Why Your Prayers Aren’t Working
Inside: Have you ever questioned if prayer really works? Here are 3 things to consider if you feel like your prayers aren’t working.
I was frustrated and confused after spending some time in prayer that morning. If I’m honest, I’d been feeling that way for about a month. I knew that something just wasn’t right. Prayer is supposed to leave me feeling peace and strength, not desperate and alone.
I had been seeking God for something very specific for almost a year and I just didn’t feel like I was getting anywhere with Him. I knew that perseverance was a huge part of prayer during hard times but this was something that I just couldn’t wrap my brain around.
My prayers were not working and I wanted to know why.
Maybe you can relate …
You’ve spent time crying out to God telling Him all your hurts and pain. You’ve been reading your Bible, fasting, and embracing community as you wait for God to deliver you. But something just doesn’t fit. It’s more than not wanting to wait on God. You actually find yourself wondering if He is listening to you at all.
3 Obstacles to Being Effective in Prayer During Hard Times
There are often 3 things that stand in the way of a breakthrough and effective praying:
- Lack of knowledge about who God is
- Lack of knowledge about who the enemy is and how he works
- Not understanding who you are as a daughter of the King
When we don’t know who God is then we cannot understand why He allows suffering. We also don’t understand why He is the key to our victory and healing. God is all mighty. He has the power and the authority to do anything that you ask! He has all that you need. He is the answer. He is ABBA: the source of all righteousness and goodness.
In our darkest moments, we can give too much power to the enemy. Yes, he wants you to suffer and will use your pain and hurts to attack you. But he is not more powerful than God (or you). The devil has no new tricks up his sleeve. He has been telling the same lies for eternity. Learn to spot his tricks so you don’t fall prey to the traps.
You must know and embrace your identity in Christ. As a daughter of the King, you have access to His power. You have authority over the enemy. That is why he attacks and distracts because he doesn’t want you to realize this truth. You can defeat the devil. Run to the source; cast your cares! Put your armor on and stomp on the devil.
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Luke 10:19 ESV
