Stop Praying – You’ll Never Get It Right

You should really stop praying.

He’s clearly not listening or if He is, He’s not answering. You’re boring Him as much as you’re boring yourself. If He hasn’t answered by now, He isn’t going to answer. Stop wasting your breath. Give up.

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1 (ESV)

He’s annoyed with your yammering on when you should know what to do already. He’s not going to answer because you should know the answer. Why do you keep bothering Him with petty things or problems you ought to be able to solve on your own?

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 (ESV)

It’s because your prayers are selfish, you know. Other people get their prayers answered because they’re better than you are. They pray with pure motives. Not you. He sees right through you. Stop praying until you’re a better Christian.

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32 (NKJV)

It’s because you’re overweight and out of shape. He’s embarrassed by your gluttony and laziness. He won’t answer your prayers because you’re indulging your sin. It’s because you spend so much time tending to your own appearance. Everyone sees how in shape you are and you love the attention. He can see through that. He knows you’re actually vain and full of sin. That’s why He won’t listen to your prayers.

Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:33b-34 (NKJV)

It’s because of that wrong decision you made twenty years back to pursue a degree in business instead of ministry. You were only thinking of yourself. It’s because of that wrong decision you made twenty years back to enter ministry instead of business. You’ve always been a glory thief. If only you could go back . . .

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV)

It’s because you had sex before marriage. Because your daughter divorced her husband. Because your son’s an addict. Because you had lustful thoughts about that woman. Because you took a year off from serving at church. Because you’re too busy in ministry, you’ve left no room for God. Because you’ve slacked off at work. Because you’re overworking. Because you’re an indulgent mother. Because you’re too hard on your kids. He’s not listening. You should really stop praying until you’ve cleaned up your act.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

Don’t you wonder why other people get miracles and not you? You’re lacking in faith. He has favorites and you’re not one of them. Those are just coincidences. Miracles don’t happen anymore. You need to be your own miracle. You’re always looking for the easy way out. Stop praying and start working toward what you want.

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 (ESV)

You heard how that woman prayed. She’s articulate. She started with praise. She always starts with praise. Did you start with praise or did you jump right in asking for stuff? Didn’t you hear that guy pray? God always answers his prayers. He uses a formula. Don’t you remember he taught it once? You forgot part of it, didn’t you? You need that formula. Confession. Remember that sermon on confessing? Have you confessed everything? That’s not even possible, is it? Your sins are endless. You must have missed something. You should stop praying and take stock.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26 (ESV)

He’s not there. Your words aren’t getting past the sound of your own voice. Why are you fooling yourself when the evidence is clear that God does not exist? Or if He does, He doesn’t care about you.

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. Romans 1:20a (ESV)

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)

Stop praying. You’ll never get it right. Go read about prayer. Study more about prayer. Talk with someone about prayer. Listen to a podcast about prayer. Read a prayer blog. Start a prayer journal. Find a prayer partner. Plan a prayer retreat. Do anything except pray.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5: 16b-18 (ESV)

I’ve heard the voice, the whisper, the serpent’s most toxic weapon, the lies. But I have access, as do you, to the weapon of choice of Jesus Christ, the weapon that stood Him good stead in the moment, the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. 

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1 (ESV)

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Stop Praying – You’ll Never Get It Right! http://t.co/6l1PMRm02s #unansweredprayer #praytoJesus #howtopray #lies #Godsword

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) January 30, 2015