Shockingly, so many people base their spirituality on the Harry Potter films. I am joking, of course. But it’s not funny because even many Christians think it is possible to discover a unique formula: if you say it, God will have to grant all your wishes because the Bible says, “seek, and you will find.” Lent is a time to free the faith from such paganism.
Seek and You Will Find
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:8)
Pray according to God’s Will
Seek, and you will find. It means seeking, knowing, and understanding God’s truth. Then, pray according to God’s will.
Devotional for every day here: Daily Devotional
James 4:3 tells us an important principle: Prayer requests must be in accordance with God’s will.
“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3)
God Acts with Love
God cares for the whole world. Therefore, He does not grant a prayer that destroys the world or sows discord among people.
In the same way, Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:9-11 make it clear that God is a Father who loves us. That is why He does not grant our requests that would harm our lives out of love for us.
It takes us a long time to understand this. Just as a child only understands with gratitude, after many years, why his parents did not fulfill one or another of his childhood whims.
The apostle Paul reaffirms in Philippians 4:19 that God promises to meet all our “needs” but not all our “wants.” Feel the difference.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
Know the Faith
In other words, going deeper and knowing the faith is very important. Therefore, it is essential to study God’s Word and to read Christian literature that helps us to understand the mysteries of faith.
God is very clear about what His will is. Therefore, it is essential to know God as He is and not to dream up an image of a superman that does not correspond to reality. Such false knowledge can bring great disappointment.
Prayer for Today
Almighty God, you love us as your children. Therefore, you teach and educate us with great patience and wisdom. We thank you for your fatherly way with us.
Today, please help us understand that praying and asking for what is according to Your will is very important. This is because you want the good and salvation of all humanity. Therefore, my wishes and my prayer also serve this purpose of Yours. Consequently, I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
