Jesus taught as much about prayer indirectly as directly, I think. Today I’d like to show you seveal examples of what I mean. Especially in the category of “unanswered prayer.” Maybe I had better say, “unanswerable prayer!”
Note this. Our Lord always “links” the kind of man (or woman) who is praying … to the surety of the answers he receives of God. In other words, a wicked man will not experience much in the area of successful prayer! (“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Proverbs 28:9)
For a specific example of this, Matthew 6:5. “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
If I pray “to be seen” of men, I can forget enjoying any true answers to those prayers! Looks like their “showing-off” becomes their “reward” for such prayer. God is not listening, anyway!
Wow!
Then look again. We go from the religious crowd (albeit empty religion) to the “heathen” crowd, overtly sinful people. “But when ye pray, use not VAIN REPETITIONS, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their MUCH SPEAKING.” Matthew 6:7
“Vain repetitions” mind you, not just any kind of repetition! The unsaved in Jesus’ day, particularly the gentiles, prayed using “incantations.” Magic “formulas,” that would attract the gods! Christ here is warning against such syncretism! It means “mixing” religions! Many words do not always translate into many answers! Once Peter prayed a three word prayer and it brought immediate response from Jesus. “But when Peter saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, LORD, SAVE ME.” Matthew 14:30
Just memorizing and rattling off (a pretty good definition for “vain repetitions”) a set of pre-memorized platitudes will NOT guarantee a hearing in the Courts of Heaven!
Then too, prayers prayed in the wrong spirit … will not be answered! For example, Luke 9:51-56, a prayer that never would have been answered! “And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, WILT THOU THAT WE COMMAND FIRE TO COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, AND CONSUME THEM, Even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, YE KNOW NOT WHAT MANNER OF SPIRIT YE ARE OF. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.”
Lord, may we command (pray) fire down from heaven on this crowd? No, Jesus came to save, not incinerate! People with vengeful spirits do not gets answers to their prayers.
One more picture today. This one is multifaceted, for sure. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” Jesus Himself said this in Matthew 23:14.
Not only will these individuals not see answers to their prayers … they will be severely judged for their hypocrisy! They mistreat the lowly, widows being mentioned specifically. Remember, by now Jesus’ Mother was likely a widow! Joseph not being mentioned after Jesus’ trip to the Temple when but 12 years of age. Cheat others … destroy your power in prayer!
Praying in “pretence” too. The word (Greek “prophasis”) means “for purposes of putting oneself in the light,” the spotlight! Proud praying!
Forget it, Pharisees! No answers for you, either.
See what I’ve done today, or tried to do?
Jesus, as He taught day after day, constantly preached that certain people will not be heard of God! There is a correlation between how one lives … and how God hears!
Unless … except … a person is a sinner, hungry for salvation! There, no matter the past, this payer will suffice: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Luke 18:13, wonderful!
More Monday, the Lord willing … about Jesus and prayer.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell