​George Müller lives on radical prayer, depending on God to supply all his needs without asking for a cent from anyone. When he learns of the neglected street children of the city of Bristol (England), George and his wife, Mary, open the first orphanages supported entirely by prayer, and God miraculously provides for their every need. But enemies of his work devise a plan to shut him down for good. Will George’s trust in God remain strong in the face of cunning opponents and desperate circumstances?

Many times, we get down and depressed. What are we to do when we get depressed? Many people turn to drugs and alcohol which will only give temporary relief and is a “false” comforter. Instead of turning to a “false” comforter, let us turn our eyes upward to our “true” comforter who is God. He is our only hope. He is the only One who can help us and lift us up from despondency.

Here are some George Müller quotes on how he handled trials:

"Truly I prefer by far this life of almost constant trial, if I am only able to roll all my cares upon my Heavenly Father, and thus become increasingly acquainted with Him, to a life of outward peace and quietness, without these constant proofs of His faithfulness." - George Müller

"Do but stand still in the hour of trial, and you will see the help of God, if you trust in Him. But there is so often a forsaking the ways of the Lord in the hour of trial, and thus the food of faith, the means whereby our faith may be increased, is lost." - George Müller

"Wherever God has given faith, it is given, among other reasons, for the very purpose of being tried." - George Müller

Here are ten things to remember when you are depressed and going through trials:

10 Things to Remember when Depressed
 
1. Remember God
 
“O my God, my soul is cast down within me; therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, and from the heights of Hermon, from the Hill Mizar” (Psalm 42:6).

“When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer went up to You, into Your holy temple” (Jonah 2:7).

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God” (Psalm 42:11).
 
2. Cast All Your Cares Upon Him
 
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22).
 
3. Wait on the Lord
 
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).
 
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24).
 
4. Don’t be Anxious but Pray
 
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray…” (James 5:13).
 
5. Keep your mind on God

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10).
 
6. The Lord will never leave you nor forsake you
 
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5-6).

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:35-39).
 
7. Look to Jesus our compassionate and Great High Priest
 
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:14-16).

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).
 
8. Rejoice in Trials & Afflictions. God has a purpose behind them.
 
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).

“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer” (Rom. 12:12).

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom. 5:3-5).

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes” (Psalm 119:71).
 
9. Abide in His Word
 
“Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life” (Psalm 119:49-50).

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word” (Psalm 119:114).

“I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word” (Psalm 119:147).

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning— Yes, more than those who watch for the morning” (Psalm 130:5-6).

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word” (Psalm 119:67).
 
10. God will give you His perfect peace; comfort, and grace to go through all your trials. Remember afflictions are only temporary. Look forward for the new heavens and the new earth.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13).

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

​O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain:
 
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
 
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion--
For more than conqu’rors we are!
 
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

By the editor of www.georgemuller.org

"And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me" (Psalm 50:15).

Whenever you are going through trials, afflictions, and distress - do not despair. But look up to God. Call upon Him! He will help you. God is still on His throne. God is in control. God is sovereign and nothing happens in your life without Him knowing about it. Remember Romans 8:28 - that God can work everything out for your good. God knows the end from the beginning. Jesus is the author and finisher of your faith (Heb. 12:2). Jesus will help you get through this trial. Nothing is too hard for God! With God all things are possible. Don't despair! But fully trust in Him. God has a purpose in your trials. His ways are beyond our understanding. He is conforming us to the image of His Son. He is there always for you! Call upon Him in the day of trouble. He will give you relief. He will give you the victory through Jesus Christ. Oh, let us praise the Lord for His mercies and glorify His name forevermore.

"Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator" (1 Peter 4:19).

Oh, praise God for His faithfulness. They are new every morning!

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him" (Lam. 3:22-24).

