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Cleartext Point 048


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What prayers does God answer ?

Whose prayers does he answer ?

Why does God not answer to many prayers ?

How to pray properly ?


In the prayers of many people are the most common words:

"Dear God, give ..."

"Dear God, help ..."

"Dear God, do ..."

But is this what God wants to hear from us ?

The prayers of many people resemble a wish-list, which they used to make for Christmas as a child. But God and Jesus Christ are no "Santa Clauses" who fulfil the desires of us humans.

A number of prerequisites must be observed for an answered prayer.
You can find out which ones in the following cleartext point.

Jesus Christ is disgusted if he is hypocritically addressed with the word "Lord"
(even nowadays in the prayers), but those don´t do (do not put into practice),
what their Lord commands them - with which he entrusts them.

Jesus' words:

"And why call ye me (hypocritically), Lord, Lord,
and (then) (you) do not the things which I say?"
(Luke 6/46)

 

I'd like to give you some advice right away.

Never get the idea to say in prayer to the Lord:

"God, if you exist, then please fulfil my wish or give me a sign ..."

We humans should never demand signs of their power from God or from Jesus Christ.
That would otherwise be a doubt and disbelief.

Jesus Christ said:

"... Except ye see signs and wonders, (then) ye will not believe."
(John 4/48)

Jesus calls those who demand signs as evil and apostate (rebellious).

"A wicked and adulterous (rebellious) generation seeketh after a sign;
and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.
And he left them, and departed."
(Matthew 16/4)

Jonah was (as we read it in the old testament) three days in the belly of the fish (Jonah 2/1)
and then came forth again (Jonah 2/11). Jesus knew that after his crucifixion,
he would be three days in the realm of death - and then resurrected (as Jonah returned).

"... An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man (Jesus Christ) be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
(Matthew 12/39-40)

"... This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it,
but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites,
so shall also the Son of man (Jesus Christ) be to this generation."
(Luke 11/29-30)

"And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him,
seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit,
and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you,
There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side."
(Mark 8/11-13)

 

I do not want to offend anybody with the following food for thought - but only to make one or the other reader think:

In the catholic church, the prayers of the rosary are taught to the faithful.
The same prayer lines are repeated over and over again.

Question: Is God an old, senile man who does not understand the prayer the first time ?

God has his reasons when he does not want to hear the prayers of many people.
You will find the reasons in this cleartext point.

If you now regard me as a heretic, I recommend reading also the heretic cleartext point 167.

If you love God, do not regard him as a forgetful old man with a ruffian beard, who must be told everything three times.

By becoming a friend of the Lord, you can talk to him in prayer as you speak with a good friend (but always with respect and decency).

How you become his friend, he explains to you in easily understandable words.
He says:

"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."
(John 15/14)

(What Jesus commands us, you can read as a summary of the cleartext point 129).

It may be that you now think (or say):
"But the millions of faithful who pray the rosary, for example, can not be mistaken."

Yes - they can.

If many people do something wrong, it does not mean that it is right.

Always remember the warning words of our Lord Jesus Christ,
with which he clearly states that only a few people are on the right path.
Not millions - but only a few !

Many people are unfortunately on the broad (wrong) way.
Jesus' words:

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way (the wide and easy way), that leadeth to destruction (eternal damnation),
and many (people) there be which go in thereat.
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto (eternal) life,
and (only) few (people) there be (this narrow path to eternal life) that find it
(And then actually go on this way)."
(Matthew 7/13-14)

(more information about the narrow and the broad path you find in cleartext point 015.)

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Do not ask yourself if God hears your prayer -
but ask the question whether he answers it.

In this cleartext point, you will get all the info,
so that the Lord will answer your prayers in the future.

But why do people 's prayers often go into disrepair - remain ineffective and without a response ?

God's promise:

"Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee,
and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right
in the sight of the LORD thy God."
(Deuteronomy 12/28)

"... Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and (then) ye shall be my people:
and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you."
(Jeremiah 7/23)

God's help, his love, grace and mercy are based on the "if-then principle" (see cleartext point 170).

This "if - then" principle is quite simple:

If you do not listen to God and His instructions, then you don´t need to be surprised,
if God does not listen to your prayers.

If you do not work for the Lord,
then you need not be surprised,
that the Lord will not work for you.

We often give God "orders" in our prayers and hope that he then will work for us and fulfil our wishes.

"In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.(and I hope you will hear me then)
(Psalm 86/7)

The Lord tells us in his word, the bible, that this does not work !

He repeatedly announces that he will not listen to the prayers -
but people do not understand this and do not want to believe it.

God's announcements:

"... I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape;
and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them."
(Jeremiah 11/11)

"... for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble."
(Jeremiah 11/14)

"And when ye spread forth your hands, I (God) will hide mine eyes from you (I will not see you): yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear ..."
(Isaiah 1/15)

 

"Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:"
(Proverbs 1/28)

"They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not."
(Psalm 18/41)

"And ye shall cry out ... and the LORD will not hear you in that day."
(1 Samuel 8/18)

Most people do not act for God, the Lord, but they expect the Lord to act for them.

How twisted and dreamy are such desires ?

But the preachers of the half-truths (see cleartext point 106) are telling the people
again and again, that the "dear God" is waiting in heaven for our orders,
to do us good - we must only ask him kindly and piously go to worship and sing as many praises as possible.

Error !

The Lord says tough:

" I will not smell in your solemn assemblies ...
Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs ... "
(Amos 5/21-23)

 

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God loves us very much, but he expects us to live according to his "rules of the game" -
thus, that we try with all our heart to stay away from sin and fulfil his tasks.

But instead, most people irritate the Lord by doing only what pleases them and gives them pleasure and joy.
What the Lord requires is costing time and money.

Few are ready to make these sacrifices,

So people "test" how far they can go without God "grudging".

However, as soon as there are problems, they come back howling, pleading and begging for help in their prayers.

This "game" cannot go on indefinitely.

"... provoke me (God) to anger ...
Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity:
and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them."
(Ezekiel 8/17-18)

Please read the important information in cleartext point 137 on the topic: God's grace.

"Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I (God) called, none did answer; when I (God) spake (in the bible to the people),
they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes,
and chose that in which I delighted not (which God did not like)."
(Isaiah 66/3-4)

"But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears,
that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law,
and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets
(which was written down in the bible):
therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.
Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear;
so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:"
(Zechariah 7/11-13)


God says:

"... because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them ... "
(Ezekiel 39/23)

"Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;
neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,
and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
(Isaiah 59/1-2)

Our debt - our sins prevent,
that God helps and supports us.

"Your iniquities have turned away these things,
and your sins have withholden good things from you."
(Jeremiah 5/25)

"Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God,
and doeth his will, him he heareth."
(John 9/31)

"Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them:
he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings."
(Micha 3/4)

"... evil deeds" - hardly any Christian feels addressed.
And yet many persons who call themselves Christians play an evil game with the Lord:
Not to do something - is a sin in God´s eyes !

Jesus instructs us Christians:

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works ... "
(Matthew 5/16)

"For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, (Isaiah 49/6) I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles ..."
(Acts 13/47)


But, unfortunately, many "Christians" shine with their indifference,
with their avarice, their egoism and their passivity !

More information can be found in cleartext point 017. Its title:
Not to do something can also be sin !

In cleartext point 171, you learn that passivity is a great danger in Christianity.

"We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.
Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.
Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through."
(Lamentations 3/42-44)

"Also when I cry and shout, he (God) shutteth out my prayer."
(Lamentations 3/8)

 

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My advice:

Please read this cleartext point to the end - and then change your behaviour,
so that the Lord will have an open ear for your prayers in the future.

Don´t do it as most people do (unfortunately also very many who call themselves "Christians"):

They are not ready to inform themselves about God's Word and then turn his advice one hundred percent into action.

They have no interest in changing themselves and their behaviour, because it is a really hard job.

Therefore they do not want to hear the truth (God's uncomfortable exhortations),
nor are they willing to spread this truth further.

"Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee. But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth."
(Jeremiah 7/27-28)

Many people have no interest in the full truth, which has been written down in the bible for us,
but rather prefer to be "schmoozed" by the false preachers.

The main thing, they don´t have to do a thing and don´t need to refrain from anything.

Every religion, which takes a step towards them, is gladly accepted.

The bible (as a sacred book) they love - but God's and Jesus' full truth from the bible
is rejected because it is very uncomfortable and frightening.

Be wiser - and accept the full truth.

You will be rewarded by the Lord.

"Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD ..."
(Amos 7/16)

"Yet hear the word of the LORD ..."
(Jeremiah 34/4)

"Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you ..."
(Jeremiah 10/1)

"... so have I caused to cleave unto me ..."
(2 Corinthians 13/11)

"But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride ... "
(Jeremiah 13/17)

If you change your behaviour so that God is happy with you,
then you are one of those who does not need to ask God for anything,
because he already knows what you need before prayer.

"And it shall come to pass, that before they call (ask for something in prayer),
I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear (I will fulfill their desires)."
(Isaiah 65/24)

 

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Jesus Christ prayed to God:

"... Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me."
(John 11/41)

But why was he heard ?

"... and (Jesus) was heard (by God) in that he feared;"
(Hebrews 5/7)

Now almost everyone will announce loudly:

"I have no problem keeping God in honour."

This is so easily said - but are people doing it ?

Do they hold God in honour ?

Are you honouring God ?

On this topic a very uncomfortable question:

Do you give God his tithes - or do you deceive him for this money, because you could no longer afford this or that ?

In the Bible is written:

"Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits (with the first 10 percent) of all thine increase:"
(Proverbs 3/9)

And it is precisely this, where most of those who call themselves "Christians" fail.

They honour God with praises in worship and with prayers - because this does not cost anything.

But as soon as they have to forgo something, the "friendship" ceases with them.

They are searching for excuses - or even for a "cheaper" religion.

I'll come back to the subject of tithing a bit later at this point.

But first, back to prayers.

Prayers often contain more requests than thanksgivings.
When people are not doing well, they pray and ask the Lord for help.

There is absolutely no objection to it.
But as long as people are doing well, they often forget the Lord.

Always remember that God is not a vacuum cleaner that you only fetch,
when you need it and let it otherwise disappear as invisibly as possible.

Otherwise, you will hope in vain for God's help !

"They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not."
(2 Samuel 22/42)

Why does not God answer and help them ?

