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Effective Prayer (Part 1)
In life, we often ask God for things, hoping He’ll fulfill our requests. But how should we pray effectively? According to the teachings of the Bible, here are some experiences I’ve had:
- Respect God’s Will
The Bible says, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15 NKJV)
Example of Jesus:
Before Jesus died for the sins of humanity, He prayed:
“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39 NKJV)
- “If it is possible” indicates not forcing one’s own desire.
- “Not as I will, but as You will” means fully respecting God’s plan.
This is an example we must follow.
Example of Paul:
Paul prayed repeatedly, hoping it was God’s will for him to visit Rome. He said:
“Making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you… that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established… that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.” (Romans 1:10-11, 13 NKJV)
Paul had two purposes for visiting Rome:
- To strengthen their spiritual foundation.
- To bear fruit (bringing new believers to Christ).
These were good intentions, yet Paul didn’t insist but respected God’s will. This too is a model worth imitating.
My Personal Experience:
On March 17, 1952, shortly after my second daughter was born, she developed a fever before turning one month old. Doctors couldn’t diagnose the cause, and their treatment didn’t help. We prayed, but when our prayers seemed ineffective, we continued seeking medical help, feeling increasingly exhausted and helpless.
One day in June 1954, while praying with my wife, I remembered my previous vow to God to become a full-time minister. So I told her, “Let’s pray once more, saying to God, ‘If my prayers haven’t been answered because I didn’t fulfill my vow, I promise to fulfill it. But our daughter’s fever must go away immediately—not tomorrow, but now.'” Right after praying, we checked her temperature—it had returned to normal! I told my wife, “I’m afraid of what might happen if I don’t commit myself now to full-time ministry.”
This taught me clearly: not fulfilling vows made to God goes against His will. Conversely, honoring our vows to Him respects His will.
Let us build our families on the Word of God, making our homes a place where faith thrives and Christ’s love reigns. Come and learn more about the Doctrine through bible study, sermons and fellowship. We warmly invite you to our upcoming Spring Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC) to discover how we can ensure a lasting spiritual legacy. Come, bring your family, and let’s run this race together in faith!
You can also join us for the Spring 2025 ESSC via online streaming.
Thursday, April 17, 2025 6:50PM to 8:10PM
Friday and Saturday, April 18-19, 2025 9:00AM to 8:10PM
Sunday, April 20, 2025 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Please find our church location below:
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
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In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday) services online or in-person.
Friday Evening Service: 7:50PM – 9:00PM
Saturday Morning Service: 10:50AM – 12:00Noon
Saturday Afternoon Service: 1:30PM – 2:40PM
Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org