There are so many misconceptions regarding prayer, by both Christians and non-Christians. We have so many different ideas, and these can lead to a lot of confusion and lack of growth in our prayer life.
Growing up in the Christian circles, it almost feels as though we are “expected to know” many things about prayer and life. But a lot of these we have to find out for ourselves as we mature. I’ve learnt a lot as I have grown up, I have discovered the truths to these lies, and would like to share them with you in the hope of encouraging you in your prayer and Spiritual life. Here are 5 lies that many people believe about prayer.
1. I am not worthy to pray. We all go through times of feeling we aren’t worthy enough to pray, aren’t worthy to come to God, that we aren’t good enough for Him. Well, the simple truth is, by ourselves we aren’t, BUT through Jesus Christ and His death on the cross, we are made righteous! Through Him, we we are made righteous and worthy, and we have access to God in prayer. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” – Ephesians 3:13-14, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:19-22
2. God already knows my heart, so I don’t have to pray. Prayer isn’t just about telling God things that are going on in our lives or things on our minds. He loves it when we do that though, because that grows our relationship with him. When we pray, we are inviting God into our lives and giving Him control, and when we are willing to do that, we give the Holy Spirit the chance to grow in us more. Prayer is about us having a relationship with God, praising and thanking Him, worship, asking for forgiveness and for our needs and the needs of others, humbling ourselves before God, and doing as He has told us to do as Christians. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” – II Chronicles 7:14, “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant [faithful] in prayer.” – Romans 12:12, “Pray without ceasing.” – I Thessalonians 5:17, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 4:2, “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him…Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” – James 5:13-16
3. Prayer doesn’t always work/isn’t always answered. This is a really touchy one, and there are many diverse opinions on this. Some say that God answers every prayer, whereas others say that God will only answer the ones He chooses to. Let’s start by saying that God HEARS our prayers. “But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.” – Psalm 66:19. But there are two things we need to remember: 1. God will only hear the prayers of the saved. “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.” John 9:31 and 2. It’s not always the answer we want to hear – Sometimes God says yes, sometimes He says no, and sometimes He says wait. In the Bible, Paul talks about his “thorn in the flesh”. We don’t know exactly what it was, but it was something Paul sure wanted to be rid of! In fact, he asked God three times, and God said no. “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – II Corinthians 12:8-9 Paul accepted God’s decision, and gave glory to God, that through GOD’S strength, he could be strong. Through his weakness, God’s strength was shown. No, our prayers don’t always result in our desired answers, but God always hears our prayers and answers according to His perfect will, which without a doubt is with our best interests at heart, and to glorify Him and bring more people to Him. Our prayers must always be asked according to His will and for His glory. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth [answers] us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” – I John 5:14-15
4. Praying alone is enough. As much as God loves us to have our individual quiet times and we are to pray alone and grow in the Lord, this isn’t enough. Praying with others not only brings encouragement to those praying together, along with love and joy, but it displays our submission towards God, as we demonstrate unity in the body of Christ. There can be so many benefits for praying together! “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord…Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” – James 5:14 & 16, “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.” – Acts 12:12
5. It’s selfish to pray for yourself. Many people feel selfish when they pray for themselves. I know this because even I struggled with it for a very long time. But it isn’t selfish! God wants us to pray for ourselves, He wants to know our hearts and our needs and desires, and we need to ask His forgiveness for our sins. God loves us so much, and He longs for that deep relationship with us. He wants us to come to Him as little children to their Father, to talk with Him about everything. Even Jesus prayed for Himself! “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” – Matthew 26:39 It’s not selfish to pray for yourself; it is humbling, you’re surrendering to His will, and it will only grow your relationship with the Lord even stronger. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleans us from all unrighteousness.” – I John 1:9
If you believe any of these ideas, know you’re not alone. But I hope you will see the truth that God has given to us in His Word. I challenge you to search your heart, ask yourself what you believe, and ask God to show you the truth. Don’t stop seeking Him, because when you find Him, you find the Truth.
Julie xo
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
