Wednesday 2 January 2013

Praying Properly (4)

The True Goal of Prayer: the pleasure of God (1 Kgs 3:10-14).  Would you have said this is the true goal of prayer?  Would you have said that when you come into the presence of the Lord and bring to Him your desires and wants and needs, the pleasure of God is your goal?  You know when the Lord is pleased with your prayer, He grants you your requests.  God was pleased with Solomon's prayer.  He asked for a hearing heart and the ability to discern between good and evil.  He got these (vvs 11-12), but He was given more; the Lord also gave him what he did not ask for (v.13).

You know, there is something very pleasing when you bring pleasure to someone you want to please.  It thrills your soul to know you've please that other.  And when that other is the Lord Himself, my, the pleasure you experience is indescribable.

Why pray?  To please the Lord.  "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."  When we glorify Him, we please Him.  Glorifying Him is much more than just saying, "And to Him be all the glory." It is about bringing pleasure to His heart.  True prayer pleases God.  There is no greater lure to prayer than God's sheer generosity.

When you bow before God in prayer, set your heart and mind to pleasing Him in all you say.  Remember, He knows your heart.  Be focused upon Him.  Seek Him.  Lift Him high.  Make sure your prayers please Him; for if they do, they will be answered.

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