“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10-14 ESV)

“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. (1 John 2:16 ESV)

 What to do:

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (Matt. 6:5 ESV)

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matt. 6:6 ESV)

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3 ESV)

“Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” (Prov. 21:13 ESV)

What to do:

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25 ESV)

Quote:

“God shapes the world by prayer. Prayers are deathless. The lips that uttered them may be closed to death, the heart that felt them may have ceased to beat, but the prayers live before God, and God's heart is set on them and prayers outlive the lives of those who uttered them; they outlive a generation, outlive an age, outlive a world.” - E.M. Bounds

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10 ESV) 

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:16 ESV)

 What to do:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5)

 Understanding God’s will 

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 ESV)

 Quote:

“In prayer we can approach God with complete assurance of His ability to answer us. There is no limit to what we can ask, if it is according to His will.” - John F. Walvoord

“If God doesn't want something for me, I shouldn't want it either. Spending time in meditative prayer, getting to know God, helps align my desires with God's.” - Philip Yancey

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:6-7 ESV)

 What to do:

“And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:21-22 ESV)

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 ESV)

 Quotes:

“When the devil sees a man or woman who really believes in prayer, who knows how to pray, and who really does pray, and, above all, when he sees a whole church on its face before God in prayer, he trembles as much as he ever did, for he knows that his day in that church or community is at an end.” - R.A. Torrey

“Do not strive in your own strength; cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and works in you. Strive in prayer; let faith fill your heart-so will you be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” - Andrew Murray

“If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18 ESV)

There could be many reasons why prayers are delayed or hindered

Daniel 10:11:13 tells how God had answered Daniel’s prayer right away but the answer was delayed by satanic forces for 21 days. In the New Testament we read that the believer's battle is not against flesh and blood; but rather, “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12). The world has always been a wicked place (1st John 5:19). Therefore, we do what old time followers have learned to do, continue to faithfully “pray through”. And we must learn what it is that  hinders prayer and do everything you can to fix things. Over the next few days we will look at things that can hinder or delay prayer and what to do.

Sin, iniquity, doing evil, will hinder prayer

“But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” (Isa. 59:2 ESV)

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12 ESV)

What to do:

 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 ESV)

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 ESV)

Quotes:

“The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.” - F.B. Meyer

“Jesus hears us, and in His own good time will give an answer... He may sometimes keep us long waiting...but He will never send us empty away.” - J. C. Ryle

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6 ESV)

Prayer is powerful and effective

The above passage commands, “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” which we must do. The Bible says “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16), and that we should “approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

 Jesus, our savior, spent much time praying fervently and passionately (Heb. 5:7, Luke 3:21, Matt. 14:23). 

 Jesus taught us how to pray 

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matt. 6:9-13 KJV)

Therefore…

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24 ESV)

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 ESV)

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16 ESV)

 Quotes:

“You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan.” - John Bunyan

“Always respond to every impulse to pray. The impulse to pray may come when you are reading or when you are battling with a text. I would make an absolute law of this always obey such an impulse.” - Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD— and he will repay you!” (Prov. 19:17 NLT)

The panhandler 

A few years ago, when my office was located downtown, panhandlers would sometimes come into my office and ask for a handout. One young fellow was a frequent visitor and always said, “could I please borrow a couple of dollars?” I knew he was not actually borrowing because he did not have a job and no ability to repay.

One morning I read Proverbs 19:17 in the Bible, “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord and he will repay you!” I thought about what it appeared to be saying! “You are ‘lending’ to God when you help the poor, and God will pay you back for it!” Wow, that is a huge promise! Then, as though right on cue, my borrowing friend walked into my office and said, “I really need to borrow five dollars to get a used tire for my car. I will pay you back as soon as I’m able.”

Was this a test? 

This seemed too amazing to be a coincidence, so I said,“Okay, I will help you out, but only if you agree to this one condition; that the five dollars I give you will not be a loan but will instead be a gift!” I held out the five-dollar bill and he reached out and took hold of the edge of it. But I did not let go! He tugged on it and said, “No, I promise to pay you back!” But I kept a tight grip and said, “Look, you have heard my terms, I’m not letting go of the money until you agree!”

He said, “But why?!” And he looked genuinely puzzled. I told him about the Bible verse I had just read shortly before he came in. I said I knew he did not have a job, he was apparently poor, and that he had not ever paid me back for any of the other loans I had given him. I explained that I would rather take my chances with God returning my five dollars than on him ever doing so. So, he finally said, “Okay” and I let go of the money.

I then asked where he was going to get a five-dollar tire and he said he could get one from the local salvage yard nearby. I knew where it was and offered to give him a ride there. On the way, I told Him how God could make a big difference in his life as He has done in mine. But he said he had never personally seen any evidence of God’s existence and was not interested until he had.

Grandpa Gundie

We arrived at the salvage yard, and on our way into the building, we passed an old friend of mine, Grandpa Gundie, who was on his way out the door. We briefly said hello and he proceeded towards his car. Then suddenly, he turned around and yelled loudly, “Wait! Wait!” And both my borrowing friend and I turned around to see what he was saying. Grandpa came rushing over to us, pulled a five dollar bill out of his pocket, thrust it towards me, and said, “Jesus told me to give this to you!” I took the money, thanked him for it, and turned to look at my friend who was standing aghast with his mouth open in surprise. I said, “Wow, that didn’t take God long, did it?”

Additional References

“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” (Prov. 22:9 ESV)

“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” (Prov. 14:31 ESV)

“For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’” (Deut. 15:11 ESV)

“Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.” (Prov. 28:27 ESV)

Therefore…

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 29:35 ESV)

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 KJV)

Approach God through faith in Jesus with freedom and confidence

“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Eph. 3:12 NIV)

 Hold firmly to your confidence and hope

“But Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” (Heb. 3:6 NIV)

“(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.” (Heb. 7:19 NIV)

 Therefore…

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Heb. 10:19-23 NIV)

Today’s Promise to Memorize* 

Another short memory verse - only nine words. You can easy memorize this! 

“Do not be afraid for I am with you.” (Isaiah 43:5)

Two important things to remember about this passage

1)    “Do not be afraid” (this is a command, not a suggestion). 

2)     “for I am with you.” (This is a promise to trust in!)

Just a reminder that God tells you 365 times in the Bible NOT to fear, one for each day if the year! Therefore, you are NOT to fear! Ever! Keep in mind that God would never command you to do what He has not given you the ability (control) to do. To recognize and resist fear is a matter of self control. Self control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5). You CAN control your response to fear! Here are just three of many verses to help you see and understand what Gods says about fear. 

Additional References

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6)