Lessons From the Road to Calvary预览

I used to drive a 2003 Ford Expedition. I did my best to be a good steward and keep that vehicle running for as long as possible. Eventually, it came to a point where the cost of the necessary repairs and maintenance began to grow larger than what a car payment would have been. So, I traded it in on a newer model. The new model came with a much wider range of features, one of which was an “emergency button.” This was something I had never seen in a vehicle, and I quickly learned a valuable lesson: do not push the emergency button unless it is an actual emergency!

Too often, we treat prayer like an emergency button. In Mark 11:24–26, Jesus discussed prayer and the self-examination that ought to take place before we come to the Father in prayer. Part of this self-examination is making sure we have forgiven those who need it.

Now, forgiveness is one of the toughest things for anyone to do. We do not like to be wronged, and sometimes, it is tough to forgive, especially when the wrong or hurt cuts deep. It makes it even harder when the person who has wronged us has not asked to be forgiven or even acts like they do not need to be forgiven.

Sometimes, it seems as though prayers are not being answered. Here are five possibilities as to why that could be happening.

1. Are there unconfessed sins in our lives? In Mark 11:24–26, Jesus specifically mentions forgiveness. Is there someone we need to forgive? Are we harboring hatred towards that person? Are we living with known sin in our lives? Do not let this be a blockage in the line of communication.
2. God may have answered our prayer by saying, “No,” and if so, we need to accept it and trust His judgment.
3. God may have answered our prayer by saying, “Not yet,” so just be patient.
4. We do not ask in faith. (James 1:6) Sometimes we pray just because we know we are supposed to pray, but deep down, we do not really believe that God can come through.
5. We are asking amiss or praying selfishly. We must make sure that our prayers are in the will of God.

Lesson: Do not let prayer just become your emergency button in life. Make sure your prayer is personal and maintain close communion and fellowship with the Lord.