Are my prayers effective? Does He hear me? Am I asking the right things? How do I know if He wants (wills for) what I'm asking for?
These are the questions that have plagued me for most of my life and while there is some principle behind the heart of these questions, I've recently learned that these questions come from a seed of doubt and doubt is a lie issued to confuse me, defeat me, and distract or discourage me from pursuing God. Doubt is a fruit of fear and God clearly states "Do not fear". Well, if I'm dealing with a 'struggle' then I need to know what tools, resources, or 'weapons' I have to handle it - right?
So I went looking into what were the 'right things' and the Will of God.
First I came to the absence of sin. This is one of the strongest messages I've heard preached over the course of my life: that sin is absolutely unacceptable - sin does not exist in Heaven. We have been saved from sin and forgiven for our sins... and I believe this to be completely true. God went for the jugular when He addressed sin: the Divine Exchange.
In this knowledge then, I can give prayers of praise and thanks that I am free from the bondage of sin... I am a new creature in Christ therefore I do not have an appetite for the same things I used to. (I am not bound by the desire to do wrong). This is good news! Free... what else am I free from? Now we're going somewhere...
Sickness and disease. This is not so clear... or is it? Somehow, we have come to accept a certain amount of illness, we have provided room for (given permission for) poor health in our physical existance. Why?
"My soul, praise the Lord, and do not forget all His benefits. He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases." Psalms 103:3
"Yet I will certainly bring health and healing to it and will indeed heal them. I will let them experience the abundance of peace and truth." Jeremiah 33:6
"Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there." Matthew 19:2
There isn't room enough in this blog to identify all the scriptures that specifically talk about and demonstrate God's will and power to heal, even with all that why then are we unsure about His desire for us to be free from sickness and disease? Most of the time it's because we have prayed for something at one point and we didn't see an immediate 'answer', got discouraged, and accepted (gave permission for) this as part of our reality. (Stay with me...)
What about mental illness, legitimate cognitive problems...? Research shows "mental illness disability rates have doubled since 1987 and increased six-fold since 1955" (Interview w/Robert Whitaker) and "approximately one in five adults - suffer from some form of mental illness" (Psychology Today). God's decision on this is clear - we are given a spirit of sound mind (2Timothy 1:7) and self-control (Galatians 5:23). I think this is a case of mistaken identity.
"Now He was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon came out, the man who had been mute, spoke, and the crowds were amazed." (Luke 11:14)
Understanding the source of mental illness and disorder allows me to take authority: "...and to have the authority to drive out demons." Mark 3:15 (Follow me a little further...)
What about financial stress and making sure our needs are met... What about adequate employment? It is the will of God for us to be able to carry out the purpose He has for us and He will provide for that purpose. "For I know the plans I have for you"-[this is] the Lord's declaration-"plans for [your] welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11) **It's important to know that we are not all called to do the same thing, and the plan for each of us is unique, therefore we cannot compare our provision with another. God will supply (make room for, open the door to) exactly what we need to accomplish His Purpose.
I laid all that down to bring you here. Over the course of my own life I have suffered disease, mental illness (diagnosed and defined as 'permanent'), struggled over bills and providing for basic needs, not to mention addictions and sinful abhorent behaviors that I never thought I would be free from. I begged and pleaded for years (decades even) for freedom from this bondage.
I knew Jesus, but didn't understand Him or what has ALREADY been established and provided to me. Then one day God showed me Truth: "Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven". Jesus taught us how to pray the will of our Father and furthermore it is His desire to bring Heaven here on earth... AND I'm called to embrace THAT reality now! ON earth as it IS in Heaven (no sickness or disease in Heaven). But wait, there's more... "Give us this day our daily bread" - provision. "And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us": sin issue. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" -no more bondage or disorder.
I am now and have remained free from all that ailed me (medications and all!). Coming into knowledge of what is already true brings freedom. It's our own human (earthly) thought process (based on a visual, tangible, natural reality) that causes us to fall short of the love, peace, and joy that we have been given. We accept the absolute on sin, but start to make adjustments for sickness and the rest (as they seem more out of our control..). We don't get to choose what is absoute in the Kingdom of Heaven. When God says all things, He means ALL THINGS.
"..He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness." (Matt 10:1) "When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.." (Matt 8:16)
All: Being the utmost possible of; every; any whatsoever
Every: Constituting each and all members of a group without exception; being all possible
ALL means ALL.
So I know now that I'm praying the will of God, the question becomes do I believe the will of God..?
"And He told him, "Get up and go on your way. Your faith has made you well.'" (Luke 17:19) "Then He touched their eyes, saying, 'Let it be done for you according to your faith!'" (Matt 9:29)
My faith matters.
I grow in my faith by growing in God, and I do this in worship. "Our Father, who art in Heaven, HALLOWED be Thy Name.... For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory Forever! Amen" I acknowledge, accept, receive that this IS Truth by exaulting Him, thanking Him - most of the time, in advance (faith) - for what He has done.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for all You have done and provided for me. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ so that I may know You. I claim my identity in You and all that You have made available to me. I refuse to be confused and discouraged by circumstances, reports, or lies that are formed against me or sent to me, but rather take joy in the foundation that You have secured. I accept the Truth that I have a sound mind, good health, and provision in You. I decree these things in Jesus Name - Amen.
"..be unto me according to Thy Word.." (Luke 1:38)
