Does God still speak to us today?
Let me tell you a little story, and you be the judge.
I went on my walk today, as usual. As usual, I prayed as I walked.
I was praying about a particular person who often irritates me. It’s because of a certain mental issue this person has (it’s diagnosed and everything, so it’s not just in my head).
This “condition” causes my friend–and me–a lot of problems. So, I was praying that God would fix this condition, or at least let it not be a hindrance today.
No sooner had I prayed, “God, fix this person,” than words formed clearly in my mind: “I do not fix people, I only love them.”
Stunned, I stopped praying for a moment. Then I asked, “But isn’t this a problem? Don’t people have real issues, things they need to be healed of?”
More words came: “Love heals.”
“What about sin?” I asked. “Surely sin breaks us, and we need fixing then.”
“Love cleanses as well.”
So I’m left to ponder these words. God doesn’t fix people, he loves them, and the love heals and cleanses.
Are these God’s words, do you think?
I do. I believe the Holy Spirit whispers into our soul at times.
One of the ways I recognized that Voice is I never would have thought the words on my own. Also, often, I’m not at all comfortable with them. That was certainly true in this case.
I like to fix things–and people. Another thing that happened when I prayed that God would “fix” my loved one, was a strong sense of how prideful that request was.
This other person needed “fixing,” but not me?
This is how God speaks, and works, at least in my life.
He answers me in prayer, through words that form in my mind that are consistent with Scripture. (Can you think of any verses that talk about God fixing people? Plenty about God loving, healing, and cleansing.)
He convicts me of my own sin, gently but clearly pointing out the real problems I need to focus on (i.e. issues in my own life, like my pride, rather than changing other people).
And as he shows me more of who he is, he also shows me how I am to be. He loves people, and so must I. If I love well, healing may well occur.
Other prayers were answered in this brief conversation. (Another thing I notice when God speaks: He’s never verbose.)
The more I pondered the words I’d been given, the more I saw they answered not only about my issue with my friend, but also a seemingly unrelated prayer, about how to simplify my life.
The answer is love. Love simplifies things. Loving others is the answer to many issues.
I welcome your comments on how God speaks to you.
Robert Scott sent me an article in response I thought I’d post. What do you think of his perspective?
Is There Such Thing as a Bad Prayer?
Bad prayers? Surely not, you say. Prayer is good, always good.
Doesn’t God always hear our prayers?
The answer may surprise you. It all revolves around several
meanings of the word “will.”
God tells us in His Word, “This is the confidence which we have
before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (I John 5:14). That sounds a lot more restrictive than it is in reality. God
gives us over 6000 promises in His Word that we can claim according to His covenants with us. Some of those promises are amazingly broad, especially when you consider that God says He gives His beloved children “far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20).
All that being said, the fact is that many good people pray some
terribly bad prayers. And they can actually do harm to themselves and
others. I know. I’ve often been the victim.
As I said, the answer revolves around the word “will.” First of
all, God expects us to know His Word so that we can pray according to His will. His will is revealed in His Word, as well as in revelation from the Holy Spirit that never contradicts the Word (John 16:13-14).
Sometimes we don’t get answers, at least the ones we want,
because we do not pray according to the Word. We pray our own selfish desires — or even worse.
We sometimes do something in prayer that God would never do. God gave us free will. Even He does not force a person’s will. He gave us dominion over all the earth (Gen. 1:26-27) — but not over other people! If He does not try to control the will of others, why should we?
“Oh, God, make my husband stop being so stupid about our
finances and let me have that luxury item he says we don’t have the money for right now!” “Make him love me!” Those kinds of prayers are prayers that try to control the will of others, something God never does. Oh, but witches o it all the time!
Oh yes, it is indeed a witchcraft prayer — a controlling
prayer. And surprise, surprise — God doesn’t even hear it. Satan does. He’s the one who inspires witches, even some of them who say they don’t believe in the devil, to pray controlling prayers and cast spells on people to make them do things against their will.
God has nothing to do with the prayers of some Christians,
prayers that are more witches’ brew than prayers of love. Prayers patterned after Satan’s format go down, not up. They go right to him and the demons –and they have to answer these prayers. They will enforce our words if those words are not God’s words (Prov. 18:21). Speak Satan’s words — get satanic results. It will boomerang back on us and will cause harm, sometimes even physical harm and pain to another Christian.
Far fetched, you say? You can believe that if you so desire. I
have, however, been attacked with pain that disappeared only when I said a counteractive prayer against the wrong ones, forgiving those who prayed it.
Once I was about to give an important and controversial sermon. That morning I woke up with a devil of an ache in my throat and a voice that was about to be extinguished. It was indeed a devil of an ache. It came from the devil and demons who simply enforced a wrong prayer. I realized the source — a “friend” who knew about the sermon. She didn’t want it given, believing that it was false. So she prayed for God to shut my mouth so I could not deliver it. She thought she was doing God a service. Not so. It was a devil of a prayer. And the devil or demons, who come only to kill and destroy, answered it.
The moment I prayed the special prayer God gave us for such
occasions and did communion, the devil of an ache went away and my voice returned. Coincidence? I know better.
Whether you believe my true story or not, you must admit that
praying against someone’s will is not what God tells us to do. It is
certainly not praying according to the will of God. God sets before us the choice of the way of life and blessings and the way of death and curses (Deut. 30:19). He encourages us with strong words to choose life, but He never forces us to do so. He gave Adam freedom to sin, and he did. He gives us freedom to pray wrong prayers, and we do.
