FIVE PRAYER PROBLEMS with SOLUTIONS
As with everything else in life, there are problems associated with prayer. These problems exist because prayer is a personal spiritual phenomenon. Communicating with God through prayer has many facets that require practice over a period of time. Prayer is private and particular to the individual and, as a result, personality and behavior can interfere, thus causing problems with effectiveness. Listed below are the most common prayer problems with solutions to help maintain a strong, consistent prayer life.
Problem – Indifference: having a neutral attitude, a lack of sincerity or seeming disinterested in the prayer.
Isaiah 32:9 “Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech.” English Standard Version
Solution: Remember that prayer is necessary at all times because it is how we
• Communicate with God
• Foster a good relationship with the Father
• Strengthen our faith and trust in God
• Learn of God’s Will for us
• Confuse Satan and ward off the powers of darkness
Problem – Personal Indifference: conforming to a state or condition which makes fervency in prayer unnecessary because everything seems to be okay.
The Five Prayer Problems with
Solutions discussed in this article are very common in the prayer life of Christians. Because prayer plays a vital part in the life of all believers (in so many ways) it's important to understand every component of it. When You Pray ... Pray Like This - All you need to know about Prayer is an indebth guide that will empower and strengthen your prayer life.
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Solution:
• Force yourself out of that attitude by becoming enthusiastic about the other good things God wants for you
• Recite the Scriptures of His plans and promises for your life
• Become interested in your future and what you’re believing God for
Problem – Instability in Prayer: wavering or not being sure about believing God for an answer.
James 1:6-7 “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
Solution:
A “double minded” man refers to a person that has two “souls” within him. He speaks with one soul but acts with the other. A stable prayer is a prayer that is spoken without contradicting action.
Problem – Self-indulgent Prayer: unwise prayers based on personal desires and pleasures.
James 4:3 “And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure.” New Living Translation
Solution:
How to solve this type of prayer problem is within the scripture itself … “wrong motives.” God wants to give us the desires of our hearts, prosperity and the goodness of life. However, we should want more of His Divine Will for us which includes a closer relationship with Him, good health and a peaceful and contented life. Adding to this would be His Will for our families, friends, neighbors, leaders, world peace and the betterment of all mankind.
Problem – Lack of Unity in Prayer: not asking for the same outcome when praying with other people or in a group is a serious problem. Lack of unity can hinder or delay an answer to prayer; which makes unity in prayer very important.
Solution:
When praying with an individual or praying with a group, knowing the reason and desired outcome of the prayer should be clearly understood. This will ensure that everyone is praying and believing God for the same thing.
In this practice, we should be careful not to give God instructions on how to provide blessings and deliverance. Remember that He is a sovereign God, no one knows His mind and He cannot be counseled. Just as Jesus prayed that the Will of the Father be done, so should we.
Examples of the Power of Unity in Prayer
Matthew 18:19 “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”
Notice: Agreement
Acts: 1:14 “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” New International Version
Notice: Continued prayer with one accord and supplication
Acts: 4:24 “And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.” English Standard Version
Notice: They lifted up their voices to God together, meaning one prayer not many different prayers
Acts: 12:5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
Notice: While Peter was in jail, the church prayed together for one thing concerning him. They were so persistent; they didn’t realize that they’d gotten their answer. (Read verses 6-15)
This article is taken from the publication: When You Pray, Pray Like This - All You Need to Know about Prayer by Dr. S. Walker