Neal Pollard
Prayer is a powerful blessing and gift bestowed on us by God. It is a spiritual lifeline, a relationship builder with the eternal God, a source of help when we struggle and doubt, and so much more. I cannot think of a decision, small or large, that should be made without prayer. Churches, families, couples, and individual Christians should be praying more–more often, more fervently, and more trustingly. What a shame when we act without preceding the action with prayer.
However, for most of my life, I have heard people defend an unscriptural way of worshipping, entering into a marriage not permitted or sanctioned by God’s Word, a decision to engage in an immoral practice, and an illegitimate way of handling a problem with a brother or sister by insisting, “We’ve prayed about it!”
Prayer is not a substitute for obedience. Praying about and then moving ahead in doing something that stands in disobedience to God is a pointless exercise. For what are we praying, if the matter has already been settled in God’s Word? Prayer cannot nullify objective truth. Prayer without proper understanding is insufficient. All the prayer in the world cannot change God’s view on matters about which He has already expressed Himself through His written means of communication.
The Bible teaches some important truths that will guide and govern how we pray and for what we pray. Jesus taught us to pray to the Father, “Your will be done” (Matt. 6:10). How often, in prayer, are we still stubbornly hanging on to a desire to do things the way we want to do them? James urges us to check our motives and desires in prayer (4:2-3). Prayer and righteousness are conjoined, and God’s face is against those who do evil (1 Pet. 3:12)–a reminder that rebellion against God’s will renders the prayer of such a one useless so long as he or she persists in that condition.
I am not saying pray less, but instead pray less selfishly. I am not saying that all decisions are easy, but we must wed a strong prayer life to a submissive spirit always longing to trust and obey the One to whom we pray! Developing that kind of attitude and character is definitely something to pray about.
The Preacher Pollard Blog 
Very important lesson, thanks. And I LOVE the picture at the top. I am going to have to copy it. 🙂
I totally agree, Preacher. Another one quote to make a sinful decision “right” is, “God wants me to be happy”.