Two Types of Prayer

We think all prayer requests and prayers should receive an equal hearing. However, just because a child pleads, wails, and demands, it doesn’t mean the parent will or should act on the requests or demands. Some of this has to do with what is good for a child. Bowing to the demands of a rebel is the same as asking for ongoing trouble from that child and for that child. It fails to benefit the parent or the child. If God is our Father, then we need to adjust our thinking about some of our prayers.

Wisdom From Proverbs

Proverbs 15:29 ESV

Proverbs 15:29 “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”

Proverbs 15:8 “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.”

Proverbs 28:9 “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.”

Prayers of Selfishness

We often pray because we want what we want without regard to our own proud and selfish living. It should not surprise us that God is not impressed. What we need is repentance, not the fulfillment of our own self-serving demands. Isaiah 1:15 says, “When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.” What is needed is the prayer of King David in Psalm 51.

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

They are people who don’t worry to the extreme. When worry arises, they remember that God is in control and that their worry is pointless and fruitless. Even more so, worry is damaging.

“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:5-6

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.