By way of contrast, the publicans (tax collectors for the Roman government) were despised. They were put in the same category as Gentiles, prostitutes and sinners (Mt. 18:17; 21:31-33; 9:10).

When the Pharisee arrived at the temple, he struck a pose and eulogized himself. I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men.” He viewed himself as a self-made man, and he adored his creator!

In stark relief, however, the publican contritely sought the Lord’s mercy as a sinner. He was justified rather than the other.

The lesson of the parable is this. Arrogance can negate prayer. Humility will bless it.

This word may be added. While we are to pray with truly humble hearts, a balanced view acknowledges that, due to the work of our great high priest, Jesus, we may draw near “with boldness unto the throne of grace” (Heb.4:16).

Humble confidence is the divine ideal attitude for effective prayer.

Lethargic Prayer Life

A key word connected with powerful prayer is perseverance.

In response to the disciples’ request that he teach them to pray, Christ gave the story of the friend at midnight. The purpose of this parable was to encourage the faithful to keep on patiently praying.

The man in the story had an unexpected midnight visitor. Because he had no food to set before his guest, he went to a neighbor’s, who had already gone to bed.

The man asked his neighbor for three loaves of bread. The neighbor, however, would not be troubled. But the man continued to knock. Finally, because of such persistence, the neighbor arose and gave him what he needed (Lk. 11:5ff).

This narrative isn’t teaching us God is wearied by our prayers. But it is a study in contrasts.

In the parable, the one making the request was but only a friend. We are God’s children.

• The request came at an inconvenient midnight hour, but with God, there is no night (Psa. 74:16).
• The man’s needs were small and were answered—grudgingly. Our needs are great, yet are answered lovingly and generously (Jas. 1:5).

The thrust of the parable is this. “Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.”

Each of these imperatives is in the Greek present tense. Literally, therefore, keep on asking seeking, and knocking*. The story of the unjust judge teaches a similar lesson (cf. Lk. 18:1ff}.

Perhaps we sometimes rob ourselves of many good things simply because we lack the confident determination persevere in prayer! God may be testing our resolve by withholding from us for a season.

Unforgiving Attitudes Overthrow Prayer

One of the most utterly devasting things that the Christian can do to hinder, indeed, to virtually cancel the effect of his prayers is to harbor a surly, unforgiving attitude toward others he feels have sinned against him (whether is real or imagined).

Christ taught the disciples to pray: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” In conclusion he warned:

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Mt. 6:12, 15).

Judgment is without mercy to him that shows no mercy (Jas. 2:13).

Peter once asked the Lord: “How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?”

The Jewish rabbis felt that three times to forgive was quite sufficient (cf. Barclay, 213). Likely, Peter assumed he was being generous, but the Lord cautioned that forgiveness was to be extended seventy times seven (i.e., limitless!).

Then in order to illustrate the gravity of having an unforgiving spirit, Jesus told the parable of the unmerciful servant.

A king made a reckoning with his servants. Among them was found a fellow who owed the enormous debt of 10,000 talents. (perhaps some $20,000,000).

When called to account, he acknowledged that he could not pay, but he promised, if given time, to clear the debt. This rash promise indicated his lack of appreciation of the enormity of his indebtedness. A laboring man’s daily wages were only a denarius (Mt. 20:2)—perhaps thirty cents in today’s money (2018). So the debt could scarcely have been liquidated in less than two hundred thousand years!)

Amazingly, his Lord forgave the debt anyway!

Then, in a truly shocking turn of events, that forgiven man went and found a fellow-servant who owed him the trifling sum of 100 denarii (about $30). He demanded payment. When his debtor confessed that he was unable to pay, the unmerciful wretch had him cast into prison.

When the king heard of this reprehensible conduct, he commanded that the servant be cast into prison himself until he should pay all, which would be never (see Mt. 18:23ff).

In this divine narrative, the king represents God. The first servant and his vast debt is you and me and the fact that our sins have put us head-over-heels in debt to God. It is debt that we can never pay off by acts of human merit. It must be a matter of forgiveness.

The second indebtedness calls attention to the trespasses others commit against us. How astounding it is that we, who have been given Heaven’s saving grace are sometimes so unwilling to forgive others.

The Lord warns that we cannot receive his forgiveness unless we are willing, from the heart, to forgive each other.

Yes, improper actions and attitudes toward others can surely sabotage prayer. Marred or broken relationships—social, domestic, or spiritual—can hinder effectual prayers.

Christ once said:

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Mt. 5:23, 24).

If you know that someone has a legitimate grievance against you, how can you sincerely approach God in prayer? Uncorrected problems with brethren are extremely detrimental.

One is reminded of the stubborn elder brother, who, because he was envious of his prodigal (though penitent) brother, refused brotherly association. In doing so, he deprived himself of Fatherly communion (Lk. 15:28)!

Peter certainly stressed that discordant home relationships could hinder prayers (1 Pet. 3:7). Where domestic wrangling and bitterness prevail, prayer can never be effective.

Listen. We cannot pray to God while harboring ugly thoughts toward others.

The Sabotage of Selfish Prayers

Finally, some short-circuit their prayers due to their own selfishness.

James says: “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it in your pleasures” (Jas. 4:3).

The word for pleasures is hedone. Here it suggests the desire of one who is so wrapped up in the physical world that he has little interest in fulfilling his true purpose on earth (cf. Isa.43:7; Eccl. 12:13). Though “religious,” the individual here considered prays only out of a base spirit of selfishness.

Perhaps we need to analyze the motivation behind our prayers. When we petition for material things, is it that we might use them to the glory of God or that we might be more comfortable?

That the prayers of many members of the church to this end are selfish prayers is clearly evinced by the fact that most of their possessions are employed to accommodate themselves, while only a pittance is offered to the Lord.

But if our petitions are directed to the end that we may effectively serve our Savior, God can open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings in abundance (Mal. 3:10; Prov. 3:9, 10; Lk. 6:38).

Conclusion

If we really want access to our Heavenly Father’s throne of grace, may we ever strive to conform our heart, mind, soul and body to serve him and others. May our prayers and lives reflect the spirit of Christ and the will of our God.