When Prayer Won't Work

You know that you know how to pray when your prayers get answered. 

If your prayers are not getting answered, don't you think that you should learn how to pray? 

Don't you think that this is a prayer that Jesus will answer?  Lord, will you teach me to pray?

  

1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 

 

15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

 

Luke 11:1  (NKJV)

Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

Would you like to know how to pray?

Jesus couldn't do anything without first hearing from God. 

 

John 5:19 (NKJV)

Jesus speaking: ...the Son (Me) can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do...

John 5:30 (NKJV)

Jesus speaking: I can of Myself do nothing...

How did Jesus connect with His Father?

Mark 1:35 (NKJV)

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He (Jesus) went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

It was during His times of prayer. 

Matthew 6:5 (NKJV)

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites...

Pray like you talk.  

God hears you the rest of the time, so be real. 

1. Don't be a phony with God. 

You have to pray in faith in agreement with God's Word.  

2. Prayer is private and personal. 

  

Matthew 6:6 (NKJV)

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.

We don't pray for other people to observe. 

Matthew 6  (NKJV)

7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

3. Be straight forward in prayer and to the point. 

Prayer is not informing God about your situation.  

He already knows.

Remind yourself continually of who you're talking too. 

Romans 8:26 (NKJV)

26 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.

4. Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you as you pray.

We don't know how or what we should be praying for.  

We need to rely on the Holy Spirit to help us to ask for what we need to ask.  

Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV)

9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

5. Remember who you are talking in praying.   

He is your Father. 

You have a relationship with Him.

He loves you because He is your Father.  

Hebrews 4:16  (NKJV)

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Be bold.  

Be confident. 

No begging, whining, or complaining.

Hallowed be Your name.

6. Pray to God with respect. 

10 Your kingdom come.

7. Pray a God focused prayer.  

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

We don't start off with what we what.

Don't lead with your need. 

What He wants is more important than what you want. 

What we want most of all is what God wants accomplished.

He knows everything, and He loves us. 

Getting our priorities right is the key to getting our needs meet. 

Why would God provide for you as you run from Him?

God will never substitute His plan for ours because He knows best. 

     

If we are praying for the will of God to be done on earth, that means currently it's not being done. 

The kingdom of God is where He rules.

It is where people yield to Him.

2 Corinthians 4:4  (NKJV)

4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Satan at this time is ruling most of mankind.  

The earth is filled with violence and evil.   

Ultimately, God will be in control; however, right now people have a free will to obey or not.

We need to pray and look forward to the day when the earth is ruled by our Father in heaven.  

God's kingdom can increase upon the earth right now if we yield to Him  and invite others to join us.

We have yet to make a personal request to the Lord in our prayer. 

Matthew 6:33  (NKJV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

We have sought his kingdom and righteousness first in our prayers.

The primary purpose of prayer is getting our priorities right.  

  

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

8. Ask for the needs that you have right now.  

We are commanded to ask for our needs. 

Don't get hung up with piling blessings up.  

It requires more faith to not pile it up. 

God is pleased that you believe He will provide it when you need it.  

That's called faith.

Hebrews 11:6  (NKJV)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, 

for he who comes to God must believe that He is, 

and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (first). 

God is the great I Am. 

He always lives in the present.  

We are to live in the present by asking for today's needs. 

12 And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

9. We must forgive others to get our needs meet. 

Unforgiveness will prevent your faith from working because faith works through love (Galatians 5:6).

  

Unforgiveness is a big reason for prayers not being answered. 

Forgiveness is not based on feelings.  

It is based upon faith.  

It's like releasing a debt no matter how you feel.  

If we forgive, God forgives.

  

13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.

10. Pray for protection from evil.  

Jesus was lead by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted (Matthew 4:1).

Jesus told us to pray in advance for that not to happen. 

Acknowledge that you will follow God's leading in your life even in prayer.

When you get a prompting, that's God answering your prayer.   

1 Corinthians 10:13  (NKJV)

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;

but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, 

but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. 

11. We are to end our prayers with God's kingdom and reputation because that's what's important to God.

What's big to God must become big to you.  

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV)

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  

Amen.

Keith Moore, Faith Life Church

https://flcmedia.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/productvideo/0331-AlwaysPray-03-TeachUsToPray-HD.mp4