Scripture Reading: Luke 11:9-13

Prayer in Our Lives

Intro.

1. Since God hears our prayers, why doesn't He always immediately answer us by giving us what we want? (cf. Child demanding from parent, Lk. 11:11-12)
2. Is this your attitude toward and expectation of prayer? If so, then you are still lacking in your understanding of prayer. This attitude is selfish and self-centered in its expectations of prayer, and it shows you do not yet have a mature faith in God concerning prayer.
3. The place, power and possibilities of prayer in the Christian's life.

I. THE PLACE OF PRAYER.
A. Prayer is a Privilege of the Christian, Heb. 4:14-16.

B. Prayer is an Expression of Our Relationship with God, Gal. 4:6; Matt. 7:10-11. (Father - child relationship)
-We are dependent upon God (Supplier, Protector, Deliverer, etc.).
C. We Trust in the Privilege and Blessings of Prayer, 1 Jno. 5:14-15.

II. THE POWER OF PRAYER, Jas. 5:16-18.
A. Faith Empowers Our Prayers, Jas. 1:5-8; Mk. 11:20-24.
B. Righteousness Empowers Our Prayers, Jas. 5:16, 17-18 (Elijah, 1 Kgs. 18:41-45); 1 Pet. 3:12.
C. Obedience Empowers Our Prayers, 1 Jno. 3:22.

1. Ask according to God's will, 1 Jno. 5:14.

a. In harmony with and submitting to God's word (Jesus in garden, Matt. 26:39, 42, 44).
b. This does not mean God has predestined all that will occur and we are just acknowledging the point.

c. It means we are humbly submissive to His purposes and overriding will.

2. Free of covetous requests, cf. Jas. 4:3.

III. THE POSSIBILITIES OF PRAYER, Phil. 4:6-7.
A. We will Never Know All the Workings of God, including Answered Prayer, Eccl. 3:11; Deut. 29:29.
1. We are certain God answers our prayers (Lk. 11:9-10).
2. We are certain God always answer us in love (Lk. 11:13).
3. But, without direct revelation we have no way of precisely pinpointing the time and place of God's answers.

4. Our focus in prayer ought to be aimed at the purposes and will of God in our lives, 1 Jno. 3:22; 5:14-15. "If the Lord wills..."

a. Ex. For quiet, peaceable lives, 1 Tim. 2:1-2. What if war comes? Does that mean God has not answered us?

b. Ex. For the sick, Jas. 5:14; 2 Cor. 12:7-10. What if worsen? Does that mean God does not care? That He has not answered?

c. Ex. For vindication from evil, Rev. 6:9-11. God's purposes extend beyond the moment of our lives.

5. If the answer is "yes", be thankful and live by faith, 1 Ths. 5:17-18.

6. If the answer is different than we expect, trust that God always answers in ways that are best for us, Heb. 5:7.

7. Be steadfastly attentive (persevere, watchful), Eph. 6:18.

Conclusion
1. God hears and answers the prayers of His children.

2. We ought to always pray and not lose heart, Lk. 18:1 (1-8).
3. As His children, Christians trust God and know that His answers are always best for us.
4. So, we focus on faithfully serving God - on praying always - and on submitting to His will in all things.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: May 7, 2015