What Are The Purpose Of Prayer?.
Types of Prayer
And this is the confidence which we have before Him. that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
—1 John 5:14
Effective prayer begins with recognizing that you are entering into the very presence of God for the purpose of building relationship with Him. And relationships that work are built with praise, gratitude, honesty, trust, forgiveness and intimacy. In other words, they are motivated by love. Therefore, the way that you pray should reflect these same relational elements.
As you read through the following pages and study the various types of prayer, remember that your time with God is about relationship. Resist the temptation to become ritualistic and focus instead on your love for Him.
Praise and Thanksgiving
Praise and thanksgiving open our hearts and cause joy to well up in our spirits. The Word tells us that praise and thanksgiving are Kingdom keys that open the doors to His courts, allowing us to enter into His presence:
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name (Ps. 100:4).
As you enter into praise, meditate on the provision the Lord has made for you through the blood of Jesus. His blood allows you to walk today in the new covenant (see Heb. 10:19; 12:24).
Praise God for Who He Is!
The source of praise is the Holy Spirit activating your spirit to express approval and adoration for God's greatness. As you read through the Scriptures, keep a list of the qualities that you discover about Him: His mercy. His faithfulness, His patience, His everlasting love. Praise Him for His character. Develop the habit of praise during your prayer time.
O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Thy praise (Ps. 51:15).
Seven times a day I praise Thee, because of Thy righteous ordinances (Ps. 119:164).
As you begin to praise and extol the Lord, your spirit rises up within you to increase your understanding of who He is. Your soul is also strengthened in the process of praise because praise causes faith to grow, and as it grows, you suddenly realize that nothing is too difficult for Him (see Jer. 32:17).
Thank Him for What He Has Done and Will Continue to Do
Thanksgiving awakens your love toward God as you acknowledge that you are His child Thank Him that He gives you every good and perfect gift (see Jas. 1:17). Respond with joy to His benefits showered on you as His heir.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Prov. 3:6).
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? To Thee I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the name of the Lord (Ps. 116:12.17).
An attitude of gratitude washes away negativity and purifies your soul.
Praise Application:
With these thoughts, begin to praise and thank Him. Express your love and adoration for Him. Acknowledge His attributes through His different names. (See "The Names of God," chapter 9.)
The following are seven Hebrew expressions of praise from the Old Testament:
- Towdah: Sacrifice of thanksgiving or praise; to render thanksgiving or praise. (See Pss. 42:4; 100:4.)
- Yadah: To throw, thrust or cast away from, hands outward, to throw hands into the air. (See Pss. 67:3; 107:8, 15,21.31.)
- Barak: To bless, to give thanks and praise to God because He has given out of His abundance; bless as an act of adoration, to kneel. (See Pss. 31:21; 63:4; 95:6.)
- Halal: To make a show or boast, to be clamorously foolish, to go about in a raging or raving way, to dance, to celebrate. (See Pss. 56:4; 150.1,2.)
- Zamar: To celebrate with instruments, to praise the Lord skillfully on an instrument, to touch strings with the fingers. (See Pss. 21:13; 33:2; 98:4.)
- Tehillah: An imperative summons to praise Jehovah. A psalm or a hymn, by choirs, with dancing and expressive speaking; festal jubilation. (See Pss. 22:3.25; 33:1; 35:28.)
- Shabach: Praise, comment; adoration toward the power, glory and sanctity of the Lord. Praise God for His mighty acts and deeds. To triumph in a loud voice. (See Pss. 63:3,4; 117:1; 147:12.)
A joyful way to start a prayer time is to choose a psalm or several verses from the Bible and read each expression of praise out loud. This will energize your spirit Psalms 145—150 are especially good because they exalt God for His goodness, love, power, holiness, wisdom, greatness, glory and majesty.
Start with Psalm 145:1-7:
I will extol Thee, my God, O King; and I will bless Thy name forever and ever. Every day I will bless Thee, and I will praise Thy name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty, and on Thy wonderful works, I will meditate. And men shall speak of the power of Thine awesome acts; and I will tell of Thy greatness...and shall shout joyfully of Thy righteousness.
Thanksgiving Application:
The following is an adaptation of Psalm 136. It is an effective tool for motivating you in thanksgiving toward the Lord.
