Amen, Sister Dorine. We serve a God that not only loves us, but has omnipotent power. We understand that God answers our prayers in the very best way He can. We are not to doubt this, but we are to make sure we are walking in the light. And, then we know the answer will come in His time.
In today's reading we find the key to having our prayers answered.
In all that He did, Christ was co-operating with His Father. Ever He had been careful to make it evident that He did not work independently; it was by faith and prayer that He wrought His miracles. Christ desired all to know His relationship with His Father. "Father," He said, "I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me. And I knew that Thou hearest Me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me." Here the disciples and the people were to be given the most convincing evidence in regard to the relationship existing between Christ and God. They were to be shown that Christ's claim was not a deception.
After we are converted we are left here in this dark world, to be His witnesses. When we co-operate with Jesus as He did with His Father, the glory is to go to God. The people are to know it is through Christ that we live and breathe. And when we work with Jesus, the world will be given convincing evidence there is a God in heaven.
There is a stir in the silent tomb, and he who was dead stands at the door of the sepulcher. His movements are impeded by the graveclothes in which he was laid away, and Christ says to the astonished spectators, "Loose him, and let him go." Again they are shown that the human worker is to co-operate with God. Humanity is to work for humanity. Lazarus is set free, and stands before the company, not as one emaciated from disease, and with feeble, tottering limbs, but as a man in the prime of life, and in the vigor of a noble manhood. His eyes beam with intelligence and with love for his Saviour.
And what if we are not walking in the light? If we regard iniquity in our heart, God will not hear our prayers. But, if we know the character of our God, we shall not turn away from our only hope. Jesus loves us and gave Himself for us. We still have a Mediator that is calling us to Himself. Will He yet answer our prayers?
Let us place ourselves in the line of co-operation with God, making it possible for Him to answer our prayers. He has issued His promissory notes, declaring, “A new heart will I give you.” He says that He will be found of those who seek Him with the whole heart. When you lose your hold on Him, and fail of receiving the fulfilment of the promise, the bank of heaven has not failed; you have broken your covenant with God. He can not fulfil His promises while you refuse to let Him take away your transgressions, because you suppose that by disobeying Him, you have placed yourself beyond help. The Lord says, “Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.” Then cease to worry over the troubles that you so often bring upon your selves; come like a penitent child to Jesus, confessing your sins. “Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Signs of the Times, March 16, 1904.