Getting Prayer Right: Avoiding Common Problems In Prayer

Searching For God’s Favor

• “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” (Ps. 91:15)

• “It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Is. 65:24)

• “It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)

Common Mistake #1 Wrong Audience

• Public Prayer Does Not Aim To Be Seen or Heard By Men.– Carefully Consider Your Purpose (Matthew 6:1-5)– Carefully Consider The Length (Mark 12:40)

• Christian Prayer Is Directed To God, Not A Performance or Mini-Sermon.– Choose Your Location Carefully. (Matthew 6:6)– Praise God Without Prodding People.

(1 Chronicles 29:10-20)

Common Mistake #2 Vain Repetition

• Repetition Becomes Meaningless When:– We put quantity over quality. (Matthew 6:7)– We parrot others without personal reflection.– We allow laziness to influence our heart.

(Colossians 4:2)– We forget what God already knows. (Matthew 6:8)

• “Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2)

Common Mistake #3 Bad Theology

• Christian Prayer Is Made With The Mind & The Spirit– 1 Corinthians 14:15

• Christian Prayer Is Offered To The Father, In Jesus’ Name, With The Spirit’s Intercession– John 16:23-24– Romans 8:26

• Christian Prayer Comes From Those Who Abide In Jesus, And Have His Words Abiding In Them.– John 15:7, 1 John 3:22

Common Mistake #4 Ignoring God’s Will

• God’s Will Always Comes First– Luke 22:42

• Note: We May Request Things Outside of His Will, But Only With Reverence.

• God Does Not Reward Selfish Motives– James 4:1-4

• God Is Not Honored By Arrogant Boast– James 4:15-16

Common Mistake #5

Praying Without Faith• Doubts Reveal The Impact of Worldly Influences,

Rather Than Faith– James 1:6

• We Have No Right To Expect God’s Favor When We Pray With Doubt– James 1:7

• Unstable People Will Struggle With Prayer– James 1:8

• Mountain Moving Prayer Must Be Built On Faith In God– Matthew 21:21-22

Making The Change

• Focus On God As Your Audience

• Speak From The Heart, Not Tradition

• Be Mentally Engaged In Prayer

• Honor and Appreciate God’s Will

• Trust God To Answer Perfectly Every Time

Getting Prayer Right: Avoiding Common Problems In Prayer