October 16, 2007

     One of the most frustrating aspects about the Christian life is unanswered prayer. Sometimes, not often, God does not seem to be answering our prayers – at least not in the way we would like. That can be very exasperating for the believer. We read all of the assurances in the Word of God telling us to pray and God will provide but why, at times, does God fail to answer our prayers?

     According to the Word of God, there are many reasons for unanswered prayer. If we assume that the requests we are making are within God’s will, as verified by the Scriptures, we then must look within ourselves for the hindrances. What kinds of things might thwart a very legitimate prayer?

Ø God will not answer a prayer with a wrong motive.

(James 4:3 NAS) “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” We often pray selfishly, but only prayers that are offered for the glory of God gain His ear and secure His answer.

Ø God will not answer prayer if I tolerate sin in my life.

(Psalm 66:18 NKJV) “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear. “

(Isaiah 59:1-2 NKJV) “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.”

     Is there something in your life that is hindering your prayers? Is it something that should be confessed and something for which you should repent? If so, rejoice in the truth of (1 John 1:9 NKJV) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

     I am certain there are other reasons for unanswered prayer, however, let’s talk about the kind of prayer that God does answer.

Ø There is a kind of prayer that God loves to answer.

     There is a kind of prayer that achieves much. It succeeds, and gains God's answer. If we want to get an idea of the power of prevailing prayer, we would do well to look at Elijah. God’s Word says, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” (James 5:16-18 NKJV)

Study the life and ministry of Elijah, and you will discover that…

ü Through prayer, God's servants are empowered to speak His Word.

ü Through prayer, God's servants gain ample provision for all their needs.

ü Through prayer, God's servants experience the miracle-working power of God.

ü Through prayer, God's servants are victorious over the enemies of the Lord.

ü Through prayer, God's servants are kept safe, secure, and steadfast in the time of testing, trouble, and even failure.

     Do your prayers qualify as those that will be heard and answered? Is yours the “effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man”? All of us by nature are unrighteous – look up (Isaiah 64:6); but through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ we have been made righteous.

     The prayer that God hears is the prayer of one who is trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as his righteousness and who is seeking to live righteously day by day. As your Pastor, this is my longing for each one who attends SouthPoint Church.

Pastor David