1 John 5_14_15 Sermon Outline

1 John 5:14-15“Our Prayer Life

In one region of Africa, the first converts to Christianity were very diligent about praying. In fact, the believers each had their own special place outside the village where they went to pray in solitude. The villagers reached these “prayer rooms” by using their own private footpaths through the brush. When grass began to grow over one of these trails, it was evident that the person to whom it belonged was not praying very much.

Because these new Christians were concerned for each other’s spiritual welfare, a unique custom sprang up. Whenever anyone noticed an overgrown “Prayer path,” he or she would go to the person and lovingly warn, “Friend, there’s grass on your path!

Is there grass on your path? If so why? Do you feel like God doesn’t hear your prayers, does it seem that your prayers are not being answered…..

CPS: Today I want to give you three principles to pray by that will create or enhance a powerful prayer life.

Pray according to your position 14a

Confidence (Boldness) 4x 2:28, 3:21, 4:17, 5:14 (see 5:13)

John 14:14-15 anything in My name.

Pray according to His will14b

His will

Prayer is not requesting your way done in heaven but the request of God’s way on earth

ILL: A businessman who needed millions of dollars to clinch an important deal went to church to pray for the money. By chance he knelt next to a man who was praying for $100 to pay an urgent debt. The businessman took out his wallet and pressed $100 into the other man’s hand. Overjoyed, the man got up and left the church. The businessman then closed his eyes and prayed, “And now, Lord, that I have your undivided attention

He Hears

Pray according to faith15

John does not write, “We shall have the request,” but “We know that we have the request.” The verb “have” ( ἔχωĕchō) is in the present tense, it means to HOLD. As we pray in faith, we pray as though we have already received which we have prayed. Heb. 11:1

Hannah1 Sam 1:18

Jehosaphat 2 Chron. 20:21

Conclusion: It has been said that prayer is not a way of overcoming God’s reluctance but lying hold of God’s willingness. If we have eternal life, and know God’s will we can pray with boldness. When we pray by faith we pray as though you have already received God’s will, because in all practicality you have.

It is a sort of shame that as praying people we don’t realize when our prayers are answered often times that is because our prayers are not specific, ask God for His will to be done in specifics then marvel at His majesty. God is the hearer of prayers and the answerer of prayers, they may not come to be by your expectations or in your timing, but I assure you that God hears and will answer according to His will and His timing.