What Do You Expect?

Have you ever been asked that question? It is usually asked when something didn’t turn out the way we wished it would. Too often, we make that mistake when praying.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Berean)

Are all your needs met? If not. Why not? According to the Word of God, it’s because you are praying wrong.

James 4:2b-3a …Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss,.. (NKJ)

What does it mean to pray wrong? It means either you don’t pray at all or you pray without expecting results.

Mark 11:24 Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (NKJ)

Many believers use prayer as a kind of spiritual wishbone. “This probably won’t do much good,” they think, “but who knows? It doesn’t hurt to give it a try.” Stop praying from a feeling of desperation, unbelief, and lack and start praying from a place of confidence that the victory has already been won.

1 John 5:14-15 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (NKJ) 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him. (Berean)

His Word is His will!

So, whatever your need is, find Scripture for it and pray it back to God.

Isaiah 43:26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified. (KJV)

This is not because God forgets, but because He desires His people to exercise faith.

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJ)

John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (NKJ)

If His Words abide in you, they must be spoken out. This is how we act out our faith – by expecting to receive what we ask every time we ask it. You may think that’s a little presumptuous? No, it’s not because you are only saying what He has said. Presumptuous, no, bold, yes!

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (NKJ)

That word “obtain” is a word of certainty. It means “to get possession of.” So, pray expecting to get possession of what you need, not just once in a while, but every time.

When prayers do go unanswered, don’t just shrug it off saying “I guess you never know what God’s going to do?” Yes, you do because you have His Word on it.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. Go to God in prayer and in His Word and find out where you missed it. This is not to make us feel bad or condemn us, but to help us correct our thinking so we can get our prayers answered.

1 John 3:20-23 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. (NKJ)

We could talk a lot about different ways we “ask a miss.” But this Scripture mentions a big one. Love! Our love-walk with others can and will affect our prayers. First off, because faith works by love. (Galatians 5:6) Second, because Jesus tells us to leave our offerings behind until we get it right with our brother.

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has ought against you; 24 Leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (NKJ)

This word “ought” means “anything, whatever.” One of the greatest hindrances to our prayers being answered is offences coupled with unforgiveness. There is no reason to beat ourselves up about past failures and mistakes. Repent and begin today by putting His Word into practice.

Colossians 1:4-5 We have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus [how you lean on Him with absolute confidence in His power], and of the [unselfish]  love which you have for all the saints (God’s people); 5 because of the [confident] hope [of experiencing that] which is reserved and waiting for you in heaven. You previously heard of this hope in the message of truth, the gospel [regarding salvation]. (AMP)

What are you expecting when you pray? Believe and receive, in Jesus’ Name!