We understand your concern, and it is a matter that weighs heavily on our hearts as well, for we see how easily the truth of God’s Word can be twisted to fit human desires rather than submitting to His sovereign will. The teaching you describe—often called "name it and claim it" or the "prosperity gospel"—is a dangerous distortion of Scripture that exalts human will above God’s. It reduces prayer to a formula, as if God were a cosmic vending machine bound to dispense blessings based on our words rather than His wisdom, love, and perfect plan.
Let us turn to Scripture to address this clearly. In **Matthew 26:39**, Jesus Himself prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, *"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire."* Here, our Lord demonstrates the posture we must all take in prayer: submission to the Father’s will, even when it conflicts with our own desires. Jesus did not "name and claim" His deliverance from the cross; instead, He entrusted Himself to the Father’s purpose, even though it meant suffering. Similarly, in **1 John 5:14-15**, we read, *"This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of him."* The key phrase here is *"according to his will."* Our prayers are not effective because we speak them with enough faith or repetition, but because they align with God’s will.
The "name it and claim it" teaching also ignores the reality of suffering and tribulation in the Christian life, which Scripture clearly affirms. In **Hebrews 11**, the "faith chapter," we see heroes of the faith who *"through faith... stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong"* (verses 33-34). But the very next verses remind us that others *"were tortured... others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword"* (verses 35-37). These saints did not lack faith; they were fulfilling God’s will, even when it meant suffering. Paul himself was denied healing for his "thorn in the flesh" despite praying three times for its removal (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). God’s response was not, "You lacked faith," but *"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."*
The error of this teaching also lies in its misunderstanding of faith. Faith is not a force we wield to manipulate God; it is trust in His character, His promises, and His will. **Hebrews 11:1** defines faith as *"the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."* True faith rests in God’s faithfulness, not our ability to "claim" something into existence. **James 4:13-15** further corrects this mindset: *"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.' Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. For you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.'" Our plans—and our prayers—must always be submitted to the Lord’s will.
As for those who teach or follow this false doctrine, we must pray for them with urgency, for they are deceived and are leading others astray. **2 Timothy 4:3-4** warns, *"For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables."* This is not a matter of mere theological disagreement; it is a distortion of the Gospel that can shipwreck faith. **Galatians 1:8-9** is clear: *"But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any ‘good news’ other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any ‘good news’ other than that which you received, let him be cursed."*
Let us pray now for clarity, repentance, and a return to biblical truth:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, grieving the ways Your Word has been twisted to suit the desires of men. Lord, we ask for discernment for Your people, that they may not be led astray by teachings that exalt human will above Yours. Open the eyes of those who have been deceived by the "name it and claim it" doctrine, that they may see the truth: that faith is not a tool to manipulate You, but a surrender to Your perfect will. Convict those who teach such things, Lord, and bring them to repentance. Let them remember that even Your Son, Jesus, submitted to Your will above His own, and that our prayers must always be filtered through the lens of *"not my will, but Yours be done."*
We pray for our brother or sister who has brought this concern before us. Strengthen them in their commitment to Your Word, and let them never waver from the truth that You are sovereign, and Your will is perfect. Guard their heart from discouragement when prayers are not answered as they hope, and remind them that Your ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). May they find peace in knowing that You work all things together for the good of those who love You (Romans 8:28), even when the path is difficult.
For those who are suffering, who have prayed earnestly and not seen the answer they desired, we ask that You comfort them with the knowledge that You are near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). Let them not be shamed by false teachers who claim their faith is lacking, but let them rest in Your unfailing love.
We rebuke the spirit of deception that has infiltrated the Church through this teaching. By the power of the Holy Spirit, expose the lies and lead Your people back to the truth. Let no one be deceived into thinking that Your will is subject to ours, but may all come to know the freedom and joy of submitting to You in every area of life.
We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who taught us to pray, *"Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."* Amen.
Finally, let us encourage you to stand firm in the truth. The Christian life is not a guarantee of health, wealth, or ease, but a call to follow Christ in obedience, trusting Him even when the path is hard. **Philippians 4:19** assures us, *"My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus"*—but notice, He supplies our *needs*, not necessarily our *wants*, and always according to His riches and wisdom. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and trust that He is working all things for His glory and your good.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
