Luk 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Teach us to pray. Do you know how to pray? Sad to say, many professed Christians do not know how to pray. Some pray to Mary. Others pray to Jesus. Some pray to “saints”. Well, they do not have scriptural authority to pray to those people.

When the Lord was teaching His disciples to pray, the first thing He addressed was the one to pray to. And He said: “When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven” (vs 2). He said in another occasion: “Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:16b; 16:23). Prayer is made in the name of Jesus, and not to Jesus.

Jesus has given us the power to ask in His name, and it is a wonderful privilege of which we should take full advantage. Therefore, we are commanded to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

But some said: “I prayed, but my prayers were not answered.” Obviously, there are some reasons why some prayers are not answered.

1. IT IS NOT IN FAITH. Our Lord says: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:22). James also said: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James 1:6). Do you believe in prayer?

2. IT IS NOT ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL. John wrote: “If we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” (1 John 5:14). It implies if it is not according to God’s will, He will not answer. What are some prayers that are not according to the will of God? For examples:

i.    A prayer that God saves an unbeliever who is dying or has died. Such is not the will of God for then no one needs to be a Christian.

ii.    A prayer that something bad happens to an enemy. God says we are to bless and pray for our enemy (Matthew 5:44).

iii.   A prayer that God helps you strike the lottery. This is covetousness and not the will of God.

3. BECAUSE OF SIN. God does not hear sinners (John 9:31). John said we should not even pray for a brother who lives in sin: “There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it” (1 John 5:16a). Hence, if we were to pray that God forgives our sins when we refuse to repent of it; God will not hear. God says that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

4. BECAUSE IT IS NOT THE TIME. Sometimes, God wants us to wait. Good things come to them who wait. God promised Abraham and Sarah a son; but they had to wait for God’s timing. Along the way, the couple became impatient and tried to fulfil the promised seed their way (Genesis 16:1-2). In so doing, they created immense problems for their descendants.

God wants only the best for us and it is worth not rushing ahead or trying to force things or make them happen in our own time. “Wait on the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).

5. GOD HAS SOMETHING BETTER FOR US. God knows best. God sees the bigger picture of our lives. He knows when what we are asking is not the best thing for us. He even sees the negative things that could occur if He were to give us what we are asking. For example, you pray that this girl would love you. But God sees what kind of girl she will be and how she will destroy your faith. So, He says NO. But He gives you someone better.

Pray is the Christian’s privilege. It is an honour to be talking to God. Therefore, my beloved brethren, take time to pray: “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:17).

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.