I'm losing count here but I would say hanging around those who are truly sold out and walking in the Spirit and observing those whose prayers seem to be answered frequently helps; with the caveat being that such a person who seems to have answers isn't deluding themselves with a self fulfilling prophecy or being fooled by the enemy getting what they want. Those in touch with God often can discern when prayers are being answered. That fits in also with making sure we don't forget things or thank God for things that happen weeks or months later or longer. From my experience God always answers certain prayers almost immediately and others take time. We shouldn't expect to know the difference; although when we pray the same things over and over it CAN represent perseverance especially when OTHERS are in mind. For ourselves; again my perspective it is needed to actually trust God when in the fire so to speak and constantly be on guard for the enemy to use the same tactics on us. I am sad to say I am not that good in that department; whether it comes to difficult people at work or my own temper and frustration. Dropping my lunch in the garage yesterday when trying to squeeze the garbage cans and car in during a windstorm didn't surprise me. The tsunami of stuff in the house has led me to much wasted time as well. I have said a bad word or two lately which I am not proud of when things like that have happened. Keep me in prayer.
It is encouraging when prayers for decades finally result in salvation of an individual; but we shouldn't hold out our hopes or expectations to be crushed if it doesn't happen. All the souls of God are His ( Ezekiel 18:4). God may be testing our faithfulness as well; we can't lose our faith using another's rejection as a valid reason.
The Lord's prayer is just an outline; fine to say but certainly not all. Jesus spent much time in prayer; and specifically for Peter.
I'm losing count here but I would say hanging around those who are truly sold out and walking in the Spirit and observing those whose prayers seem to be answered frequently helps; with the caveat being that such a person who seems to have answers isn't deluding themselves with a self fulfilling prophecy or being fooled by the enemy getting what they want. Those in touch with God often can discern when prayers are being answered. That fits in also with making sure we don't forget things or thank God for things that happen weeks or months later or longer. From my experience God always answers certain prayers almost immediately and others take time. We shouldn't expect to know the difference; although when we pray the same things over and over it CAN represent perseverance especially when OTHERS are in mind. For ourselves; again my perspective it is needed to actually trust God when in the fire so to speak and constantly be on guard for the enemy to use the same tactics on us. I am sad to say I am not that good in that department; whether it comes to difficult people at work or my own temper and frustration. Dropping my lunch in the garage yesterday when trying to squeeze the garbage cans and car in during a windstorm didn't surprise me. The tsunami of stuff in the house has led me to much wasted time as well. I have said a bad word or two lately which I am not proud of when things like that have happened. Keep me in prayer.
It is encouraging when prayers for decades finally result in salvation of an individual; but we shouldn't hold out our hopes or expectations to be crushed if it doesn't happen. All the souls of God are His ( Ezekiel 18:4). God may be testing our faithfulness as well; we can't lose our faith using another's rejection as a valid reason.
The Lord's prayer is just an outline; fine to say but certainly not all. Jesus spent much time in prayer; and specifically for Peter.
I'll touch on that later.
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