I give thanks to You, Lord, for (name a person). Your lovingkindness is everlasting. I give thanks to You, Lord, who has given (list a material blessing). Your lovingkindness is everlasting. I give thanks to You, Lord, who has given (list a spiritual blessing). Your lovingkindness is everlasting. I give thanks to You, Lord, who has heard my prayer for (list something you are asking for). Your lovingkindness is everlasting. I give thanks to You, Lord, who has answered my prayer for (you fill in). Your lovingkindness is everlasting. I give thanks to You, Lord, who has (you fill in). Your lovingkindness is everlasting. I give thanks to You, Lord, who has (you fill in). Your lovingkindness is everlasting. I give thanks to You, Lord, who has (you fill in). Your lovingkindness is everlasting. I give thanks to You, Lord, who has (you fill in). Your lovingkindness is everlasting.
Confession and Forgiveness
Confession and forgiveness are the appropriate responses to the holiness of God. You must set your will to have a pure, undivided heart and a right attitude toward every person, including the Lord God. This is a prerequisite to effective intercession!
You can confess your sins for hours on end, but confession is not complete unless it is coupled with forgiveness. "Confession" means "to acknowledge or disclose something damaging or inconvenient to one's self; to acknowledge or admit something." "Forgiveness" means "to excuse a fault or offense; to pardon; to relinquish anger, resentment or bitterness against a person; to absolve from payment of"
So you see, one is not complete without the other. After confession and forgiveness, you must go one step further and receive the provisions God has granted you through His Word, such as healing, peace and prosperity. Many people confess and forgive, but they make the mistake of not receiving God's special promises because they feel unworthy. This is a false concept. God's promises are a special gift to you.
Learn to be a good receiver. Receiving means to acquire or take something offered or given. Receiving requires action on your part. Quote God's promises aloud and accept them by faith, not relying on your feelings or emotions.
Through this process of confession and forgiveness you are restored to fellowship. Praise the Lord for His blood which ransoms you and pays your debt.
Now let's discuss both confession and forgiveness separately:
Confession
Read the following Scripture carefully:
Behold, the Lord's hand is not so short that it cannot save; neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear (Isa. 59:1,2).
Did you notice that iniquities can cause your prayers to go unheard? Confession must take place before you enter into intercession or petition so that your prayers are pleasing to God's ears.
You cannot be purified in your own power and strength. But God provides the Holy Spirit to shine on your sins so you can confess them. During your prayer time, pause and ask the Holy Spirit if there is any matter that needs to be confessed Then respond to Him with your answer.
Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart. For Thy lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Thy truth (Ps. 26:2,3).
Once an area of darkness has been brought to the light of God's Word and repented of, don't look back. When a sin has been dealt with, know that the power of Jesus' blood covers it and the Lord refuses to remember it. Don't try to bring up past sins that have already been covered by the blood. The Lord has buried them in the depths of the sea and they are forgotten. Meditate instead on the following Scriptures:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery (Gal. 5:1l).
If we say that we fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:6,7).
He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea (Mic. 7:19).
Be aware of Satan's tactics to bring you into condemnation or guilt by reminding you of past sins. Through introspection, he desires that you keep your mind centered on yourself and away from praying, praising and pulling down his strongholds. The battleground is your mind:
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete (2 Cor. 10:4-6).
We must choose to let God's peace guard our hearts and minds daily through Jesus Christ to prevent this struggle. If our hearts condemn us, then we cannot ask in faith. We are double minded and cannot pray in confidence (see Jas. I:6). Peace of mind comes by continual prayer:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6,7).
When confessing your sins, know that you need not have an emotional experience to be forgiven. First ask; then accept by faith in God's Word that He will do exactly as He says...that He is "faithful and just" to forgive you (1 John 1:9. KJV).
Forgiveness
Unforgiveness breaks your full communication with the Lord. It desensitizes you to spiritual things.
When you ask forgiveness for yourself and those who have sinned against you, you will be set free and able to walk in right relationship with God and man. Forgiveness also frees the other person, or changes the circumstances that are causing the problem. It allows the Holy Spirit to do His job, which is to bring conviction about the sin so righteousness can be restored.
If you are having a problem forgiving someone, determine to obey God's Word and refuse to be guided by your feelings. Do not let pride keep you from having a right relationship with God Lay down your hurts, selfrighteous attitude and hostilities. Forgive the person who has wronged you. no matter how unjust the offense may be. You will then experience a release in your spirit, and your feelings will begin to follow. Your fellowship with the Lord will then be restored.
There are three areas of unforgiveness:
1.Unforgiveness toward people who have hurt or offended you.