"I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts ..."
(Malachi 1/10)

Therefore the advice:

Act in a way, that God and Jesus have joy in you.

 

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And something else is important to know:

God is the Lord - and we are the servants.
But the people do not want to be servants, but gentlemen and ladies.

They confuse that it is actually our duty to serve the Lord.
In their prayers, they commission the Lord to act for them.

They themselves (when they were well) did not (or hardly) work for God and Jesus.
But if it gets "tight", then God should help.

But this is not how it works !

Our task is to serve the Lord.

Please read the cleartext point 041.

Whoever has understood this - and is fully committed to putting the words of God and Jesus Christ into action,
can at any time reckon with the help of the Lord.

Realise that God and Jesus want to see your deeds.

Work for them - so that they can work for you.

Please also read the cleartext point 000. Its title:
You love Jesus ? - Then work for him !

In the bible, we are asked:

"... shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love ..."
(2 Corinthians 8/24)

"... let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth ..."
(1 John 3/18)

Prove to the Lord that you love him by deeds and works !

 

One of Jesus' disciples said,

"Lord, teach us to pray ..."
(Luke 11/1)

Jesus explained how to pray - and how not:

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray ... (publicly) ... that they may be seen of men ...
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet,
and when thou hast shut thy door ..."
(Do not pray in public in front of other people.)
(Matthew 6/5-6)


Jesus added his explanation:

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:
for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Be not ye therefore like unto them (ye shall not imitate them):
for your (heavenly) Father (God) knoweth what things
ye have need of, (already) before ye ask him."
(Matthew 6/7-8)


Jesus continues:

"After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever.
Amen."
(Matthew 6/9-13)

 

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Some explanations to the Lord´s prayer (Matthew 6/9-13):

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."

(Question: Do you use God's name in vain - such as "For God's sake ..." ?)

"Thy kingdom come."

(Question: Have you accepted God's education to live in his kingdom ?
Are you sufficiently prepared for the coming kingdom of God ?
Do you obey God already - and serve him with the deed ?)

"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

(Question: Are you doing God's will ?)

"Give us this day our daily bread."

(Question: Do you always thank the Lord for your food and drink - or do you take it as a matter of course ?)

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

(Question: Do you forgive those who have been guilty to you ?)

This is the condition for God to forgive your guilt and sin.

Jesus Christ explained it to us by saying:

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, (then) your heavenly Father (God) will also forgive you:  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father (God) forgive your trespasses."
(Matthew 6/14-15)

The so - called "if - then - principle" applies to God.

(Please read on the "if - then - principle" the important information in the already mentioned cleartext point 170.)

We recognise this condition of forgiveness by speaking the words in the Lord´s prayer:

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
(Matthew 6/12)

(For more information on the topic, please refer to the cleartext point 078.)

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power ..."

Question: Do you trust God's power ?

Do you trust God ?

Please use the alphabetically arranged search terms on faith in God to get additional information on this topic.

"... and the glory, for ever. Amen."
(Matthew 6/7-13)

(For the topic of God's power, please see the cleartext point 052.)

 

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This prayer says it all.
Jesus does not forbid man to pray with additional words,
But please consider the following:

If your child or your children get in contact with you (by telephone or in a direct conversation)
and they would only be able to recite memorised poems or quotations from time to time,
then you would certainly not have any pleasure in these conversations.

This is precisely how God and Jesus feel when people often speak any prayers out of prayer books for minutes.

Jesus clearly told us in the Lord´s prayer what we can (learned by heart) speak to God.
We can spare ourselves other memorised prayers.

When you pray to the Lord, tell him with your own words, how grateful you are for this or that.
These are sentences that God likes to hear - and not the blabber, that some people have thought up and written down
and then you just chatter.

Please excuse my hard-hitting and clear words, but the homepage is called "cleartext".

Often a table prayer is muttered only for religious reasons (or because of tradition).

When my son was still a child, he saw a cartoon on TV.
As I was also in the room, I heard the characters rattle a table prayer.
I will never forget how they said:
"Rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub."
And then the "devour" (the blowout meal) went off.

At first, I was shocked that something like this was shown to children on television.
But when I talked about it with my son, God made it clear to me,
that this is unfortunately often the reality.

The people pray, but with the thoughts, they are quite somewhere else -
and their eyes often find themselves the biggest piece secretly during the prayer.

Usually only memorised prayers are spoken - which then naturally leads to
let the thoughts wander into the distance.

 

And something else is important to know:
God and Jesus will be very angry when you pray to or ask the dead !

"... There shall not be found among you any ...
enchanter ... or a necromancer.
For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD ... "
(Deuteronomy 18/9-12)

Question: Does Mary live, or the many "saints" ?
They're all dead !
Where in the bible is it written that they live ?
And where is it written that it should - or may be prayed to Mary or to "saints"?

Nowhere at all !

However, in the bible, it is often written,
that we should worship only God and Jesus - and no one else !

"And I (John) fell at his feet to worship him.
And he said unto me, See thou do it not ... worship God ..."
(Revelation 19/10)

 

So even not even the angels may be adored !

Please read also the cleartext point 101 on this topic.

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If people are in distress or danger, they often start to pray.

Please refer to the cleartext points 035 and 032, whose prayers God will not hear.
Always do your best, so that God will not reject you.

Much more important than the prayers in which we ask God for something are thanksgivings !

And not only then, when we are not doing well, according to the motto:
"Thank you for keeping me healthy for many years - but
now please give me my good health back ... "
God does not want to hear such prayers !

Imagine you go shopping to the supermarket with a child.
Again and again, the child pushes: "Give me this, give me that ..."

Would you like that ?

Surely the following situation would be much more pleasant:
You walk with a child through the supermarket, and this child does not ask for anything.
During the entire shopping the child praises you:
"Thank you for taking the time, to do the homework with me yesterday."

"And thank you for reading something from my favourite book yesterday."

"Thank you for making me such a wonderful breakfast."

"Thank you for always giving me some pocket money -
so I do not need to beg - and can fulfil some wishes for myself. "

"And thank you for not letting me down when I need help."

Again and again, the child counts on what good you have done and thanks to you for it.
Wouldn´t that please you much more, than the constant petitions of the other child ?

That would please God too. He would rather hear our gratitude, than our constant begging.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
(Philippians 4/6)

Important: ... with thanksgiving !

Please read the cleartext point 049 on the topic of gratitude.

I would also like to recommend you the cleartext point 042.
Its title: Which people does God love ?

The unjustified human moaning and complaining is an accusation in the ears of the Lord.
Although he gives us people food, drink, health and much more,
numerous contemporaries whine, moan and complain -
they accuse the Lord, so to speak:

"God, you must give me more - that is not enough !"

The Lord sees these complaints as reproaches.
He is being accused of not offering these people enough.

Whether this motivates the Lord to give them more ?

Whoever proves the Lord his deep and honest appreciation through deeds and works of gratitude,
motivates him - and will, therefore, receive even more from the Lord -
without having to ask him in obtrusive prayers.

Jesus Christ tells us:

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:
for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Be not ye therefore like unto them (ye shall not imitate them):
for your (heavenly) Father (God) knoweth what things
ye have need of, (already) before ye ask him."
(Matthew 6/7-8)


If God does not allow or give you this or that, which other people have,
then be not sorrowful or dissatisfied and don´t reproach the Lord.
He knows better what is beneficial for you - and what ain´t.

And the Lord knows when exactly this or that is good for you - and when not.
If the Lord has not yet thought of the time, then you can pray
as much and as hard as you want - God will not fulfil your desire.

This is exactly what we people don´t like: when we have to wait for something -
should be patient. But God and Jesus would like to teach us patience.

(Please read cleartext point 063 concerning patience.)

 

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Many Christians have the parable of the persistent widow in mind,
concerning the answering of prayers:

"And he (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh,
shall he find faith on the earth?"
(Luke 18/1-8)

Those who claim this pledge of Jesus for themselves,
unfortunately, overlook the all-important word. Jesus said: ... his own elect ... "

So ask yourself, whether you are an "elect of God"


"Elect" are those, who the Lord has chosen out of the great crowd,
because they are obedient to him and strive with all their heart
to put his words into practice.

But the fewest people have serious thoughts about this. They hear
or read that Jesus said: "we should "barrage" God with our prayers -
and then they actually "bombard" him, in hopes that their prayers
are answered, because after all, Jesus said it.

The reason why people literally entrench themselves in the answering of prayers,
is quite easy to understand: it serves their convenience - according to the motto:
"Jesus has said, that we can ask God again and again
for the same, until he gives it to us."

Yes, Jesus has said this. But he also said other things to the people, which they
carelessly push aside - and that is because the implementation of these words
would bring them disadvantages.

Shortly after the parable of the persistent widow (also in chapter 18 of Luke)
such a statement of Jesus was written down for us,
which however nobody likes to hear:

"... sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me."
(Luke 18/22)

In this case, they do not put Jesus' word into action.
They ignore this advice from their Lord.

People mostly "cherry-pick" exactly the verses they like and do not demand anything or not much.
But the statements of Jesus, which strike painfully in their heart, they repress
and think or say: "Well, you can not take that literally."

But Jesus' parable of the persistent widow - they take literally,
because it is to their advantage while suppressing the statement of Jesus concerning
the rich young ruler, because it would be to their disadvantage.

 

Please put yourself in the position of God: You hear several times the same "begging prayer"
of a man - day by day, week by week, month by month. Eventually, you're fed up,
because this man is annoying you.
And then you will fulfil his wish so that you finally are rid of him -
just as the judge in Jesus' parable wanted to have his peace.

But honestly: Can you please God by bugging him
with your begging prayers ?

It is much more reasonable and better if you exercise your patience
(which the Lord expects of you), and "collect points" instead
(earning his favour), by putting into practice what he demands of you.

If the Lord then sees that you are giving yourself much trouble,
to obey and to please him, he will give you some day
(when he thinks the time has come) what you asked him for.

God knows all your thoughts and feelings. As a result, he knows
exactly what you want. So you do not need to beg him like a naughty child.
God knows, what you need in order to live.

Therefore, trust in the statement of Jesus, in which he says:

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:
for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Be not ye therefore like unto them (ye shall not imitate them):
for your (heavenly) Father (God) knoweth what things
ye have need of, (already) before ye ask him."
(Matthew 6/7-8)


Many things we people cannot comprehend. Only the Lord has the complete
overview. He knows what is helpful and beneficial for us in the long run.

