Specific Prayers Get Specific Answers
CONSECRATED No. 81 - 1 Thought. 2 Quotes. 3 Verses.
1 THOUGHT
The nineteenth-century German evangelist George Müller documented over fifty thousand answers to prayer in his journals. Over the course of his life, he provided care to more than ten thousand orphans and experienced some of the most miraculous answers to prayer of anyone I’ve ever read about.
Think of it… fifty thousand answers to prayer. Such a miraculous prayer life makes me wonder: if God answered fifty thousand of my prayers, would I even know it?
So often, my prayers are so vague or general that if God answered them, it would be almost impossible to know. Here are some examples:
God, turn my city to Christ.
God, send revival.
God, provide finances for my family.
God, help me with _____.
How would you know if God answered those prayers? Are you praying for 10% of your city to turn to Christ? 50%? What is it? What do you specifically mean by revival? When you’re asking God for resources, do you need $5 or $5,000? And within what timeframe?
I love what my friend Daniel MacLeod often says about this: “Specific prayers get specific answers.”
We want to be specific enough with our prayers that it is obvious when God answers. If you need finances, put a number and a timeframe. If you’re praying for your city to turn to Christ, specify a percentage of the population and a timeframe. Get specific. Pray prayers in such a way that you would clearly know if God answered.
This accomplishes two things. First, it builds our faith when God clearly answers a prayer—and specificity makes it obvious when He does. Second, it gives greater glory to God when we can ascribe Him praise for specific answers to prayer.
So this would be my exhortation for you today: get more specific with your prayers. Maybe you’re already pretty detailed—go deeper. Are you praying for a friend to come to Christ? Maybe add a date you’re contending for them to come to Christ by. If you’re praying for your city, get specific about how many people you’re believing will come to Christ, and how soon.
Specific prayers get specific answers. Specific answers build greater faith. And specific answers give God greater glory.
2 QUOTES
“I believe God has heard my prayers. He will make it manifest in His own good time that He has heard me. I have recorded my petitions that when God has answered them, His name will be glorified.”
- George Müller
“According to my judgement the most important point to be attended to is this: above all things see to it that your souls are happy in the Lord. Other things may press upon you, the Lord's work may even have urgent claims upon your attention, but I deliberately repeat, it is of supreme and paramount importance that you should seek above all things to have your souls truly happy in God Himself! Day by day seek to make this the most important business of your life. This has been my firm and settled condition for the last five and thirty years. For the first four years after my conversion I knew not its vast importance, but now after much experience I specially commend this point to the notice of my younger brethren and sisters in Christ: the secret of all true effectual service is joy in God, having experimental acquaintance and fellowship with God Himself.”
- George Müller
3 VERSES
“Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.”
James 5:17
“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”
Acts 12:5
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
A RESOURCE
Reese Howells: Intercessor by Norman Grubb records the life of Reese Howells, who had some of the most miraculous answers to prayer in modern history. He lived during WWII and God used his prayers to turn the tide of the war. An amazing read.
