Actually, you should stop praying these prayers from now. Christianity requires a lot of learning, relearning and unlearning. The bible tells us in Ephesians 4:23 and Romans 12:2 that we are to subject our minds to constant renewal by the Spirit. Formerly, some certain kinds of prayers were okay to pray but, in this dispensation (of grace), they are not. Hence the purpose of this post…to tell you 5 prayers you should cross out from your prayer list.

“God heal me”. It’s natural to pray this prayer when you are sick or feeling unwell but did you know that this prayer is really not scriptural? …at least in this dispensation of grace. Isaiah 53:5 and 1Peter 2:24 make us understand that “by His stripes we are healed”. The stripes of no one other than Jesus. Take note that the word does not say “we will be healed”. The deed is already done…we are healed! As at the time when this statement was made, it was more of a prophecy because Mary the mother of Jesus was not even born let alone Jesus Christ (though He had been in existence, He was not born to earth yet). However, now, Jesus has been born to earth and whipped so that we, through his pain and suffering, may be made whole. You do not need to ask God to heal you. Your healing has been made available to you since over two-thousand and twenty years ago. All you need to do is access that healing is your faith.

“Lord as I go out, go/be with me”. This prayer reminds me of that phrase what seems right. This prayer is a typical example of what seems right. I mean, I’m going out and it’s only sensible to ask that God go with me, right? But it is a wrong prayer. It is not right. This kind of prayer is only a reiteration of your faithlessness. The bible says in Hebrews 13:5 that God will never leave you nor forsake you. If He has already said He will never leave you that is, He is constantly by your side, why exactly do you still spend hours praying “God be with me”? He says He is with you till the end of time (Matthew 28:20). Why is that so hard for you to believe? Instead of praying this prayer, replace it with “Lord I thank you for you are always with me” “thank you for your presence that surrounds me even as I go out today”. Your body is God’s temple and so He even dwells in you…you do not need to ask Him to be with you…so long as you are born again, He is always with you! (1 Corinthians 3:16; Haggai 1:13; Genesis 28: 15)

“Forgive me my sins”. Are you surprised? I was too, when I found out. Before Jesus went to the cross, a plea for forgiveness was required of anyone seeking God’s mercy. However, ever since Jesus took up all of our sins and shortcomings and nailed them to the cross, we do not need to beg for forgiveness from God…except you doubt the finished work of Christ. The moment you received Christ as your savior, all your sins were atoned for; past, present and future. He made a once and for all sacrifice that washed you of your iniquities (Hebrews 10:10). What makes you think your sins aren’t forgiven? You were not even born when Jesus went to the cross so does that mean all who were born after his death and resurrection are doomed? Of course not! Rather than asking or let me say begging, you are to receive it with a repentant heart. Confess your shortcomings to God and receive His forgiveness (1 John1:9). Don’t say “God please forgive me” say “God I receive your forgiveness” because you have been forgiven already!

Avoid every form of conditional prayer. The likes of “God if you give me this result, I will donate ‘so-so’ amount to the church” …avoid them. If you are looking for a negotiator, go to a bank. God is not a dealer. He will not bless you based on the conditions that you have set for Him. If you have been praying like this, then it’s time to stop. The people of old may have done it, but they did so because they were representing God’s people. God does not need anything you can offer and so making such prayers of give me this for that, is absolutely unnecessary and wrong. Whether it be your money, attendance in church, worship and so on, God is not in need of it. He may require it, but He definitely isn’t in need of it, so much so that He’d even strike a deal. The whole world belongs to Him (Psalm 50:9-12). Prayer is a sacred thing meant for communication between man and his Creator, God and His people, The Father and we, the sons and daughters. Don’t turn it to some kind of negotiation ground. After all, you didn’t negotiate your salvation, it was given freely to you (Titus 3:4-7).

In the coming year, never pray a faithless prayer. Nothing upsets God more than unbelief (Hebrews 11:6). If you are going to ask God for something, do not harbor any form of doubt (James 1:6). The One who created the entire universe out of nothing is capable to do that which you desire. Learn to trust God. A faithless prayer could also mean more than praying without faith in God. It can also be a prayer in which your trust is in your actions and inactions rather than in God’s sufficient power. Put away the habit of thinking you deserve something from God because of what you’ve done. Put away any feeling of entitlement…it won’t work with God (1 Samuel 2:9; Psalm 127:1; Zechariah 4:6). Trust instead, in God and Him alone.

So, you see, a lot of these prayers though common, are not exactly correct. Praying them is not a sin but some of them could lead to unbelief and doubt in God’s power which could result into sin. Also, God expects that we grow spiritually. He expects that we mature in Him and in the kinds of prayers we pray. Like I said before, subject your mind to renewing and start praying right. You don’t actually have to wait till the new year to make these changes in your prayer pattern, you can start praying right now!