Yesterday I wrote about how prayer is sometimes not enough. If you thought I was a heretic then, you will certainly be disappointed to hear a pastor say that some things in this world should not be prayed about. By saying that, I’m not suggesting as some have done that some things are too small and inconsequential for God to worry with. Just the opposite, in fact, some things are just too big for God to have waited for us to ask before he provided an answer.
Some things are like a hot stove to a toddler. You do not wait for your child to touch a stove, get close to it, or even ask before you tell him its hot. As loving parents, we caution our children early in life to stay far away from things that could cause them great pain. They do not need to ask, they just need to listen and obey.
Some things in life do not need to be prayed about because God has already answered the question. Often, you do not need to pray, you simply need to obey. God’s word is a record of his revealed will. If God’s word speaks to a situation in the positive or the negative, then we have God’s definitive answer on the subject (If I were speaking here, I would pronounce the “period” for emphasis).
Honestly, no one needs to pray about whether or not they should be faithful to their spouse, God has already forbidden adultery. We need not pray about whether or not we should love and honor our parents, God has answered that question in the affirmative. Paying taxes? Look at Romans 13:6-7, Paul speaks pretty clearly on that subject. God has answered questions about sexual immorality over and over again, so you do not need to pray about whether or not you should move in with your girlfriend or be engaged in homosexuality. The Bible offers clear answers about these sins too.
The list goes on. I know I should love my neighbor because Jesus told me to. I know that as a pastor, I am called not only to leadership, but to service because my Savior came as a humble servant. I know that porn is wrong because lust is wrong (among many other reasons like taking advantage of vulnerable people). The list could go on and on.
Often, people are praying, not for God’s will, but for permission to break God’s will. When God’s will has been made known, obedience is our expected and only acceptable response. We may pray for strength to obey and even for help in overcoming our unbelief, but we must never pray for a way out of obedience. When God has given you the answer in his word, do not pray, just obey.
