A closer walk -Through principles of prayer

Do you give it enough thought?

We do it, but do we give it enough thought? We pray, but do we think about what we pray, when we pray, why we pray, who we pray to?

In it you can find

Forgiveness of sins (Summarize or quote)

1Jn1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In it you can find peace, true peace, the peace of God (Summarize below)

Php4:6-7 “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

In it you can find strength (summarize below)

Eph3:14-16 “14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,”

Paul exhorted brethren, as did Jesus to be persistent and diligent in prayer, so this week and next we will be looking at prayer, today the principles next week the practice of prayer.

Jesus knew people could get slack in their prayers; let me tell you a passage on that. - - - turn and read the passage below

Lk18:1 “1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,” - it goes on to tell them about the persistent widow and the unjust judge. You can go read the story, the parable on your own, the point was in this version to don’t get slack in your prayers.

So this morning we are going to look at some principles of prayer.

Acceptable prayer

It must be offered in faith (Heb11:6 Jm1:5-8; Rom10:17)

Heb11:6 “6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” - - - - summarize this

Mention Jm5:8 - you lack wisdom, ask for it, but must ask by faith

Faith comes by hearing, hearing the word of God (Rom10:17

In humility (Lk18:9-14)

Story of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Lk18:9-14) summarize it)

In harmony (1Jn5:14)

If we ask in accordance to His will, He hears us

Think about Jesus prayer in the garden, the Fathers will be done(Lk22:42)

With thanksgiving (Eph5:20)

Always giving with thanksgiving, for everything we have is from the Lord

Without ceasing (1The5:17-18)

pray without ceasing, giving thanks for this is the will of God

With persistence (Lk11:5-10)

The persistent friend who came in the middle of the might, was followed by Jesus saying ask and it will be given to you.

In Jesus name (Jn14:6)

For Jesus is the way and the truth, for there is no other way!

Obstacles to prayer

Don’t be caught off guard by hindrances. Satan does not want you to effectively pray. For effective prayer is powerful.

Unconfessed sin (Ps66:18)

Ps66:18 “18 If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear;” - - - ouch, get right church, bad thought can get into the heart and be a hindrance to your prayers. . . .

Mistreatment of others (Ps41:1-3)

Hurt others, fail to help others can be an obstacle to your prayers..

Unforgiveness (Mt6:14-15)

Mt6:14-15 “14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” - - - - just summarize this

God’s answers to prayers

Request granted -Yes!

Desire His will (1Jn3:22)

Turn to 1Jn3:19-22 so to keep in context, our desire is to do His will, when do do His will; we want what He wants for us!

Request granted; but not yet

His ways, His thoughts not ours (Isa55:8-9)

His ways, His thoughts are Higher than ours. We do not know the “big picture. He does. He knows better than we do. We may not be ready for what we ask for yet.

Request denied

God knows best (Heb12:5-11)

God knows best and it may be best for us not to have something for our own good. Just like a good father looks out for a child, our loving father looks out for us and disciplines us when needed. It may not seem pleasant at the time, but it is for our good.

Closing thought:

Do you find it easy to pray?

Do you believe in the power of God to answer prayer?

Do you find it easy to accept God answering a prayer with a “no?”

Are you dedicated, devoted on a daily basis to prayer, be honest with yourself on this?

Next week, we will look at the practice of prayer.

First, You must be a christian for God to hear your prayers; Sin’s separate you from God hearing your prayers; For sin’s separate you from God)

Isaiah 59:1–2 NASB95

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.