Archived Articles by Father Rob Smith

WHAT DOES GOD CARE ABOUT?

God has made some very powerful promises regarding prayer. One of the clearest is in 1 John 5:14,15 where Scripture says: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." The question that immediately arises is, "What kinds of prayer are prayers according to His will?" Once we know that, tremendous power is released in prayer.

There are four categories of prayer. The first category includes prayers that are ill-informed, immature and sometimes plain ridiculous. This includes the boast of one televangelist who said, "I asked God for a white Arabian stallion, and God gave me a white Arabian stallion." To this one of his contemporaries publicly responded, "Grow up!"

The second category includes reasonable desires that God often is pleased to grant out of generosity for our joy. Always ask for your reasonable heart's desires, but be aware that sometimes God says "No" on the basis of His all-encompassing knowledge of the circumstances of our lives.

The next two categories are prayers that clearly respond to the revealed will of God and match the intent of the promise we started with, "If we ask anything according to his will, He hears us (and) . . . we know that we have the petitions we have asked of Him."

Of these two categories the first regards those prayers for a deeper life and relationship with God. Many of Paul's prayers are excellent models. Can you imagine the tremendous power available in praying for others, including our children, that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith; that they, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that they may be filled with all the fullness of God? (Eph. 3:17-19) Praying those kinds of prayer in cooperation with the will of God can revolutionize lives. Look in the epistles of Paul and make his prayers your heart prayers for those whom you love.

The final category includes those daily bread prayers we are commanded to pray. Jesus taught us to pray "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matt. 6:11). This includes prayers for the jobs that provide our daily bread. Scripture says, "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thess. 3:10). Having a job that will provide your daily bread is clearly within the will of God. Don't hesitate to pray for it.

There is another thing to be considered. Just because we have prayed doesn't mean that we absolve ourselves of responsibility. I don't believe in "Let go, and let God!" We are called into obedient action, not into passivity. God acts incarnationally through human beings. Pray and trust that God stands ready to lead and guide as you begin to take action. Pray. Look for open doors. Network. Do those things you know you must do and trust that God who commands you to pray for your daily bread will help you. What does God care about? God cares about you and will joyfully provide for you, but usually not at the expense of your own initiative. ~ Father Rob +

Back to Archives Directory