Here are quotes from George Müller

"They that trust in the Lord shall never be confounded!" - George Müller

"But stand still in the hour of trial, and you will see the help of God, if you trust in Him. But there is so often a forsaking the ways of the Lord in the hour of trial, and thus the food of faith, the means whereby our faith may be increased, is lost." - George Müller

Written by the editor of www.georgemuller.org

​Verse 1-2

Verse 1-2 is a Messianic prophecy that has been fulfilled when “Herod, Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together” against Jesus whom they crucified. Reference: Acts 4:25-28

The word “Anointed” in verse 2 means “Messiah” in Hebrew. Jesus is the long-waited Messiah whom the Jews did not receive and crucified. But God was with Jesus and raised Him from the dead.

Verse 3

The Jews rejected Jesus to be their king and hated him and did not want Him to reign over them. “We will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14). Jesus came to His own (the nation of Israel) but His own did not receive Him. (John 1:11). How about you? Have you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

Reference: John 1:12-13

Verse 4-5

The Lord will laugh at anyone who will reject His Son. And His wrath will hang upon them. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father.

“For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (John 5:20-23).

How about you? Do you honor the Son just as you honor the Father? Many people use Jesus’ name in vain as a curse word. God will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. The Third Commandment forbids us to take the name of God in vain. Reference: Exodus 20:7.
 
Verse 6-11

God has exalted His Son and made Him the “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords”. One day every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father even the God-haters; the atheists; the agnostics; and the vilest of sinners. Have you submitted to Jesus, your King?

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev. 19:16).

“He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father” (Rev. 2:27).

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim. 1:17).

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).

Verse 12

“Kiss the Son” means do “homage” to the Son, that is show special honor and respect to Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. The word “trust” means to confide in and take refuge in. Let us confide in Christ and take refuge in Christ. He is the only way we can be justified before God. He is our righteousness. Let us forsake sin and put our trust in Him.

Note: Psalm 2 and Isaiah 53 is a great chapter to share with Jews to show them Christ from their Old Testament.

Written by the editor of www.georgemuller.org

Verse 1

The word “Blessed” in Psalm 1:1 means happiness or blessedness. Indeed, happy is the man who does not walk in the advice or the way of the ungodly.

Reference: Prov. 4:14, Rom. 12:1-2

Verse 2

Our delight and pleasure ought to be in the Word of God and we ought to meditate on the Word of God day and night.

Reference: Psalm 119:14;16;35, Josh. 1:8

Verse 3

As we abide in Christ and in His Word, we will bear much fruit. God will bless the works of our hands.

Reference: John 15:5-8, Psalm 92:12-14, Jer. 17:7-8

Verse 4

The ungodly are not like the righteous. They do not abide in Christ, who is the true vine. And they are cast out as a branch and are withered and will be cast into everlasting fire. They are like worthless chaff.

Reference: Jer. 17:5-6, John 15:6, Job 21:18

Verse 5

The ungodly will not be able to withstand during the Day of Judgement and will be cast away forever from the presence of the righteous.

Reference: Psalm 5:4-6, Matt. 22:13

Verse 6

The Lord approves and delights in the way of the righteous. But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
​
Reference: Psalm 37:18, Nah. 1:7, John 10:14, 2 Tim. 2:19

A. Perfect peace is only for those in Christ Jesus. See John 14:27; John 16:33; Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14.
 
B. There is no peace for the wicked and those who are outside of Christ. See Isaiah 48:22; Isaiah 57:20-21.
 
C. Ten ways to have perfect peace:
 
1. Keep your mind on God. See Isaiah 26:3

2. Set your mind on things above and not on the things of this world. See Col. 3:1

3. Pray. See Phil. 4:6-7

4. Cast all your cares upon God. See 1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22

5. Go to Christ and give your burdens to Him. He will give you His peace and give you rest. See Matt. 11:28-30.

6. Do not worry about your life and about tomorrow. God will provide for you. See Matt. 6:31-34.

7. God will make all things work out for your God, even your trials and afflictions. See Rom. 8:28

8. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. See Psalm 37:7.
​
9. The Lord will bless His people with peace. See Psalm 29:11.
​
10. Be still and know that He is God. See Psalm 46:10.

