WHEN YOUR PRAYERS DON’T GET THROUGH

James 5:16 says, "The fervent, effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Though that statement certainly is true, it seems to us, at times, that our prayers are just not getting past the ceiling and the walls of the room in which we may have been located. It is possible that God will not give us what we ask for all the time. There are certain factors that help determine the success of our prayer lives. If you feel your prayers are not getting through, here are a few things you might want to check up on in your life.

I.                  GIVE YOURSELF THE PLEASING TEST.

James 4:3 says, " Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."

If we cannot ask for the glory of God and the furtherance of His cause and work, then the request may not be granted unto us from Almighty God. Do we want whatever it is to please God or to gratify our own selves?

II.               GIVE YOURSELF THE PASSION TEST.

 Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight thyself in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

If we are not getting our prayers answered, we may not be giving God the proper place or respect, honor, and rulership in our lives.

III.           GIVE YOURSELF THE PURITY TEST.

The Psalmist said, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me (Psm. 66:18)."

Unconfessed sin can be a constant barrier to answered prayer. Since God sees the heart, it is an insult to Him if we try to hide iniquity and not face up to it.

IV.            GIVE YOURSELF THE PERSISTENCE TEST.

 If you read James 1:6,7, you will discover that the "wavering" person does not receive anything from the Lord. When our faith "keeps on keeping on" then it will bring much blessing due to answered prayer.