Are you one of those who says, “I can’t understand why God doesn’t answer my prayers”? Well, if you are, this is likely the reason why. If you put a letter in the mail with no stamp on it, the Post Office will stamp on it “Return To Sender”. Many business envelopes you get in the mail have a return envelope. Some say they’re postage paid, but most say, “Affix stamp here, the Post Office will not deliver mail without proper postage.” Yeah, yeah, I know, God is not the Post Office. But read on:
It is written in Psalm 100:4, Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. You see, God has protocol for coming in His presence. You don’t just say, “Hey God, I want you to do this for me.” I am pretty good at following instructions, and that verse is so very clear, you’d have to work at it to misunderstand it. And yet? We want to do things OUR way, and then blame God because our prayers are delayed or unanswered.

I NEVER PRAY WITHOUT FOLLOWING THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS. Does the LORD answer my prayers? YES! Does that mean I’m better than someone else? NO! Does that mean God loves me more than someone else? NO! It just means I follow instructions.

Once years ago I received a prayer request in the mail. It was from a guy asking God to prosper him and give him all the money he needs so he can buy a new house. After reading it, the LORD told me, There’s no postage on it. I picked up the envelope and said, LORD, it has a stamp on it. He told me, Throw it away, I won’t answer it because he didn’t thank Me or praise Me or bless My name, so I did. That was the first time I ever threw a prayer request away, and I received instruction that day from the LORD.

How does anyone dare ask God for anything with such an attitude? Sure I understand, we are only human, we have our faults and weaknesses. But there is NO EXCUSE whatsoever for not giving God his due by thanksgiving, praise and blessing His name!

In the New Testament, there are many references to giving thanks unto God, such as Ephesians 5:20, Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Philippians 4:6, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Colossians 4:2, Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Hebrews 13:15, By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

We must all do a better job of giving God thanksgiving and praise, for He is worthy of all glory, honor, praise, might, power, dominion and wisdom forever, ages without end. The very LEAST we can do is follow His instructions concerning how to come to Him. Yes, it is written in Hebrews 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. And we CAN, but let’s do it the right way, and make sure our prayers have the correct postage so they aren’t stamped RETURN TO SENDER!