Troubleshooting Ineffective Prayer - Part Two

 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

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Every week men meet in legislative chambers, lodges and other meetings and, for some reason or other, offer a prayer. More often than not, the name of Jesus Christ is left out in order to avoid hurting the feelings of any who might be susceptible. But Jesus Christ says that those prayers do not go to God.

 

Every day, all over the world, people pray in the midst of their religious form and ceremony. Some pray to one or another of a group of mediators that have been authorized by a church organization. Christ says that these prayers are not received by God. Think, then, the next time you go to pray. Say to yourself, "Is this prayer I am about to make a prayer that goes to God or to one of Satan's minions? Is this prayer in keeping with the declaration of our Lord, that no man cometh unto the Father, except by Him?"

But now, I want to take Christians into a study of the Word of God that will show us why many prayers, prayers made in the name of Jesus Christ, are hindered, or unanswered.

 

In the book of Isaiah we have a great principle of prayer stated in one of the later chapters of the prophecy. "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isa. 59:1-2).

 

If you pray and do not receive that for which you pray, there are two possible reasons. One is that you are not praying for that which God would consider for your good. The other conclusion is that you are not walking uprightly.

 

Here, perhaps, lies the chief explanation for the fruitlessness of much Christian praying. In the first flush of a joyful Christian life there has been attraction to the Word of God, zeal for prayer and earnestness in seeking God's will. Then sin has been allowed to enter the life. The prayer life is hindered. The Christian grows cold. His prayers become mere form. He no longer knows the penetrating power that will take him through to the very throne of God with that piercing insistence, based upon the promises of the Word, that will not let go until the blessing has been received.

 

The next time that your prayer seems to be unanswered, do not conclude, hastily, that the object of your prayer was not according to God's will, and that, therefore, you are not to receive it. Conclude rather that something is wrong with your heart life. In Psalm 84:11 David said, "The Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly."

 

Examine yourself in your praying. Has your own prayer life become powerless? Do not put the blame off on God and think that He is unkind and unloving. Do not think that His list of good things is a narrowly restricted list. Think, rather, that you are not walking uprightly. Think that your iniquity has separated you and your God. Think that it is your sins which have hid His face from you.

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