Why Prayer Is Disappointing
"...yet not as I will, but as You will." - Matthew 26:39
Do you ever feel your prayers are not answered? God's Word gives us the key in James 4:3: "When you ask, you don't receive because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
The major reason prayer doesn't seem to work, is we tend to pray with selfish motives. God promises to meet our needs, but needs and wants can be two very different things. So much prayer is focused on how we can use God to get what we want. But the greatest example of prayer is found in Jesus. The night before His crucifixion, He asked his Father to spare Him the agony of the cross, but then added, "yet not My will, but Your will."
Prayer is a not a magic tool to get what we want. Prayer is communicating with God--talking and listening so we seek what God wants, asking Him for the strength to do it. Jesus did that, and what a difference it made.
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8 Comments
Again I say it: Nothing fails like prayer.
- Doubting Erik
As a youngster coming up, I was told that prayer is the key that unlock heaven's door. As one who has found Christ,and have a personal relationship with Him, I know now that Christ is that "DOOR". In order to have prayers answered, one must have a personal relationship with Christ. The Lord tells us that if we ask for anything in the name of Jesus, it would be granted to us. But it must be the will of the Father. The Bible also tells us that we have not because we ask not. Additionally, if we ask with selfish motives, it may not be the will of the Lord. Prayer is a form of communication, and so if we ask selfishly, we are going to be disappointed. Most of the times our prayers are out of selfish desires. God does not answer those prayers. He is not Santa Clause or a magician. For example, we dont ask God for a Rolls Royce, when we don't even have the means to pay the insurance for a Geo Prizm. That's a selfish request. We dont ask God for things to keep up with the Jones' or the Johnson's. If we earnestly seek the Lord and delight ourselves in Him, He will grant us the desires of our heart. Only then will we see His richest blessings. Only then will we not be disappointed. Many times His diving answers will be , Yes" "No" or "Wait". In our selfish state of mind, we cannot discern that the "No"s or the "Wait"s are for our own good. - rocky
Jesus gives such perfect examples of prayer: the Lord's Prayer; the prayer at Gethsemane that is mentioned in this devotion; and, His prayer from the cross, "Forgive them for they know not what they do." Those are working prayers. They worked for Jesus and they will work today for believers. I have had times to pray the prayer He prayed from the cross and I have felt such peace afterward and love for people that have in some way offended. It has never failed! - Janice
Erik, pray for understanding. - Austin
Prayers don't fail. People fail. For your sake, Erik, I pray that I don't fail you now and ask anyone that will to pray in agreement with me.
My Father in heaven, I thank for the change that you have made in my life. I pray, Lord, in the name of Jesus, that Erik may also experience this change. That You will open Erik's eyes to see Your glory and open Erik's ears to hear Your word and respond by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. I know, Lord, that this is Your will. My motive is that I can see Erik in heaven and, until then, that Erik be able to experience the joy of knowing Jesus Christ. Lord I pray that You will make Erik a new creature, with the old ways past and new ways beginning.
In Jesus name, Amen - Keith
Kieth, I am praying in agreement with you also for Erik. I believe Erik that you are seeking and that you will find. Your first indication of that seeking as I can see is that you have used this devotional medium as a place to ask for help. As I have said in my previous comment, prayer is communication with God. But you have to believe in Jesus Christ as your personal saviour, without any doubt. Actually; take a look at this thought: HE Woke you up this morning.So its another day that HE has kept you. The Blood is running warm in your veins. Nobody did that but Jesus for which you must give Him thanks. - rocky
I have learned not to pray with selfish motives in mind. Is it selfish if I were to ask God to grant me insight into his holy existence? I never seem to receive an answer or perhaps I just do not recognise an answer. This is a serious concern of mine - Frits
Erik, I am joining in agreement with the others that you will have transformation in your life, as was said before, getting rid of the "old" and "taking on new life in Christ" through a personal relationship with Him. Prayer then becomes a wonderful conversation between you and your Lord, trusting Him that He hears, He loves you, He speaks to you through Scripture, and He desires the very best for you. His best may be tough lessons to learn to accomplish victory in your life; victory over us wanting to direct the course of our life, not Him. - D.