Below is a video I taped with a dear friend of mine, Karla Akins. She has an online ministry called Sparrow Song Ministries and she wanted to interview me about my book, The A.S.K. Principle. Many of you may remember the post series I did on this book back in the early part of 2018. We got together after several tries and this is the result. It was posted on her web site just last week. Enjoy!
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Have you ever wondered why there is such turmoil in our country recently? We have seen mass school shootings increase many fold. People are blaming different things for this. Some say we need more gun control, yet in the cities with the highest gun violence they also have the strictest gun control laws. Others say it is a result of the mental health system in our country and want to spend money to fix that. Still others blame the parents of the children and even adults that are doing these things, saying there is trauma that is unresolved in their lives. We simply cannot agree, so no solutions are found.
There is the cry of the LGBTQ community. Many say they should be normalized in every area of our society and given the same rights as any other citizen, including marriage, pastoring a church, and being boy and girls scout leaders. Others say it is clearly a sin according to the Bible. Christians should not be made to bend their beliefs to serve their needs or incorporate them into society. Some states make laws that you cannot even counsel a person with thoughts about these varying lifestyles because of the trauma it will cause. Others say we must counsel them on the dangers of some of these lifestyles. We simply cannot agree, so no solution is found.
There is the climate change community. They say we are rapidly destroying this earth by our human consumption, putting dangerous gases into the atmosphere that will eventually warm it up to the place that the polar ice caps will melt completely and weather will be more dynamic than ever before. Others say climate change has been going on since the beginning of time and climate will continue to change in cycles. It has nothing to do with human interference. We simply cannot agree, so no solution is found.
There is the thought that police target people of race more than whites. Those who believe this say this is the reason there are a higher percentage of blacks and Hispanics in prison per capital than white people. They say police will go after a person of color for no reason and provoke them to act wrong, then take it out on them all the way up to the point of killing them. The other side says perhaps it is because those communities carry out a higher percentage of crime per capita than other races and that they tend to defy authority, which causes a problem when police try to arrest them. Race relations go down the tubes steadily. We simply cannot agree, so no solution is found.
There are many more issues: abortion, immigration, terrorism, cyber security and more that fall into the same problem area. There are two sides to the story and we just cannot come to the place of agreement. The congressional approval rate was 20% in January of 2019. 62% believe our news is biased. The President’s approval rating is 45%. We don’t trust anyone in public office to look out for the needs of the greater population, and we don’t trust the media to truthfully tell us what is going on. Is it any wonder our lives are not peaceful and quiet. Why is it like this?
I would proposed to you that it is the churches fault. It is not the fault of the politicians, the media or the president. It is not the fault of your state and local governments. It is not the fault of the school board or the county superintendents. It is my fault. It is my pastors fault. It is my church boards fault. It is my denominations fault. It is the fault of the Christian church. Yet this fault can be corrected.
We have for too long criticized, made fun of, put down, degraded and laughed at what goes on in politics and the media instead of taking up prayer for them. We have exhibited our pride, thinking we can do better than them when we know nothing about why decisions are made the way they are made. We have deluded ourselves into thinking an election will change things. There is only one way we can change what is going on in this country, and that way is prayer.
I included verse 1 here because it completes the thought of verse 2 and it is worth looking at again. We are to make supplications, prayers, intercession and giving of thanks for kings and all that are in authority. We cannot separate these two verses. Supplications should be given when an urgent bill is before our congress and they are making decisions. Prayer should be given when they are mulling over legislation in a committee. Intercession should be made when they face accusations such as our president is facing right now. Giving of thanks should be made regularly for those who are giving their lives in public service.
This doesn’t just apply to your party and your ideals. Paul says to all men (we can include women here as well). To all that are in authority (both sides of the aisle and from every state). For our President, who would be king in this context. Not just in our country, but around the world. All is an all-inclusive word and we have no right to leave anyone out.
Many of you know the formula for revival but I will review it here. According to 2 Corinthians 7:14, we must first humble ourselves. This is our biggest stumbling block in the church. We want to criticize and all those other things listed above. But none of those things come from a humble heart. They come from a prideful heart. Before the church does anything else, if they want to see true revival, we must humble ourselves. This comes before we pray, before we seek God, and even before we repent. That is how important it is. Yet we come to God with our head high and our scripture verses saying God must do this or that because He says if we ask He will do it. We come telling God what to do instead of beseeching Him on our hands and knees, knowing we are not at all worthy to receive an answer. Humble ourselves and think about everybody else and not ourselves. We have not gotten this first step right and that is why this country and this world is in such disarray.
