7 Ways NOT to Pray

Have you ever wondered why some prayers seem to get answered and other prayers don’t seem to reach heaven?

Here are some things to consider.

1. Don’t pray like a hypocrite—Matthew 6:5.

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

How do hypocrites pray?

2. Don’t pray with vain repetitions—Matthew 6:6-8.

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them.”

What does it sound like to pray vain repetitions with many words?

REVELATION DROP: We don’t have to repeat ourselves over and over. Sometimes we think the more words we use to pray, the better, but God can answer short faith-filled prayers just as easily as repetitive, drawn-out prayers. It’s also easy to get into the mindless habit of using God’s name in vain by saying certain Christian prayer clichés over and over while praying like: Hallelujah. Glory to God. Praise the Lord. Heavenly Father, or Father God. Of course, all of these phrases have their place, and when spoken from the heart, they are very powerful; but we shouldn’t overuse these kinds of words as vain repetitions.

3. Don’t pray in unbelief—James 1:5-8.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

If you lack wisdom (or anything else!), what should you do?

What does God want to do?

How should you ask?

According to verses 6-7, what will the person who doubts receive?

REVELATION DROP: An effective prayer life is based upon faith. As we can see, doubt causes us to be double-minded, unstable, and unable to receive answers to our prayer. Faith gives us a single-minded confidence in God’s ability and willingness to answer our prayers.

4. Don’t pray with unforgiveness in your heart—Mark 11:25.

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”

If you have anything against anyone, what should you do?

5. Don’t pray from a prideful position—Luke 18:9-14.

“Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’”

What two people go to pray?

What does the Pharisee pray? What does the tax collector pray?

Whose prayer pleases the Lord?

What is promised to the humble person?

REVELATION DROP: When we pray, we should not be prideful or self-righteous. We should also be aware of “teaching God or others” when we pray. Have you ever prayed or heard someone pray like this: “Dear Father, we know that You are a God who answers prayers of faith, and we know that faith in the Greek and Hebrew is what we believe in our hearts and say with our mouths. In the Amplified Bible, we can see that unbelief will short circuit our prayers, so dear Father, we should always spend time hearing and hearing God’s Word to grow our faith, and if we want to pray effectively . . . ” And the next thing you know, you’ve gone into a teaching prayer! Teaching is good and needful, but not while we are praying. Stay humble and remember, prayer is a heartfelt, faith-filled conversation with the Lord, not a theological teaching.

The way Charles Finney puts it will put a smile on your face, “Some men will spin out a long prayer telling God who and what He is, or they pray out a whole system of divinity. Some people preach, others exhort the people, till everybody wishes they would stop, and God wishes so, too, most undoubtedly.”

6. Don’t pray and give up—Luke 18:1-8.

“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: ‘There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, “Get justice for me from my adversary.” And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, “Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.”’ Then the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?’”

What should you always do, and what should you not do?

Describe the widow’s persistence.

How does this translate into your prayer life?

REVELATION DROP: Once we pray, we don’t need to keep asking for the same thing over and over, but we can remind and thank the Lord over and over! In other words, we ask and request once, and if we believe we have received it, we thank the Lord for His answer until it is manifested. We don’t grow impatient or give up; rather, while we are exercising our faith and patience, we remind and thank Him for the answer day and night. God always answers faith-filled prayers that are according to His Word, but answers don’t always come immediately. That’s why fruitful, faith-filled prayer requires patience, perseverance, and a thankful heart.

7. Don’t pray with selfish motives—James 4:1-3.

“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

Why do you not have things you desire?

Why do you ask and not receive the things you desire?

REVELATION DROP: When we pray, our motives must be in agreement with God and His Word. God does not answer prayers that go against His character. He will not answer prayers that are motivated by selfish, carnal desires, but rather He hears and answers prayers that further His purpose in our lives. Always pray with a desire to live your life and receive answers to your prayers that are pleasing to the Lord.