The Perplexity of Prayer James 4:3 You ask, and do not recieve, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it of your own pleasures.

1 John 3:22 KJV 1900

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Have you ever felt as if prayer was irrelevant? Has your heart tried to convince you that God does not hear you when you pray?

If God is omniscient, does that mean that prayer is futile?

These are all probably questions that you have asked or have been asked.

Prayer for all of its power and potential can be the most perplexing aspect of the Christian walk.

Why do some individuals seem to have power in prayer while others seem powerless?

The truth is that not all prayers will be answered according to our desires.

Jesus prayed for the cup to pass, Yet He still bore the sins of the world.

Luke 22:42 ESV

saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Moses prayed to see the promise land yet dies in the wilderness.

Deuteronomy 3:23–26 ESV

“And I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying, ‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours? Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.’ But the Lord was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. And the Lord said to me, ‘Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again.

Paul prayed for his thorn to be removed.

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 KJV 1900

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

David pleaded to God for the life of his son.

2 Samuel 12:16–18 ESV

David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.”

However, God took the life of his child.

James and John asked for a place of privilege in heaven. Yet, they were rebuked.

Mark 10:35–40 ESV

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

This is just a few examples of great men of the bible and even Jesus who were not granted their prayer request.

However, at other times these same individuals saw miraculous answer.

Paul witnessed great power in his ministry.

David saw God do might works by his hand.

Moses witnessed the Red Sea parted, water flow from a rock, manna and quail, and the plagues of Egypt.

While at other times the simple and outcast were granted immediate answer with the simplest of request.

The leaper that asked for healing.

The blind that asked for sight.

One primary reason for the uncertainty is that there is lack of understanding as to the purpose of prayer.

As we concluded last week, the purpose of prayer is relational to God.

One reason that we are experiencing perplexity in our prayers is that we have missed the purpose of prayer.

1 John 5:14 ESV

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

What Hinders our Prayers?

I. We are Asking Contrary to the Will of God.

A. We are asking for our own pleasure.

This is not always a negative thing. David praying for the life of his son was justified. However, a legitimate request does not guarantee an answer.

B. We are asking in ignorance.

We often pray for a desired outcome, yet our view is so limited that we often don’t know what we should pray for.

They prayers that are guaranteed are the prayers that bring glory to God and edification to His church.

Our prayers are answered when they are pleasing in His sight. IJohn 3:22 .

Paul prayed for his thorn to be removed, yet God was pleased for the thorn to remain.

II. There is Sin in our Lives.

A. Unrepented sin.

This is sin that we know we have commited yet we have attempted to hide from God rather than confess.

1 Peter 3:7 ESV

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Psalm 32:1–6 KJV 1900

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old Through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: My moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, And mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: Surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

B. Unknown sin.

These are sins that are either in our lives or in the life of the individual we are praying for. Sometimes God allows circumstances for the intent of drawing us to confession and repentance.

III. A Lack of Faith.

We can not have answered prayers when asked in sin.

Romans 14:23 KJV 1900

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Mark 9:23 ESV

And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Matthew 21:22 ESV

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Yet, it is tough to pray in faith unless we are praying according to the will of God.

How do we have faith in prayer?

We have faith when we are praying for the glory of God.

Not just that our desires will bring Him glory but rather what He desires.Our purpose as believers is to bring glory to the Father.

Just as we are not to be offended unless we are offended for Christ sake. Our prayers must be grater than us. Our prayers must be for God’s will to be done. When we pray for His will we will go from batting zero too batting a thousand.