2.Unforgiveness toward God because in your perception He did not intervene on your behalf in the way you wanted Him to.
3. Unforgiveness toward yourself for situations you have experienced or participated in that cause you hurt, guilt, condemnation, worry, frustration, pity or shame.
God's Word says, "For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions" (Matt. 6:14,15). I have discovered that most people find it fairly easy to forgive others, very difficult to forgive God. and almost impossible to forgive themselves. Total forgiveness, however, is essential to your effective praying.
Make a decision every morning that you will walk in forgiveness throughout the day. Do not wait until you get into a confrontation and then try to forgive the person who has wronged you. Choose to forgive others as God has forgiven you, and do it at the time of the offense, just as Jesus did (see Luke 23:34).
Forgiveness in itself is not enough; you must also repent To repent is to feel such regret or remorse that you turn away from your thoughts or actions and release others from any bondage you or they hold Unless this is done, you will never be free. Forgiveness and repentance go hand in hand (see Prov. 28:13; Matt. 3:6,8). When we say that we have forgiven, but we are still holding on to wrong attitudes, we rebel against God.
When our daughter Peggy was about four years old, she misbehaved at the dinner table while we were entertaining guests. So my husband, Floyd, escorted Peggy to her bedroom. As he was closing the door to her room, Floyd said, "When you're sorry, Peggy, you can come out."
Sometimes we only forgive enough to keep an open door, but we don't put the ax to the root of unforgiveness.
A few minutes later the door opened, but Peggy remained in her room. Floyd waited a little bit longer, but she didn't budge. Finally he went into her room and sat beside her on the bed. "Peggy," he asked, "are you sorry enough to come out now?"
She crossed her arms tightly across her chest and replied, "Nope! I'm only sorry enough to have the door open." Sometimes we, like Peggy, only forgive enough to keep an open door, but we don't put the ax to the root of unforgiveness.
Often the cause of a person's physical or emotional weakness can be traced to unforgiveness and unrepentance. This does not mean all suffering from ailments is because of unforgiveness. But forgiveness and repentance can release the healing power of God in you and in others.
Forgiveness, like confession, does not have to be an emotional experience. It is simply an "act of your will," responding to the Word of God by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Once you have forgiven others or God or yourself know that the Lord is faithful and righteous to forgive you of your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (see 1 John 1:9). Do not depend on your own understanding; trust the Lord for His Word is true.
If your mind's attention is repeatedly drawn in a negative way to a person you have chosen to forgive, take authority over your thoughts. Command your mind, in Jesus' name, to dwell on thoughts that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, excellent and worthy of praise (see Phil. 4:8,9). Order the enemy to be silent, and cut off the power to your old memory circuits by refusing to listen to the devil's voice. Change direction by believing what God's Word says. It is helpful to quote Scripture verses aloud until you have the victory. You can also begin to thank the Lord for the positive qualities He has placed in that person and in the situation; pray God's blessing upon these positive areas.
Confession and Forgiveness Application:
Are you ready to be clean? Take time to allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart before God; ask Him to show you your heart. Don't search your own heart with your natural mind; you must perceive your own heart by the Holy Spirit. As you accept the Lord's cleansing and forgiveness, ask Him to refill you with the Holy Spirit.
The following are Scripture-based prayers of confession and forgiveness to help you when you pray:
Prayer of Confession
Father. I thank You for the blood of Jesus that cleanses me from all my sin. I come before You in the name of Jesus and ask to be restored to a right relationship with You and my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Father, Your Word says that if I confess my sin, You are faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I come into Your presence to confess my sin of _______________________, knowing that I can draw near to You with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having my heart sprinkled from an evil conscience and my body washed with the pure water of Your Word.
Be gracious to me. Father. Blot out my transgression of ________________. Wash me thoroughly from this iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. It is only against You, Lord, that I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight. I ask Your forgiveness.
I now rejoice, not that I was made sorrowful, but that I was made sorrowful to the point of repentance. My repentance, according to Your will, leads me to eternal life in You. I receive Your abundant life where I was dead in sin. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. And whom the Son sets free shall be free indeed. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that were against me, which was contrary to me, You took it out of the way by taking it to Your Cross. I choose now to walk under this new covenant of liberty in Your Spirit life.
Father. I thank You that You have blotted out my sin(s), and as far as the east is from the west is how far You have removed them from me. I declare that this day my sin will be remembered no more, and if Satan brings it up again, he will have to deal with You.
