Saving Souls

Have childlike faith. The third story in Luke 18 that tells us how to get our prayers answered is the story of the little children who went to see Jesus (vv. 15-17). Apparently someone had tried to shoo them away, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Then He declared, “Anyone who doesn’t have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God” (vv. 16-17 NLT).

Have you noticed how willing children are to believe you when you tell them something? That’s the attitude Jesus wants us to have concerning His Word. He wants us to believe what He says. If you want your prayers answered, have childlike faith in God and take Him at His word.

Be a giver. Verses 18-30 tell the story of the rich young ruler who asked Jesus, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus told him, “Obey the commandments.” The man said, “I’ve done that since I was a boy.” Jesus then said, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Learn to be a giver.” The man went away sorrowful because his heart was attached to his money.

God wants you to put your trust in Him, not in your possessions. He wants to be your Source for what you need. One of the best ways I know to get your needs met is to sow a seed to God. When you give of yourself—your prayers, time, compassion, money, whatever you have to give—God can begin to open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that you won’t have room enough to receive it (Malachi 3:10-11). If you want to get your prayers answered, learn to be a giver!