To pray for something when we know it is not God's will is to waste our breath. God has revealed His will in the Bible, and so our prayers must be grounded in the truths of His Word.
Too often we come to God to ask for things that He has forbidden. To ask God to bless us today, when we intend to do things we know are wrong or if we have plans to visit places where a Christian should not go, is to ask amiss. Such prayers will never be answered. It's useless to ask God to bless our business when we indulge in shady practices or continue in worldly habits.
A little boy had the habit of sucking his thumb and was told he must stop. One evening in his bedtime prayer he was heard to say, "O God, help me to stop sucking my thumb." After a pause, he continued, "Never mind, God, because I don't want to stop sucking my thumb."
The child was more frank than most of us. If we want our prayers to be answered, we must be willing to let God have His way. The pattern for our prayers should be that of our precious Lord, who said, "Not My will, but Yours, be done" (Lk. 22:42).
Are we willing to pray like that? — M.R. De Haan
I would be prayerful through each busy moment;
I would be constantly in touch with God;
I would be tuned to hear His slightest whisper;
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod. --Walter
If you want your prayers to reach heaven, make sure you have a good connection.