21 Days of Prayer - Day 12 - Thursday, August 18, 2022 Why should God answer our prayers?
Psalm 23
Question? Why should God answer our prayers?
Because I asked Him?
Because I have faith?
I did one of the models? But these are based on who we are.
He answers prayers based upon who He is not on who we are.
Do not take the Lord’s name in vain actually means do not take away the power of that name.
At Jesus' name every knee will bow. So it’s good to know the names of God.
Psalm 23:1-6 (NKJV)
The Lord is my shepherd;I shall not [a]want.
2 He makes me to lie down in [b]green pastures;He leads me beside the [c]still waters.
3 He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousnessFor His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;
And I will [d]dwell in the house of the Lord [e]Forever.
In this Psalm, we can see the names of God.
The Lord is my shepherd. (v. 1)
Literally means “pastor.” I think of John 10.
He shepherds me. He cares for me.
You are my Provider. (v.1)
Not the government, not another person, but the Lord.
Philippians 4:19
You are my Peace. (v.2)
Some of us need green pastures and still waters in our soul because you have stress going on.
So many people feel stressed. But God is our peace.
The reason you have stress is that you do not have enough capacity. If you handle it by yourself, you will crack, but not with the Lord as our peace.
You are my Healer (restores my soul). (v.3)
You heal everything in my life that is “dis-eased.” You restore me to the condition that you originally intended for me.
You are my Righteousness. (v.4)
Righteousness has a pathway. When we accept Jesus we are His righteousness, but as we go along in our life, He leads us in His righteous way. I have become more like him.
You are my Constant Companion. (v.4)
The Holy Spirit is right there with me. His rod and staff comfort me
You are my Defender.(v.5)
The Lord fights our battles for us right now.
We have men and women deployed around the world for us. We are not fighting but they are getting it done for us. While the Lord fights for us we enjoy a table before us.
You are my Sanctifier (v.6)
Our cup runs over. God always gives us more than we need so we can bless others.
Thank you Lord for calling me and giving me more than I need so I can bless others.
God answers prayer based on who He is not who we are.