It’s time Christians stopped this demonic practice often rooted
in unforgiveness. The wife who prayed against her husband’s will in the example cited earlier was not in a forgiving attitude toward her mate.
I must not leave you hanging. Here is the prayer you can say
when you sense that someone is praying a wrong prayer about you. If it is indeed a prayer of control, it becomes Christian witchcraft (sic –it is
indeed sick, isn’t it). It is thus wise to seal it in communion.
Here’s your loving, forgiving prayer of counterattack: ³Father, I hereby reject and nullify all prayers [and/or prophecies] that have been said on my behalf that are not according to Your will for my life or my family¹s. I break off all the effects and plans of the enemy that were thus authorized.²
The following should be added if you know you are “under attack” with physical symptoms from these kind of prayers (Communion is highly recommended): ³I cancel all assignments that demons have been given in relation to these prayers [and/or prophecies]. I choose to walk in Your will [and prophesied future for me], in Jesus¹ name. I forgive all those who have issued prayers [and/or prophecies] that are not according to Your will, Father, and I put the cross between them and the law of sowing and reaping, in Jesus¹ name.
³Thank You, Father, for this freedom, in Jesus¹ name. Amen and Amen.² You may need to ask Your Father in heaven to grant you the spirit of forgiveness before you say the prayer. Some people are hard to forgive, playing “dirty pool” as my mother would say, and you may need some help.
It’s time we learned how to pray. But that is the subject of
another article. Stay tuned — to God’s will and His Word.
Copyright 2008 Robert B. Scott
Yes, Christians sometimes pray “bad” prayers. My own prayer that God would “fix” someone was not a very good one. Yet God still spoke to me, convicting me of my own pride, and showing me something about himself.
My experience of God is that he is gracious. If we pray a “bad” prayer, yet our hearts are fundamentally right, he gently but firmly corrects and reveals what we need to know.
If we pray a “controlling” prayer, I’m not sure that Satan then has permission to answer it. However, I don’t think it hurts to pray the kind of prayer that Robert suggests. We can make too light of the forces that seek to harm and destroy. Affiming the power of the cross over Satan’s power is important.
Opinions?
Hi Diane,
This is a very thought provoking question. If you were praying that God fix your friend for their own good and not for your good, then how could that be prideful or selfish? Maybe your friend has to carry her burden because God could have wonderful things in store for her. The mystery of Christ is not for us to understand rather it is for us to accept and believe.
The article your friend sent you disturbs me. When a Christian prays to God I am quite certain they are not trying to go against God’s will. I do not believe in “bad” prayer. I have never heard of such a thing. All prayer should be asked in Jesus’ name and we should ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for us when we pray so that our prayer can be heard. When you are not sure if you have the right words to pray then you ask the Holy Spirit, the Helper, to convey the right words to God.
You prayed for an answer about a friend and God answered you. This was not a “bad” prayer. I am insulted that Robert Scott used the term “Christian witchcraft”. Also I don’t know of any Christian who practices demonic practices.
Diane,
Yes, I believe that God does speak to me. It is not always immediately as I am praying. I pray for something and try (notice I said try) to forget about it. Later, when I am not thinking and worrying about it, that seems to be when God answers my prayers. It is like He is waiting for me to stop dwelling on it and let Him work.
Yes, God does answer prayers. It may not be the answer I want or when I want it. As a parent to a small child, I know what is best for him/her. I believe my Father in heaven knows best for me . Unfortunately, most of the time I am praying because I can’t solve my problem myself. And yet I still worry about it. My Father wants me to lean on Him. Maybe that’s why He doesn’t give me everything I ask for. But I believe what it says in the Bible that “All things are possible.”
Yes, God does answer prayers. Sometimes it is through reading the Bible. Sometimes it is through other people. Sometimes it is through that small inner voice inside me. He answers the way He knows I need to hear it and the way I can handle it, like when I am not thinking about that problem. and letting Him work.
Yes, God does speak to me and answer my prayers.
Thank you for sharing this post. I am learning too that the best way to overcome someone who dislike us or done injustice to us, is to pray that God will do a deeper work in their souls and turn them to Him. The Lord is our vindicator. We are taught to love our enemies. Christ’s love can overcome the most difficult people by and by. In our own strength, we will not be able to do it or we may choose to do wrongly. But God’s way are higher than our way. What is more important to God than to turn sinners to Himself, and revive His backsliding children and turn them from their wrong ways. It doesn’t really matter that much how people treat me. I live my best for God. I wish I can have their friendships but it is even more important for them to know God, love Him and live for Him. So much lessons the Lord is teaching us day by day. Loving others with Christ’s unconditional love truly solves many issues in life.
Excellent insight! I’ve learned some similiar lessons about the power of love but I like the additional insight you added. Very thought provoking. Thanks for sharing this!
This is a beautiful article,and the faith in itself expressed amazes me.
I ponder now how God has spoken to me,and I have always looked at my prayers and do my best to make them for others.Sadly,so many are for those who passed expressing how much I miss them.
I do ask for guidance often.In other words making the right choices in my life.
I think God has several ways he speaks to others.
From witnessing the things before us in the world,and the soft voice we have felt inside at times.
Faith can move a mountain,and I believe that’s in a spiritual meaning.So yes yes yes.Prayers can create miracles.
Bless you and love the site!
Elizabeth in Texas