22 "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith" Matthew 21:22 ESV
24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24 ESV
13 "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." John 13:13-14 ESV
These verses would lead a person to believe that if one makes a prayerful petition AND that request is in God's will, then it will happen. Seems pretty clear cut. Ask-get. Believe-receive. Of course the caveat is that the request must be in God's will. There is the rub. How do we ascertain God's will? We don't know the big picture. Many times we are unable to determine how happening A will affect person B which in turn will cause change C to happen. BUT. . .what about those things that scripture would seem to state are clearly in God's will for everyone? Hmmmm. . .
Ann, a teacher at Sunshine, is a born-again, spirit-led Christian. She is a very Christ-like person who lives out the fruit of the Spirit. Her mother is within days, if not hours, of death. Right before break, Ann and I were talking about her mother, and I asked if she (mom) was a Christian. Ann shared with me that she was not and in fact when Ann tried to share the Gospel messages several years back, she was rewarded with a few choice words from mom. Since that time, Ann has tested the waters again and, while her mom has not been as hostile, there is still a refusal to accept Christ as Savior.
Ann is praying. I am praying. Various small groups are praying. Ann's mother still remains lost, and time is running out. Herein lies my confusion. . .
4 (God) desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1Timothy 2:4 ESV
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 ESV
The verses from Matthew and Mark at the first of this entry clearly state that prayers in God's will are answered. Timothy and Peter write that God wishes all to be saved, therefore salvation for all is in God's will. If both these sets of verses are true, then by extension any person who has the prayers of believers for salvation will accept Christ, but we know this is not true.
Thoughts?
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