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Brother Bob Pellien:
How long have you been praying for your health? Your financial security? Or that big break? Does that ever seem like God is ignoring your prayers? Have you ever stopped to think that maybe it’s me? Maybe something is lacking in us? Well, the Bible tells us what we should do for God to answer all our prayers.
You’re listening to the podcast version of God’s Message Magazine. And today’s topic is “Are All Prayers Answered By God?”
When some people fail to cope with stressors, challenges and disappointments, they resort to using drugs or alcohol to ease their pains. On the other hand, others look to strength through spiritual means. They rely on the power of prayer. By praying earnestly, a person indeed manifests his trust in the power of God to help him find the right solutions to the problems he encounters. Yet, although anyone can call upon God, will everyone be heard by Him? Unknown to many people, God does not accept all services, and supplications directed to Him. Prophet Isaiah attested to this, I quote,
But the trouble is that your sins have cut you off from God. Because of sin he has turned his face away from you and will not listen anymore.
[Isaiah 59:2 The Living Bible]
That’s Isaiah 59:2. The Bible teaches that man has been separated from God because of sin. Admittedly, everyone except Christ has sinned and stands guilty before the Father in heaven. That’s Romans 3:23. Because of sin, God refuses to listen to man. In fact, the Bible says that people may unceasingly call upon God, but he will not listen to them. And, quote,
If you don’t obey the law, God will find your prayers too hateful to hear.
[Proverbs 28:9 Good News Translation]
That’s Proverbs 28:9. One who disobeyed God’s laws stands guilty of sins, according to James 4:17. And God finds a sinner’s prayers too hateful to hear. What is God’s decision regarding sinners when they call upon him? The Bible declared when panic strikes you like a storm, Your calamity comes like a whirlwind. When the stress and anguish come upon you, then they will call upon me. But I will not answer. They will seek Me diligently, but will not find me. That’s Proverbs 1:27-28. The distressful and calamitous end and anguish that will come upon sinners, is the wrath of God and the Day of Judgment. Zephaniah 1: 14-17. And that fateful day of judgment, they will cry upon the Lord, but He will not listen. The people who will not be heard by God when they call upon Him and will not find Him even if they seek Him diligently. Are those who refuse to listen to his call? I quote,
Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded.
[Proverbs 1:24 English Standard Version]
That’s Proverbs 1:24. So which is God’s calling the Christian era that people refuse to listen? This is His call into the fellowship of Christ. Again, I quote,
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
[1 Corinthians 1:9 English Standard Version]
Unquote. 1 Corinthians 1:9. The Bible teaches that those called by God to be in union with Christ are found in one body Colossians 3:15. That one body according to the Apostle Paul, is the church whose head is Christ. Colossians 1:18. And is named Church of Christ. I quote,
Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.
[Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation]
Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation. Hence, those who ignore God’s call for men’s fellowship with Christ, through membership in the true Church of Christ, will not be heard by God. It is God’s will that men should become members of the Church of Christ. Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians says, I quote,
for he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight, the mystery of his will, according to His purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of Time to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on Earth,
[Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation]
Ephesians 1:9-10. People can be one in Christ by becoming members of the body of Christ. In the same way once people unite themselves in this body, they become individual members of it. Romans 12:4-5. The church is the body of Christ as Colossians 1:18. Hence, it is God’s call in the Christian era that people enter in through the Church of Christ. If people refuse to heed this call, they will surely be ignored by God when they pray unto him. How did the church become the body of Christ? And why is it that he created it as his body? Apostle Paul explains, quote,
by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances that he might create in himself, one new man in place of the two, thus making peace.
[Ephesians 2:15 _____]
That’s Ephesians 2:15. Christ Himself created the one new man with him as the head and the church as his body. Colossians 1:18 The church was called by the apostles after the name of its head, thus the name Church of Christ, Romans 16:16. According to Christ Himself, what right and privilege was exclusively given to the members of the Church of Christ. He said,
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
[John 15:16 English Standard Version]
John 15:16. The people who have been chosen and appointed by Christ are related to him, he is divine, and they are his branches. That’s John 15:5. The branches, or church members should bear fruit by obeying the commandments of God. That’s Romans 7:12. Which will glorify and give praise to God. Philippians 1:11. Christ guarantees that the Father will grant them the things they ask. In fact, the Lord Jesus said, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. On the other hand, the supplications of those who have not established a relationship with Christ will not be heard. No matter how zealous and devoted they may be in saying their prayers to Him. But for those who have heeded God’s call, those who are in fellowship with Christ, the members of the Church of Christ in these last days, the Bible assures that God will listen to their prayers. To find more articles like these, get your copy of God’s Message Magazine, from a member of the Church of Christ. You can also find the podcast version, on incmedia.org. Thank you for listening. I’m Brother Bob Pellien. God bless.