Written by the editor of www.georgemuller.org

For today's meditation, we will be looking at Psalm 103:1-5. Psalm 103 is one of my favorite Psalms among many. Psalm 103:1-5 gives us 5 things to be thankful and it is an excellent reminder as we approach Thanksgiving.

The first thing we are exhorted is to praise the Lord. Our hearts should always abound with thanksgiving and praises to the Lord. The Bible says:

"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name" (Heb. 13:15).

The second exhortation is that we should not forget all His benefits toward us. By nature, we are a forgetful people. But that ought not to be so. The Bible says:

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name" (Psalm 100:4).

Than we are given five things to be thankful for in verse 3-5.

1. We are to be thankful for the forgiveness we have in Christ.

That is the greatest blessing. David cries out:

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit" (Psalm 32:1-2).

2. We are to be thankful for good health.

Good health is a blessing for God and we should never take our health for granted. God does not guarantee healing every time we get sick; but when we do get sick and recover, it is because God has healed us. Sometimes God lets us get sick for God can even use sickness for our good and for our sanctification. God works through medicine and doctors to heal us.

"O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me" (Psalm 30:2).

3. We are to be thankful for God redeeming our life from destruction.

Many times we wander astray like lost sheep and like the prodigal son. But Christ is the Good Shepherd of the sheep (John 10:11) and He cares for each of His sheep and will seek out His sheep till He finds it. Christ cares for each of His sheep not only as a group but also individually. Each of Christ's sheep is very precious in His sight.

"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses" (Psalm 107:13).

4. We are to be thankful for God's lovingkindess and tender mercies.

God's mercies are great. God does not give us what we deserve. His grace is unmerited and undeserved. The Bible says:

"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:8-14).

5. We are to be thankful for God's provision.

We need to be thankful for God's providing for us all that we need such as food, clothing, and housing.

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1).

Indeed God is very faithful and that is a cause for thanksgiving. Even "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself" (2 Tim. 2:13). His mercies are new every morning and great is His Faithfulness.

"Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" (Lam. 3:22-23).

From the editor of www.georgemuller.org

Today's meditation is Psalm 1. In Psalm 1 we are exhorted not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly. We are not to be conformed to this world (Rom. 12:2). But we are to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). We learn that we should delight in the law of the Lord and we should meditate in it day and night.

The Lord spoke to Joshua saying:

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (Josh. 1:8).

God promises that when we meditate in His word, we shall bear fruit. Jesus said:

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:7-8).

Are you abiding in Christ and in His word? Are you meditating in His word? If not, start today. Don't delay. Start first thing in the morning to mediate in His word and throughout the day. And than you will find His peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7).

From the editor of www.georgemuller.org

by the editor of www.georgemuller.org

The Fruit of the Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23).
 
The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 marks the qualities and the characteristics of the child of God while the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 marks the qualities and the characteristics of the unregenerate. There are nine fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. These alone are produced in us by the Holy Spirit upon conversion and during sanctification as God conforms us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). The nine fruits of the Spirit are:
 
1. LOVE

Love is on the top of the list because love is the most important Christian virtue. The Apostle Paul says if we have all kinds of Christian virtues and all kinds of spiritual gifts and yet lack in love, then we are nothing. (1 Corinthians 13). The two greatest commandments are based on loving God with all our heart, with all of our soul, with all of our mind and with all of our strength and also loving our neighbor as ourselves. (Mark 12:30). “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 22:40). “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Rom. 13:10).
 
2. JOY

Joy is another Christian virtue produced in us by the Holy Spirit. True joy only comes through a saving knowledge of Christ. The world knows nothing of the joy that Christ gives. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

a. Jesus gives fullness of joy
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).

b. We have joy in answered prayer
“Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24).

c. We have fullness of joy in his presence
“You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence” (Acts 2:28).

d. We have joy in trials and persecution
“And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 1:6).

e. The Joy God Gives Is Inexpressible
“Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).
 
