God’s responses to our prayers – Part 6

It creates greedy appetites for far more than we need. We can be released from our self-centered desires by humbling ourselves before God; realising that all we really need is His approval. When the Holy Spirit fills us, we see that this world’s seductive attractions are only cheap substitutes for what God has to offer.

Unresolved Conflicts
“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you. 24: leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift,” (Mat 5:23,24).
Broken relationships can hinder our relationship with God. If we have a problem or grievance with a friend, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible. We are hypocrites if we claim to love God, while we hate others. Our attitudes toward others reflect our relationship with God (1John 4:20).

Unmerciful To The Poor
“Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard,” (Prov 21:13).
We should work to meet the needs of the poor and protect their rights—we may be in need of such services ourselves someday.

Read Isaiah 58: Right And Wrong Fasting
“Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and you take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exploit all your labourers. 4: Indeed, you fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high. 5: Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? 6: “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? 7: Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8: Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9: Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,” (Is 58:3-9).