The Don’t Of Prayer

Text: Mathew 6:5-7(KJV)

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Friends, as we know prayer is communicating with God which is more than making request based on our needs. It involves fellowship, worship, intercession, surrendering and many more. Therefore, it is important we understand God’s loving instruction that will help us to avoid the wrong approaches towards prayers. They are the reason behind the several struggles on our prayer altars. James 1:6-7 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. There are attitudes, actions we must avoid for effectiveness and fruitful results in prayers. These mistakes and wrong patterns have brought about rejections that displeased God for answers. Let’s guard the purity of our prayers because God is not just interested in words but our hearts and motives. So, not all prayers are acceptable. Some are hindered while others are rejected because we must pray out His words. Proverb 28: He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Interestingly, prayer is not just praying but praying the right way that will bring answers. We can see from our text today Jesus taught His disciples the how and the how not to prayer. Hence, we should avoid praying for public show because God looks at the heart. James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. So, avoid human praises in prayer altar to avoid praying amiss to God. We should be mindful to avoid impressing people rather, we should be impressing God. We must learn to pray with a humble and broken heart by avoiding pride in our prayers both in words and minds. Praying in faith is the key and therefore we must develop prayer faith that can make us fix our hearts on the capacity of our God today for effectiveness in Jesus name.

PRAYER POINT:

1. Father, help us to clear our minds by a life of forgiveness that grants us access to the throne of mercy as to avoid spiritual frustration in Jesus name.