3. PEACE

Peace is another Christian virtue that only the Christian possess. “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22).

a. We have peace with God through Christ
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).

b. Christ gives us His peace
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

c. Christ give us peace in the midst of tribulation
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

d. That peace is beyond all human understanding
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).
 
4. LONGSUFFERING (Patience)

Longsuffering literally means “long-tempered”, that is one has self-restraint when anger is stirred up within him.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Col. 3:12-13).

“With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).
 
5. KINDNESS

Kindness is another Christian virtue which the Christian shows from a pure heart and from a pure motive. We are exhorted to put on kindness and to add to our faith, kindness.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering” (Col. 3:12).

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (2 Peter 1:5-7).
 
6. GOODNESS

We are saved by grace alone through faith alone apart from works (Ephesians 2:8). But “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).

“Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Rom. 15:14).

“For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” (Eph. 5:9).
 
7. FAITHFULNESS

Faithfulness marks the life of the Christian.

a. We are to be faithful as stewards of God

“To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Col. 1:2).

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2).

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’” (Matt. 25:21).

b. We are to be faithful until the end

“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).
 
 
8. GENTLENESS

Gentleness is another virtue of the child of God. The Christian ought to be full of meekness and humility.

“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand” (Phil. 4:5).

“With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Tim. 6:10-11).
 
9. SELF-CONTROL (Temperance)

Self-control is the virtue of one who masters his sinful desires and passions.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good” (2 Tim. 1:1-3).

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness” (2 Peter 1:5-6).

14 CONDITIONS OF ANSWERED PRAYER
by the editor of www.georgemuller.org

The following are conditions of answered prayer that I have found through out the Bible:

1. HAVE THE GLORY OF GOD IN MIND

Ask yourself: “Is what I am praying for going to bring glory to God?” If it will not bring glory to God, God will not answer.

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).


2. GO TO GOD IN PRAYER THROUGH JESUS

God will not accept you unless you go to Him through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). 

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5).


3. ASK IN JESUS NAME

Ask in the name and authority of His Son, the Lord Jesus, who alone is worthy.

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:13-14).


4. ASK ACCORDING TO HIS WILL

Ask according and in submission to perfect His will by saying “Not my will, by thy will be done” (Luke 22:42).

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14-15).


5. OBEDIENCE

If you live a life of disobedience and rebellion, God will not answer.

“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight" (1 John 3:22).


6. ABIDE IN CHRIST

If you abide in Christ, you will surely have the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16) and ask things pleasing to God.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7).


7. BELIEVE

We must believe that God is able to do what we ask Him. God does not like unbelief.

“So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:22-24). 

“Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23).

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" (James 1:6-8).

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him"  (Heb.11:6).


8. DON’T ASK AMISS (IN THE WRONG WAY & WITH WRONG MOTIVE)

If we ask for something that is not for our spiritual good and for the glory of God, God will not answer.

“You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:2-3).


9. DON’T HARBOR SIN

If we have unconfessed sin, God will not hear.

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

"Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2).

"When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood" (Isaiah 1:15).
 

10. FORGIVE OTHERS

Make sure you are not harboring unforgiveness towards someone before coming to God in prayer.

"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses" (Mark 11:25-26).
 

11. ABIDE IN THE WORD OF GOD

If you abide in the Word of God, you will surely ask things that are in the will of God.

“One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination" (Prov. 28:9).

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7).


12. BE PERSISTANT

Persevere and be persistent in your prayers!

"And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Luke 11:5-10).

"Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”" (Luke 18:1-8).

"Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour" (Matt.15:21-28).

 
13. DELIGHT IN GOD

Delight in Him! Let Him be your chief delight and the joy of your heart.

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).


14. WAIT ON GOD

Wait on God! His timing is best!

"For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him" (Isaiah 64:4).

"Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14).
 
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass" (Psalm 37:7).