What does Jesus say in reference to the connection between belief and the answer of prayer? Mark xi: 24. If, then, we pray for anything, not believing that we will receive it, will the prayer be answered? What does the apostle James say on the same subject? Jas. i: 5-7. What, then, is the first condition on which prayer is answered.

      What does James give as a reason why some of the prayers of his brethren were not answered? Jas. iv: 3. If we ask God for anything, merely to gratify our lusts or passions, do we ask amiss? Will such prayers be answered? What should be our purpose in asking anything from God? If he were to grant prayers which are offered for an improper purpose, would it do us good, or harm? When we think of praying for any particular thing, what ought we to ask ourselves in regard to our purpose? What, then is the second condition of the answer to prayer? Repeat what John says on this subject. I Jno. v: 14, 15. What condition is named here? 14. What is meant by "according to his will?" Ans.--According to what God knows to be best both for us and for others. Would it be right for a prayer to be answered which is not best for us and for others? What, then, is the third [72] condition of the answer to prayer? Name all three of the conditions which have thus far been mentioned.

      In what way do we learn what is God's will? Ans.--We learn it in part from the Bible, and in part from the order which God has established in nature. Should we pray for anything that is contrary to Bible teaching? Should we pray, then, for sinners to be pardoned before they are baptized? In order to always pray according to God's will, as revealed in the Bible, what knowledge is necessary?

      Would it be praying according to God's will to ask for rain without a cloud? How do you know? Is it right to pray for anything that is contrary to the established order of things? If God can give us rain and health by a miracle, would it appear easier or harder for him to give them without a miracle?

      When we pray for anything which we know its according to God's will, and which we desire for a pure purpose, can we believe that we will receive it? Are the conditions of acceptable prayer then such as we can generally comply with?

      Can you give an example of an apostolic prayer that was not answered? II Cor. xii: 7-9. When Paul found that it was not the will of God to take away the thorn, did he pray for it any longer? What did God give him in place of what he desired? 9. Was this better or worse for him? 9, 10. What then does God sometimes do, instead of granting what we wish?

[FBL 72-73]