The Importance of Prayer, Pt IV
James 4: 2
"You do not have because you do not ask."
"Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity--greedy, dishonest, adulterous--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Why does God not answer my prayer? Sometimes we pray and pray and never see an answer. There are hindrances that make it impossible for God to answer us. In the example above, the Pharisee prayed for show. His pride in himself is very displeasing to God. The tax collector humbled himself in the presence of God. Other hindrances to answered prayer include, an unforgiving spirit, a doubting lack of faith in God, and unconfessed sin.
Sink back into your chair...take deep breaths...inhaling the goodness of God and exhaling the pressure and stress of your day. Bring yourself in His presence. Say a prayer to the Holy Spirit and ask God for guidance in hearing what He is saying to you today. Does my pride stop God from answering my prayers? Do I have areas of pride that need to be confessed and cleansed? Do I have an unforgiving spirit? Do I carry around grudges, bitterness, and resentment toward others? Is there someone in my life that I need to forgive? Am I living with unconfessed sin? God's pardon opens the door to His total love and blessing. When we forgive others, we take on God's forgiving love, his forgiving spirit. And, lastly, our chief motive in prayer should be to glorify God. Do my prayers have the right motive?
I write in my journal any thoughts or feelings I have experienced during this meditation and reflection.Lord Jesus, I praise you. You are my God. Praise be to you! I come before you today, like the humble tax collector. Help me, Lord, help me to remove all the hindrances in my life that keeps me from being close to you. Help me, Lord, to cleanse my hardened heart. Help me to forgive those who hurt me. Help me to have more faith and ask for what I need boldly. Wash away my human pride that keep me from experiencing your precious love. Forgive my sins. Teach me how to pray in your name. I need you in my life, Lord. I ask this, in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.
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