When Not to Pray

By Greg Laurie, Op-ed contributor Friday, March 09, 2007

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. —1 John 5:14

In a broad sense, we should pray about everything. But there are certain things we don't need to pray about. For example, if someone were to say, "Greg, I am praying about robbing a bank. Would you pray with me?" I will pray for that person, but I won't pray that God will bless their efforts. Why? Because the Bible says, "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15). We don't need to pray about that.

Yet there are certain things God tells us we can pray for. He tells us we can pray for wisdom: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 5:5).

We can pray for His provision. Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

We can pray for protection. Psalm 91:5–7 says, "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you."

The key to effective prayer is getting our will in alignment with God's will, because 1 John 5:14 tells us, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."

Nothing lies outside the reach of prayer except that which lies outside of the will of God. God only answers the requests that He inspires.

Used with Permission