Who Knows Better Than God

FOUR DIFFERENT KINDS OF PRAYER

"…they called upon the Lord, and he answered them." Sometimes God answers prayer immediately, as in the case of Daniel (9:21). At other times, there is a delay. This is illustrated in the parable of the widow (Luke 18:1-8). Then, there are occasions when we are simply told, "No." Moses is an example of this (Deut.3:25-27). And who among us has not experienced the answer far exceeding our expectations (Eph.3:20)?

THE FIFTH KIND

But what I want to focus our attention on is a fifth avenue, which is when God answers differently from our request. The Apostle Paul prayed three times for an answer to a specific desire. God answered his petition but not in the way he asked or expected (2 Cor.12:8,9). At such times, we need to realize "Father knows best."

AN EXAMPLE OF THE LAST KIND

God's only Beloved Son followed this rule. He, as Paul, prayed three separate times concerning a particular thing in his life but ended His prayer with, "…nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." This is always the safest and surest way in prayer. Express your will but accept His.

C.S. LEWIS HAD IT RIGHT

“For most of us the prayer of Gethsemane is the only model. Removing mountains can wait.”