Do Not Pray

"I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer ..." "Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you."
~ Jeremiah 7:13,16

Then [Jesus] spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart ... ~ Luke 18:1

Pray without ceasing.
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Jesus said to pray always and not lose heart. Paul said to pray without ceasing. I've seen some mighty answers to prayer myself and am committed to it.

But there is also a time for "do not pray." Not because we ever cease from praying, but because there is a time to move on from prayer and respond to what God's already told us. When Jeremiah delivered a command to repent which went unheeded, God wasn't ready to receive any more petitions. Why should He receive more prayers if His previous answers were ignored?

One of the best ways to know the Spirit's soft voice is to not only listen for it, but to heed it.

Father, You are good and faithful as You hear and answer our prayers. We are all too often unfaithful to heed You. Please give us not only the answers we need, but please lead us by the hand to walk in Your ways and heed Your voice. Please put in us the strength we need to do right.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.