Posted by Confident prayer flows from a personal, experiential trust in the character of God.
Trusting that God will answer your prayers, and always in the very best way possible, begins with the knowledge of the revealed character of God in Scripture.
“As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” (2 Sam. 22:31)
Scripture is clear; God answers the prayers of his people when they turn their hearts toward him. But how does He answer? What can we expect?
Consider these questions as you prepare your heart this week to lead your child. Would our God be good if He gave us what we asked for even if it was not the best? Would He be a loving Father if He gave us that which would, in the end, do us harm or send us on a detour from His perfect plan?
While the answers to these questions seem clear theoretically, we still struggle with them in practice. Especially when what we’ve asked for seems good and right to us. The truth is that what we ask for may in fact be good and right but not best and not God’s will in that circumstance.
Accepting the fact that God is more interested in our character than He is in our comfort, and believing in His goodness even when it doesn’t seem good to us, is a very real part of the Christian walk, a critical feature of a Christian worldview, and one that we must teach the children early before the storms of life come to shake their faith.
BIG IDEA: God will always answer our prayers in the way that is BEST.
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
Jeremiah 33:3
Ephesians 3:20
Matthew 7:11
James 1:17
Isaiah 55:9
SECTION VERSE:
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive what you ask for. Then your joy will be complete. – John 16:24
LESSON VERSE:
God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us. – Ephesians 3:20
PRAYER:
Thank God that He always has the best for us, and that He knows when to say no or wait when we ask for something that isn’t in His plan.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What did you learn about prayer in Quest?
- Do you believe God wants the best for you? Why?
- Read Matthew 26:36-46 and see additional discussion questions page.
LIVE IT OUT!
- Make a list of people you can pray for and pray for them each by name.
- Talk about a time when mom and dad said no to something you really wanted, and why.
michaeljmeyers 