What Jesus Said About PrayerSample

Why don't people pray?

Remember: Prayer starts in the heart of God. He calls us to prayer because He wants to answer us. We are His representatives on earth, and He wants us to talk to Him about His creation and every situation on earth. So, why are we not doing it? Here are some reasons:

·We are not aware of the power of God. We are not familiar with the great works of God. We don't know what He can do anymore because the poverty and destruction in our world blind us. We have seen so little of what He can do and don't ask Him to help us because we don't know what to expect from Him.

·We don't pray because we think we can do things ourselves. We believe we don't need God. We think, for example, that medical science can solve anything. We believe we have enough skills, insight and wisdom to work out our lives and happiness.

·Often, people pray and get no answers – and then give up. Some pray earnestly, and exactly the opposite of what they asked for happens! People lose their jobs and become ill, family members and friends die, and it seems prayer doesn't help. Then they feel hurt, are disappointed in God, and disillusioned by their relationship with Him, lose faith and turn away from Him. They feel God did not help them. They think He could have helped and become bitter.

Here are things you can do:

1. Don't try to challenge God to prove Himself by answering you. Don't test God - to see if He can do something. Don't be arrogant with God. Don't dictate to God.

2. Accept the sovereignty of God. God knows what He is doing. He is in control – He didn’t lose control along the way and struggled to handle the problems around Him. Eventually, we have to come to the place where we can say, Lord, let Your will be done. I do not understand, but I trust You.

3. There is no alternative to the study of God's character.

Consider your own prayer times. What do you think God is thinking about your prayer life? What needs to change? When will you change it?