The Importance of Prayer and Why Prayers aren't Answered

[MahogonySnail]

On Prayer

Prayer is one of, if not the most important thing a Christian can do. The main reason we would want to pray is to know God. Another reason we would want to pray is because nothing happens without prayer. No ministry is ever accomplished without prayer. No one is saved unless someone, somewhere, has prayed for them to be saved. “We have not because we ask not” (James 4:2). It is evident in all the writings of Paul, that He was a man of prayer.

We know that Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, yet His Kingdom is not everywhere on Earth. Why? The world we live in is in rebellion to the rightful ruler, Christ Jesus. So we must pray for His Kingdom to come, and His will to be done on Earth as it is done in heaven (Matthew 6:10). God through our prayers can accomplish anything, move some mountains (Mark 11:23), change the weather, heal the sick (James 5:16-19), control wild animals (2 Ki 2:24), cast out devils (Mark 9:29), multiply food (2 Ki 4), call up whole companies of angels (Matt 26:53, 2 Ki 6:16), release prisoners from jail cells (Acts 12) and raise the dead. Yet our lack of praying can stop God from moving, and from anything happening.

God can do anything and He hears everything, but He may choose not to answer our prayer for a number of reasons.

Are we coming to God “through Jesus” ? :

Rom 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

There is only one way to come to God, by trusting in Jesus. Without Jesus we have no access to the Father. (John 14:6). Through Jesus we can come to God with full assurance of faith, full assurance that He is hearing us, trusting in Christ’s merits and righteousness not our own. (Hebrews 10:19-22). This gives us boldness and confidence in our praying.


Now that we have the assurance that we can come before God through Jesus, we can pray and ask God whatever we wish. But God will only choose to answer those prayers that are acceptable to Him. Here’s a look at some things to consider:

Are we praying according to God’s will? :

Jesus prayed “not my will but Your Will be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus knew that the human will may be opposed to God’s Will, and so hinder God from accomplishing His purposes. Prayer is about God bringing us into alignment with His will, it is not about seeing our will accomplished. Prayer is not about twisting God’s arm or manipulating Him into doing what we want or what we think should be done.

Are we praying with the right motives and attitudes?

Do we have any unforgiveness in our heart towards another? Mar 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive it so that also your Father in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Are our prayers self-centred and for things to spend on our own pleasures?
If so, God won’t answer those kinds of prayers. (Jam 4:3).

Are we praying to impress others?
If so, God won’t answer those prayers (Matt 6:5).

Are we repeating ourselves over and over thinking that God will hear our prayers because of our repetition, or many words, or even the right jargon?
God won’t answer those prayers. (Matt 6:7) Prayer must be sincere.

If our motives and attitudes are right in prayer, then God will hear us for sure and be willing to answer us. But prayer must be done in faith. If we don’t have the faith to receive our answer to prayer we’ll never see the answer.

Mar 11:24 Therefore I say to you, All things, whatever you ask, praying, believe that you shall receive them, and it will be to you.

Where is faith?

Faith is not in our mind, it is in our heart. We must not doubt in our heart that God will answer our prayer (Mar 11:23, James 1:6-7). [Note that it is possible to doubt in the mind but not in the heart, and vice versa - are you sure what you believe to be true in your mind is also rooted in your heart?] The issue is usually not that we need more faith, the issue is that we can doubt. Doubt kills faith. Faith is not just believing that God can answer. It is believing that God has answered. It is assurance and confidence in your heart with expectation, that God has answered. In other words - Believe that you have received the answer, even though you may not yet see the results.

Are we listening to God speak to us? Are we watching? “Watch and pray”, (Mark 13:33). Prayer is not just one way conversation. God speaks back to us. We need to watch God, listening for His answer or what He would want us to do, and watch ourselves that we aren’t asking amiss. Sometimes we are the answer to our own prayers, and that what we are asking God to do, God is telling us that we must do that ourselves. God will reveal that to us.

The most important thing about prayer is that we have a Helper, we don’t have to do it on our own:

The Holy Spirit helps us pray, and tells us what to pray when we have no clue. He leads us in prayer, and even intercedes for us. You have a prayer partner with you at all times and all places. (Rom 8:26, Eph 6:18).

The final and important principle is: don’t give up. If your motives are right, you have faith, and yet don’t see an answer to prayer, be fervent and persistence, keep praying and keep believing, and be thankful at all times. (1 Th 5:19, Luke 18, Col 4:2).

In prayer, we often gain an acute awareness of God’s presence. It is not because God has visited us from afar, but it’s because we too often live in our flesh, then we lose the sensitivity to God, and perhaps feel less close to Him.

A continual lifestyle of prayer can help attain and maintain a constant awareness of God's presence, leading to greater faith, and greater answers to prayer.

[MahogonySnail]

The awareness of the presence of God with us as we pray, ensures that our prayers are not a bore, a duty, or an obglication, but a never-ending conversation with the One who loves us the most.

[phil36]

A pastor once told me that, the state of your prayer life reflects the state of your soul. (or, your spiritual state).



Soli Deo Gloria

Phil

I don't see how one could be a Christian and not pray. It's like being a carpenter with no tools.

Prayer is definitely something to work on. I remember when I first began praying, I would get so distracted, or I would spend forever trying to figure out every detail of life so that I could pray for just about everything! It is true, though, that God already knows what you need before you pray for it. Still, this does not mean "Oh good, God knows what I need, so I don't have to pray!"

I firmly believe that more often than not, some of the best prayers are simple silence in the presence of God. Speak when you need to speak, say what needs to be said, but there will come a time in prayer when you will have no words to say. It is then that God might be trying to get you to listen, so be still and listen. When words seem necessary again, use them.

