Getting an answer
People pray for varying reasons and at different times and places. And, as long as we pray, we know that we are doing our part as believers and family members of God’s kingdom. There are many prayers that get answered, but yet there are many that do not. Part of the reasons why many of our prayers go unanswered is because we do not know the way we should pray (Ro8:26). There is a way to pray to get things done and sometimes God waits for us to pray in that fashion. Prayers make it to God, at least many of them do. If we practice that art of prayer we can become good warriors in God’s kingdom. Throughout the bible we are encouraged to pray; (1the5:17, ph4:6). Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them to pray, and he set the pattern for what to pray for. But, there is a strategy for getting our prayers answered, prayers can become just words.
Matthew 9:14-16
14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
Fasting is the ump of prayer. It is one of the keys to getting prayers answered. John’s disciples were curious as to why Jesus’ disciples did not fast while all the other disciples did. Fasting became a tradition. People fasted for all different reasons and slowly exempted God from the picture. Fasting has a purpose. Fasting, abstinence from food or drink or both for health, ritualistic, religious, or ethical purposes. For the Jews, a priest would do the fasting for the people to cleanse them of their sins (Lev16:30). Fasting in the biblical context is for the afflicting of ones soul, knowing that God delivers the soul of the afflicted (ps.34:19). John’s as well as other disciples were in wait for God’s deliverance, but Jesus’ disciples were not. They had the deliverer with them. They had the newness of God with them, that is why Jesus told his disciples that no one puts new wine in old skins else it tears it (Mt9:17).
Jesus told his disciples that whatever they would ask the Father he would do it for them(Jh14:13). While Jesus was with his disciples they did not need to fast, or afflict their souls. Their voices were heard as soon as they spoke, because the Father was with them. Fasting puts a more urgent cry before the Lord in prayer (Is58:4). Unanswered prayers tend to bring doubt and questioning God. The people of God were inquiring why was their prayers not heard, and he told them that because of their quarrels during their fast prayers were not answered.
The disciples of John like the others did public fasting of which did not bring any rewards or answers to their prayers. This new way of fasting that Jesus’ disciples were to practice once the bridegroom would be taken away, was going to bring results to prayer. Jesus told his disciples that when they fast to do it in private (Mt6:17-18).
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
17 pray continually,
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins.
The righteous person may have many troubles,but the Lord delivers him from them all;
17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Isaiah 58:4
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Matthew 6:17-18
17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.