So we should comply, and not rant like stubborn children:
"I want - I want - I want !"

Instead, it is significantly better and more useful, to thank the Lord from the bottom
of your heart for all he has given you in your life already.

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How can we show God our gratitude ?
By putting his word into practice !

And how can we honestly "scratch" and "ingratiate" with God ?

Whoever has understood God's Word, will strive with all his (or her) heart
to do good to others (whether they are near or far).
These Christians, according to God's favour,
strive to do what pleases God.

"He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour ..."
(Proverbs 11/27)

Many know the sentence: What a man sows, he will reap.
They also know that it is from the bible.

However, that this is a very, very important biblical quotation the least know.
Why is it so important ?
I will explain it to you:

The biblical quotation mentioned is actually as follows:

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked (God will not be laughed at):
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
(Galatians 6/7)

Most people live from day to day without taking special care of the Lord -
until problems occur. Then they ask God to remove these problems for them.
But there are "rules" that we must adhere to - even with God.

(In cleartext point 162, you'll learn how your problems can be solved.)

 

Whoever wants something from God, can get it.
But God also looks at what this man has given so far -
And what he (or she) will give after the help of God.
Only who gives - may (and will) receive.

This affects all areas of life.

Only if you can forgive and excuse other people,
then God will forgive you your sins and mistakes.

(For this purpose, please refer to the above-mentioned cleartext point 078.)

If you want someone to be merciful to you,
then you must be merciful to other people.

What is your attitude towards the poor, sick,
starving and needy in the third world ?
Do you help them intensively by practising personal renunciation ?
Or do you only share something when it is "financially arrangeable" ?
If this were the case, then you only give up of your abundance.

(Please also read the cleartext point 092.)

God has promised that he will give ample - if we are also ready to give.

But most people want to take first,
to give a small portion of the excess.

Who is financially in trouble will hardly be ready
to still give something in this situation.
(although this would be possible by personal waiver).

But God and Jesus observe the people.
(Please also read the cleartext point 023.)
Are we acting just ?
Or do we look away when the suffering and misery in the third world is reported ?
Do we switch the TV channel -
or do we make a donation to help ?

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In the bible, we can read:

"Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
(Read God's exhortations - see cleartext point 066 for clarification and put his pieces of advice into action.) If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. (so try in the future to live according to God's laws)
Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust ... (do not just use your money selfishly, thus
for your own needs and interests - but use it for the Lord)
Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.
(then God will be the most valuable to you)
For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. (Then it will not bother you anymore if God asks you for something.)
Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him (for something), and he shall hear thee (then he will answer your prayer), and thou shalt pay thy vows.
(That which thou hast promised to the Lord, you will be easily able to fulfil.)
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee:
and the light shall shine upon thy ways."
(Job 22/22-28)

 

God warns us:

"He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity ..."
(Proverbs 22/8)

"For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind ..."
(Hosea 8/7)

When the misfortune comes upon us, then we begin to call for help.
But God has previously announced:

"Whoever clogs his ears from the cry of the poor,
He will also call and not be heard."
(Proverbs 21/13)

There you have the answer, why God does not hear the prayers of most people:

"Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard."
(Proverbs 21/13)

Therefore my appeal to you:

- Help and give as many times and as much as possible.
    Then God will make sure you always have enough, that you can live with it.

- Forgive others - then God will forgive you too.

- Be merciful by actively helping to combat misery in the third world,
    then God will be merciful to you.

If you are not merciful then read God's warning:

"For he shall have judgment (on judgement day) without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy (with all his/her possibilities) ..."
(James 2/13)

"... unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God,
that they which commit such things (who behave ruthlessly) are worthy of death ..."
(They will not get eternal life in God's kingdom.)
(Romans 1/31-32)

 

Build an intense and cordial connection with God and Jesus.
Then your prayers will be answered.

Please also read the cleartext point 039.

Many people pray to God, but they often wonder,
why God does not pay attention to their prayers.
But why this is so, they do not seriously question.
They doubt, are disappointed or turn away from God.

There are numerous different conditions,
which are important for an answered prayer.
At the end of this cleartext point
you can find them as a summary.

With the following biblical quotations, I now explain to you all the conditions,
which are necessary for an answered prayer.
However, they must be viewed as a "total package".
It would be pointless if you consider only half of the conditions.
Either everything - or nothing !

If you want God to always answer all your prayers,
then God wants you to turn to him one hundred percent,
and that you do what he desires of you.
It is to be a mutual giving and taking.

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But important is also to know:

God has his reason why he sometimes brings us into difficult situations.
Imagine you're getting sick.
Imagine God has deliberately sent you this disease to test you -
or to make you think because God wants to transform you for his kingdom.

So what point would your prayer have with the request for health ?
If God would give you back your health immediately,
then he could not examine or re-educate you.
He could have spared himself giving you the disease.

Do not pray to the Lord to change your health,
that you may have joy in it, but instead pray to the Lord,
he may change you and your behaviour in such a way, that he delights
and has joy in thy deeds and works.

Maybe you're "awakening" right now,
(if you read these lines here) - and start thinking:
Isn´t it better to thank God every day (even several times),
that you are healthy ?

Then it may be that God recognises,
that you appreciate your health (which God gives you)
and that you show him your gratitude, therefore.

So there would be no reason for God to examine or educate you in this area.

And it´s the same with all things, that seem self-evident and quite normal to us today:
We do not know any wars or famines in our country today.
God is (still) protecting us from severe natural catastrophes.
He protects us from crime.
He gives us even a job so that we can earn our livelihood.
And if we are to become unemployed, through government is provided,
that we have the most necessary to live.
This "luxury" is no norm in all countries of the world.
So be grateful to God for being born in this land
(or could immigrate to that country).
Through gratitude towards God, you can succeed
to keep some education and examination by God away from you.

But be sincere in your innermost, for God looks inside yourself !

 

Faithful people often cling to individual bible quotations -
which is right and which in principle would not be objectionable.
It is, however, pointless, to only search the appropriate bible passages,
but to "shake off" the uncomfortable quotations.

It is only who accepts the "hard" sounding statements of the Lord as well
and takes them into account, will change his life and behaviour in a way,
that God and Jesus will be pleased with him (or her).

God's help, his love, grace, and mercy are based
on the "if-then-principle" (see cleartext point 170).

For example, someone clings to the following bible quote:

"... And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up ..."
(James 5/15)

It can happen, that if after long hoping and praying no healing takes place,
that the one begins to doubt and finally falls completely from faith one day.

But whoever is intensively employed with what the Lord indicates us in his word (the bible)
knows, that it is not enough to believe and pray.

Please read the cleartext point 056. Its theme:
How can you get healthy with God's help - or stay healthy ?

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If you want to ask God for something, then check that pledge
which you want to express, whether it is in your interest.
Example:
You want to understand the bible quotations better and ask God for his help.
Will he want to hear this prayer from you ?
Yes !
It is in his interest.

Second example:
You want to ask God for a salary increase because everything is getting more expensive
and you can no longer finance your previous lifestyle with your income .
What will God say ?

"Ye ask (God), and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."
(James 4/3)

How does God benefit, when you go on vacation or go out and dine fine food,
go dancing, go to the cinema or pay your phone bill ?

Everything that seems so important to us, is completely unimportant to God.
When we ask for the unimportant and vanity in prayer, God does not answer.

"Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it."
(Job 35/13)

To God, other values count.
We people must learn to comprehend this,
otherwise, we will always "collide" with God.

Jesus Christ said in spirit:

Whoever loves this life will not get eternal life.

Literally, his statement is written in John 12/25:

"He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."

Why ?

Because someone who is well off in this life,
doesn´t think intensively about God and Jesus Christ.

This person is considered "rich" by Jesus.
And what does Jesus say about this ?

"... How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! ...
Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,
than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
(Mark 10/23-25 and Matthew 19/23-24 and Luke 18/24-25)


Whoever thinks that God is responsible for a carefree life
in this world, deceives himself.

In the bible, we are asked:

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
(do not fall into the sweet distractions that this world offers you.)
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
(those who are distracted by the pleasant things of life do not love God.)
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes,
(the pleasant seductions and distractions)
and the pride (arrogance) of life, is not of the Father (is not from God), but is of the world. (with Satan trying to convince you of a secular attitude)
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof (everything worldly will pass away -
for the individual when one dies - for all still alive at last on the last day):
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever
(who translates God's laws into action, gets the eternal life on the last day)."
(1 John 2/15-17)

Therefore try to walk on God's path to one hundred percent.
Whoever tries with all his heart to put all the laws of God into practice,
will be repaid by God - thus will receive a compensation for it:
namely the eternal life in his glorious kingdom from the last day on !

On the subject of compensation, I recommend reading the cleartext point 068.
Its title: We always expect compensations for our prayers from God.

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God wants to test and educate us here for his kingdom.

So, for God, we all are "apprentices" or "trainees" on this earth.
Question: Can apprentices or trainees afford everything ?
No.
And thus we must compare these 70 or 80 years of earth life with an education,
in which we are made "fit" for eternity in God's kingdom.

But whoever wants to "wangle" around God's trials and education,
because they are too hard and uncomfortable, will be rejected by God.
God terminates the "training contract" or "contract of apprenticeship".

But whoever endures God's trials and bravely endures in this life
and accepts and respects his admonitions and education - the one
is rewarded with eternal life in God's kingdom.
Whoever has passed the "training" is thus "taken over".

Back to the topic of prayer.

Think of what you have to say to God before each prayer:

Begging - or thanking ?

Do not say (or just rarely):

"Please, Lord, give ..." - but:

"Thank you, Lord, that you have given ..."

However, if you would like to ask the Lord for something, consider before
whether the requested and the desired is in his - or in your interest.

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, (which is in God's interest) (then) he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
(1 John 5/14-15)

 

The next point, which is very important:

Who asks God for something ?

It is a great difference whether someone asks God for anything, who strives
wholeheartedly to keep all the laws of God and put them into practice -
or whether a "name-Christian" or pagan asks him in need for help.

(Please also read the cleartext point 098.)

"... The Lord knoweth them that are his ..."
(2 Timothy 2/19)

It is written in Psalm 127/2:

"... for so he giveth his beloved sleep."

