How's Your Prayer Life?

There is nothing more discouraging than feeling like our prayers are not being answered.

When I feel that way, I ask myself the following questions:

1. From what vantage point am I praying? Belief or doubt?

2. Is there any ACTIVE sin in my life preventing God from being able to bless me with what I am asking for?

3. Did I miss the answer because it didn't look as I wanted/expected?

4. Am I in position to hear/see the answer?

5. Am I being impatient and not trusting God's timing?

DOUBT OR BELIEF

Mark 11:23 tells us that when we pray, we must pray believing. Our doubt makes it impossible for God to move on our behalf and limits our spiritual authority. We are sons/daughters of the King and our Daddy will back what we say when we decree with the power and authority given to us by Jesus. PRAY BELIEVING NOT BEGGING.

ACTIVE SIN

God is Holy and cannot be in the presence of unholiness. Though He can use a mess, He will not bless a mess! Luke 12:48 tells us to whom much is given, much is required. We must be faithful with the things/relationships God has blessed us with through obedience before we can expect God to give us or do more on our behalf. If you have sin that is consistently active in your life, repent and stop it right now in Jesus name. The Holy Spirit will help you cut it off, overcome future temptation and position you to be blessed by God.

NOT WHAT I WANTED

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has amazing plans for us. His plans are to prosper us and to give us a hope and future. Sometimes we miss God's answers because we are looking for good or OK, when God has reserved BEST for us. Because we are willing to settle or compromise, we may miss God because He's requiring us to come up higher. Expect God to answer your prayers according to what you NEED, not what you want. Trust God that His answer is the absolute BEST for you.

POSITIONED FOR THE ANSWER

Jeremiah 29:13 says when we seek God WITH OUR WHOLE HEART, we will find Him. Often times we are not in position to see/hear the answer God has for us because we are seeking something other than Him. Seeking God postures or positions us (spiritually/emotionally) to hear from God and to receive what He wants to share with us and give to us.

GOD'S TIMING IS PERFECT

2 Peter 3:8 reminds us that to the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. In other words, God is NOT on our time table. Though He is very concerned about what's happening in your life right now, His answer is about eternity. He doesn't answer our prayer from the vantage point of the problem, He answers with our purpose in mind. So keep trusting God's timing as He knows when you are READY for what you're asking.

Pray without ceasing! Pray believing. Pray trusting that God has BEST in mind for you. Pray with POWER - pray believing not begging!

If this message has inspired/encouraged you, feel free to share with others!

Have a blessed remainder of the week.

Love in HIM,

Your sister Ann