Here's something interesting I heard a few times recently about prayer. More importantly, about prayer that just won't work!
1. Don't ask God to do what He's already done, in Jesus. Christians are notorious for looking to the future for blessings that have already happened in Christ. Paul never prays for believers that they would get 'blessed' but that their eyes would be opened to see the blessing they already have.
2. Don't ask God to do what He's asked you to do. Praying for your family to be saved is a great example."Oh Lord, save them by your power. Let great conviction fall on them in their homes." God never promises this kind of prayer will be answered. Over and over God tells "us" to "go". Since Jesus has already done it all and has seated Himself in His rightful place in the heavens, it is our job to go do what He told us and do what He's given us the Holy Spirit for.
3. Don't ask the devil for anything. ie: Proverbs 6:30-31. There is seldom a scripture taken more out of context in charismatic Christianity than this one.
That should get us a couple less prayers going around unanswered anyway, dontchathink?
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