whatever we want.
Abide in Christ today. By faith, keep going back to that fountain of Living Water and nourish your soul with the Word. As your heart is transformed, ask God to great and mighty things for your eternal good and for His glory!
Blessings!
Pastor Chris
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