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And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
(Matt. 15:22)
This woman's daughter was possessed by a devil, so she approached Jesus for help.

Do you know what it's like to live in a house with someone who is possessed with devils? It isn't pleasant. I don't care how much you love that person from the natural standpoint, it still isn't pleasant.

When you love Jesus and want to give your life to Him, it isn't pleasant to hear someone close to you curse God and act like the devil himself.

This woman who approached Jesus knew exactly what that was like. She cried out, "Have mercy on me, O Lord; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil."

Verse 23 says, "But he answered her not a word."

Jesus wouldn't even talk to her!

Does that surprise you?

Don't you think that was a very humble way for her to approach the Lord? She came crying to Him, but He wouldn't even talk to her. He wouldn't pay any attention to her. Why?

Because her motives were wrong.

She was crying, "Have mercy on me, Lord," not, "Have mercy on my daughter."

Jesus looked on her heart as she cried. "Have mercy on me, Lord. I'm living in torment because my daughter is vexed with a devil."

Jesus didn't answer. He wouldn't even talk to her. What does the Bible say He did?

He answered her not a word. In everyday language, that means He wasn't even talking to her. She was praying selfishly and Jesus wouldn't listen to her.

Let me ask you a question: Are you a parent with a wayward child—a child who doesn't know the Lord?

Here Jesus gives you the secret to getting your child back in tune with Him. Now if you don't do it, it won't be Jesus' fault. It won't be anybody's fault but yours.

You have probably spent many hours praying for your child. When he first started going against your teachings, I'm sure you felt like all the blood had been drained out of your body. You probably felt like a failure.

I know how you felt because I've been there. Sometimes you really feel sorry for yourself.

The only reason your child is wayward is because of the power of the devil. The only reason your child is like that is because the devil has tempted him and led him astray. It doesn't make any difference whether he is involved in drinking or dope or sex.

In any case, the devil has taken over and caused your child to be separated from God.

You've prayed and cried and wept. You can't understand why God won't answer your prayers. Why won't He answer? Maybe your motive is wrong.

When you ask Jesus for something selfishly—if you have only yourself in mind when you pray—He won't give it to you.

Maybe you are living in torment. Maybe you are being buffeted by something and want to be released from it. When you pray, God looks inside you and sees your heart. It is no trouble for Him to look inside you; He made every part of you.

He is interested in you, and He knows whether or not you are interested in making Him your God.

Source: How To Get Your Prayers Answered by Norvel Hayes
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers

Author Biography

Norvel Hayes
Web site: Norvel Hayes Ministries
 
Norvel Hayes is a successful businessman, internationally renowned Bible teacher, and founder of several Christian ministries in the United States and abroad.
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