CONDITIONS TO
ANSWERED PRAYER PART 6. A CHARACTER THAT PLEASES GOD
Some people start to pray periodically only when they need something, for example, money, healing, restoration of relationships, etc. However, prayer is the main bond that sustains the connection between man and God. When people read the Bible, God speaks to them, but when people pray, they speak to God themselves and can hear His voice.
Prayer in the Holy Spirit that is in the unknown tongues builds up a man’s soul: “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself” (1 Cor. 14:4). Each godly person is to build up their own soul through praying in tongues and make every effort to stay away from sin, as it is written: “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin” (Heb. 12.4). It is important, as a character that pleases God is a necessary condition to receive the answer to one’s prayer.
Besides having a character that pleases God, it is very important that one’s spiritual senses are always alert and receptive not only to hear the voice of the Lord, but also to do exactly what He says. “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God” (Deut. 28:1-2).
People have senses that help them to live in the physical world: senses of hearing, sight, smell, touch and taste. In the same way, the Lord has granted people spiritual senses to perceive the spiritual world, to avoid dangers and to overcome problems. To keep the spiritual senses awake all the time, one must regularly pray. People need to say, “Lord, I humble myself before you and I want my spiritual senses to be always keen and awake. Right now, when I pray in the tongues of Your Holy Spirit, Whom You granted me, please let Him work with my spiritual senses so that I can hear Your voice. Let my spiritual eyes be open, so that I can see everything the way you want me to see…”
People must pray for keenness of each of their spiritual senses. Oftentimes, people start to pray and want to hear the voice of the Lord, in order to come out of a difficult situation, but they are unable to receive the leading of the Holy Spirit or hear His voice. The reason is, they have not had daily prayers and have not prayed in the tongues of the Holy Spirit. Their spirit, soul and body are on the same level, whereas the spirit must rule the body and soul.
Praying in the Holy Spirit helps to develop and manifest the fruit of the Spirit in a person’s life: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23). The fruit of the Spirit helps to manifest a character that pleases God, which is described in the Bible:
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Lk. 6:27-38).
A character that pleases God, life by the leading of the Holy Spirit, and daily prayers allow us to know the will of the Lord in every difficult situation, to perform it carefully, and to have results that glorify the Father.
A TESTIMONY FROM MY LIFE
During my everyday prayers, I first ask God to forgive me for the sins I have committed knowingly or unknowingly, and then I ask Him to open my spiritual eyes and my mind, to show me the unknowingly committed sins. Praise the Lord for His mercy and grace, as He patiently shows me everything that I have done unknowingly during a day or a week. When people want to correct themselves and have spiritual growth, the Lord helps them by the almighty power of the Holy Spirit. Besides, I pray in the Spirit for 40 or 60 minutes a day to have keen spiritual senses and to build up my inner self. I do all this because I know that I will be able to make right decisions, if needed, and when I encounter dangers or trials, my inner self will be able to resist.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pt. 5:8). This does not mean that I expect bad things any minute, but that I rely on the Lord, as whatever happens, He is my Faithful one, Counselor, Guide and Savior.
My daily prayers are very important for building up my soul; they help me to forgive those who slander me, to pray for those who persecute me and to do to others just as I want them to do to me. Daily prayers in the Holy Spirit help me to live in peace and to see positive changes in my character. Whenever I encounter a problem, I pray, and the Lord gives me an answer at once. I asked the Lord for so many things, and I praise Him for His faithfulness and mercy, as in every situation, His answer came at the right time.
There was a period in my life when I needed to have my own accommodation as the breath of my life. At that time, I lived with my parents in a large and comfortable apartment. One day, when I was in an auditorium to conduct a seminar, I clearly perceived that the Holy Spirit told me, “Pray for your own accommodation”. I was standing behind the pulpit, the people had already occupied their seats in the auditorium and the ushers were setting my microphone. Right behind the pulpit, I closed my eyes and prayed: “Lord, give me an accommodation”. Then I thought about what kind of a place I wanted to have. The time was short, as the microphone was set, and I had to start the seminar. However, I did not interrupt my prayer and, as I could not decide right then, I whispered, “Lord, please give me a three-room apartment in an apartment building, and a house with a plot.” I opened my eyes and started the seminar. No one in the auditorium knew what happened. Many of them might not even notice that I prayed. In three days, by the blessing of the Lord, I received a two-bedroom apartment, and on the fourth day, I received a house with a plot!
Why I received the answer to my prayer so quickly? First, the Lord too wanted me to have my own accommodation; and second, I “have plowed the ground” for it in my daily life. As Olympic champions and record-holders who are distinguished from others by their lifestyle, behavior and regular workouts, I also press forward, rejecting the desires of my flesh, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and always rely on the GRACE and MERCY of the LORD.
Two months ago, I was going to travel to Brussels. I bought the tickets, but I needed around €3.000 for my time there. I had only €330 and a very short time. I started to make generous offerings, and with each offering, I said, “Lord, this is a seed for my travel”. On the day of my departure, the faithfulness of the Lord was manifested in a glorious way; I received an incredible and unspeakable harvest! Again, I was convinced in the following: first knowing the will of the Lord and then our thoughts and actions decide whether we will see the glory of the Lord.