ANSWERS TO PRAYERS AND NEEDS.

ANSWERS TO PRAYERS AND NEEDS Many people believe that after they pray and exercise faith in God, God will do the rest entirely by Himself. While God is all-powerful, the Bible shows that He often answers the prayers of His people by working through people. In everyday life, success is largely determined by two things: the head, which produces ideas, thoughts, and plans, and the body, which implements those ideas, thoughts, and plans. If the body is weak and unable to function, what's in the head is not able to become a reality. God uses this same illustration concerning Christ and His Church. Colossians 1:18 "And he is the head of the body, the church..." Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, and believers are His Body. For God to intervene fully and effectively in the affairs of mankind, especially on behalf of believers, He has communicated through Jesus Christ who is the Head, His thoughts, ideas, and plans. Those plans are for the good of all believers and indeed all people. The Bible clearly shows that Christ desires the very best for every believer. John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." The Apostle John, who understood the mind of Christ, also wrote: 3 John 1:2 "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." (NIV) Although God desires the best for His people, we know that many believers are not experiencing the fullness of His blessings. This brings us to the human factor. Human beings are God's agents on earth. When people are not aligned with the mind and will of God, God's work among mankind becomes greatly hindered. Throughout Scripture, God consistently worked through willing human beings. When Israel cried out in bondage, God raised up Moses. When Israel was oppressed by the Midianites, God raised up courageous Gideon. For the salvation of the world, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ. God's pattern is to work through people. Most human needs are supplied through human hands. Food is planted, harvested, and distributed by people - The one who does not have it can get it through people unless there happens the " Manna" miracle. Clothes are designed and made by people - One in need of them will get them from people. Land is owned, managed, and transferred by people. Money is earned, handled, and distributed, or given by people. Justice and fairness is administered by people. Employment is created and administered by people. Therefore, in many situations, God answers prayer by moving the hearts of people to become part of His solution. Jesus taught that believers should pray for God's rule to be established on earth. Matthew 6:10–12 "10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." (NIV) God's will is accomplished on earth when people obey Him and become channels of His love and provision. Jesus explains the attitude, mind and will of the Kingdom - That kindness and support be extended to all by all. Matthew 5:45 "45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Jesus commanded His followers to love others and help those in need. He affirmed the greatest commandment and illustrated it through the parable of the Good Samaritan, who showed mercy to a fellow human being that he didn't know and who was not his kin or "tribe". Luke 10:25–28 "25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. 'Teacher,' he asked, 'what must I do to inherit eternal life?' 26 'What is written in the Law?' he replied. 'How do you read it?' 27 He answered, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 28 'You have answered correctly,' Jesus replied. 'Do this and you will live.'" (NIV) The words, "Do this and you will live," reveal an important principle. God often answers the prayers, cries, and desires of people for a better life through other people who obey His command to love and serve their neighbors. The Apostle Paul, who also understood the mind of Christ, explained how believers fulfill Christ's law. Galatians 6:2–3 "2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." When people think they are too important to help others, they deceive themselves. A society that neglects the weak eventually harms itself. Galatians 6:3 "If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves." Like noted in this article, God does not usually cause the things we pray for to fall directly from heaven. Instead, He supplies many of our needs as every believer faithfully does his or her part. Ephesians 4:16 "16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Paul further instructs believers: Galatians 6:10 "10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (NIV) Notice that believers often receive answers to their prayers through the love, generosity, and service of other believers. Yet our responsibility does not end with the household of faith. We are to extend God's goodness to all people so that they may see His love and glorify Him. - LET US DO GOOD TO ALL PEOPLE. This truth is also emphasized in: James 2:15–16 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? James 1:27 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Believers should care for fellow believers and all humanity. As we meet one another's needs, many people receive the desires of their hearts, and they are able to see God's intervention in their lives and give Glory to Him. Believers also carry the great responsibility of influencing the world to practice compassion, justice, kindness, and genuine care for one another. Jesus described His followers as those who influence the world for good. Matthew 5:13–14 Matthew 5:13-14 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. As believers obey Christ by loving God, loving their neighbors, carrying one another's burdens, and doing good to all people, they become the very instruments through whom God answers countless prayers and transforms the world towards doing good to all. In this way, the Church becomes the hands and feet of Christ, fulfilling His will on earth and bringing glory to God. Understanding this, I know how it is urgent for every believer and non believer alike to understand this truth. By: Rev. Elijah Mutua Kirima THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WILL OF GOD JULY 20, 2026