Job 3:23 What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.
Faith and fervor in prayer die down when prayers are not answered. Waiting for a long time for petitions to be granted quenches the fire in many prayer warriors. The foundations of their faith are challenged and the belief system becomes shaky when there is a delay in the desired answer from heaven. However, the most pertinent point to note when discouragement creeps in is that “We are not waiting on God, God is waiting on us”.
Prayers are delayed or not answered because there is an error in the principle and the precepts of prayer. Entering the prayer closet is like walking into a chemistry lab. The right formula produces the desired result. H₂O has two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen, forming one molecule of water. We cannot get upset with the end result if we add two atoms of oxygen and one atom of hydrogen (O2H). The formula is incorrect. Similarly, prayer has a formula that is detailed in the Bible. Don’t get frustrated if your prayer has not been answered – check the formula.
God responds to faith not fear. Prayer from a fearful heart does not yield fruit. The simple principle is that without faith no one can reach God. Words of faith ignite divine intervention. “The prayer of the righteous availeth much” (James 5:16). Faith opens heaven’s doors but fear attracts demons. Fear extinguishes prayer.
Job was a blameless and upright man who loved God and shunned evil, yet, he had an underlying fear about the future of his children. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts” (Job 1:5). Hence satan targeting the very thing that Job feared. Job’s prayers/sacrifices were extinguished by fear.
Faith and fear cannot coexist and avail results.
- Fear: Fear is an open door to demons. Perfect love casts away all fear.
- Formula: Earnest Prayer=Faith-Doubt. Fear should be absent.
- Faith: Fear driven prayers do not avail results but faith-filled prayers unlock blessings and breakthroughs.
Fear is the fire extinguisher of fervent prayers and blocks our prayers from reaching heaven.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, help me to drive out all doubts, fears and forebodings and pray earnestly in faith. Amen
Leave a Reply