Dr. Mark Rafter on Prayer: Currently, there has been much on the concept, confusion by some, on the idea of prayer. Certain media sources and some politicians who are in the marketplace have been making negative comments on prayer. Let me state from the top. Every person has been granted “free choice,” to believe as they wish. Those bad-mouthing prayers in this time may be entitled to their less that admirable opinion, but it is highly offensive to people of faith and people of good moral character. Prayer is the goodness of people. In this last week, have received hundreds of calls, voice mails, text messages from around the world asking about prayer. Christ spent much more of His time praying and healing people than preaching. John Lennon and the Beatles in their song stated it well, “…In a time of trouble…speaking words of wisdom…let it be!”
Prayer is part of what is the fabric of founding of America. History tells us that the Framers of the Constitution knelt and prayed while signing the Declaration of Independence. Prayer is foundational for people of almost every faith around the world. Prayer has a core influence in people’s lives that reaches over six continents and an estimated 7 billion people of faith.
People often know me as a public persona, but do not know me as a private person. I have been called to a life of prayer from my earliest days and have grown into being known as a “Man of Prayer.” I have studied, taught and written much about prayer. I have spent the better part of the last 20 years planting prayer rooms around the world and teaching people how to pray and pray with power resulting in seeing answers, sustaining growth and even miracles. I served as Co-Chair of the Congressional Prayer Conference of Washington D.C. and Designed and served as Co-Chair of the Prayer Train Across America traveling 15 states and stopping for prayer in 51 cities. I Co-Chaired the National Day of Prayer for Veterans and their Families at Independence Hall simulcast on both Christian Radio and Television. I have served as a Chaplin with privileges at many hospitals for over 30 years praying with the poor and the sick. I have prayed with and for leaders in over 37 countries of every form of belief. As an Editorial Director some who follow my articles might ask why am I writing an article on prayer? Why is it important? As is stated in the, We are the World Song, “…there comes a time when we need to heed a certain call…and come together as one…”
What is prayer? There are many forms of prayer. The simple answer is prayer is “talking with Almighty God.” The Book Conversations with God presents this in a lengthier explanation of it.
Often children do this so well as the pray to God with such humility. As Christ said, “…come to me as humble as a child…”
Most people when they pray are making petitions (requests) to God. Christ said, “…come to me all those who are burdened and I will give you rest.”
There are prayers for healing.
The are intercessory prayers often made by those given the gift of true intercession for others.
One such group call out in scripture are the 33 “just men.” These are specially called (chosen) to pray for true intercession for the world, for peace, for the poor, for healing for the battle of good versus evil. They never pray for themselves.
There are forms of worship prayers.
There are specific forms of healing prayers.
Does God hear all Prayers? The standard religious answer is to does God hear all prayers is, yes.
Some have taught as a justification that scriptures say God hears every prayer but… Oh yes, there is always someone putting their but in it. Are they right. One could debate that no they are not right.
For whom truly wishes to draw close to their relationship with Almighty God the Creator of all things and have their prayers heard and answered religious teachings generally affirm that God hears all prayers. Please note the key word here is “religious.” The justification for this thinking is that God is omnipresent. Then the usual follow up is, “…but God doesn’t always answer every praying the way the person praying expects …” Then the religious answer continues with, God knows the prayer is offered but might not respond favorably if the prayer is insincere, unrepentant, or not aligned with God’s will or the individual’s best interest.
Does anything in scripture back this thinking up?
The Psalmist declared, “As for me, I call to God … and he hears my voice” (Psalm 55:16-17).
Most religious traditions teach that God is all-knowing, meaning God is aware of every thought and every unspoken prayer, not just those said aloud. Again, the focus is on the words, “religious traditions…” Christ showed that He had distain for a “religious spirit.” Christ often stated, “it’s your faith that made you well…” Thus, an all-knowing God can know and judge the intentions of the heart.
It is taught that an unrepentant heart that is holding sin can create a separation between God and a person, leading God to not “hear” in the sense of granting the prayer. While this can be true, it may not always be true. There are countless times throughout history when someone in sin cries out and their prayer is answered with action, even miracles.
Then the usual comments are…that prayers offered with wrong motives, insincerity or hypocrisy, or without true faith may not be answered. Almighty God is the Creator of all things and when He moves it may have nothing to do with the person praying but in the final of it is God’s Will. Regarding God’s will, the religious might teach about alignment or non-alignment with God’s will the reason for a prayer not being answered. Then the usual to follow is God knows what is best for each person. Those comments can be humorous. God is God. God is a Spirit and in the supernatural and then in the natural God will do what is His will with or without regard to the person. Abraham had to learn a lesson about God and His will, plans and purposes coming first.
The next argument is usually God may answer with a “Yes,” “No,” or “Wait”. The religious would then respond that it does not mean the prayer was unheard but rather that the request was not granted at that time, often due to God’s wisdom or timing. This for me is just religious speak.
The Scriptures say, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will … we have what we asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15).
Are there specific examples where God does not hear prayers. Yes! There are over a dozen examples of people and prayers that God completely ignores.
Almighty God told the Prophet Jeremiah’ 7:16 “Therefore, do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you.
God commanded the Prophet Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:1 to stop mourning and praying for King Saul because God had definitively rejected Saul as king. God had already Judged Saul.
There are consequences for those engaged in violence. Isaiah 1:15 records the word of God regarding unjust violence saying, “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you offer many prayers, I will not be listening. Your hands are covered with blood.” That is the God of the Scriptures, purposely ignoring prayers. Proof beyond any reasonable doubt that God does not hear every prayer. Those speaking against prayer and engaging violence should be aware that there are serios consequences to violence.
The aforementioned gives very clear evidence that God does not hear every prayer.
Regardless of the rhetoric of the ungodly speaking ill of those who pray, the Scriptures says, “Rejoice always, pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17). Prayers have many forms. There are those who pray every day and in some faiths 5 times a day. Some pray written prayers and church traditional prayers. Some pray some chant repetitiously. Nothing is wrong with such as long as it is with a sincere mind, soul and spirit and by true faith.
Some suggestions to follow.
When I teach people to pray, I first teach them how to present themselves before Almighty God.
Present yourself with a pure heart.
Scripture states, “…to go boldly to the Throne…” But in our boldness, it is wise to go with reverence.
I teach never pray the word, “if.” If is a form of doubt to God.
I teach never use the word, “maybe.” Again, this is a form of doubt.
In the book of James 1:5-7 it says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubt, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,”
When asking God for wisdom, doubt can get in the way of you receiving an answer.
Have an expectation because that is true faith. Make your intercession or petitions believing not only that God hears your prayers but answers them.
There is a song Turn, Turn, Turn written directly out of the Book of Ecclesiastes that says there a time for every season…this is a time for prayer.
Mark Rafter