They do not ask or beg, but they prove their gratitude to him
with deeds and works.

We are not to be asking or begging anxiously for this or that,
but use all our strength and energy to become his friends -
then we can rely entirely on God.

"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows:
for so he giveth his beloved sleep."
(Psalm 127/1-2)

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Work hard to belong to his people, thus his friends.
But who are his friends ?

"Ye are (only) my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."
(If you put it into practice, what I tell you and ask you.)
(John 15/14)

By believing his words and putting them into practice, you become his friend.

Only by "putting into action" did you fulfil all the conditions for a real friendship with the Lord.

What Jesus asks of us is also what God asks.

When we do this, we get Jesus not only as a friend -
but even as a brother. For Jesus says:

"For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."
(Mark 3/35 and similarly also in Matthew 12/50 and Luke 8/21)

 

God knows those who seek him with all their heart,
which are obedient to him and who put his word into action.

Whose prayers God does not hear, you can read in the cleartext point 035.

"Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God,
and doeth his will, him he heareth."
(John 9/31)

Important (and even an advantage) is the fear of God.
Please also read the cleartext point 025.

"He (God) will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them."
(Psalm 145/19)

Important is (as you have just read) the fear of God -
and that we put into practice what God said.

Please read also the cleartext points 010, 012 and 016 on the topic "do".

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"Now we know that God heareth not sinners ..."
(John 9/31)

But who is a sinner in God's eyes?

Not just those who do something bad, but
you can also be a sinner if you don´t do something.

More information can be found in the already mentioned clarification point 017. Its title:
Not to do something can be a sin too !

Not to do something ...

This means, for example, the lack of assistance for people in the third world.

Jesus Christ exhorts us, that we are not to refrain of active and intensive help.
(For example for the people of the third world).
He said:

"... Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
And these (which did not help him through personal renunciation)
shall go away into everlasting punishment (into eternal damnation):
but the righteous into life eternal."
(Matthew 25/45-46)

 

In cleartext point 047, you will learn how to become a righteous one.

 

A thought-provoking, in regard to prayers for help for the needy.

I was asked in all seriousness, whether it was not enough to pray for the poor and needy.

I can only answer that person with a counter-question:

"What do you say to the Lord in such a prayer ?
Do you explain him, that you are too egotistical or too stingy to help those who are needy and to take care of them and that he should take care of them ?"

If God offers us a life, that we can enjoy without hunger and without thirst,
then we have the duty to give a part of our prosperity - thus to share.

The Lord has made us see the light of the world in a rich country, so that he may test
whether we put the charity into action.

(Please refer to the above-mentioned cleartext point 023, to see that
God observes and tests us during our earthly life.)

Who helps the poor and needy intensively through personal renunciation,
can, of course, pray for additional support of the deprived people.

One could, for example, ask the Lord to give other people
the necessary motivation to act for the poor and needy.

Be active - and then ask for additional support, against that the Lord has no objection.
But to behave passively (or to do only little) and then forward the work to the Lord,
that does not work. After all, we are the servants, and God is the Lord.

Passivity is a sin !

The Lord warns us:

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
(James 4/17)

God pulls no punches and says:

"Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me.
(You think, "I am innocent, or else God would show me his wrath, and otherwise it wouldn´t go so well.") Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned."
(Jeremiah 2/35)

 

Do not search for excuses - but be active for the Lord !

Never forget the clear warning of the Lord:

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
(James 4/17)


So do not be an intentional sinner by looking away from the worldwide misery -
but be a righteous man, then the Lord will answer your prayers.

(The topic of deliberate sin is addressed again a few lines below.
There you can get more information about this important topic.)

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God threatens - respectively promises us:

"... I will even deal with thee as thou hast done ..."
(Ezekiel 16/59)

If you are passive, you can not expect God
to listen to your prayers and to become active for you.

Behave like a righteous (see cleartext point 047), then God will help you.

"The righteous cry, and (then) the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."
(Psalm 34/17)

"... but he heareth the prayer of the righteous."
(Proverbs 15/29)

God listens to the prayers of the righteous.

Why ?

Answer:

" the LORD loveth the righteous:"
(Psalm 146/8)

"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers ... "
(1 Peter 3/12)

"... The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
(James 5/16)

"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his seed begging bread."
(Psalm 37/25)

"The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish ..."
(Proverbs 10/3)

"... but the prayer of the upright is his delight."
(Proverbs 15/8)

You now recognise that it is very helpful to live like a righteous or an upright before God.
But the righteous and the pious only became, what God esteems them, through their works and deeds !


Christians without deeds and works are only hypocritical, outwardly pious and name Christians -
but in God's eyes worthless creatures, which carry only a dead faith in themselves.

That may sound very tough - but it is completely true.

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
(James 2/17)

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
(James 2/26)

And something dead is totally worthless !

 

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Jesus taught us:

"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet (into your room),
and when thou hast shut thy door (do not pray in front of other people),
pray to thy Father ..."
(Matthew 6/6)


Often people think, that one is pious when he prays much, often and for a long time,
or respects any religious rituals.
But it's not like that !
Instead, a person who tries with all his heart
to put God's word into action is pious.

Only your deeds and works count for God.

Do not let anyone tell you anything else !

Or do you reckon, that God is satisfied with the fact that you intend to do much good -
but don´t implement it and instead enjoy a sinful life ?

Do you really believe the half-truths of the lie preachers (see cleartext point 106),
who talk you into believing, that God loves all sinners ?

Do not believe their lies.

They lure and entice you with a good-sounding bible quotation,
but hide ten important and startling biblical quotations on the same subject.
The principal thing is the listeners like what they preach.

They have no interest in
whether their hearers receive eternal life in God's kingdom or not !
It is only important to them to speak what people want to hear,
so they get money for it.

Believe only what God and Jesus Christ tell you.
Question everything (by trying to learn a lot about God's Word).
Through this cleartext information, I offer people
to learn everything about God and Jesus Christ in an understandable way.
Take this opportunity !

Read point-by-point all cleartext info.
You must not be discouraged by the amount of bible quotations.
With God's help and with patience,
you will manage to "battle" through all the cleartext points.

Satan will tell you, that you won´t succeed,
or that you do not have time for it,
or that you don´t need it because you already know everything -
but do not listen to Satan - but instead, obey God and Jesus Christ.
They want you to read all the cleartext points !

Do not be fooled by the melodious sermons of the lie preachers,
in which you are persuaded, that through Jesus' death on the cross it is only a "stroll"
to enter into the kingdom of God.

Those are lies !

Please read the absolute truth in the above-mentioned cleartext point 015,
because there you will find the statements of Jesus Christ on the subject:
Is it really so difficult to get eternal life
and do indeed just a few people actually enter God's kingdom ?

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Arrange your daily actions so that God looks with joy at you.
Then you can be sure that God will not turn away from your prayer or ignore it.

When Jesus Christ was on this earth, he prayed a lot to God - and he was heard by him.
God has not turned away from the prayers of his Son.
He always stood by him, never leaving him alone.

Jesus said:

"... and yet I am not alone, because the Father (God) is with me."
(John 16/32)

But why was God always with him ?

Jesus explains it:

"And he that sent me (God) is with me: the Father hath not left me alone;
for I do always (constantly) those things that please him."
(John 8/29)


This sentence of Jesus contains a very decisive hint,
How to keep God "in good spirits":

"... I do always those things that please him."

We find two important terms in this sentence:

"... I do always those things that please him."

First: ... I do ... - that is, to put God's word into action - that is very important.

And secondly:

"... always those things that please him."

... always ... - so do not just occasionally turn God's word into action, but all the time, thus always !

Then also to you applies the following promise of God:

"... I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
(Joshua 1/5 and Hebrews 13/5)

Jesus Christ always humbled himself before God.
That was one reason why God heard the prayers of Jesus.

Daniel also humbled himself before God.
The Lord, therefore, sent Daniel the following message:

"... from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand,
and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words (prayers) were heard,
and I am come for thy words."
(Daniel 10/12)

Therefore humble yourself before God.
It will not be your disadvantage !

Please read the cleartext point 072 for humility.

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Jesus Christ gives us a promise when staying in close contact with him - thus do what he said:

"If ye abide in me (stay in touch with me), and my words abide in you, (then) ye shall ask what ye will,
and it shall be done unto you (you will receive it)."
(John 15/7)

 

Keeping in touch with Jesus Christ means:
Read actively and plenty in the bible, to learn what Jesus has to say
(explanatory to it, please refer to this cleartext info).
However, the bible study is not enough to achieve an answered prayer.
It is important to understand what you read, to memorise (to remember)
and to really implement it.

So: Read - understand - believe - remember - do !

I would like to help you to understand the bible better.
For this purpose, I wrote all these cleartext points.
But with implementing it into practice I can´t help you.
This is your task alone.
And that is precisely the task on which God and Jesus Christ will measure you.

God tests and observes all the people on this earth - and when he realises, that someone is seriously trying to put his words into action, then he will pay attention to the prayer of this man:

"Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry (share and renounce - and do not just give from your abundance),
and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?
(give the real needy of this earth a part of your income, so that they too receive humane living conditions !)
when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him (help wherever it is possible to you) ...
Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am ..."
(Isaiah 58/7-9)

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer (If the wishes coincide with God's interests), believing (if you have a firm faith), ye shall receive."
(Matthew 21/22)


However, only when God has "no ill feelings towards us".
He who complies with God's laws and commandments, and does what God expects,
will also be answered with his (or her) prayer by God.

"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments (and his laws), and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
(1 John 3/22)

Please memorise the following sentence, because it is very important:

We can have everything God promises us - if we do all, that God tells us !

We want to have everything - but are often not ready to do everything !

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Please also read the already mentioned cleartext point 039. Its theme:
We should keep in touch with God and Jesus and never forget them !

A kind of connection is also the prayer.
Especially appropriate for this purpose is a thanksgiving prayer.
If I get up early, for example, I will say one or two sentences of gratitude to God:
That I woke up healthy and not in pain - and that I was also
completely healthy and painless during the night.

Or if I had a ride (regardless of how long this trip was)
to another place, then I thank God for not having had an accident.


