“The ground for answered prayer is God’s forgiving love. When God’s love and forgiveness have taken possession of our hearts, we will pray in faith and we will live in love.”- Andrew Murray, Believing Prayer
Susie Larson concludes Chapter 9 of Your Powerful Prayers as she states we must humble ourselves before the Lord as the first step in getting back in rank. As we surrender our hearts, agendas, and toxic attitudes with the Spirit’s power, Jesus rises up on our behalf. First, Jesus helps us win the inner soul battle. Then, He teaches us to stand in His authority.
A. W. Tozer summarizes this concept, offering this powerful insight:
“Strange as it may seem, we often win over our enemies only after we have first been soundly defeated by the Lord Himself. God often conquers our enemies by conquering us. . . . After that, everything is easy. We have put ourselves in a position where God can fight for us, and in a situation like that, the outcome is decided from eternity.”
Therefore, we must view spiritual warfare as serious business. When we harbor sin and toxic attitudes in our hearts, Satan interprets this as a green light. He conspires to wreck our lives at the right time. However, when we walk in step with the Holy Spirit, God’s desires are one with our desires.
In conclusion, Andrew Murray (Believing Prayer) provides encouragement to persevere in prayer:
“The greatest danger in this school of delayed answers is the temptation to think that it may not be God’s will to give us what we ask. But if our prayer is according to God’s Word and under the leading of the spirit, we must not give in to such fear. . . . He will lead us from faith to vision; we shall see the glory of God.”
Today’s question: How does God’s forgiving love provide the ground for answered prayer? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The most challenging prayer requests”