Be prepared for God to answer your prayers, but do not expect his answer to be what you want, but what you need. My friend told me she prayed for God to give her patience, and God did not make her life easier, but more hectic so that she could learn patience instead of have an escape from conflict. The will of God will not always be what we immediately find our joy in, but know that you will never be truly happy until you accept his will for you, so pray for the strength and desire to conform to that will at all times.

the importance of prayer is that prayer is the only way we can communicate with God,without prayer we cannot tell god our problems.
AND THESE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY SOME PRAYERS ARE NOT ANSWERED.
1.WHEN U CANNOY FORGIVE PEOPLE WHEN THEY SIN AGAINST U
2.DOUBLEMINDEDNESS,WHEN U PARY DONT HAVE DOUBLE MIND BECAUSE IT IS SAID IN THE BIBLE THAT A DOUBLE MINDED MAN GETS NOTHING GOOD FROM GOD.
AM SHEDRACH IF U NEED MORE I COULD GET FOR YOU FROM THE BIBLE.FRIEND

Originally Posted by shedrach

the importance of prayer is that prayer is the only way we can communicate with God,without prayer we cannot tell god our problems.
AND THESE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY SOME PRAYERS ARE NOT ANSWERED.
1.WHEN U CANNOY FORGIVE PEOPLE WHEN THEY SIN AGAINST U
2.DOUBLEMINDEDNESS,WHEN U PARY DONT HAVE DOUBLE MIND BECAUSE IT IS SAID IN THE BIBLE THAT A DOUBLE MINDED MAN GETS NOTHING GOOD FROM GOD.
AM SHEDRACH IF U NEED MORE I COULD GET FOR YOU FROM THE BIBLE.FRIEND

what does double minded mean?

The book of James on double minded is speaking of one that is unstable. wavering in all his ways. whichever way the wind blows( conversation goes) they will go. Not being able to trust God in a decision, lack of faith. Ex. You are praying for a certain thing and you on today trust that God will do it, then you turn around and question if He'll do it, or is there even a God that hears... unstable in all his ways is the way the Word describes this person.
The book of James on double minded is speaking of one that is unstable. wavering in all his ways. whichever way the wind blows( conversation goes) they will go. Not being able to trust God in a decision, lack of faith. Ex. You are praying for a certain thing and you on today trust that God will do it, then you turn around and question if He'll do it, or is there even a God that hears... unstable in all his ways is the way the Word describes this person. Hope this helps. GBU

Sorry I double typed the definition of double minded, lol that's kinda funny.

[Thaddaeus]

I am sorry But again I have to point out that this thread is short of the Glory Of God!!

God always answers the prayers of a righteous man, Then God will always answer the prayers of a true Christain, through Jesus, it might be that He answer is yes, no, or even maybe wait . But he always answer prayers.

[MahogonySnail]

I don't understand what you mean Pastor, "short of the Glory of God".

[loveschild]

People are waiting for God to do it all and God is waiting for the people to do. God works thr people. If we are praying and not going out and doing things for God then we are slowing it all down.

[Graybeard]

Originally Posted by MahogonySnail

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Are we repeating ourselves over and over thinking that God will hear our prayers because of our repetition, or many words, or even the right jargon?
God won’t answer those prayers. (Matt 6:7) Prayer must be sincere.


The final and important principle is: don’t give up. If your motives are right, you have faith, and yet don’t see an answer to prayer, be fervent and persistence, keep praying and keep believing, and be thankful at all times. (1 Th 5:19, Luke 18, Col 4:2).

Mahog, can you elaborate(not too much) between these two quotes, they appear to be contradictory but I know they are not.

BTW your avatars are killing me

[MahogonySnail]

hi Graybeard The first one is about vain repetition for vain glory, insincere, to be noticed by others and by men, I think that was the context when Jesus was talking about the Pharisees. The second one is genuine persistence in prayer.

[pickles]

Originally Posted by loveschild

People are waiting for God to do it all and God is waiting for the people to do. God works thr people. If we are praying and not going out and doing things for God then we are slowing it all down.

So true, thats why I like the scripture; Do not love me just in word but in deed and truth.; Well said by our Lord. God bless, pickles

[pickles]

Prayer is not just a request, but a sacrifice of praise. I have always believed that all I do in Jesus name, my thoughts, my works, my hopes, what I ask for myself and others,all that I give to Jesus is prayer. God bless, pickles

[Graybeard]

Originally Posted by MahogonySnail

hi Graybeard The first one is about vain repetition for vain glory, insincere, to be noticed by others and by men, I think that was the context when Jesus was talking about the Pharisees. The second one is genuine persistence in prayer.

I get it

[olivetree32]

hi gys, well tonight i was meditating on these verses before i came on. Jhn 14:12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Jhn 14:13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14:14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him bears much fruit for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me he is cast out as a branch and is withered and they gather them and throw them into the fire and they are burned. John 15:4-6

How can we abide if we do not communicate with the Father? Prayer brings glory to the Kingdom, breaks bondage and demolishes strongholds. So my friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, pray passionately and purposefully in accordance to His will and it shall be done. I believe in the promises of God and take that confidence to the throne. Let your lives shine loved ones and be fully confident that HE does answer our prayers.

[loveschild]

Prayer is very important. So is bible study. Learning who you are praying to. Learning about the devil who wants to kill you. Worship. God loves to be worshipped. Its all important.

[joint-heir]

I dont always pray out of neccessity
I tend to pray more focusing on the side of worship
or
others needs
WHEN a prayer seems to not be answered
I will NEVER waiver my position in GOD
for in my prayers
I tell GOD
MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE
and possibly
IT WAS NOT GODs WILL TO ANSWER THAT PRAYER
or
NOT AT THIS TIME