From the Book, Rules For Life: According To Jesus

15. Pray Simply 

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the [pagans] do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.  Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this:

“Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. [Some manuscripts add: For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]”

Matthew 6:7-13

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?  Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!  So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Matthew 7:7-11

If you are asking God for something and He doesn’t give it to you, there are a few things to consider: 

1. We just looked at your motives in section 14. Don’t forget that one. (See James 4) 

2. Is it something that God would want you to have? 

Winning the Lotto might seem like a good idea, but not everyone can handle that kind of wealth. Many winners end up having their lives ruined. Whenever we pray, it must be according to God’s will. That’s what Jesus means when He says, “Whatever you ask for in my name…” (John 14). 

3. Do you have an unresolved problem with someone else? If you are harboring a grudge, God won’t listen (see sections 5 and 6). Likewise, if you are mistreating your spouse, He won’t listen. Peter said, “Treat [your wife] as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7)

4. Confess your sins to God; don’t try to hide them from Him, as if He can’t see them anyway. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.  But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:8-9) I think that this would apply to your prayers as well, whether they are answered or not. 

5. Do you consider God to be a kind of ATM? Ask for money and you get it? Sometimes this is fine, when all of the other factors are present (the other items in this list). 

6. Don’t even begin to curse someone in your prayers, that will only anger God at you. “…if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell…” (Mathew 5:22)

I’m sure that there are many other things that will hinder your prayers; this list is just off the top of my head. Also, situations might be different from person to person or from time to time: God might give one thing to someone and not to another—it’s His call; He might answer it tomorrow, but not today. And no matter what, the answer might simply be “No”. God is the One in charge here; not us. But when you pray, pray simply, with faith, and according to God’s will.

Previous – Check Your Motives | Next – Do Not Worry

Sections in this study:
Introduction
1: Repent
2: Be Born Again
3: Place God First
4: Love and Serve One Another
5: Live By Faith
6: Forgive Others
7: Remain in Jesus
8: Live Righteously Before Men
9: Avoid Bad Influences
10: Stay On The Narrow Path
11: Do Not Return Evil With Evil
12: Give More Than Is Demanded
13: Love Your Enemies
14: Check Your Motives
15: Pray Simply
16: Do Not Worry
17: Store Up Treasures In Heaven
18: Do Not Be Judgmental
19: Guard what is Sacred
20: Care For Those In Distress
21: Do Not Swear Oaths
22: Watch out for false prophets
23: Exercise Spiritual Power
24: Have Childlike Faith
25: Do Not Exalt Yourself
26: Settle Disputes Quickly
27: Settle Disputes Between Believers
28: Do not Oppose Brethren
29: Remember Me
30: Be Merciful
31: Make Disciples
32: Be Ready
33: Obey Jesus’ Commands
Closing Comments