(See 1 John 1:7,9; 5:6-9; Heb. 10:22; Pss. 51:1-4; 103:12; Col. 2:14; Rom. 4:7; 8:2; John 5:24; 8:32; 2 Cor. 3:6; 7:9-19; Ezek. 18:11; 33:16.)
Prayer of Forgiveness
Father, I come before Your throne with a heavy heart because (person or persons) has offended me and I have unforgiveness. I know unforgiveness is contrary to Your Word. Because of this, I have been tormented in my mind and emotions. This has created a binding tie between me and (person or persons).
Therefore, I ask, rather, that You forgive my sins of ______________________. and I also forgive (person or persons) as You have forgiven me I repent and let go of all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, animosity and malice. I receive my forgiveness in Jesus' name and by His precious blood.
Thank You, Father, for setting (person or persons) and me free from all mental and emotional torment. I will not give the devil an opportunity. I will guard my mouth and let no unwholesome word come forth concerning (person or persons). I will speak words of life, power, health and healing. I will not grieve the Holy Spirit. I will be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving other people as You have forgiven me. I will not return evil for evil, or insult for insult, but I will speak words of blessing upon (person or persons).
I will walk in a manner worthy of You, Lord. I will determine to please You in all my actions and thoughts. I will bear fruit in every good work because I am a doer of Your Word and not a hearer only.
In Jesus' name, I command freedom to my body, soul, spirit, family and finances, because I am no longer under the curse of the law but have received my liberty.
I ask that the Holy Spirit rule in my life, bearing fruit to please You. Today I put off my old nature and put on Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
By a choice of my will. I make a fresh commitment to You, Lord, that I will live in peace with the saints and with my friends, coworkers, neighbors and family.
(See Isa. 59:1,2; Mark 11:25; Matt. 6:12,14,15; 18:21-35; 1 Pet. 2:1,2; 1 John 1:6,7; Eph. 4:25-32; 1 Pet. 3:8-12; Col. 1:10; 3:10; Jas. 1:22,25; Gal. 3:13,14; 5:22,23; Rom. 12:10,16-18; Phil. 2:2.)
Intercession
Jesus, your great high priest, provided the example of how to intercede when He was on earth, and assured you that He continues to intercede even now in heaven (see Heb. 7:25). Therefore, when you intercede, you are following His example. The Bible tells you to intercede, and explains why in 1 Timothy 2:
First of all. then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior (vv. 1-3).
The initiative for intercession comes from God! As an intercessor, you must be sensitive and responsive to the direction of prayer the Holy Spirit places on your heart. When Abraham was interceding for the city of Sodom, God said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?" (Gen. 18:17). Abraham was trying to save the whole city, not just Lot and his family. God communed with Abraham as a friend.
Intercession has been described as a love response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit for an urgent need. It can be a very simple cry to the Lord for someone you love. All His children are called to participate in this kind of prayer. In Galatians 6:2 we read, "Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ." God is pleased when you are a burden-bearer for others, coming in intercession on their behalf.
Daniel 10 records an instance when Daniel received a message from God concerning a great conflict between the angelic hosts. The Hebrew word translated "message" is sometimes translated "burden." Often when God gives you a message or a word, there is a heaviness or a burden placed upon you to pray that word into action. Sometimes the directive will be to pray the Word of God. At other times you may be led to do warfare against the enemy forces. Sometimes intercession may cause an anguish of heart, or a wrestling within your spirit.
You must be available to receive a prayer message or prayer burden from God. And when the Lord reveals His secrets to you in this way, it is a holy trust; do not take the matter lightly. If you feel the power of the Holy Spirit moving within your heart, be obedient to cry out to God on behalf of a spiritual leader, a nation or an individual as the Spirit brings names and places to your mind. Effective prayer requires availability, sensitivity and obedience.
Another admonition to intercede is found in 2 Chronicles 7:13-15:
If...My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now My eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.
How do you know what to pray for? The Scriptures give you guidelines, and the Holy Spirit brings to you the most urgent requests.
Make me know Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art the God of my salvation; for Thee I wait all the day (Ps. 25:4,5).
The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant (Ps. 25:14).
Begin by asking:
- Lord, what do You want me to pray for this person today?
- What is on Your heart?
- What is the most pressing need?
- How do You want me to intercede?
