Prayers Not Working? Try This.

I'm not an advocate of quick-fix, magic formula approaches to prayer. There is not a "secret word" that makes lifeless prayer suddenly become powerful prayers. But there is guidance in God's Word that leads us to the God who hears, and answers those who come to Him as He instructs. (Jer. 33:3) But to often, we carelessly, blindly and sometimes "lazily" approach prayer with the same "self-centeredness" that makes us pray with the wrong motive. (James 4:1-3) That attitude also keeps us from doing the "prayer-work" needed to experience the results God desires for us.

For me, prayer-life is a journey. It includes facing the challenge of selfishness, that seeks to invade my prayers, that need to be replaced with a Spirit-given desire to glorify God. For any of us, that takes constant care. I am learning that when we are consistent in seeking God's guidance, He is consistent in guiding us through the steps we need to follow.

I recently came across an article, by Armin R. Gesswein,* that presents a simple but great challenge. The author spoke of his encounter with an old saint who had a history of a powerful prayer-life. He prayed with him, and witnessing his wonderful connection with God, he asked, "Uncle Am, what is it? ...You have some kind of secret in praying... Would you share that with me?"

The author said, "I was 24, he was 73 (he lived to be 93) and, with an eagle-look in his eyes he said: 'Young man, learn to plead the promises of God!'"

Do you desire God enough to do the work... the work of seeking out His promises to us regarding the needs of your burden? If your prayers are not working, try this... find and learn the promises of God. Learn to plead the promises of God. Pray them to Him. After all, "Faith comes from hearing the message... the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17) This has a more literal to us than we have imagined. The Psalmist said, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105) The literal Word makes the difference.

For example, you can pray to God for revival like this: "Lord, you have promised that if I call to you, you will hear and answer me. You said, 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' (Jer. 33:3) I trust your promises and accept that you will. You said, 'You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.' (John 14:14) Father, in Jesus' name means according to His will. Lord, that is what I am seeking to do now. I seek His will through your Word. I know it is your will that your people be revived in your Spirit. Habakkuk prayed, 'O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!' (Hab. 3:2, NKJV) Lord, that is my prayer to you." You can pray any need in this way.

Do your prayers work? Do you really want them to? If you truly do, you will be willing to search the scripture for faith and guidance. It is full of God's promises, and God's answers. We must learn to make the Bible our prayer book. Find the promise that fits your need. Prayer for God's glory. Learn to plead the promises of God.

* www.leaderu.com/orgs/bpf/pathways/plead.html

Faith In Our Faith

There have been times when I've prayed and the answers were so specific and detailed that it was beyond coincidence. God answered the prayer. God spoke to my heart and the communication was so strong and clear that I was as sure it was God. It was as if He was a person who stood before me and talked. Then at other times, it seemed that nothing happened. It felt like God didn't even exist. There have been times that I've said, "If I only had enough faith."

The Bible clearly teaches that faith is a "must" for answered prayer. “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7, NIV) Jesus often spoke of faith and even mentioned the lack of faith among His disciples. He spoke of great things being done with just a small amount of faith. He spoke of great faith in the most unsuspecting people. Faith is a "must" if we are to expect anything from God. But how do you get such faith?

The Bible teaches that faith comes from God’s Word. Often we “pray” for faith when God clearly says we are to find it in His Word. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17, NIV) There are many times that I have asked God to give me more faith only to hear Him clearly say, “Read my Word.” It is there that we find faith for following Him.

A good example of this is when I became a Christian. I didn’t have the faith to be saved. But when my pastor showed me what the Bible said about becoming a Christian, I had faith to believe. That is the way God intends it throughout our Christian lives. We are to spend time with Jesus, the Word of God (John 1:14), and through that we have faith for life. There is no other way.

But there is a caution. If we are not careful, we can begin to trust in our faith more than we trust in God. That is “faith in our faith.” Or, we can trust in the amount, dedication to, or intensity of our prayer rather than trusting in God. That is “faith in our prayers.” Both look so “right” that they can lead us astray in our prayer life. We must be careful to have faith in God, as revealed to us in His Word. If we remember, instead of seeking the answer in God, to seek God in the answer, we are on the right path.

Jesus said, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:13-14, NIV) We must pray “as Jesus would pray”… that is, in His name. He prayed only to glorify the Father. And we can do that as we know His will… and that is revealed in only His Word.