the essence

Our ladies Bible study meets once a month and we're currently going through the book Becoming a Woman of Prayer. Each time I go to the study I just love it! It's very encouraging & insightful. The book itself is fine but the real beauty is getting a room of woman together & hearing their insights. Even though we've read & studied the same thing I love that different people pull out different aspects of the verses.

Last night I led the study and our chapter was on God answering prayer. I so enjoyed it, not only my personal study but discussing it with the 15 other women in the room (ranging in age from their 20s to their 80s!).

I think most of us have heard that God doesn't always answer our prayers by saying "Yes" but sometimes he tell us "no, wait, or trust." However, whenever we talk about God answering prayer I think most of us mean that He said "yes" to our request! But, there's a difference between granting a request and answering a request.

I truly enjoyed this verse from Isaiah 65:24

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer, and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Phenomenal, isn't it? Before we've even presented our request to God he's answered us! And God is sovereign so even if we don't like His answer we know that it's the best answer to our request even if we don't understand why (& may not understand why until eternity).

I think this is a great description to the meaning of God's sovereignty:

If God is in control man has no right to take matters into his own hand. Even if he does, God knew ahead of time he was going to do it. Though man may question God's authority and even His existence when things are going bad, God is still in control, knows what will take place, and is bringing glory to Himself.

One very uplifting passage is Luke 22:39-46 where Jesus is in agony praying that the his upcoming death on the cross would be taken from him but he still prayed the not His will bu God's be done. And God sent an angel to strengthen Christ to do His will. What an example to us that when we feel that we can't go on God will give us His strength to do His will.

With so many women at the study last night we took about an hour to go through the chapter. In all honesty I think we could have continued much longer if we'd had the time. So, if you live in this area you should definitely join us at the study next month, it's so encouraging! And, if you don't live here but need a new group study book, check this one out!