Have you prayed in the past and never received the answer or resolution to your petition? It wasn’t that FATHER was unavailable or too busy, the problem revolves around our lack of knowledge, understanding, or faith. We are given an example of unanswered prayer when we come down with sickness or disease. James wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 5:
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
The above passage deals with several issues associated with prayer. If we are suffering, we should pray. In order to receive an answer to prayer, we must know what Jesus died for when He went to the cross. He clearly died for the restoration of our souls and our bodies so we should not hesitate to pray concerning afflictions in either area. Our prayer must be accompanied by faith and faith comes by hearing and receiving the Word. If we don’t know the Word, then how can we be assured that we are praying according to FATHER’S Will? James accounts for those who are weak in this area by having the “elders” pray. The elders are those who are fully equipped to pray for others because they have the revelation in regard to praying for the sick… they have faith. The elders have a history of fruitfulness and know FATHER hears them because they know HIS promises and have had success in this area. These writings are intended to mature the reader and achieve the same success experienced by the elders mentioned above.
We must let go of the unanswered prayers of the past and focus on the “now”. Repent and move on. People get into analysis paralysis and keep themselves from focusing on today. If we are unfruitful in an area, the problem lies with us, not FATHER. We need to focus on HIS promises and immerse ourselves in the Word applicable to our situation. We must admit our past mistakes and any unrighteousness FATHER shows us concerning our past. Let all the wood, hay, and stubble be removed from our midst so that our prayers will become effective and we no longer ask amiss. Let us pray in a fervent, sincere manner.
Some people pray for things that are contrary to their purpose. They are often drawn away by lust and pursue another path which is not meant for them. James wrote in chapter 4:
1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
When we pray for things that move us away from our relationship with FATHER, HE will not respond to our request. Soulish pleasures which promote lawlessness will certainly cause a break in fellowship with FATHER. HE is not against us having nice things as long as we are not moved by our possessions. HIS Tabernacle in the wilderness was exquisite but it did not impact HIS Character or change HIS Divine Will. If we ask for something that will negatively impact our purpose and negatively affect our path, we are asking amiss.
Let us bury the past and repent of those unanswered prayers that have become hindrances to our current prayer life. Let our prayers conform to the promises in Scripture we know to be HIS Word applicable to our situation. If we don’t know HIS Word in an area, let us study to show ourselves approved. Let the Word dwell richly in our hearts so that we can be effective when we pray.