Even before eating or drinking I say a few words of gratitude to the Lord.
All my prayers are not a memorised psalms or "standard prayers".
They are short - and come straight from my heart - as I think,
and as I would talk to a good friend.
I do not fold hands and a stranger would not notice at all,
that I pray to the Lord. This is what God desires.
We should not pray in public.
Jesus told us this when he said,

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are:
for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets,
that they may be seen of men."
(Matthew 6/5)

But whoever "shifts" all gratitude to a long evening prayer, may forget this or that -
or just pray in general: "Thank you for protecting me today."
But that would not be heartfelt gratitude. And the connection to God and Jesus
One can not "prove" by a single prayer a day.

But to make a firm "prayer plan" at certain times,
isn´t also proof of a connection from the deepest heart,
but can quickly become routine.

In the evening there is the risk of not being able to make a sensible prayer through fatigue.

God doesn´t care for long prayers - but he wants to see,
that we are engaged with him from our heart.
We can clearly show this by prayers of gratitude -
exactly when we are really grateful to him.

There is so much in the course of the day, for which we can thank God -
so we should also do that - and in a timely manner.

I used to pray a long prayer in the evening. But what does Jesus say about it ?

He taught us, humans, the following:

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:
for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."
(Matthew 6/7)

And Jesus Christ completed his teaching on prayer:

"... for your (heavenly) Father knoweth what things ye have need of
(God knows what you need for your life),
(he already knows) before ye ask him (in prayer about it)."
(Matthew 6/7)


So what should I God beg for ?
He knows what I need - and he will always give it to me.
If not, I do not need to ask him,
because then God either tests me, or he wants to exhort and educate me.
A "begging prayer" would at that point not change the decision of God.
Please read the cleartext points 023 and 067.

Since I know this, almost all my prayers are limited to prayers of gratitude -
and brief ones - but very, very often a day.

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It is also important that God and Jesus recognise that you are not a doubter.
Many people believe "in" God and "in" Jesus Christ but they doubt,
whether the promises or threats in the bible will manifest.

For God, doubters are people, who do not believe his words.
For him and for Jesus Christ, these are unbelievers.

Many "believers" or name Christians doubt some of the bible's statements.
But all these people are unbelievers for God.
That sounds very hard - but is a fact !

Read the cleartext point 062 about the doubt.

"If any of you lack wisdom (wisdom = fear of God), let him ask of God ... and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord ..."
(James 1/5-7)


We should not let any doubt arise in prayer
(Of course also not before and after prayer).

"I will therefore that men (and also women) pray every where without ... doubting."
(1 Timothy 2/8)

In this biblical quotation, however, we find yet another important demand:
We should pray without anger.

"I will therefore that men (and also women) pray every where without wrath ..."
(1 Timothy 2/8)

What does it mean to pray without wrath ?

We can, for example, hold a grudge (wrath) against fellow human beings by not forgiving them.

Jesus says:

"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any ..."
(Mark 11/25)

We should first "bury the hatchet" - and then pray - thus pray without wrath (anger).

But there is also another wrath, that Satan builds up in us (without us feeling it directly).
Imagine that you have already announced the same matter a thirty or a hundred times to the Lord in prayer -
but there was no change to the problem.
There are often not only doubts but also anger.
But God wants to test, whether we are patient or whether we doubt.
But if wrath against God comes up inside us (even though it is very small),
then we have sinned against the Lord.
Do you think that God will answer the prayer of someone who has anger against him ?
Certainly not !

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Now another important condition for the answering of a prayer:

"... and was heard in that he feared ..."
(Hebrews 5/7)

And how can we give honour to God ?

"He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker:
but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor."
(Proverbs 14/31)

This is a very important sentence:

"... he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor."

(Proverbs 14/31)

Do not donate money from the money remaining at the end of the month - no -
but by forgoing (giving up) something !
(Think of the poor widow of whom Jesus Christ
so enthusiastically had reported his disciples.
This can be read in the already mentioned cleartext point 092.)

Many people think that it would be important,
to sing praises to God, for example, in order to show him the honour.
Is this what God wants

"I ... will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs ... "
(Amos 5/21-23)

The Lord does not wish any people to sing songs in his ears,
but otherwise only "shines" by passivity -
but he wishes:

"... people, zealous of good works."
(Titus 2/14)

If someone wants to honour God with songs, then there is no objection. But the one
should ask beforehand, whether it is at least equally important,
to honour the Lord as we are told in the bible:

"Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits (with the first 10 %) of all thine increase ..."
(Proverbs 3/9-10)

What doesn´t hurt the "Christians" (because it costs nothing), they do like (singing praises) -
but about what hurts genuinely (give the Lord his tithes),
they do not want to hear anything about - they repress it - they find excuses.

Please read the cleartext point 094 on the topic of firstfruits (God´s tithes).

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True love for the Lord means:
To put his word consciously and focused into action !

If God sees for example, that these people
(who belt out praises into his ears)
go regularly on holiday, to the restaurant for dinner
and also otherwise hardly renounce anything,
then he does not want to hear the praises of these people.
They do not practice any renunciation - but they hope,
that they are regarded as "good" by God.
After all, they are not murderers or criminals.

But that is just the human way of thinking.
God sees men as good and just (as righteous)
When they pay full attention to his word.
And this also includes the painful renunciation.

"... but he that honoureth him hath mercy (by practising renunciation) on the poor."
(Proverbs 14/31)

 

The following points belong to one unit
and are the prerequisite for God to answer the prayers:

1. Does this person always offer God generous, honest prayers of gratitude ?

2. Is the request (the desire) in God's interest ?

3. Who asks God for something ?

4. Does this person (who is asking for anything) have fear of God ?

5. Does this man (who requests) put God's word into action ?

6. Does this man always humble himself before God ?

7. Is this man really trying to keep in touch with God and Jesus Christ ?

8. Does this man doubt the statements of God and Jesus ?

9. Is being prayed without wrath ?

10. Does this human keep God in honour by translating God's Word into action ?

11. Is this man ready to give God the tithes to which he is entitled -
or does he just want to receive ?

12. Does this person exercise personal renunciation to help the poor and needy of this world actively and intensively ?

13. Does this person pray to somebody/something (Mary, icons, or "saints") else, besides God and Jesus Christ ?

14. Is there enthusiasm for the Lord - or only inertia and the inner feeling of compulsion ?

15. Do you make sure that the words of the Lord are spread ?


(About spreading God's Word, please also refer to the cleartext point 030.)


Jesus promises to those who spread his word:

"... lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
(Matthew 28/20)

This promise then also applies to you !

Is there anything better, than to know Jesus Christ every day at his side ?

 

(To some of the points you just have read, you'll get explanations and hints.)

 

If you adhere to the "rules of the game" that God requires for an answered prayer,
then you have the best chances, that he will give you what you ask him for.

"And God granted him that which he requested."
(1 Chronicles 4/10)

However, if you do not follow his "rules," then the following statement of God applies:

"And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you (I will not see you): yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear ..."
(Isaiah 1/15)

So remember exactly what God expects of you - and always try wholeheartedly
to live according to his word, and to put it into practice.
Then the Lord will always have an open ear for you and your prayers.

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If, however, it happens that God does not fulfil one or the other wish,
then I do not begin to doubt, but I exercise myself in patience.
God expects us to learn patience.
(Please refer to the cleartext point 063 mentioned above.)

In the above-mentioned cleartext point 062, you will learn that we should not be doubting.
No matter how long it takes God to react or answer to our prayers,
we must be patient.

In the bible, we are told that some people commissioned the prophet, Jeremiah, to ask the Lord for advice on how they should behave in a very specific case.
(Jeremiah 42/1-3)

Jeremiah asked God in prayer - but only ten days later did the Lord answer him.

"And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah."
(Jeremiah 42/7)

This does not mean, however, that after a prayer to the Lord you will lean back into the chair,
and wait for the reaction or response. Continue to diligently perform all the tasks,
which God and Jesus have commanded you and do not think, "If God does not work for me,
then I do not need to act for him either. "Such thoughts are a sin.

Remember, God is the Lord, and we are his servants and menials.
He decides when he will act for us.

 

Some time ago I concluded with God a "convention" (an "agreement"):
I share my desires with God - but I come to terms with it, if he does not fulfil it to me.

God has guaranteed his reasons why he doesn´t fulfil one or another of my wishes.
Reasons that we do not yet understand -
but which are conducive to our development.

For example, if your child asks you for a new computer (with much higher power), then you realise that with it certainly more computer games will be downloaded.
If, however, the school performance of the child is not good, then such a "toy", wouldn´t be very conducive for the development of the child because it would perhaps spend more time on the computer instead of learning for the school.

You, as a parent, understand why you do not want to fulfil the wish -
but your child is disappointed with your decision.

And this is often the case with our desires, which we ask from God.
They are not conducive to our development - and therefore God doesn´t fulfil them.

 

But it can also happen that you receive something quite different
from the Lord, as what you have asked him for.
This is explained to us in the bible (Acts 3/1-10):

A beggar, who could not walk, sat daily at the door of the temple
and asked the passers-by for alms. As Peter and John went to the temple one day,
he also addressed them concerning this matter.

They could not give him money since they had none themselves - but they healed him.
They gave him something much more valuable than he had asked for.

Thus God can also give us something much more valuable,
than what we really asked him to do.
Only we have to recognise this in the first place.
Often, we take God's precious gifts as something self-evident
and beg in our prayers for something completely irrelevant.

 

Now a little joke for "encouragement" in the meantime -
which is supposed to inspire you to thought.

A boy tells:

"I had wanted a bicycle - but got none.
So I prayed and wished God would help me.
But after seven days of prayer, I still had no bike.

Then I stole one.

Now I owned a bicycle - but I had a guilty conscience.
So I prayed another seven days, that God might forgive my theft.

Seven days later I had a bicycle and a good conscience. "

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Many people behave like this:
They deliberately (willfully) do something wrong
and then ask for forgiveness.

But it does not "work" like this !

God says:

"Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin,
and do that which is lawful and right; If the wicked restore the pledge (the wrong possession),
give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life (living according to God's word),
without committing iniquity (in the future); he shall surely live, he shall not die (he shall have eternal life). None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him:
he hath done (from now on) that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live."
(Ezekiel 33/14-16)


So if the boy would return the stolen bicycle, then genuine repentance would be possible.
But only then !

Everything else is self-deception !

It is believed that sin is forgiven.

But then everyone could deliberately sin in order to gain advantages
and then ask forgiveness.

God doesn´t allow that !

