Confident Prayer

There are a number of Christians who, with all good intentions, have argued that it evidences a lack of faith to add the qualification “if it be your will” to one’s prayer.

However, that is certainly not true since Christ Himself prayed that.

Matthew 26:39

Matthew 26:39 (NKJV)

He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

According to His Word

The question is how to know whether or not we are praying according to God’s will. One key of course, is to search the Scriptures.

God’s will can never contradict His Word, and it is foolish to ask God to do something which the Scriptures themselves forbid.

James 4:3

James 4:3 (NKJV)

You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

It’s About Him

Such passages are, in themselves, a direct indictment of the word of faith movement, which is based on our desires, our will, and rooted in the power of our words.

Productive prayer is based on God’s desires, God’s will, and rooted in the power of His Word!

When we sincerely desire God’s will to be done, and there is no biblical or personal barrier hindering our prayer, then we can pray in confidence even if we don’t yet know for certain God’s will in the matter.

But we must remember, prayer must serve God’s purpose, not ours.

Romans 8:26-28

Romans 8:26–28 (NKJV)

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose

v.15:

In order to know that He hears us and will answer, we must know what He won’t hear or answer.

God won’t hear when you:

Hide sin in your heart

Psalm 66:18

Psalm 66:18 (NKJV)

If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

Remain in sin

Isaiah 59:2

Isaiah 59:2 (NKJV)

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

John 9:31

John 9:31 (NKJV)

Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.

Forsake Him

Jeremiah 14:10-12

Jeremiah 14:10–12 (NKJV)

Thus says the Lord to this people: “Thus they have loved to wander; They have not restrained their feet. Therefore the Lord does not accept them; He will remember their iniquity now, And punish their sins.” Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for this people, for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.”

Reject God’s call

Proverbs 1:24-28

Proverbs 1:24–28 (NKJV)

Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.

Are without faith

James 1:6-7

James 1:6–7 (NKJV)

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

Are violent

Isaiah 1:15

Isaiah 1:15 (NKJV)

When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.

Worship idols

Jeremiah 11:10-11

Jeremiah 11:10–11 (NKJV)

They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers who refused to hear My words, and they have gone after other gods to serve them; the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers.” Therefore thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them.

Believers can certainly find themselves in any of these situations, thereby hindering their ability to pray. We must constantly be on guard that we may be pleasing to God.

What must be noted, is that most of those listed conditions perfectly describe the unsaved. They regard iniquity in their hearts, they remain in sin, they forsake God and reject His call, and they are without faith.

God will not answer the prayer of the unsaved. Sometimes you’ll hear the unsaved say they’ll pray for you, but it is a waste of breath.

It is just as pointless to have a muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, Jehovah’s witness, or a follower of any other false religion to pray for you.

Seek His will

God hears only the prayers of His children, and even then we must pray according to His will, that is non-negotiable.

We can; however, know God’s will by studying His Word, and following the command of :

Romans 12:1-2

Romans 12:1–2 (NKJV)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

When that is done, you are certain to eliminate any barriers to your prayer life.

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