When it comes to prayer, some believers are misled about a minor, but still significant point.  So let me state clearly… You cannot manipulate God through prayer. Now let me explain…

It is written in Scripture…

Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you…

If you have the faith of a mustard seed you can say to this mountain be plucked up and cast into the sea and it will happen…

If two agree on earth about anything they ask it will be done for them by my Father in heaven…

Because of those passages they “claim the promise” and then proceed to ask God for whatever… expecting God (?!) to answer their request positively.

Only one problem… God will not be used.  God is NOT a cosmic Santa Clause or errand boy or servant to us.  He is GOD and He will NOT be held captive to anyone… including His own (misguided) children.

So I’d like to suggest we keep in mind a few other passages of Scripture…

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. {Two points: 1) We don’t know how to pray properly; 2) God’s will is supreme in prayer being answered.}

And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.

When we pray… if our prayer is in agreement with God’s will… it will be answered positively.  If it’s not consistent with God’s will… it won’t.  It doesn’t matter how much faith we have, how many are praying with us, or how passionately we pray… the answer will be no (For God’s glory and our ultimate good).  God cannot be manipulated by our prayers…