As we all know prayer is a powerful weapon.
In fact, the Scriptures tell us in the Book of James that the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Yet it seems that so much of our prayer life seems to produce so little fruit.
Does God has a hearing problem or is there another issue that is at work?
We often hear our friends talk about the “power of prayer” yet if prayer is so powerful why is it that so many of our prayers seem to go unanswered? Does God have a hearing problem or is there something else at work?
The poison pill to prayer is doubt. In fact, it is often the blanket that smothers the flame. It exposes a heart issue. As my mother used to tell me regarding difficult challenges in my life, “it seems as if your heart isn’t really in to what you are doing.” Half-hearted I think they call that.
Without heart, much of our prayer life is simply empty words. “Vain babblings” is what the Scriptures call it. The question we must ask ourselves when we petition the Lord with prayer is do you truly believe that God answers our prayers?
Often our prayers aren’t answered because they are overridden by our tongue. “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks,” Luke 6 tells us. Do you really believe that God answers prayer or is your prayer life simply nothing more than “a wing and a prayer.” Simply stated, prayer without conviction is often powerless.
There is nothing magical about prayer. There is no true “formula” for how to pray. According to wikipedia “prayer is an invocation or act that wishes to activate a rapport with a deity.” Pretty bland, wouldn’t you agree? Prayer is much more than trying to find a support line to Jesus. Prayer is the electrical wires that activate your faith and bring the favor of God into a situation.
God answers prayer. Sometimes it is YES, but often it is NO. As much as we hate to admit it, NO is an answered prayer. It requires trust and belief in the sovereignty of God. As the Country star Garth Brooks famously sang, “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayer.” That goes to sovereignty of God. ( “Can anybody out there say AMEN!!)
As a loving Father I would do anything for one of my children or grandchildren, but there are often times when I simply have to say NO. Because I see a little deeper into their situation I understand that granting that request may not be best. Simply wanting and asking is not enough to move the heart of an earthly father, why would we expect God to grant every one of our prayers simply because He loves us? Love protects. Sometimes The Lord loves us so much He has to say NO!!
But an equally disqualifying issue regarding answered prayer could be the simple fact that we are not able to control our own tongue.
The Bible teaches us that FAITH has substance. The dictionary defines “substance” as “Something real, not imaginary; something solid, not empty.” In a funny sort of way, doubt is a form of faith. It is simply something that drains the energy that faith created.
Remember, your heart has a voice. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” In simple terms, saying you believe something is not the same as actually believing it. Eventually, your heart exposes what you really believe. How often do you find yourself speaking doubt over a situation that you have “faithfully” turned over to God.
No matter how much one BELIEVES and prays over, doubt is the deadly antidote to faith. Doubt quenches the embers of faith.
The Bible tells us that God “wills above all things that you may prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers.” Your soul is made up of your MIND, WILL and EMOTIONS. Often the blocking of God’s will in our lives is simply the poison of unbelief. That is why He tells us to “take captive every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” Doubt destroys faith…and without faith it is impossible to please God.
So here are a few tips to help you on your Spiritual journey. God always answers prayer and sometimes it is NO!
My personal walk has been great enhanced by Habakkuk 2. “Write the vision, and make it plain upon the tables, that He my run who readeth it. For the vision is yet for an APPOINTED time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie…for the just shall live by faith.”
Suggestion. WRITE DOWN whatever it is you are praying for. Stick it on you refrigerator or your bathroom mirror. Continue to remind the Lord of your vision and your trust in HIS faithfulness. This is a powerful force against doubt. As the old saying goes, don’t tell God about your problem, tell your problem about God! SPEAK TO THAT MOUNTAIN. Don’t “WOE IS ME” your faith! Remember…Faith has substance!! Without it, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God. Water your faith with prayer
A reminder. The scriptures teach us “that a double-minded man is unstable in all His ways, let him expect nothing from God.”
Write it down. Speak it! As the Romans 4 tell us, WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED HE IS ABLE ALSO TO PERFORM.
Speak life, not death. Speak hope, not doubt. Nothing moves the heart of God more than the FAITH of one of His children.
Write it down. Speak it. Believe it. Trust God to do HIS part.
