*WRONG PATTERN OF PRAYER.*(Series 3) *Scripture Reading:* Luke 18:10-13 *"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ’God, I thank you that I am not like other people —robbers, evildoers, adulterers —or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ’God, have mercy on me, a sinner."*(NIV) I will be sharing with you this morning some likely reasons why we pray amiss: *1) BEING UNGRATEFUL:* When your prayers to God are always demanding, no time was ever created during your prayer session to praise and appreciate God for who he is to you and what he has done then, you are praying amiss. The psalmist declared in Psalm 103:2-4; *"Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul, And do not forget any of His benefits; Who forgives all your sins, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you [lavishly] with lovingkindness and tender mercy;"*(AMP) We need to revere God during our prayer sessions, don’t come to God in prayer with the list of complaints and grudges of things he hasn’t done for you. Doing that is demonic but appreciate him first for the ones he has done and even for the ones He is yet to answer. Remember, God is faithful and does not slack in his promises to his children. *2) SELFISH PRAYERS:* The true is that when you approach the throne of grace in prayers to God, he will readily answered them once it is in line with the will of God, but any prayers done to God to fulfil ungodly desires or to create strive in the congregation of God, such prayers will not be accepted by God which means you have prayed wrong set of prayers. Find time to meditate on today's Scripture again about the prayer of the pharisees and the tax collector. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you the right order of prayers acceptable by God for quick answering. As Christians, we should ask with the right motive, don’t ask with a corrupt motive, such prayers are done in amiss. *Prayers rendered to God must be to fulfil God’s purpose for your existence here on earth. There is nothing wrong in praying for pleasures, but they must be healthy and not harmful ones.* Don’t try to manipulate God to serve selfish desires, he won’t answer such prayers. To be continue tomorrow morning by God's Grace. Good morning and do have a great day, peace. *Prayer point:* Holy Spirit, you the best teacher, I need your help on how to pray. Teach me the right pattern of prayer in Jesus Christ name. Amen! T.S. AFOLAYAN