Pathway of love - Good gift of a good life

Love and miracles was about answered prayer because it was in the flow of God’s love to us and our love towards one another. John wrote ‘we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we … do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And … that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another’. (1John 3:20)

There were other instances of prayer that Jesus encouraged the disciples to be confident about being answered, because they were prayers that harmonised with God’s ‘heart’s desire’ for the GOOD LIFE of Jesus given through the goodness of the Father to his own children. That GOOD LIFE is His inner goodness – in the realm of the spirit. We are encouraged to pray confidently for others that way. This is faith that works through love. 

John encouraged that this boundless confidence was because it was the prayer of love and faith for others and not just for self.

WHAT ABOUT PRAYER FOR SELF?

Personal prayer for ourselves does not require that we love others, but we are encouraged to bring our needs before him. This is CONFIDENCE in his goodness.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We are also encouraged to come to God to ask for wisdom and to ask for grace to help in times of need, and to ask for comfort.

We CAN ALSO BE CONFIDENT that a Heavenly Father will give his good gift of the GOOD LIFE to any child that asks – and that good LIFE is The Holy Spirit. 

Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!

ASKING AMISS

But it means we also need to know that we are not ‘asking amiss’ … 

James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your own desires. 

This calls into focus what we see as being the ‘good life’. For if we seek first just the good life only in the material realm, we can invite anxiety and conflict and the loss of inner reality in the spiritual realm.  The prayer that is in God’s will concerning our circumstances and material needs is quite clear:

1Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

WHAT WERE GOD’S GOOD GIFTS TO THE OLD TESTAMENT WORLD? 

Acts 14:16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.

WHAT ABOUT THESE MATERIAL BLESSINGS TODAY?

Seek first the spiritual realm, kingdom, world, AND WE CAN BE CONFIDENT that the material needs of this world will fall into line. 

Luke 12:29 And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

Paul’s prayers for us.  Ephesians 1:15-23 -  For our eyes to be enlightened  - And Gal 4:19 - for Christ to be formed in us