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked (God will not be laughed about):
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
(Galatians 6/7)


"For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind ..."
(Hosea 8/7)

"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth (in the future) no more sacrifice for sins
(Jesus sacrifice on the Cross does not count),
but a certain fearful looking for of judgment
(In which Jesus Christ a just - will be tough as a judge)
and fiery indignation (hell), which shall devour the adversaries."
(Hebrews 10/26-27)

Concerning this, I would like to give you an important note:

Anyone who repeatedly argues, that he (or she) does not have the time to read in God's word,
or who has no serious interest in putting the words of the Lord into action, sins intentionally !
This, however, is a huge difference to unintentional sinning.

Please also read the cleartext point 165 on the subject: To sin willfully.

 

If you ask God for something in prayer,
then always include these words in your prayer:

"... Lord, if thou wilt ..."
(Matthew 8/2)

"... Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst ..." (heal me, reduce my pain ...)
(Luke 5/12 and similarly also with Mark 1/40)

Or, "Lord, if you think it best ..."

This is very important for God to recognise that we acknowledge his will.

Always remember what Jesus Christ has taught us, whose will is to be done,
to whom we have to be obedient - namely God !

"... Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
(Matthew 6/10)

"... not my will, but thine, be done."
(Luke 22/42)

Please ask yourself: Are you doing God's will?

Are you trying wholeheartedly to translate all his laws into action ?

This is God's will !

"... The will of the Lord be done."
(Acts 21/14)

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Attention !

Now I would like to announce the following important warning:

Do not turn with your prayers to Mary or to other "saints".

Do not pray to them - and ask for nothing, for that is a sin !

Do not pray to icons - and also not through icons to the Lord !

Please read the above-mentioned cleartext point 101.

 

A very sad (and therefore uncomfortable) topic - namely the question:

How do you pray for the deceased ?

The answer is short - but very painful: not at all !

The lie preachers and preachers of the half-truths want to "prove" the mourner on the grave-edge,
That they can speak good prayers for the deceased, but they could as well
worship the wall or a tree, for God, does not hear such prayers.

Jesus Christ told us that it is only possible to change something as long as one lives -
or, if you are still living when Jesus returns, a change of life
and behaviour is only possible until his return to this earth.

Both times (your death - or Jesus' return) draw a final
stroke under life. After that, no one can change anything.

Then no more prayers will help.

So you can save your time praying for the deceased.
One would thereby only bother God.
This sounds hard - but it is true.

Jesus Christ told us in the parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus
(See Luke 16/19-31) that there is no way to change the whereabouts
between heaven and hell.

Jesus' words:

"And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed:
so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot;
neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence."
(Luke 16/26)

From this we learn: Only in our lifetime exists the possibility
to make every effort to choose the right place for eternity.

God says:

"... I have set before you life (eternal life with God)
and death (the eternal damnation with Satan),
blessing (in paradise) and cursing (in hell): therefore choose life ..."
(Deuteronomy 30/19)

"Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the the wa way of life (the eternal life in God's kingdom), andy of death (eternal damnation)."
(Jeremiah 21/8)

So keep the connection to the Lord "alive", so that you finally arrive at the hoped for goal.
Living relationship with God and Jesus means to build a living faith -
which in turn means to put the words of the Lord into action,
thus becoming a perpetrator of the Word.

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
(James 1/22)

Always remember the Lord's warning:

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
(James 2/26)

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
(James 2/17)

"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly,
that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.
These things are good (for the "practising" Christians because God so desires)
and profitable unto men (also the other)."
(Titus 3/8)

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Often, the connection with God has "fallen asleep" or even was "broken off" for a long time.
But when "death knocks at the door," then people remember God.

"When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God."
(Psalm 78/34)

But there are now prayers, which God does not want to hear:

"... and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them."
(Jeremiah 11/11)

"... I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble."
(Jeremiah 11/14)

 

It would be better to ask God in prayer, to influence the one or the other
still living person, so that he (or she) becomes
thoughtful - and thus comes to true and firm faith.

It is much more important, then, to inspire people during their lifetime for God and Jesus.

If you wish for someone, to be allowed in the kingdom on the last day,
then speak clearly and openly with this person about the topic - as long as it is still possible.

Live as a role model for your fellow human beings - not in external piety,
but show them by your deeds and works how real Christians live.
Perhaps you will succeed in making this or that person think.

Then speak, if you consider the time favourable, courageously, openly and honestly
about your feelings for God and Jesus Christ. Explain that in the kingdom of God there are only men,
who do good to other people - that fear, tears, and grief will no longer exist in God's kingdom.

Pay attention to the reaction of whom you tell this. Is he interested in it ?
Or would he like to avoid this subject ?

For Jesus says that men should listen voluntarily,
and want to come to him voluntarily.

(About spreading God's word, please also refer to the above-mentioned cleartext point 030.)

Thus, take care in the lifetime of men, that it makes it possible for them
to find the way to God and Jesus.
After death, the best prayers do not help - no matter who prays !

We need to be aware of this - even if it hurts so much.
It's a fact.

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In cleartext point 111, you will learn what Jesus thinks of funerals.

Please also read the cleartext point 117: Will we reach the kingdom of God immediately after death ?

In cleartext point 057 you can read how it is possible,
that the grief for a loved one does not throw you out of the way.

Please also read the cleartext point 113.
Its title: One day it's too late.

Try intensively to make sure that it is not too late for you.

 

Always remember God's promise:

"Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people:
and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you,
that it may be well unto you."
(Jeremiah 7/23)

(About the topic of obedience please read the cleartext text point 071.)

 

Can we pray for other people ?

 

Yes, we can and may pray for other people.
In certain circumstances, this is good and correct.
What is meant by this you´ll find out soon.

The preachers of the half-truths (see cleartext point 106) claim again and again,
that it is important and meaningful when several people also pray for the same cause.
They advise their sheeple to ask others for prayer support.

But is that really in the sense of the Lord ?

In the bible we are asked to pray for others - but not if the Lord
did not answer the prayer of a man. Not to draw God´s attention again to this problem.
God is not hard of hearing - and neither slow on the uptake.

If he does not comply with the wish of a prayer, it won´t help if
ten other people ask for help with the same problem.

We can and may pray for other people if an advantage arises for God by it - or rather his will takes place.

This is difficult to understand. So I'd like to explain it to you.

In God's Word is said, for example:


"Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, ... "
(Colossians 4/3)

The Lord wants his word to be spread. Therefore it is to his advantage if we pray that those who report about God and Jesus find understanding ears. We should thus pray for others - namely for those who spread the word of God, so they may succeed.

Important to know: Just to pray for something is no solution.
Don´t be only a praying person - but at the same time a perpetrator !

 


So do not only pray for God's Word to be spread somehow,
but also fulfil Jesus' great commission (see cleartext point 030).
Promote it personally - and campaign that it happens.

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified ..."
(2 Thessalonians 3/1)

"Brethren, pray for us."
(1 Thessalonians 5/25)

"Pray for us ..."
(Hebrews 13/18)

These requests for prayer were not expressed so that those who requested it would be sanitary or financially better off. No, they asked for prayer, so that they may be more successful with their work (the spreading of God's word).
They did not want to have advantages for themselves through the prayers, but the Lord should be the beneficiary.

The regular prayer concerns are almost always aimed
for prayer support, so that the person concerned personally has
an advantage (health, workplace, etc.).

Another example:

"Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:"
(Acts 8/15)

Also, in this case, was prayed for other people - but not get healthy,
or for material advantages, but to open up to the Holy Spirit.
So again, prayers that are beneficial to the Lord.

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Next example:

God wants us to keep peace with each other because only then is it possible, to shine our light in faith as a role model for others.
Thus the Lord has an advantage when we succeed to make peace with our enemies. Therefore the prayer for the enemies.

"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you ..."
(Matthew 5/44)

The bible says:

"... pray one for another ..."
(James 5/16)


This does not mean that we should pray to God so that someone will get healthy or find a job. This "pray one for another" is to be seen in the context of the already explained advantage for God.
If we pray for other people to understand God's word, then this is all right.
The reason: God has an advantage of this - he is the beneficiary.

If, for example, we pray for someone to be pensive to stop stealing,
then God also has an advantage - a man less who serves Satan.

A prayer for someone who hitherto rejects the Lord also brings an advantage to God. So we can also pray for it.

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians:

"Wherefore also we pray always for you ..."
(2 Thessalonians 1/11)


The preachers of the half-truths interpret these words as if they were a charter (carte blanche) to ask for prayer for all the problems that arise.

They conceal the background of why Paul is praying for others.
He writes the reason in this letter a few lines before:

"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;"
(2 Thessalonians 1/3)

And Paul praises the faithful that through their transformation and through their behaviour they glorify the name of the Lord by letting their light shine before others. For this to remain so, Paul prays for these people - and that again is advantageous to the Lord.

"... (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling (that you live as it is suitable for Christians), and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness (that you might be even more perfect), and the work of faith with power (and your faith still increase): That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you ..."
(2 Thessalonians 1/10-12)


And another addressed reference in the bible, we can and should pray for - namely for all those who rule. Because when they make wise and correct decisions, then we can live in peace and freedom. This is the basic prerequisite if we want to spread God's word. For without freedom of worship and opinion, Jesus' great commission would be much more difficult to implement than is already the case.

In the bible is written regarding this:

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men (who have power over us); For kings, and for all that are in authority (for those who rule us); that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;"
(1 Timothy 2/1-3)

 


If we have peace, then we can do much more for the Lord,
than in times of war and persecution.
This is another advantage for God and Jesus Christ.

 

Nowhere is written in God's Word that we are to act as prayer supporters if the prayers of other people were not answered.

But that is exactly, what the preachers of the half-truths offer: They will then pray for others if past prayers have not led to success.

The preachers of the half-truths are very great in praying for others.
They literally offer themselves to pray for you. But why are they doing that ?

Because they know very well: If the desire is fulfilled,
money flows in the form of donations.

But God does not want a prayer trade. He wants us to accept his will.

Therefore, Jesus said that we should pray (in the Lord´s prayer)

"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
(Matthew 6/10)

 

A few years ago I read in our daily newspaper that Wittenberg's pastor (even Protestant), have prayed for motorcycles - and have blessed them. But why do they do that ?
For the sake of the Lord ?

