Are you praying to yourself?

" The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. " ( Luke 18:11-14) (KJV)

          Greetings. In this day, ask yourself-ARE YOU PRAYING TO YOURSELF? In life, we say many prayers, but is God hearing you? In this passage of scripture, the Pharisee was praying to himself! Why? Pride was the problem. He was exalting in what he did before the Lord. Meanwhile, the publican, had his prayers heard and came out justified.
           We may not be like the Pharisee boasting about our works, but sometimes, we talk too much about ourselves. Many Christians complain that God doesn't answer their prayers. In talking to them, I have listened to them complain and complain. All they do is just talk and complain. When I finally interject, I ask them-HAVE YOU STOPPED TALKING AND HEARD FROM GOD?
Traditionally, we see Prayers as talking with God and its is. We pour out our hearts and that is good but, remember, it is a two way street. We need to be quiet and hear from God, too! Sometimes, God lets you talk to yourself and doesn't hear you. When you finish, he asks-ARE YOU THROUGH? MAY I SPEAK?
                 When you talk, talk and talk and don't allow anyone else to speak, it is pride. We need to stop and listen. It can avoid lots of misunderstandings and headaches with God, as well as with others. The key to remember is that faith pleases God. We need to learn to spend some time in silence and wait on God.
          Sometimes, we can wait in silence for 15 or 30 minutes and nothing happens. That's all right. There will be moments in which we will not hear that small still voice. When that happens, pray the prayer of Ephesians and study his word. When you do, ask yourself how does this applies to me? Then resume your time in silence meditating on what you just read. Remember, his word is his will. (I John 5:14)
             God is speaking 24/7 in his word. Let's learn to hear from him. Let put aside years of traditions and false teaching. It is imperative to learn to be humble. Complaining about the problem will not help. Again, God wants us to pour out our hearts, but there comes a time to hear God. To stop talking and seek his face.
               Once we have the answer, to speak it out in prayer. If we pray the problem, it will grow and will hinder our prayers. Eventually, pride will set in through worry and we will wind up being defeated. If we complain about the problem-God stops hearing us! Why? Because we are not praying his word and his will. We are, just, praying to ourselves. So, get in tune with God's word. Pray the answer and you will get God's ear. Learn to be quiet and make it a habit to hear from God-It will do you some good in the end! God bless!