Relational Prayer that gets Answers vs. the Vending Machine God

To be discussed:

Asking vs. Obedience.

Faith speakers emphasize asking. The Bible emphasizes obedience=love.

There is a context for answered prayer in Scripture:

1. Relationship with God
2. Faith according to your understanding of the Word and the Holy Spirit's illumination

Relationship:

Kingdom-mindedness in Matt 7:7-11

Abiding in the Vine John 15, 16

Understanding and knowing God like Elijah in James 5

When it comes to healing, if God does not get the credit, divine healing rarely occurs. There is truth to the saying that "Man's extremity is God's opportunity".

"Be it done according to your faith". Does your reading of Scripture lead you to importunate prayer with God like David did for his son's life? or does it lead you to resign and accept whatever God has dispensed your way? "Be it done according to your faith".

Other related topics:

• God's "Trial-and-Error" Attempts to Create a People of Faith for His Kingdom
• Covenant-Relationship Theology in a Nutshell
• Relational Theology Makes Prayer Meaningful
• Relational Prayer that gets Answers vs. the Vending Machine God
• Prayer that God does NOT answer, NORMALLY
• The concept of Faith from a Relational/Biblical Perspective
• Relational Theology Makes Evangelism Meaningful and Critical
• Relational Theology Makes Finding God's Will a Meaningful and Useful Experience