In our previous blog, we explored common prayer pitfalls that can hinder our prayers from being answered, including lack of faith, negative speech patterns, and an incorrect heart posture. Two scriptures reinforce that if we can get rid of doubt—that is, have faith—and if we can pray according to God’s will, then we are guaranteed to receive what we are praying for (Matthew 21:22 and 1 John 5:14), as long as we pray in Jesus’ name (John 14:13).
So, how do we get rid of these prayer pitfalls? Jesus provides the answer in John 15:7, which reads, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” We learn from John 1:1 that God and His Word are one; therefore, abiding in God means abiding in His Word.
Let’s explore how abiding in God (through His Word) and His Word abiding in us overcomes the prayer pitfalls:
1. Doubt/Lack of Faith and Negative Talk:
Doubt is rooted in fearful thoughts that God won’t or can’t come through for us, often manifesting as negative talk. According to Luke 6:45, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks,” meaning our words reflect what’s in our hearts and minds.
This aligns with Proverbs 23:7, which says, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he,” showing that our thoughts shape our words and reality. Job’s experience in Job 3:25 further illustrates this when he says, “For the thing which I greatly feared has come upon me,” highlighting that what was happening to him was his fearful thoughts becoming reality.
To overcome negative talk rooted in doubt, we can focus on overcoming doubt itself. And how do we do that? By channeling our focus toward hearing and knowing God’s Word, as Romans 10:17 reminds us that faith comes from hearing the Word of God.
2. Incorrect Heart Posture and Misalignment with God’s Will:
Often, we don’t pray according to God’s will because we’re unfamiliar with it or don’t trust that His plans are better than our own. Romans 12:2 encourages us to be transformed by renewing our minds and reveals that God’s will is characterised by being good, acceptable, and perfect.
By immersing ourselves in God’s Word, we learn His will for our lives and adjust our thinking about what’s best for us. As we discover the goodness and perfection of God’s will, it’s easier to surrender our will to His, trust His heart, and pray according to His will, thus fixing our heart posture.
Closing Remarks on How to Lead an Effective Prayer Life:
The answer to overcoming prayer pitfalls and praying effectively lies in knowing God’s Word. As Jesus said, “One thing is needed” (Luke 10:42), emphasizing the importance of sitting at His feet and hearing His Word. By prioritizing Scripture, we are filled with faith, transformed in our thoughts and words, and empowered to pray effectively in accordance with His will. May we continually meditate on God’s Word day and night, that we may prosper in all we do (Joshua 1:8).
Next, we will be delving into the financial wellness category of the blog. You can use this link to subscribe in order to get notified about my next post:
https://illuminateunleash.com/contact/#
Stay blessed,
Katekisani
I’m early😅 ready to feast!