HINDRANCES TO RECEIVING ANSWERS TO YOUR PRAYERS (2)

Read: MATHEW 7: 7-11

Meditation verse:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matt 7:7).

We continue looking at hindrances to receiving answers to our prayers.
1. LACK OF PERSISTANCE IN ASKING: Mathew 7:7 says, “ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you”. To ask means to demand for what you desire. To seek means to search for or go in search of that which you desire. It goes beyond just asking. Knocking entails striking a surface noisily to attract attention, until you get what you want. It can also entail demolishing barriers that may prevent you from getting that which you desire. Most of us make a few hard-hearted attempts at asking and give up, then we wonder why our requests are not answered. In Luke 18, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow, who continually cried out to the judge for justice against her adversaries. Jesus concluded by asking “and shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
2. LIVING IN SIN: Psalm 66:18 says, “if I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear”. Isaiah 59: 1-2 says “behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. Sin will not only prevent you from receiving answers to your prayers, but it will also waste your life. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
3. LACK OF PREPARATION TO RECEIVE: Proverbs 23:18 says the expectation of the righteous shall not be cut off. What you do not expect, you cannot receive. When you expect something to happen, you prepare to receive it. Your whole body must be aligned to your expectation. Your words, mannerisms and actions should align to it. You cannot speak words that are contrary to your expectation.

You must also endeavour to walk in love if you desire answers to your prayers. Without love, our works are in vain. Love is the energy behind your faith. Faith is powered by God and God is love. So, faith is powered by love.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye.
Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest."

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

If you prayed this prayer, send me an email at rockteachingministry@gmail.com

I would love to pray with you personally and send you a copy of my book; ‘Living the Life’ to encourage you as you begin your new life in Christ.