The moment we ask for something in the name of the Lord Jesus—in that very moment God begins to answer. The Scriptures cannot be changed, they are eternally true. If we ask anything in the name of Jesus He will do it.

But He didn't say when, or how, or under what circumstances, or how our prayer would be refined so the answer would be what we truly were requesting, what truly would bring us love, joy, and peace.

But know one thing—if you do not throw away your confidence you shall receive your answer!

You just didn't wait long enough. God knows the right time to answer your prayer but you do not.

God may speak to you and suggest you modify or change your prayer in some manner. He may make you know that what you are asking for will not bring the joy you desire and you should pray in another direction. If this happens to you, go with God. Trust Him. If you insist on God doing exactly what you say you may receive years of agony. God opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing. If you insist after God warns you, you may not be happy with the answer.

It often is true that God is ready for someone to die and we howl and complain and beseech God to let them live. This is not wise. Remember Hezekiah and Manasseh! Always pray "Your will be done." This is not a passive or fatalistic prayer, it is the most powerful prayer possible. Always seek the will of God and pray with all fervor and diligence in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Never take anything for granted. Persist in prayer until you know God has heard you, until you have God's mind. Do not be put off easily. How many Christians remain ill because they reason they have "a thorn in the flesh," or they are not worthy, or God is punishing them, or God is too busy, or healing is not for today, or for some reason it is God's will they are ill, or their problem is congenital, or inherited, or always fatal, or too difficult for God, or their desire is not spiritual enough, or they are too old, or too young, or it is allergy or flu season. Get in there and fight for what you want! You may have been talked into defeat when you could have had victory. Do not let anyone take your crown.

God has commanded you to not throw away your confidence in His Word. This you can do. You can't answer your own prayer but you can keep your confidence strong. If you feel your confidence weakening, ask the Lord to strengthen your confidence. He is more than willing to do this.

You will get what you desire if you do not quit!

We gain victory over the enemy by three means:

By the blood of the Lamb.

By the word of our testimony.

By loving not our life to the death.

We must walk in the light of God's will. If we do, the blood of God's Lamb, Christ, will continue to cleanse us from all sin.

To be continued.