Answered prayers are given to those whose hearts are “abiding” in Jesus. In I John 3:21-22 it says, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.” I could write a whole book on examples of answered prayers; not that every prayer results in people getting what they pray for, but there is a definite correlation between answered prayer and wholehearted obedience to God. Just as you seem to have more cooperation from your spouse when you have put his or her needs first, it is true with God also. It is just common sense.

One vocabulary word that you need to know is the word “Triangle.” It is wrong to grab for things in your life, and it is right to look to the Heavens for all things that you want. A common behavior is… “I see it, I want it, I get it,” like a child grabbing a toy. Another example…“I want my husband to help around the house, so I will nag him until he does.” When someone does not know how to get answered prayers and blessings due to obedience to God, they feel desperate and they feel the need to take care of themselves, so no wonder you see desperate behaviors anywhere from tears to outbreaks of controlling anger, boasting, bragging, theft, road rage, co-worker sabotage, revenge, etc. But the Bible says that God does not want us to grab or take revenge because “revenge is mine” says the Lord.

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him some- thing to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21

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