based on teaching from Jon Courson
Five Reasons Our PRAYERS
Fail to Fly
1. Failure to REVEAL
Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2. Failure to REQUEST
James 4:1-3 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
3. Failure to RESPECT
1 Peter 3:7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
Husbands, the Word tells us we need to be very careful how we treat our wives. We are to respect them as joint heirs of Jesus Christ and to honor them as more delicate, intricate vessels. If we don’t do this, our prayers may be hindered.
The principle works both ways, I believe. A wrong relationship with your spouse jeopardizes your prayers.
4. Failure to RELEASE
Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15“But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
5. Failure to READ
Proverbs 28:9 He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
If you have neglected the study of Scripture, your prayers will be all mixed up and messed up because you’ll be asking for the wrong things. Your prayers will be out in left field spiritually, completely removed from the heart of God because you haven’t been hearing His Word.
When your prayers aren’t answered, don’t quit praying. Instead, sift through the wreckage and see what’s going wrong. Sometimes prayers that crash can be every bit as valuable, if not more so, than successful prayers because they cause us to get right with the Lord and to gain insight in our walk with Him.