You may wonder. How will I know if the Holy Spirit is calling me to pray! The Holy Spirit will show you by words, messages or thoughts that stir your spirit. Sometimes these stirrings will totally surprise you. (See "Hearing God's Voice," chapter 4.)
The following are ways to identify a call to pray:
- The Holy Spirit brings to mind a face, a name, a family, a church, a situation, a nation or a scene.
- God places a practical need upon your heart; perhaps one you have observed or heard expressed in everyday conversation. (Examples: A friend calls requesting prayer; the news media alerts you to a current event; you can't get someone off your mind, etc.)
- Something you witness—such as a car accident, a passing ambulance, a person in obvious need, someone being abused, or a crime taking place—prompts you to pray.
Remember, intercession generally begins and is ended by God. After He gives you a subject or topic to pray about, continue to pray until you feel He wants you to move on to something else. Continue to follow His leading.
Don't be surprised if occasionally you experience something unusual or unexpected, such as laughter, groans, weeping or travailing sounds. Paul admittedly prayed this way, saying, "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you" (Gal. 4:19, KJV). Though the emphasis is not on a travailing type of prayer, it does sometimes accompany deep intercession. Many times you may pray in a very authoritative manner over the principalities and powers of the evil, unseen world. The Holy Spirit will set the tone.
When the burden for prayer is lifted, you may experience other emotions, such as peace, joy accompanied with laughter, or tears. Regardless of your feelings, know that your petitions have touched the Father's heart.
Petition
Petition is humbly making a formal request or supplication (to beg or beseech) to one in authority. When petitioning, you are asking the Lord for a specific grant or benefit, earnestly entreating Him for grace, mercy and favor toward a particular need.
How do you petition the Lord?
- You are to come to the Lord in childlike faith with your specific requests, knowing how much He desires to give good gifts to His children (see Matt. 7:11; Luke 18:17; Jas. 4:3).
What are the conditions for asking?
- Make sure your petition is properly motivated and that it will glorify the Lord (see John 14:13; Jas. 4:2,3). Do not ask out of sheer selfishness.
- Ask in faith without doubting. Asking plus believing equals receiving (see Matt. 21:21.22; Mark 11:23; Heb. 3:12; Jas. 1:6).
- Ask in accordance with His will; His Word must be inside your heart (see John 15:7; Rom. 10:8-10; 1 John 3:18-22; 5:14.15).
- Abide in the true vine—Jesus. Abiding is a two-way commitment. You must hear, believe and do His Word; then the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will make their abode in you (see John 14:23; 15:1-10).
- Bear good fruit; it must also be lasting. His disciples prove to be good fruit bearers (see Matt. 7:15-27; 15:13; Luke 3:8,9; 8:14,15; John 15:2,16; Jude 12,13).
- Ask in the name of Jesus. He has given you the authority to use His name. His name has power on earth and in heaven and hell. Everything has to bow to His name (see John 14:13; 16:23b-24; Phil. 2:9,10).
What should I ask for?
- Whatsoever things you desire (see Mark 11:24; John 14:14; Phil. 4:6.).
When the Holy Spirit places a need or desire upon your heart, agree with Him, yield your will to His and begin to make your requests known to the Lord. As you pray and petition the Lord, He will birth a vision (mental impression) within your heart. This vision will always be in line with God's Word. It must not be otherwise! (See "Hearing God's Voice," chapter 4.)
Petitions must be specific requests! Hannah, the mother of Samuel, wanted a baby with all her heart, so she petitioned God for a child. Not only did Hannah petition God for a child, but she also asked specifically for a son, making an unselfish vow to give him back to God for service unto the Lord.
The Lord heard her petition, granted her request, and Hannah bore a son; then she was obedient to fulfill her vow. Hannah had lived with her need for a long time; but when she expressed that need aloud, petitioning the Lord specifically, with a pure heart, she received exactly what she asked for (see 1 Sam. 1—2).
The following are other examples of petitions:
- Jacob prayed for safety (see Gen. 32:9-12).
- King Hezekiah asked God to spare his life (see 2 Kings 20:1-11).
- Abraham's servant prayed for success in his task of finding a wife for Isaac (see Gen. 24:12-14).
- The blind man cried out to Jesus to regain his sight (see Mark 10:51).
God wants you to petition Him—to ask, to seek, to knock. He has promised that if you ask, you will receive (see Matt. 7:7,8). "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests [petitions] which we have asked from Him" (1 John 5:14,15). It is the Lord's pleasure to answer prayer. It glorifies Him to fulfill your request (John 14:13). But He wants you to do your part— to ask, to petition and to be specific in prayer.
