Countless times, I have heard people in frustration explain that they have lost their zeal to pray because, they “have prayed, and nothing happened.” …So, what’s the point. Here again, God’s word rings true that “my people perish for lack of knowledge, and because you have rejected my law, I have rejected you from being priests to me and I have rejected your children.” Hosea 4:6. Now that’s a profound statement. We are holy people, a royal priesthood, but if we reject God’s word, we cannot function in our inherited call as priests…lifting prayers before him to see his kingdom and his will be done on earth. Here are some things that we do, that practically nullify our prayers:
Praying Amiss – “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4: 3-4). To pray amiss, means we are praying inappropriately, outside of the guidelines and boundaries of divine communication. We must understand God is not Santa Claus. He is not obligated to fulfill our carnal desires just because we ask. It is only when we pray according to his will, that our prayers are answered. How do you know his will? Read your Bible!
Prayers that Violate God’s Will – Many individuals consistently ask God to do things that are directly contrary to his will. God is not going to bless you with someone else’s spouse, hurt someone for you, promote unfaithful character, or anything else that is self-centered, narcissistic or self-seeking. He cannot violate his own nature of holiness and love, to accommodate our sin and selfishness.
Prayers from those Who Violate His Law – “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination” (Proverbs 28:9). We cannot expect to live in blatant disobedience and rebellion and then pray when we are in need and expect God to answer. The Lord answers those who fear him. Those who walk upright before him. Too many Christians live extremely carnal lives and expect spiritual breakthrough in times of need. Not going to happen!
Prayers that are Fear Based – “He who comes to the Lord, must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). God does not operate in the realm of fear. He only operates in the realm of faith. Faith is simply believing according to his word instead of according to what we see. Prayers that are restricted to the senses often limit God and do not invoke his power in our lives.
Prayers that are Vindictive – “And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends” (Job 42:10). Vengeance belongs to the Lord. Our responsibility is to love those who hurt us. Learn to forgive and release. Vindictive prayers open the doors of our hearts to deeper bitterness, anger and unforgiveness. God is totally not in that and will not answer.
Hypocritical Prayers - “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:5-6). It doesn’t matter how eloquent one prays. What matters is the heart. Many people sound deep when they pray, but their prayers do not go beyond the ceiling. People may be impressed, but God looks at the heart. The heart is what He is after. The heart is what moves him. If we sound deep but have a shallow relationship, we sabotage our own prayers. If we pray to be seen or heard, then God backs off. He hears the prayer of the humble. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12