Many people pray to make themselves feel better when they are down. They enjoy the sense of comfort received after they have poured out their hearts to God. While encouragement is an answer to prayer in and of itself, the purpose of prayer goes further.
Jesus tells us in John 16:24 to ask. Why? So that we can receive. Why? So that our joy can be made full.
"...but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete" (Amplified Bible).
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that gives us strength (see Nehemiah 8:10). Strength is what we need to live in this world victoriously.
Answered prayer gives us joy as we experience the love of our Heavenly Father who cares enough to hear us when we pray and to move in our lives.
We should also ask and receive so that the Father may be glorified.
"And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as] presenting all that I AM], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son" (Amplified Bible).
I remember once reading a testimony about a couple who were so low in finances they could not afford orange juice. It so happened that the wife was getting over an illness and craved the juice. As they walked down the street one day, a can of orange juice rolled towards them. The husband picked up the can and looked around to see where it came from. No one was in sight. The man turned to his wife and said, "Honey, I think this is for you."
That couple's spirit was boosted as they witnessed first hand the attention of a loving God. It proved He was with them in the midst of a difficult situation. I'm sure as they related this story to others, their hearts were boosted as well.
God doesn't want to only make you feel better when you pray. He wants to give to you your specific requests so that your joy will soar and be converted into power and strength. He wants to show Himself strong so that others can see His faithfulness.
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