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MISTAKES WE MAKE IN PRAYER
The lesson here, is an abbreviated, "Power Lunch" version, of "The Nature of Prayer."
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1.) Waiting to pray concerning something at a more convenient (appropriate) time
James 5:16 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. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. NKJV
(The most fervent prayers happen when we feel "moved upon" to pray for a particular thing. We often wait because we think that all prayers have to be long and loud--or that we will have to make a "spectacle" of ourselves. The truth is that all we have to do is express to the Father what we are sensing and ask for His intervention. If we wait, power--and often opportunity--is lost.)
2.) Not realizing that prayers are substance and are eternal
Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!" 4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. NKJV
Revelation 8:1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. NKJV (You can actually "agree" with any prayer that has ever been prayed--they are still active and are not limited in time. For example, whenever I need a personal healing, when I pray concerning this need, I "agree" with every prayer that has ever been prayed for my healing! Why let all those answered prayers be forgotten and wasted?)
3.) Not allowing the Holy Spirit to direct your prayer
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. NKJV
4.) Not realizing that part of prayer is allowing Me to speak to you
Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: 2 "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me." NKJV
(Sometimes we operate under the misconception that God always speaks to us in words we can understand as a specific "message." Whereas God can and does still speak in that manner, He also speaks into our spirit in non-discernable ways. This can only happen as we silence our own thoughts while staying in the "attitude" of prayer.)
5.) Thinking you can use prayer for your own agenda
Matthew 6:5 And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. NKJV
Matthew 23:14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. NKJV (The primary purpose for prayer [the first things we should request] is found in Matthew 6: 9 & 10--to honor God and to be the "conduit" through which His Kingdom can be "dispensed" in the earth.)
6.) Not realizing that prayer is inextricably attached to My Word. Praying outside of My Word is futile and is rebellion.
1 John 5:14-15 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
NKJV
1 John 5:14 (as found in the Amplified Bible) And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.
7.) Depth of prayer is progressive--as you master the ability to open to Me, I will lead you to depth of understanding, power, and demonstration you never knew was possible.
Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. NKJV
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Jesus' final words on prayer:
"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
John 16:23 NKJV
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