Prayer and The Kingdom of God

Seven Misconceptions about Prayer

1. God is in control

If God was in control there would be no need to pray about it, he would just simply act. Many are waiting for God to simply act when God in turn is waiting for people to pray. When nothing over a period of time happens, people give up or faint. Therefore the mindset that God is in control is a mindset that puts prayer on hold and a false faith to take its place. To say that God is in control without prayer is to say a car can drive on its own without a driver; its a wreck waiting to happen. Because man is a free moral agent he has been given a God given right to make choices and God will not interfere with those choices without a persons consent. Prayer is a persons consent fo God to act on their behalf. The world we live in is not free of trouble and problems so to say God is in control would make him out to be someone who could not manage his creation. God is not in control of people starving in other Nations who live in poverty, but he is in control of people who pray about it and are moved to physically do something concerning it. He is not in control of sickness, but he is in control of people who pray for healing and are healed either supernaturally or through medical science. A landlord may own the property of his tenant but by law cannot enter without their permission, likewise the earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof and they that dwell therein but by law which is his own word he cannot intervene in the affairs of mankind until prayer is administered.

2. Whatever will be will be

Another misconception about prayer is people think whatever will be will be. If this was the only option for the believer then there would be no need to pray. Even without prayer a person cannot manage their life with this concept because nothing would ever get done. People do not sit back and say whatever will be today will be, but decisions are made to change things by taking personal responsibility. Decisions change direction and prayer changes direction by involving God into impossible situations because he can do what one cannot.

3. God won't hear me anyway

This attitude may be guilt induced because of a persons low self-esteem, or just an excuse. We all make mistakes and do things that only the blood of Christ can wash away. People who get it wrong feel as though God will not anwer them because of that, so they allow the guilt from their mistakes to keep them away from approaching God in prayer. John 3:17 says that God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. When guilt comes confess to God and according to 1 John 1:9 he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

4. Prayer is only for the super spiritual

God is not a respector of persons or in other words he does not show favortism, but he does answer prayer based upon the principles in his Word. The Word of God puts everyone on the same level so that even a child can get what an adult can't if the Word of God is the foundation of that prayer. 1 John 5:14 says this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask anything according to his will (His Word is his will) then he hears us and if he hears us then we know we have the petitions that we desired of him.

5. Prayer doesn't work

Prayer always works but the individual may not always agree with Gods response to their prayer. Its human nature to always expect a yes but God sees and knows whats best. He will never answer yes to a person who is not prepared for what they are asking, but many times his silence means to wait until one has matured enough to handle what they are asking for. Luke 11:11 says which of you fathers if your son asks for a fish will give him a serpent or snake intead? The fish can become like the snake and be just as deadly to a child who is unable to handle it, but a good parent will wait until maturity comes. God is our heavenly Father who knows the right time to answer prayer.

6. You have to say the right words or it wont work

God is more concerned with a persons heart who approaches him in prayer than he is with the right words.

In fact words can become repetitious and rehearsed when not form the heart. Jesus said in Matthew 6:7 When you pray do not use vain repetition for the pagans believe they will be heard for their much speaking. In other words its not how well one can pronounce words in prayer, but how those words must come from the heart.

7. God does not hear a sinners prayer

Priority is the main reason for this misconception because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). All sinners must approach God in order to become a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17), but many approach God in prayer to get them out of trouble only to go back to doing what they were before when he does. God is not obligated to answer such a prayer because Psalm 66:18 says if i regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me, but many times a loving and caring father will on the basis of drawing someone to him in relationship.