No, but because they can make good use of donations - and they always flow,
if one prays for a concern or problem of another person.

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If a problem burdens you, then you explain it to the Lord personally in prayer and ask for help. But be humble, and finish the prayer with the words:
"If you think it is right, please fulfil this wish -
but not my will shall be done, but yours. "

And then leave the decision to the Lord to help you.

Do not ask other people for prayer support, because this would mean that you have no confidence in the Lord and therefore make use of human help (Prayer assistance).

Prove God or Jesus Christ that you believe very firmly, that their decisions are always the right ones - no matter how big the disadvantages will be for you momentarily. The Lord knows very well what is good for us - and what not. And he knows the right time for his help.

How could he test or educate us when he fulfils all our wishes at the same time ?

Testing and chastisement (education) are always exhausting or even painful.

Please also read the above-mentioned cleartext points 023 (God´s examinations) and 067 (God´s education).

"Now no chastening (education) for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."
(Hebrews 12/11)

 


If you let a preacher pray on your behalf, remember by all means the following:

Your prayer was not answered by the Lord. He heard it, but he did
not answer it. Why should he change his mind, just because a preacher prays for you ?

If the preacher succeeds with his help, then Satan is the helper.
This sounds unbelievable - but is unfortunately true. Satan is not the one, who is responsible for the evil, while God takes care of the good.

Please refer to the info in the alphabetical search terms
under: Something good of Satan ?

"... Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
(2 Corinthians 11/14)

"Therefore it is no great thing (so it is nothing special) if his ministers
also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness ... "
(2 Corinthians 11/15)

The ghosts (spirits) of the lie preachers (thanks to Satan's support) are able to perform signs and miracles. They are so mendacious that they ask externally piously for the answering of their prayers
"In the name of God and Jesus Christ".

When the prayer is fulfilled, they assert that God would have done this. But they conceal that they achieved something with Satan's help, that looks like a miracle of God.

"... For they are the spirits of devils, (even) working miracles ..."
(Revelation 16/14)


What are their advantages ?

And why does God allow such a thing ?

The preachers of the half-truths want to lead people from the straight to the wrong path. They serve Satan, without this being visible externally. Would it be easily observable, then hardly anyone would deliberately go that wrong way. Accordingly, they must act
as pious servants of God, although they are really tearing wolves -
wolves in sheepskin.

Jesus Christ warns us against them:

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
(Matthew 7/15)

But he also tells us how - and by what we can recognise them:

"Ye shall know them by their fruits."
(Matthew 7/16)

 


Now the questions also arise:

Why are they doing that ?


If pastors preach, for example, that we are to support the needy people in the third world, then this is right. But you should then
also take a look at all the properties and the treasuries of the
churches. However, this is vehemently denied (by all means).

Pastors and priests do not belong to the poorest. They worry though
very rarely about the equilibrium between the poor and the rich, as demanded by God.
Actually, they could lead by example - but they do not.

They preach renunciation - but this is a foreign phrase to them.

 

Why does God allow these mendacious preachers to spread their half-truths - and to perform miracles ?

Because this is the only chance for the Lord to check, who blindly and gullible follows every rat catcher (pied piper) - and who actually asks for God and Jesus Christ - who looks up in the bible himself (in God's word), what the Lord actually has to tell us.

Who sacrifices his time to read God's statements ?

Who has the patience to read over and over again in the bible and puts into practice day after day, what he (or she) has understood ?


There are only a few who do this - unfortunately.

Most follow blindly the preachers of the half-truths,
sunbathing in their religion and practicing piety externally.

 

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Additionally on it now some important thought-provoking impulses:

When God wants to make someone thoughtful by a disease, for example,
then it doesn´t help to be asking for health for that person. God wants to
shake him (her) up, so he thinks about his (her) way and behaviour -
and finally, changes for the better.

Also important to know:

You can not evade responsibility by praying piously and religiously, that
others comply with the task of the Great Commission, given by Jesus to all Christians (see cleartext point 030)
Either you have to actively complete this command - or
actively support those, that are already familiar with the task and successful with it.
Through them you can complete Jesus`Great Commission - help them - then in the Lord´s view it applies,
as if you would carry out this task.

(In the donation appeal on my homepage you can find detailed information how you can support my work.)

There are many people who think, that if they pray for others, they are exempt from the responsibility.
Whoever prays only for those in need in the third world, for example - but does not help himself
(through donations to a reputable relief organisation), has failed in the eyes of the Lord.

Praying - in combination with activities - that's the perfect mix.

 

God and Jesus prompt us in their word to help other people - and to do them good.

When you pray to God in the future, then don´t ask him to do something for you,
but ask him to he show you, what you can do for other people.

We want God to do something - but God wants his people to stand up and do something.

If you seriously, actively and intensively take care of the problems and concerns of others,
then God cares about your problems.

Do you help others who can´t return it to you ?

Do you bring fruits to God and Jesus ?

Jesus Christ says:

"...I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit ..."
(John 15/16)

Jesus therefore "moulded" you to a Christian, that you may bring him benefits - are useful to him.

"... being fruitful in every good work ..."
(Colossians 1/10)

He said:

"Herein is my Father glorified (is worshipped and adored),
that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
(John 15/8)


"And let ours (the true Christians) also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses,
that they be not unfruitful."
(Titus 3/14)

 

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Question:

Do you serve God and Jesus ?

Are you doing something for them ?

If so - when - and how often ?

Do you actively and intensively take care of the needy people of this world ?

Always remember: selflessness pleases God more than selfishness.

Do you help to build God's kingdom ?

Do you live as a role model for other people ?

Are you actively and intensively involved in spreading God's word ?

 

It is time for Christians to come to life - to be active !

God wants to see the deeds and works of Christians.

Jesus says to us:

"Ye are the light of the world."
(Matthew 5/14)

God says:

"... I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles ..."
(Isaiah 49/6)

A light is to shine, to show people the way.
Thus a Christian, through his example, should show the way God sees as the right way to other people.

"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel (opaque measuring vessel), but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works ..."
(Matthew 5/15-16)


We get a promise, that God will not overlook our good deeds and works:

"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD;
and that which he hath given will he pay him again."
(Proverbs 19/17)

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We are also warned in God's Word:

"Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself,
but shall not be heard."
(Proverbs 21/13)

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked (God will no be laughed about):
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
(Galatians 6/7)

"... He which soweth sparingly (little) shall reap also sparingly ..."
(2 Corinthians 9/6)

Whoever does little good for the needy of this world
and contributes little (or nothing) to the spreading of God's Word,
cannot expect much help from the Lord.

Always remember in your life ways the warning of God:

"... He which soweth sparingly (little) shall reap also sparingly ..."
(2 Corinthians 9/6)

God is not interested in the amount of the donation, but
whether everything in one´s power was done through personal renunciation,
in order to fight the suffering of the needy people of this world,
and also to spread his word.

 

We Christians should be inspired by God and Jesus
and implement their laws voluntarily.

Please read in the cleartext point 019 that we are to be concerned about God,
Jesus and their kingdom with enthusiasm.

In cleartext point 064, you will learn how it is possible,
that the pressure is taken from you if you think,
that God or Jesus force you to do something
or want to spoil your life by prohibition.
There you will find pieces of advice, that will help you
to voluntarily do what the Lord requires of you.

"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
(Psalm 37/4)

Thus, if you show the Lord your enthusiasm for him (through your deeds),
then the Lord will have an open ear for your prayers.

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Jesus says to us Christians:

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?  it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
(Matthew 5/13)

Salt should add flavour to food - otherwise, it does not taste.

We Christians are God's "publicity drum". We should give the non-Christians the "taste",
how beautiful it will be in God's kingdom, for there will be only people who have charity
in themselves and do good to their fellow-men and help - instead of exploiting, robbing and insulting them.


Please read and recommend cleartext point 120: What will it look like in God's kingdom ?

The task of us Christians is to ensure,
that the word of God is made accessible to man.

And we should actively set an example of God's Word in this world -
we should "wet their appetite" to enter into God's kingdom.

But are we doing this ?

If one observes the people who often call themselves "Christians",
then the appetite for God's kingdom may pass.

Jesus Christ Says disgusted to the name Christians:

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot."
(If you do not implement the words of Jesus with enthusiasm into action,
then you act lukewarm in his eyes.)
"Because thou art lukewarm ...
I will spue (spit) thee out of my mouth." (That is why I do not want you in my kingdom.)
(Revelation 3/15-16)

If we don´t do what God and Jesus require of us,
then we are like salt that has no force (no effect).

A cook can´t do anything with such salt. He'll throw it away !

Thus, God also throws away those who as name Christians
set the unbelievers a bad example.

He has no use for them - he leaves them to be ground by the problems of life - he does not answer their prayers - he leaves them to be "... to be trodden under foot of men" - like the useless salt.

God says:

"... and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them."
(Jeremiah 11/11)

"... I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble."
(Jeremiah 11/14)

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The Lord asks: "Are you supporting me?"

Imagine a painting on which the Lord
Jesus can be seen on the cross.

His face is completely grimacing in pain.

He suffers indescribable agony for you.

Beneath is written:

"I've done this for you !
 What are you doing for me ?"

 

Jesus has sacrificed his precious life
under horrible pain on the cross for us,
so that we may receive the forgiveness of our sins.
But what do we give him ?
Are we ready to make sacrifices for Jesus Christ ?

We want to receive from God and Jesus -
but are we also ready to give ?

 

Giving has always something to do with letting go.
Please read on the topic "Letting go" the cleartext point 153.

Giving has something to do with the already mentioned renunciation.
The renunciation should also refer to our "time".
Only those who renounce part of their leisure time to read in God's Word can conduct a reasonable prayer because prayers are not monologues, in which only you speak.

The Lord would like to answer you.
But how can he tell you anything when you silence him ?

You say (or think) that you would never dare to do this ?

However, you silence God and Jesus Christ daily,
by not reading their words in the bible.

They have much to say to you - but you do not allow them.

 

If you are a diligent reader of the scriptures, please do not feel attacked.
I just want to make people think, which so far have had a hard time reading the bible.

If you say (or think) that you barely - or have no time to get into the bible,
(and illustratively, in this cleartext info)
then I would like to recommend you the cleartext point 005.

Please refer to the cleartext point 003, how you too can understand the bible.