Next we must pray. Pray with all our heart, desiring God’s will not ours. Pray, supplicate, make intercession every day for all men. Our ongoing prayer is effective as James 5:16 tells us. Then we must seek His face. Not seek our own way. Not seek what our party line wants to do. Seek Him, Jesus Christ. Be in His word regularly, seeking His wisdom and guidance in your prayers and supplications. Then we must repent. Individually we must repent. We must repent for our nation and it’s evil ways. We must stand in the gap. Do this and God promises He will hear our prayer, forgive our sins and heal our land. I do a much better job of breaking down this scripture and the concept of prayer in my book called “The Ask Principle”. I pray you have picked up a copy from Amazon.
What is that biggest prayer that is needed for those in authority? That they would know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. That every one of them would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and turn their lives over to Him. That they would study the scripture on the decisions before them and follow God’s will in every decision. If this would happen, we would not only be living quiet and peaceable lives, but we would see revival spread across this country faster than a wildfire in a field of grain.
It’s time church. Don’t take the wrong path any longer. Do what you are called to do and pray! We can make a difference!
Are your prayers being answered on a regular basis? If they are not you might want to examine the reason that you are asking what you are asking. It is critically important that if we want prayers to be answered that we ask for what God promises to give us.
In James we read that people are not getting their prayers answered because they were asking to consume it on their own lusts (James 4:3). How often do you pray for things that all about accumulating wealth in your life. These things will bring you glory and most likely make you proud. God knows if He answers these prayers, it will drive you away from Him. God knows effects of such a prayer would be devastating on your life Often, He will not answer prayers like this.
However, if He knows that you will take that wealth and give it away to people that need it, He may answer that prayer. if He knows that You will use that wealth to bring Him glory, He just may answer that prayer. If He knows that pride will not result, the answer may come. It’s all about the motive with these kind of prayers.
Another reason prayers don’t get answered is because we don’t pray according to God’s will. Now we all realize that God’s will is His word. Therefor, we believe that for everyone that is sick, He wants to heal them because by His striped we are healed. But if that is the case, why do people die? Why do some prayers end in miraculous healing while others take years to finally see healing come? Why do people even get sick or injured in the first place if we are praying for their safety?
The reason is that we don’t know exactly what God’s perfect will is in any situation. When Jesus prayed for the ten lepers, 9 were cleansed, one that came back and gave thinks was made whole (Luke 17:11-19). What’s the difference? Well, leprosy can eat away skin, noses, ears, fingers and make your body look like a leper the rest of your life. You are cleansed when the sores stop oozing and take on a wholesome appearance. None of the skin is completely restored, not the prats that may have been eaten away. I believe the one who came back and gave thanks was made completely whole, completely restored.
The best thing we can do for anyone is that God’s will should be done in their lives. Pray that they will be given the strength in God is ready to heal them. Pray that they will endure the trial and learn what God has for them. Pray that they will accept God’s timing in their lives. Don’t override God’s plan by praying for what you think is God’s will.
A third reason is that we try to tell God how He should answer our prayers. That is a recipe for unanswered prayer. God is sovereign and He will answer the prayer the way in which he knows it will be best for us. The trouble is that we do now know what is best for us as well as God does. He knows our future and He knows the plans He has for us. if we will just learn to place our lives in God’s hands, accept the situations that come before us, and lay them at His feet, then we will have a lot more peace. Stop prescribing your own answers, your own medicine. Allow Him to lead.
There are other reasons, but these are the big three in my opinion. Personally, I would like every prayer to be answered. I have worked hard to bring my prayer life in line with His word and I have seen more and more prayers answered. Have you examined your prayer life lately?
Note: This is something I am adding to my book. It will be in the chapter that talks about How to Pray. Fortunately God brought this to my attention before the book was published. He’s so good to us!
One of the ways we can further strengthen our prayer lives is by utilizing the practice of laying on of hands. This practice actually goes back to the Old Testament and is used in two different ways. The first is as a sign of association for the sacrifice that was being offered. The Levites put their hands on the sacrifice and blessed it for the use that it was intended for. This could be for the trespass offering the sin offering, the burnt offering or the meat offering. In all these cases the Levites, who were the spiritual leaders, placed their hands on the sacrifice and blessed it. This can be found in Leviticus 1:4, 3:2, 4:15 and 16:21 and several other verses.
The second way that the laying on of hands was used in the Old Testament was to anoint an individual for service. This is especially true of the Priests and Levites, but also for Kings and leaders with authority.
10 And thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites:
11 And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord for an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the Lord.
12 And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, unto the Lord, to make an atonement for the Levites.
13 And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them for an offering unto the Lord.
14 Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.
15 And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering.
These verses in Numbers show us both of the ways laying on of hands was part of the ceremony in the Old Testament. First, the people laid their hands on the Levites to consecrate them for the Lord’s service. Then the Levites put their hands on the sacrifice, consecrating it and identifying themselves as the priests of Israel. They were then appointed to do the work of sacrificing the animals brought by the Israelites.
