2. PRAYER IS NOT ENOUGH IF WE ARE PRAYING FOR OUR OWN SELFISH GAIN
The Bible says “You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:2-3).
One of the roadblocks to God’s help in our lives is praying selfishly. We can pray to God all day, but if it is for our own selfish gain, He will not honor those prayers. He wants to guide us away from the destructive nature of selfishness for our own good and lasting joy.
Consider your recent prayer requests… Have you been asking selfishly for personal gain? Change the objective of your prayers to always be unselfish.
3. PRAYER IS NOT ENOUGH IF WE ARE NEGLECTING OUR FAMILY
The Bible says, “In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7).
How we treat those around us, especially our spouses and our own family, will determine whether or not God hears our prayers. If we don’t honor others, even those who don’t deserve, God will not honor our prayers.
Are there apologies you need to make to your spouse or family for how you have treated them recently, or words you have spoken in anger? This is a biblical word especially written to husbands everywhere. Before you keep on praying for God’s blessing your life, business or nation—first, obey what the Bible says, and treat your wife and children with respect and kindness, otherwise your prayers will be fruitless.
4. PRAYER IS NOT ENOUGH IF WE ARE PRAYING FOR OUR OWN WILL, NOT GOD’S WILL
The Bible says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15).
God’s will is different from man’s will. We need to feed daily on the Word of God and allow God to transform our thoughts so we can be a people whose prayers reflect the will of God, not our own.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
How are you doing at this? Are your prayers filled with your own thoughts, or have you permeated your life with God’s thoughts?
5. PRAYER IS NOT ENOUGH IF WE ARE NEGLECTING TO SPEAK OUT FOR INJUSTICE
The Bible says we should lend our voice to injustice. “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed” (Proverbs 31:8).
Justice pleases the heart of God. An important Scripture to remember is Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
God doesn’t want our shallow acts of righteousness if we are not interested in bringing justice to the poor, speaking up for the broken down, freeing the oppressed.
We should speak up on behalf of injustice in our government and law enforcement systems. We should speak against racism. We should do what we can to encourage dignity and freedom for all people. Just as we should stand with the vast majority of those honorable in law enforcement who protect us each and every day. Both sides need us to speak on behalf of what is true and right.
It is not enough to pray, if we are not lending our voices to justice as this Scripture commands.