And how you become a true Christian, who is rescuing himself on the last day,
you learn in the cleartext point 001.

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When people ask God for something in prayer - and their desire becomes reality, then they are firmly convinced that the "dear God" has answered their prayer. Hardly anyone can imagine that God ignored the prayer, but Satan "jumped in", and fulfilled the wish of the praying person.

We people always think in black and white !
The light (the white, the good, the help) offers us, God -
and the dark (the black, the bad, the suffering) comes from Satan.

But it does not have to be so !

If someone is successful in life, for example, then he (or she) never would have thought to suppose, that this success could come from Satan.

In the already mentioned cleartext point 023 you can read,
that God will observe and test all men on this earth.

He must also test you because otherwise, he would not know
whether you adhere to him despite suffering -
or turn away from him, because you doubt him.

 

Often the image of the "dear God" which the lie preachers (see cleartext point 106) have created by their well-sounding sermons,
breaks in the minds of the faithful.


(Important to know: You will not find the term "dear God" throughout the bible.)

It is precisely then when people are shocked that their "dear God"
permits that calamity may come upon them.

Then they pray to God because they think that Satan brought them this disaster. They do not know, however, that God himself also brings mischief on mankind. Not to punish them (this happens only on the last day), but to make them reflect, to exhort and to educate them.

Here are some biblical passages in which God explains this to us.

God (not Satan) says:

"... I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."
(Isaiah 45/6-7)

Also a statement from God:

"... I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape;
and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them."
(Jeremiah 11/11)

And God adds:

"... I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble."
(Jeremiah 11/14)

"... their soul delighteth in their abominations ...
... I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I (God) called, none did answer; when I (God) spake (in the bible to the people), they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not
(which God did not like)."
(Isaiah 66/3-4)


Please also read the cleartext point 086.
Its title: If there is a God, why does he allow,
that people in this world must hunger and suffer ?

 

People have always been told that the "dear God" does the good
and the devil is responsible for the evil.
But often the opposite is the case:
God intervenes educationally in human life (which, of course, hurts)
and Satan tries to lure men (by pleasant things) away from God's path.

Here is an example to illustrate:

A father who loves his child (in this example the comparison with God)would like to educate it so that this child goes on a decent way of life. That is why he will sometimes have to take hard educational measures. This is painful at the moment, but it is of great benefit to the child in the long term.

On the other hand, a child-molester (in this example comparable to Satan) can only seduce his victim if he does good. Only then does the child lose in time the shyness and rejection - and will finally follow him - but at what cost !

Who wants to do good to the child - and who wants to harm it ?

The "good one" (Satan) offers sweets and toys.
On the other hand, the "evil one" (God) educates and punishes.

Now please think about it for yourself !

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In God's Word, there is a passage, which by most people is considered not applicable to them and therefore skimmed.

It is the following statement:

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, (then) the Lord will not hear (answer my prayer) me:"
(Psalm 66/18)

Almost every human being thinks immediately:

But I don´t regard iniquity.

But let us take a very simple example, which perhaps awakens in somebody one or the other childhood memory:

A child prays for good censorship - it even implores the Lord on its knees because otherwise the displacement is endangered.

Will God answer this prayer ?

Most likely not.

But why not ?

Quite honestly, whoever is threatened not to pass the exam, is mostly not too stupid, but usually, lacks the necessary enthusiasm or learning and diligence is unheard of him (or her).

Renunciation of time for the benefit of learning is difficult -
but necessary. If you only organise your leisure time and enjoy life,
you cannot conjure up good censors by prayers.

Is God to support inertia, laziness, and passivity ?

Who considers learning during school hours only as an annoying evil and therefore rejects it, does this intentionally - he (or she) thus regards "something wrong" (iniquity).

And already the statement from God's Word takes on a completely new meaning:

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, (then) the Lord will not hear (answer my prayer) me:"
(Psalm 66/18)

A passive man can thus pray until his mouth dries and
until the knees bleed - God does not answer these prayers.

The same applies to those who complain that they are badly off financially and therefore can´t give the Lord the tithes to which he is entitled. Enough money for a cell phone, car, holiday, hobby and leisure is available.
Only for God and Jesus, they are not willing to forgo something.

So they are regarding something wrong in God's eyes, for they deceive the Lord of his portion which is due to him (the tithes).

This will surely be considered like bitter medicine by some (or even many readers), but these are facts -
it is the whole uncomfortable truth.

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Question:

How do you keep it with the giving of tithes,
which God asks of his faithful,
so that his word can be spread ?

God promises:

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse ...
... and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts,
if I will not open you the windows of heaven,
and pour you out a blessing ..."
(Malachi 3/10)

This is not a long-overdue quirk from the Old Testament,
but God's promise also applies in our modern times.

Jesus Christ clearly stated that the Old Testament was his
validity. Please read this in the cleartext-point 125.

Concerning the giving of tithes another important note:

Many people ask in their prayers for this or that - but they are
often not willing to give the tithe to the Lord.

Is that love ?

Is this friendship ?

Always remember that real friendship is also a mutual giving and taking.
God gives us so much every day (for example, peace, health, food, drinking, etc.).
But what do you give him ?

Jesus said in the so-called sermon on the mount:

"Give, and (then) it shall be given unto you ..."
(Luke 6/38)

It is your free decision whether you obey Jesus Christ - or not.

Because obedience often requires personal renunciation, many reject it.

Jesus tells us:

"... Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind (Deut. 6/5)."
(Matthew 22/37)


Is that real love, if one calculates thoughtfully for a long time,
how much money could possibly be left for God, so that one still has enough,
without having to limit their own standard of living and enjoyable pleasures ?

Love always has something to do with giving - and not with egoistic ardour.

God loves us, humans. He gives us so much.

Even Jesus loves us - he even gave his life on the cross for us.
But what do we give God and Jesus ? ? ?

"Wherefore shew ye to them ... the proof of your love ..."
(2 Corinthians 8/24)

Do you prove your love to the Lord by voluntarily giving the tithe ?

If you want more information about God's tithes, please read the
already mentioned cleartext point 094. You get directly there
by clicking the link (a few lines below).

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Please consider exactly what you should change in your life so that God will listen to your prayers.


"Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;
neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,
and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
(Isaiah 59/1-2)

Always remember the Lord's warning:

"... and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them."
(Jeremiah 11/11)

"... for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble."
(Jeremiah 11/14)

 

True faith is not only a "consider-it-for-true" but is heartfelt faith.

Only when in your heart is the urge to become active for God and Jesus,
thus to put all their laws into practice, then you have a real faith.

Ask the Lord in prayer for such genuine faith.
This is in his interest - so he will hear you.

 

Tip:

Please also look in the alphabetically arranged search terms under praying.
There you will find some important options to click on,
so that you can consolidate and deepen the subject of prayer.

 

If you do not have an intensive connection with the Lord Jesus yet,
then I recommend, that you let him "wash off" all your sins so far.

Then, in prayer, ask him to take the lead in your life.

Information on the important topic of penance can be found in the cleartext points 006 and 009.

At the end of the cleartext point 006, you will find an example of what you can say in prayer to the Lord Jesus.
But please really work through the two cleartext points 006 and 009, so you understand,
how the forgiveness of sins "works".

 

And then work for the Lord. Do not waste your precious time,
praying in your prayers: "Lord, why don´t you help me ?"

Ask yourself why you do not help the Lord !

He asked you to help the needy - do you ?

He asked you in the great commission to spread his word - are you doing this

So do not mourn, but serve the Lord.

Then you can expect him to help you.

Whoever wants to reap the seed has to sow first.


"... whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
(Galatians 6/7)

Whoever simply moans, can not expect a harvest.

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Now a logical brain challenge:

Please imagine that you are going to a rich man
and ask him for a generous help. Most likely
he will send you away without helping - according to the motto:
"Anyone could come and beg me."

But if his children or one of his friends would come to him
and ask him for something, then the chance is much greater,
that he helps and supports them.

This is similar to the Lord. Everything belongs to him and he can do everything.
So it would be easy for him to fulfil your wish.
But if you do not belong to his children or friends,
then chances are pretty bad that he heeds your prayer.
Why should he - is God your servant ?

When the "dear God" is mentioned, this term does not origin from the bible,
but from the fairy-tale book, because in the entire bible you will not find this term.

So do not let the preachers of the half-truths persuade you,
that the "dear God" fulfils your wishes like a wizard,
without having to provide a consideration for it.

Then better go to the cellar and look for an old lamp,
which you rub until a good spirit appears before you
and fulfils all your desires. But be careful
not to rub your fingers sore.

Do not believe the fairy-tellers or the lie preachers.
Believe only what is written in God's Word, the bible.
And not only the pleasant and beautiful phrases,
but also the uncomfortable and warning bible quotations.

So give everything to become a child of God.
At the same time, it is possible for you to be a friend of Jesus.

How you become his friend, he tells you:

"You are (only then) my friends if you do what I command you
(If you put into practice what I tell you and ask you)."
(John 15/14)


Jesus' disciples did what the Lord commanded them. They put his words
into action. Just before Jesus came to his heavenly father
he said to his disciples:

"... I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."
(John 14/12-14)

Jesus promised his disciples, who put his word into action:

"... Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
(John 16/23-24)

If you try with all your heart to put Jesus' words into action,
then this promise, which he gave to his disciples, applies to you too !

If you are a friend of Jesus and strive with all your heart to bring joy
to your heavenly father as a child of God, then you belong to
the people of God who will do well thanks to God's help.

Always remember God's promise:

"... Hearken unto my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people;
and walk ye in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you."
(Jeremiah 7/23)

"... This is the way, walk ye in it; when ye turn to the right hand,
and when ye turn to the left."
(Isaiah 30/21)

Very important to know:

God has not promised to give you all that you ask him -
but he promised to keep all his promises.

God 's commitments, which he gave us are always based on the
"If - then - principle" (see cleartext point 170).

One of his commitments is:

 

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse ...
... and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts,
if I will not open you the windows of heaven,
and pour you out a blessing ..."
(Malachi 3/10)


Whoever does not examine God in this respect, needs not be surprised,
if the Lord does not help him (or her). Who deceives the Lord of his tithes, however,
and instead enjoys life rather, does not belong to the people of God -
even if he (or she) is convinced.


You can get information about God's tithe by clicking here.

 

Last edited: November 06, 2017, 13:09
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