March 2, 2008
Volume XXVII - Number 9

God Answers Prayer
Hollis Miller

The Bible clearly teaches that God hears the prayers of His children. But it is equally clear that all prayers are not always answered as the one praying may wish. The apostle Paul prayed three times that something he called "a thorn in the flesh" might be removed from him, but God answered: "My grace is sufficient for you" (II Corinthians 12:7-9).

James taught that some prayers are not answered because the one praying asks for the wrong reasons (James 4:3; see also 1 :5-8). John wrote:

"This is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (I John 5:14).

It is a mistake to take a single passage of Scripture about prayer and assume that the passage contains the whole of what the New Testament teaches on the subject. That God cares for His children is a very positive New Testament doctrine (I Peter 5:7). However, caring for us and always, without exception, responding to our prayers exactly as we request are not equal to each other. The apostle John was present when Jesus said: "Ask, and it shall be given you" (Matthew 7:7). But the apostle's statement cited above evidences that he did not understand Jesus' statement to be unconditional.

Faith in prayer is always placed in God, never in its own sincerity and devotion. Our vision is too limited and our knowledge too inadequate to always know what is best for us. We do not always know, even with regard to the simple things of life, what should be done. Removing the will of God from prayer is to take away the unlimited wisdom, the perfect knowledge, and the unrestricted foresight that belongs to Him alone. Such removal should not be the wish of any Christian.

 

New Members
We are pleased to announce that Scott and Deborah Mathis have made it known to the elders that they would like to be identified with the number of saints that meet here at Orange Street. It is good to have them back with us again. Please add the following information to your directories:

[ click here for info ]

Youth Group Meeting
The Youth Group is scheduled to meet this evening after the PM worship service. For further information about the planned activity for the evening, see Matt Faneuf.

For The Pantry
Items needed for the food program this week are:

• Black-eyed Peas
• Corn
• Potatoes – canned
• Rice – small pkg.
• Dried Beans – small pkg.
• Chicken & Dumplings
• Pork & Beans
• Soup
• Tuna
• Spaghetti Sauce

"Prayer is as much the instinct of my nature as a Christian, as it is a duty enjoined by the command of God. It is my language of worship, as a man; of dependence, as a creature; of submission, as a subject; of confession, as a sinner; of thankfulness, as the recipient of mercies; of supplication, as a needy being."

Tryon Edwards


TODAY'S SERMONS

AM:"Fiery Trials "
(1Peter 1:3-9)

PM: "Your Disciples Do Not Fast???"
(Mark 2:18-22)

PRAYER LIST

Ann Johnson, Tom Hoffelder,
John Baker, Tom Bryant,
Tammy Amidon, Juanita Hilborn,
Juanita Murphy, Gladys Wagner,
Wanda Greene, Frances Kidwell,
Zach Mathis, Cindy Chambers,
Luther Pendergrass,
Steve & Gloria Jones, Wilda Cox,
Brian Green, Pete Peeples,
Pansy Sims, Brice Oliver,
Gina Dupree

– Shut Ins –
Ken Skinner, Robert Cox,
Frances Black, Jason Powell,
Mattie Hughs

– In The Nursing Homes –
Robert Pearson (Tandem)