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Let My Prayer Come Before You
Introduction:
Many of us, I’m sure, have prayed earnestly about something
(health, relationships, money, sin) only to see our prayers not
answered like we wanted. Maybe we have thought God wasn’t listening
or, even worse, didn’t care. In the middle of the book of
Psalms
we find a prayer given by one who believes Jehovah has shunned his
petitions and forgotten his pleas. Read
Psalms 88:13-14.
He feels God has abandoned him and left him alone with his troubles.
Note how he describes his feelings in verses
15-18.
Maybe you have had similar feelings. What does God’s Word tell us to
do in these circumstances?
Body:
I. According to God’s Will
I John 5:14-15 We
must pray in accordance with what the scripture reveals
about God’s desires for His people. This can be discovered.
(Ephesians 5:17
Philip Gunther states, "God is not a divine Santa Claus.
He is not a genie in a lamp. God is not a holy bellhop." Our
prayers are subject to God’s will, not ours.
Jesus taught His disciples this. ( Matthew
6:10) Jesus prayed
this Himself. (Matthew
26:39)
So when God doesn’t answer your prayer in the way you
wished, it may be because it was not in accordance with His
will.
II. We Don’t Always Know What’s Best
But God does! He knows what is best and what will have
the very best outcome. We are often short-sighted. ( Matthew
7:9-11)
Leith Anderson said, "Prayer is an acknowledgement of our
inferior and God’s superior position. If we always knew
what’s best, there would be no need for God or prayer."
We should thank God when He says, "No." A blessing in
disguise!
III. Prayers May Be Hindered
God looks at our heart when we pray. Several things may
block our prayers; keep them from being "heard."
1. Unconfessed sin ( Psalms
66:16-20)
2. Disregarding God’s law ( Proverbs
28:9)
3. No compassion for others ( Proverbs
21:13)
4. Unwillingness to forgive ( Mark
11:25-26)
5. Selfishness ( James
4:3)
6. Doubt ( James
1:5-7)
7. Mistreating spouses ( I
Peter 3:7)
Search your life carefully to see if something is
blocking your prayers.
Conclusion:
Before we blame our Heavenly Father for not answering our
prayers, let us go to His Word and follow its instructions.
Bobby Stafford
January 8, 2012.
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