ARROGANT PRAYERS

SUCCESSFUL SUFFERER SERIES

A few months ago, I repeatedly heard in my spirit, “Arrogant prayers, arrogant prayers, arrogant prayers.” I knew that it was the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Fortunately when the Holy Spirit brings conviction, He also brings correction. I began to look at prayers throughout the Bible. I love that the Word is our standard because it is a reliable compass when we get off course to return us to the strait gate and narrow way. My prayer life was perverted and the Lord wanted it to be purified.

As I began to study, I found a similar pattern with everyone who prayed: they sought God. I know it is so simple that you may unsubscribe from my blog. You may think that if I did not understand something that basic how can I share anything else with you. Let me explain. I did not realize how much I had accepted and embraced the popular Christian culture into my prayer life.

I was coming to God with a boatload of scriptures for Him to fulfill. I had a problem that I wanted solved; I would give Him all of the scriptures that supported the answer that I desired. However, I never sought God’s specific will for my situation. God was showing me that I was attempting to use His Word to manipulate His response. His Word, the sword of the Spirit, was never meant to be used against Him. It is our weapon against Satan.

When Daniel realized that the 70 years of captivity were fulfilled, he did not demand the release of the tribe of Judah. He did not approach God with a ‘You said it, now do it’ attitude. Instead, He depended on God’s character and sought God’s glory. He took the specific Word of God’s will for his situation and humbly sought God through fasting and prayer. After confessing that it was Judah’s rebellion that led to their captivity, and acknowledging God’s righteousness, Daniel ended his prayer with:

“O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us.  Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.  O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.” (Daniel 9:16-19)

Once we seek and know God’s will for our situation, we should stand on God’s Word to keep our faith strong and withstand the attacks of the enemy. The Bible is full of people who had an abundance of wealth and people who were impoverished. There were people who were healed and people who had to endure sickness. There were people who were delivered from persecutions and people who were martyred. Paul sought God three times regarding a “thorn in his flesh, the messenger of Satan” to depart from him. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul wanted deliverance but God gave him grace.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus petitioned the Father about His pending crucifixion. He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will…Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (Matthew 26:39, 42). Jesus did not mention the deliverances of Daniel from the lions’ den or the Hebrew boys from the fiery furnace. He did not remind God of David’s victory over Goliath to bolster why He should not be crucified. Jesus asked for what He wanted, sought the Father’s will, and submitted to it.

Prayer is our opportunity to come into alignment and agreement with God. We have the privilege of seeking and submitting to His will. Since God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours, we need His wisdom on how to proceed and apply the Word to our individual circumstances. We should be willing to follow the path that brings Him the most glory, even when it is not the easiest road. If you are like me and need to abandon arrogant prayers, ask God to forgive you and teach you His way. Arrogant prayers have no place in the presence of our Holy and Righteous God. Amen!

For more about prayer, read The Holiest Place.

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section.

To receive new posts in your inbox, click Subscribe 

Copyright 2020 T.L. Lockley. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.