3 Common mistakes we make in prayer. Matthew 4:1-10(Deuteronomy 6:13, 8:3, 6:16)

Instead of asking the Lord what to do or how to proceed, we go to Him with an already made-up mind. 

We normally do this by-

•  Adapting what someone else did in-order to get their prayers answered.
•  We start claiming promises that God has not given us. (Jesus called it tempting God, David called it presumptive sin)

We need to understand that Powerful prayer must proceed from place of genuinely needing to hear God.

David was a man after God's own heart because he insisted on seeking to hear from God every time he wanted to make a decision.

He always made a point to inquire from the Lord on how to proceed with the battle, or if he should build a temple. David never stopped asking even when the strategy seemed obvious.

Friends, God is a dynamic God, seek him and know what procedure he wants you to follow.

One moment he might tell you to work for the money, the other moment he might send someone to give you the money and at yet another he might just provide whatever you needed the money for 

Point is, learn to enquire from the Lord every time about the need.

 God tells us what to do and we don’t do it.

If you have no intention of doing what God will tell you to do, then don’t bother asking Him.

We should get it into our hearts (without argument) that to our Father God; Obeying is better than sacrifice and hearkening than the fat of rams.

Saul was rejected after disobeying clear instructions from God. It is to him that Samuel tells the above word.

The Israelis tried to move into Canaan after they had been told to turn back. They were defeated by the Canaanites.

Moses hit the rock instead of telling it to give water and he did not enter Canaan.

Disobedience is very distasteful to God; we shouldn’t ask if we are not ready to obey instructions.

 We don’t pray from a place of reverence and worship. 

This happens when we ask God for things so we can indulge our flesh.

Let me ask you my friend, 

• have you ever wanted something so that you can impress your friends or to make them jealous and envious? 
• Or wanted another thing so that you can you can feast your eyes on it?
• And another because it would make you feel good?

Do you know at that occasion your request was not from a place of reverence and worship to God? Your focus at that moment was your flesh.

Let’s always make a point to search our hearts deeply (by making use of the Holy Spirit) before we make our requests to God.  Let’s learn to ask ourselves questions like, why do I want this? How would I feel if God rejected my request?

Friends lets teach our hearts to be content in Christ, if our hearts learn to find contentment and joy in Christ, then when trouble and trial comes, we will not faint or grow weary in our faith.

Kindly Note: Obeying Gods instructions is meant to protect us from deception. When we don’t obey, we open up ourselves to all kinds of deceptions and lies of the enemy.

Remember to

• Ask God what to do and His answer should never deviate from His word.
• Ask God to confirm His word. 
• Pray with an obedient heart.
• Let your heart be a heart filled with worship and reverence.