I Doubt It: Does Prayer Work?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Not yet

4. You’ve got to be kidding me

“While God didn’t allow Moses to enter the Promised Land He did allow him to climb up on the mountain and see it all. There Moses saw battles that needed to be fought and many tough and difficult times ahead. Moses was an old man and God was sparing him of having to deal with all of that.”– Bob Russell

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better. Hebrews 11:39–40 

1. Prayerlessness

You do not have, because you do not ask God. James 4:2

2. Unconfessed sin

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:1–2

3. Selfish motives

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3

If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered. Proverbs 21:13

• Does this request advance the Kingdom of God?

• Does this request benefit others?

• Does this request help us grow spiritually?

4. Lack of faith

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord. James 1:5–7

5. Relational conflict

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect... so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 1 Peter 3:7

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23–24

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;

I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things;

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy;

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing I asked for— but everything that I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among all, most richly blessed!

We can resist God.

We can resent God.

We can relax.