Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: Saints: Love God For

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In the Christian tradition, the concept of answered prayer is deeply intertwined with the relationship between the believer and God. Saints, as devout followers of Christ, are often depicted as individuals whose prayers are answered due to their profound love for God. This love is not merely an emotional affection but a committed, obedient, and reverent relationship with the Creator.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate how the love for God is a critical component in the life of a believer, particularly in the context of prayer. In the Gospel of John, Jesus emphasizes the importance of love and obedience in the relationship between God and His followers: "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15). This verse underscores the idea that love for God is demonstrated through obedience, which in turn aligns the believer's will with God's will, creating a fertile ground for answered prayers.

Examples of Saints

1. David: King David is a quintessential example of a saint whose prayers were often answered due to his deep love for God. Despite his imperfections, David's heart was aligned with God, as seen in his psalms and prayers. In Psalm 18:1, David declares, "I love You, O LORD, my strength." His life reflects a pattern of seeking God's heart, which resulted in divine favor and answered prayers.

2. Daniel: The prophet Daniel is another example of a saint whose love for God was evident in his unwavering commitment to prayer, even in the face of persecution. Daniel 6:10 describes how Daniel continued to pray three times a day, giving thanks to God, despite the decree against prayer. His love and faithfulness led to miraculous deliverance and answered prayers.

3. Paul: The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, often speaks of his love for God and how it fuels his ministry and prayer life. In Romans 8:28, Paul writes, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This assurance of God's providence is rooted in the love relationship between the believer and God.

Theological Insights

Theologically, the love for God is seen as a response to God's love for humanity. 1 John 4:19 states, "We love because He first loved us." This reciprocal love relationship is foundational for understanding why and how prayers are answered. When saints love God, they align themselves with His purposes, making their prayers more effective and in harmony with His will.

Furthermore, love for God is often accompanied by a life of holiness and righteousness, which are conducive to answered prayers. James 5:16 highlights the power of righteous prayer: "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." Saints, through their love and dedication, embody this righteousness, thus experiencing the efficacy of their prayers.

Practical Application

For believers seeking to have their prayers answered, the example of the saints provides a model to emulate. Cultivating a deep love for God through worship, obedience, and devotion is essential. This love is not only the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37) but also the key to a vibrant and effective prayer life. As believers grow in their love for God, they can expect to see His hand at work in their lives, answering prayers in accordance with His perfect will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 116:1
I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

February 6. "Praying Always for all Saints" (Eph. vi. 18).
... "Praying always for all saints" (Ephesians 6 ... and after you have received a few wonderful
answers to prayer ... again to the high place of unselfish prayer for others ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /february 6 praying always for.htm

Prayer Answered, Love Nourished
... and fit to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light. ... you are now to
look back upon are the manifold and manifest answers to prayer, which God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/prayer answered love nourished.htm

Prayer --Fills Man's Poverty with God's Riches
... when we affirm that God answers prayer, and answers by giving ... by the prayers of the
soldier saints everywhere ... of deep and true vision who can administer prayer. ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/ii prayerfills mans poverty with.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... up so many prayers without receiving answers?" The apostle ... the lives of the old
Testament saints, you will ... the Scriptures, confession of sin, prayer for the ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

Prayer Perfumed with Praise
... combining thanksgiving with prayer is found in the Old Testament saints, we have ...
the mercies which you possess today, and rejoice in, are answers to prayer. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/prayer perfumed with praise.htm

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... vine, and under your own fig-tree, and talk to the poor tried saints, and say ... many
in this Church who were led to seek the Lord through answers to prayer. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm

God Seeks Intercessors
... Faith sees the intercession of the saints to be ... and glory as God, His saving love,
more abundantly. ... and to prove how actually and abundantly He answers prayer. ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xiv god seeks intercessors.htm

Love's Logic
... vouchsafes to you with himself and his blessed Son, and the answers to prayer whieh
he ... It is a road Suitable for sinners, and indeed saints must come that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/loves logic.htm

Prayer and Obedience
... are Thy ways, Thou King of saints." God's commandments, then ... Here inward fidelity
and love, together with outward ... as the reason why He answers prayer, it is to ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/ix prayer and obedience.htm

God's Sovereignty and Prayer
... the same book we are told, "The prayers of God's saints are the ... Not only does prayer
call love into action but through the direct answers vouchsafed to ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter nine gods sovereignty and.htm