Prayer is not only response to God's grace as brought to us in the life and work of Jesus and the teachings of Scripture; it is also request for our needs and the needs of others. For good reasons God's holy and wise purpose does not permit Him to grant every petition just as it is asked.
Several hindrances to answered prayer are:
Iniquity in the heart (Psalm 66:18),
Refusal to hear God's law (Proverbs 28:9),
An estrange heart (Isaiah 29:13),
Sinful separation from God (Isaiah 59:2),
Waywardness (Jeremiah 14:10-12),
Offering unworthy sacrifices (Malachi 1:7-9),
Praying to be seen by people (Matthew 6:5-6),
Pride in fasting and tithing (Luke 18:11-14),
Lack of faith (Hebrews 11:6), and
Doubting or double-mindedness (James 4:3).
More positively:
God has promised to answer our request when we:
Start helping the hungry and afflicted (Isaiah 58:9-10),
When we believe that we will receive what we ask (Mark 1:22-24),
When we forgive others (Mark 11:25-26),
When we ask in Christ's name (John 14:13-14), and
When we abide in Christ and His words (John 15:7), also
Pray in the spirit (Ephesians 6:8),
Obey the Lord's commandments (1 John 3:22), and
Ask according to His will (1 John 5:14-15).
Until we have properly responded to God and His word, He cannot entrust us with His powerful resources. Prayer is request to a personal Lord who answers as He knows best. We should not think that we will always have success in obtaining the things for which we ask. In His wisdom, God hears and answers in the way that is best for us.
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