God doesn’t require us to pray on our knees; any position will do and any time is the appropriate time for prayer. We could pray while sitting in the doctor’s office or in our car on the way to the grocery store. We can talk to God in plain language just as if he’s sitting in the seat next to us, because he is. There are a few things we need to be aware of that’ll block or at least hinder our prayers to God. Unforgiven sin could block our prayers. I sin every day, we all do. In the Bible God promises to forgive our sins if we ask him which is why every night I ask God to forgive any sins I’ve committed that day. When my eyes close at night I want to know my sins are forgiven and I have a clean slate for the next day.
Psalm 66:17-18 – I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.
Coming before the throne of grace with pride and arrogance will stop our prayers cold. God loves a humble heart but despises the prideful. If we refuse to obey the teachings of God’s Word our prayers are unlikely to be heard. God is not inclined to hear the prayers of those who don’t read the Bible. If we don’t have compassion for the poor and think only of ourselves then God doesn’t want to hear from us. And finally, if we refuse to show mercy by forgiving others or even ourselves, God will have no dealings with us.
Luke 18:14 – (Jesus speaking) – For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Proverbs 28:9 – One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
Proverbs 21:13 – Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard.
Matthew 16:14 – (Jesus speaking) – For if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
In the previous blog we discussed the need for prayers to be humble, sincere and said in faith before God. In addition, prayers should also be simple, in accordance with Scripture and prayed persistently to the Father. Another thing, vague and indefinite prayers are worthless to God because no actionable items are mentioned. If we ask God to save all sinners God can’t help us. If we ask God to save John Doe, God can work with that. The most important thing of all is that prayers take time to work because God’s timetable is different from ours. Keep praying persistently until God answers our prayers as he has promised to do.
Matthew 6:7-8 – (Jesus speaking) – And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Psalm 27:4 – One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
1 John 5:14 – Now this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Colossians 4:2 – Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.
Witnessing for Christ