Ten Prayers and the Way the Lord Would Answer Them According to His Word

Prayer One
I asked Jesus to make me happy.

He said, "No. I have granted you My grace, through which I give you all spiritual
blessings; that should make you happy."

Prayer Two
I asked the Lord to make my old, worn, and sick body new again.

Jesus said, "No. I have renewed your spirit, and that is what matters; I created
your body to decay and die. When it decays away and you come to Me, I shall
provide you with a new one—one that will never decay or die." (I Korinthians
15.50-55)

Prayer Three
I asked the Ever-Living to grant me a persevering spirit.

He said, "No. Perseverance derives from trials and tribulations and persecutions;
such a spirit isn't granted, it is earned and learned." (Romans 5.1-5)

Prayer Four
I asked God to take away my bad habits.

Christ said, "No. It is not for me to take them away, but for you to give them
up."

Prayer Five
I asked the Lord to spare me from all pain and punishment.

God said, "No. Punishment draws you away from worldly cares and brings you closer
to Me. My true people move toward Me when they encounter adversity and hardship.
Besides, every bit of pain and punishment My people go through they have brought
on themselves because they have not listened to My instructions.
Have completely forgotten the encouragement from Proverbs 3.11-12 which I have
used to reason with you as I would with My Own sons:

6. 'My son, do not take the Lord’s correction lightly, nor give out while being
punished by Him. For whom the Lord loves He corrects. And He flogs every son whom
He accepts as His Own.'

Endure His punishment for the purpose of correction. The Ever-Living is acting
toward you as with sons. For what type of son is it that a father does not
correct?" (Hebrews 12.5-6)

Prayer Six
I asked the Ever-Living to make my spirit grow in strength and faith.

The Lord said, "No. I have given you My Word; you must study and meditate upon It,
then follow It, to grow a strong, faithful spirit."

Prayer Seven
I asked our Creator for all things so I could enjoy life now, as it is in the
flesh.

He said, "No. I have promised you eternal life, so that you would have hope in a
future life—not this one."

Prayer Eight
I asked the Lord to help me love fellow Christians as He wants me to.

He said, "No. You must associate yourself with other Believers, and you must serve
them and help them. Then your love will grow stronger, because when you help My
People, you help Me, and I have designed your spirit to grow in love when you
serve Me."

Prayer Nine
I asked the Lord to let my candidate win the election, because I fear the other
candidate is against me in every way.
The Lord said, "No. I have told you through My prophets what kind of people should
rule over your nation and what kind you should keep out of your country. If you
have followed My instructions, then both candidates will be for you and for Me. If
you have not, then you shall suffer."

Prayer Ten
Finally, I asked the Ever-Living to grant me wisdom.
And He said, "Alright! As I have told you through My servant James (James 1.5),
the one thing I give freely—for the asking—is wisdom. This you shall have, but I
give it when I see fit, just as I did your ancestor Solomon. And you should use
this wisdom to aid the faith—not indulge yourself with worldly wealth."

My Prayer for Fellow Believers in Union with the Lord Jesus Christ
9. Let your love be genuine. Bitterly hate evil! Join yourselves to what is good.

10. Cherish one another with mutual love. Show honor ahead of yourself to fellow-
believers.

11. Be diligent—not lazy—slaving for the Lord with a zealous spirit!

12. Rejoice in hope. Patiently endure persecution. Remain in a state of constant

prayer.

13. Share in the needs of the separated-ones (your leaders who show themselves to
be set apart from the world in their thinking and teaching). Endeavor to be
hospitable toward them. (The Apostle Paul to the Christian Assembly at Rome,
Romans 12:9-13)

If you love our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, pass this on and send it back to the
person who sent it to you as a statement of your faith. I'm sure that person will
appreciate it, and by so doing you can help to build their faith.

For the faith: Molly Mitchell