Understanding Payer

Prayer is not a mere ritual but a meaningful interaction with God. It should be a regular practice to build a relationship with Him and to understand His will. The reason to pray continually is to sustain faith and gain peace, especially during hardships.

Why Do We Need to Pray Always?

Consistent prayer helps establish a close relationship with God. When we have an ongoing dialogue with Him, we better understand His intentions and find strength in times of trial.

How Should We Pray?

The content of our prayers matters. Frustration arises if prayers seem unanswered, which may be due to lack of persistence or thankfulness. The key is to maintain a positive and grateful outlook and to align our prayers with God’s will.

Why Are Prayers Unanswered?

Sometimes, God doesn’t answer because we insist on our own will or have incorrect motives. We must learn to submit to God’s will for the best possible outcome. It’s also important to pray for spiritual gifts like the Holy Spirit and avoid seeking only materialistic gains.

Another challenge is unanswered prayers due to health concerns. Faith plays a critical role here, trusting that God’s decision—whether to heal or not—is always best.

Factors Hindering Effective Prayer

Incorrect Motive: Self-centered prayers often go unanswered.

Friendship with the World: Prioritizing worldly things disrupts our relationship with God, making our prayers ineffective.

Sin: Unrepentant sin acts as a barrier between us and God, making prayers futile.

Self-Righteousness: Being overly self-righteous blinds us to our own flaws, making our prayers less sincere.

Unforgiveness: Holding grudges hampers the effectiveness of our prayers.

In conclusion, prayer is a multi-faceted practice essential for spiritual growth. It’s not just about asking for things but about aligning ourselves with God’s will.

Understanding the complexity of prayer helps us engage with it more effectively, moving us closer to the life God intends for us.

I invite you to join us on this journey of perfect love in the Lord, taking the first step in attending our Fall Evangelical Services and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC) from September 14 to 17,2023 at our church located as follows:

4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
 Google Maps

For online streaming, please click here.

For regular service hours, please click here.

Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org