SEVEN STEPS TO ANSWERED PRAYER (PART 1) !

SEVEN STEPS TO ANSWERED PRAYER (PART 1). STEP 3: ASK GOD FOR THE THINGS YOU WANT ! (1 John 5:14). "And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan). He listens to and hears us. And if (since) we (positively) no that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [which settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the request made of Him." The amplified Bible. In Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 7:7--8). "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock: and it shall be opened unto you: for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Now, in (James 1:5-6). "If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asked with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the bellowing surge out at sea that is blown hither [here] and thither [there] and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord. For being as he is a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]." The amplified Bible in (Matthew 6:8) Jesus said, ". . . Your Father knoweth what things you have need of, before you ask him." Yet in the next chapter, as we see in the verses quoted above, He Tells Us to Ask Him for our needs. Therefore, even though He knows our needs, He wants us to bring them to Him and ask His help. However, the rule for asking is the rule of faith. Faith in God only comes by hearing and by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Likewise confidence and assurance in God only comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God ! And upon hearing you are required to respond to what you hear. Jesus said in Mark's gospel (Mark 4: 24). "And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [two the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you --- and more [besides] will be given to you who hear." The amplified Bible. May God add a blessing to the hearers and doers of His Word !