This will conclude the study of prayer. Prayers must be prayed understanding that God’s will be done, not men. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus left an example for man to follow. Just minutes before He was to be arrested, He prayed, “not my will but as thou wilt” (Matt. 26:36 – 44). This attitude in prayer shows faith and trust in God. The thought of some is that for whatever they pray, that very thing is what is going to occur, and when it does not they begin to doubt God. Praying in this manner sets limits for God as to how He should answer prayer.
It is not for man to tell God how to answer prayers. Man’s ideas of how things should work out are not always the best thing. Earnest prayers have been uttered for those who are terminally ill by those selfishly not wanting to lose a loved one, when the person was suffering unbearably. No harm is meant when such a prayer is offered, but the proper prayer should be for comfort for the individual and the family and that God’s will be done. Sometimes prayers are prayed after a person had determined a course of action rather than praying for wisdom to make the proper decision. In the Old Testament Lot had to make a big decision and it would have been better for him had he sought out wisdom from God before his decision was made. Many times, things look good from a glance, but dangers are everywhere. One should take such decisions to God and then think about what His word says before taking a course of action.
Prayer is an important part of the Christian’s life, and that life should be so lived that prayers lifted up to God will not be hindered.
Peter wrote about the prayer life of husbands and wives, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). Couples trying to pray to God cannot do so acceptably if their lives are full of bickering, jealousy, or a lack of affection for each other. God wants couples to live so that they can pray together and for each other.
God wants man to pray and says so many times in His word here are just a few examples. “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” (Luke 18:1). ‘I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;’ (1 Timothy 2:1), “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Timothy 2:8).
Take the time to study God’s word, obey His word and then pray to God often.