Deuteronomy 34:9 King James Version (KJV)
9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.
This is a scripture which shows the transference of the spirit of wisdom from Joshua to Moses. Since Moses was not going into the promised land with the people he had been leading for 40 years, he needed a replacement filled with the same wisdom God had endowed Moses with. Joshua was chosen the next leader. He was one of only 3 men to survive those 40 years (Caleb and Moses being the other two). This laying on of hands was done in front of the whole nation to let them know God had appointed Joshua their new leader.
In the New Testament, there are different uses for the laying on of hands as well. This practice was used by Jesus and His disciples as well as Paul. If they all thought it was important, we should take heed to its usage and practice our prayer in the same way.
Mark 10:16
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
The children had come to Jesus because they loved Him and wanted to be near Him. As they came near, Jesus stretched out His hand, placed it on each one’s head, and gave them a blessing. We see this same thing in the Old testament when Jacob blessed his sons. The laying on of hands is a way to show your favor on someone and bless them. If given by someone in authority, it can signify separating them for service, much as the story above with Joshua. This can be a very powerful and meaningful time when entered into with the proper spiritual attitude of worship.
40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
This verse tells us that everyone who was sick and diseased was brought to Jesus. When He laid His hands on them all of them were healed. I can’t imagine how many people were there but there must have been a lot. His touch is a powerful thing. We still crave His touch today. We seek to be touched by the Holy Spirit when we worship and when we pray. I personally have felt His touch quite often. It’s hard to described to someone who has never experienced it. It feels as if He is in the room with us. Powerful times in the Lord arrive when He is present.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Jesus, in some of His last words before leaving the disciples, told them that the laying on of hands to heal the sick would follow those who believe in Him. Thus we see in Acts several cases where the disciples and Paul laid their hands on people to bring healing to them. Here are a couple of verses.
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Here we see the gift of the Holy Ghost is given by the laying on of hands. Again this is a transference from one person to another just like it was in the Old Testament. There’s a lot of power that comes with the laying on of hands.
8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
Paul laid his hands on the father of Publius and he was he healed. Once again, we see this method used to bring healing.
1 Timothy 4:14
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
2 Timothy 1:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
In both first and second Timothy it is mentioned that Timothy received his gifts from the laying on of hands. This is the transference of power we have talked about before.
When we ask people to lay their hands on us to pray there are two things that take place. First of all it’s a way for them to associate with what we’re going through. In a way it puts them in our place and they can pray effectively for us because they are right where we are. It also gives us encouragement that somebody is praying for us. The second thing is it signifies a transference of power from them to us. It allows the Holy Spirit to work through them in our lives. It may be a prayer for healing, or finances or for a spiritual need in my life. Whatever the prayer it is strengthened by the laying on of hands.
My best friend lost his cherished Rottweiler Bear in December of 2017. He was devastated and we all encouraged him to get a new dog soon. Keep in mind this man is a two time combat vet who was devoted to this dog, and the dog was devoted to him. They were inseparable. He was in a part a therapy dog for him. So losing this dog was heart wrenching and almost took his own life. Also keep in mind that he is a mighty prayer warrior, and has carried me through my cancer battle throughout 2016 and 2017. He knows the power of prayer. We agreed that another dog would be supplied, and prayed in Jesus name that God would bring the right dog for him.
He was so distraught that he did not even want to try and look up Rottweiler breeders own his own. He asked me to do that, so I proceeded to weed through the hundreds that came up in a search. I gave him 4 websites to go to and they happened to be some of the best Rottweiler breeders in the country. At the time, we rejoiced because God had led me to the exact place for him to find a new dog He said it seemed perfect, but he had a check in his spirit about it, so he waited. And he waited. And he waited, still praying for the dog to come.
Almost 6 months to the day of Bear’s demise, he called me and said he saw an add in his local paper for pure-bread Rottweilers. . He called the man and it turned out to be the very man who had sold him Bear almost 14 years earlier. As they talked, my friend discovered that the one male he had was Bears grandson! Of course he purchased that dog! We together marveled at God’s extreme mercy, and I told him I was so proud of him for waiting and listening to God. Even in his deep grief, he heard the voice of God. The prayer of 6 months earlier came through because he was willing to wait and listen. That to me is faith in action!
never get discouraged when your prayer is not answered immediately. God has a plan in mind,m and it will always be for your best. There are many times we will have to wait on an answer. Waiting is the “Knock” in the A.S,K, Principle. Jesus said knock, and it shall be open. We need to knock until it is open. I am always willing to wait, because I trust Him.
How about you?
God's Maintenance Man 