Unanswered Prayers
I am frequently asked, "Why did my prayer go unanswered?" Quite often that means, "Why wasn't my prayer answered the way I wanted it?" or "I know God can, but why hasn't He?"
We do not have all the reasons for unanswered prayer, but we do have some of them based on the Word of God. In this section I will concentrate on 10 reasons. Often a negative statement can result in a positive answer, which is the method being used here:
- Not fellowshipping with God. Every believer is called to fellowship with God, according to 1 Corinthians 1:9. "Fellowship" means "to have companionship, partnership, communion; to simply spend time with." A "call" means "a summons, a request or an invitation." Jesus modeled this call to fellowship by going to the mountain to pray all night, especially when making major decisions (see Luke 6:12,13).
- Not praying to the Father in Jesus' name. Jesus instructed His disciples to pray in His name, a directive that is as appropriate today as it was when He first spoke it (see John 15:16). This is a simple truth, but one that not all Christians follow.
- Not asking, or asking with wrong motives. Some people believe God is too busy to hear their little prayers. But He says that whatever you ask, He hears. God wants more than your grocery list. He wants to dine with you. These truths are summed up in James 4:2,3 and Revelation 3:20.
- Not asking according to God's will God's will is learned by reading and hearing the Word of God, and spending time with Him. Salvation, for example, is explicit in God's Word. Men of God in the Bible knew His will when they prayed. Moses in Exodus 32:11-14 is a good example. Also read 1 John 5:14,15.
- Not having God's Word in you. Jesus said in John 15:7, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you." Listening to the Bible on cassette tape is an excellent way to memorize His Word, even playing it all night alongside your bed.
- Doubt and unbelief. James 1:5-8 tells you to ask God in faith without doubting. Jesus instructed His followers to believe for what they prayed so they would receive. Elijah the prophet, a man with a nature like ours, won great victories when he prayed (see 1 Kings 18), then ran from one woman when doubt set in (see 1 Kings 19).
- Losing heart or giving up. Many prayers are not answered affirmatively because someone loses heart or gives up. This is best expressed in Luke 18:1 (Amp.) when Jesus says that we "ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, give up)." In the verses following that chapter, the widow received because she kept asking.
- Not being in agreement. Jesus spoke on agreement in Matthew 18:19: "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven." The marriage agreement is the strongest on earth. Strife and contention are contrary to agreement and will hinder prayers.
- Unforgiveness. One of the strongest statements by Jesus follows what is commonly called The Lord's Prayer. In Matthew 6:14,15 He says, "For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." And did Jesus mean 490 times in Matthew 18:21,22? Consistent forgiveness means you wipe the slate clean and begin again at the count of one. God will not remember your sins when forgiveness is asked (see Isa. 43:25).
- Not giving tithes and offerings. Tithing was required in the Old Testament, and the principle of giving abundantly can be found in the New Testament—the early believers were willing to give all (see Acts 2:44-47 and 4:32-37). Jesus had much to say about giving, and the blessings that come from giving. I'm often asked, "Do we give off the gross or the net?" The answer is simple: Do you want a gross or a net blessing?
In conclusion, the following are more reasons that prayers go unanswered, which if they apply, you may want to study further:
- Disobedience (see Deut. 1:42-45; Isa. 1:19,20; Heb. 4:6);
- Prejudice and hate (see Prov. 26:24-28; 1 John 2:9-12; 3:15-22);
- Unrepented sin (see Pss. 19:12.13; 66:18; Isa. 59:1.2);
- Overindulgence or not caring for your body, which is God's temple (see Prov. 23:1-8; Luke 21:34; 1 Cor. 3:16);
- Touching (attacking) God's anointed (see 1 Sam. 26:5-11; Ps. 105:15);
- Fear (see Ps. 56:4,11; Prov. 29:25; 1 John 4:18);
- Not examining yourself before communion (see 1 Cor. 11:27-31);
- Despising God's Word (see Prov. 28:9);
- Indifference (see Prov. 1:24-28);
- Neglect of mercy (see Prov. 21:13);
- Not honoring one another (see Deut. 5:16; 1 Pet. 3:7);
- Idolatry, which is anything you worship above God (see Deut. ; Josh. 7; Ezek. 14:3);
- Speaking evil of brethren (see Gal. 5:26; Jas. 4:11; 5:9).
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