What to Pray For
Parables • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 9 viewsHow can we get Jesus to answer our prayers with a yes every time.
Notes
Transcript
A teacher asked a little boy, “Johnny, tell me frankly, do you say your prayers before you eat?”
Johnny replied, “I don't have to, my mom is a good cook!”
Jesus is our example
in all things.
Jesus example in prayer
is pretty profound.
Jesus often
sought solitude:
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
How did he get
solitude?
Prayed in the
early morning.
Other passages
night:
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
Kept on praying...
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.
all night long.
Ministry was taxing.
Prayer was Power
However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.
So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
Alone with God
was power.
One day,
Jesus was praying
out loud.
(lesson here).
Disciples heard...
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”
Disciples wanted
same prayer experience.
Jesus gives model prayer.
What is so interesting...
Jesus words:
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
“No vain repetitions..”
What do people do???
Repeat this vainly???
NOT designed,
quoted verbatim.
Jesus prayed all night
didn’t say same thing...
Teaching them,
power of simple
earnest prayer.
Parable follows...
And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.
Symbols
Neighbor with Bread
= God
Bread
= Word and Power
Person seeking bread
= Us
Selfish God?
Selfish God?
Problem
Neighbor with bread
= God?
Be he is selfish!
Selfish Neighbor
Too late
Tired
In bed
Disturb family
Door locked.
Is God like that???
NOOO
Not comparison
but contrast.
God always has
time
energy
listening ear
power
Even at midnight..!
You can’t burden Him.
When praying,
we are coming to
our “Father”
Conditions
Conditions
People always says:
“I prayed but
God didn’t answer my prayer.”
First,
God always answers:
Yes
No
Wait
But there is a way
you can be certain of
getting a yes!
Meet these conditions:
A cartoon pictured a little boy kneeling in prayer. Obviously disgruntled with the results of his prayers, he was saying, “Aunt Harriet hasn’t gotten married, Uncle Hubert hasn’t any work, and Daddy’s hair is still falling out… I’m getting tired of praying for this family without getting any results.”
1. Ask
1. Ask
After parable
Jesus continues
explains parable:
And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
First condition?
In order to receive
we must:
ASK!!!
Promise:
God longs for
His children to
come, seeking His help!
We will not be repulsed
He is not too busy!
Bring our Petitions.
I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day!
I had so much to accomplish that I didn’t take time to pray.
--
Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task.
“Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered, He answered, “You didn’t ask!”
--
I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided, “Why, child, you didn’t knock!”
--
I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, gray and bleak.
I wondered why God didn’t show me. He answered me, “But you didn’t seek.”
--
I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish, that I had to take time to pray.—Author Unknown
1. Ask
2. Asking to Give
2. Asking to Give
Key Concept
Petitioners Motivation
selfish gain?
to serve?
for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;
God will never say no
to person seeking power
to serve others!
Role of Jesus
Serve other
Role of Disciples
Serve others
Role of Christians
Serve others
If doing this...
it take a lot
energy
time
effort
love
Jesus
nearly worn out
by ministry.
Our job
impart word of life
How?
Receive to give!
No selfish Motive
If you ask for
spiritual power
for self
and others
answer is always
YES!
Focus on
praying for
wisdom
skills
opportunities
Lead others to Christ!
That may be
children
neighbors
co-workers
strangers
divine appointments.
Christ’s Object Lessons Chapter 12—Asking to Give
Personal effort for others should be preceded by much secret prayer; for it requires great wisdom to understand the science of saving souls. Before communicating with men, commune with Christ. At the throne of heavenly grace obtain a preparation for ministering to the people.
D. L Moody used to tell the story of a man who came to him and said, “When the Mexican war began I wanted to enlist. My mother, seeing I was resolved, said if I became a Christian I might go. She pleaded and prayed that I might become a Christian, but I wouldn’t. I said when the war was over I would become a Christian, but not till then.
“All her pleading was in vain, and at last, when I was going away, she took out a watch and said: My son, your father left this to me when he died. Take it, and I want you to remember that every day at 12 o’clock your mother will be praying for you. Then she gave me her Bible, and marked out passages, and put a few different references in the fly-leaf. I took the watch and the Bible just because my mother gave them. I never intended to read the Bible.
“I went off to Mexico, and one day while on a long, weary march, I took out my watch, and it was 12 o’clock. I had been gone four months, but I remembered that my mother at that hour was praying for me. Something prompted me to ask the officer to relieve me for a little while, and I stepped behind a tree away out on those plains of Mexico, and cried to the God of my mother to save me.”
1. Ask
2. Asking to Give
3. Ask What The Father Wants To Give?
3. Ask What The Father Wants To Give?
If you want YES
ask for what
we know will get answer YES!
Ask wife
can I please make supper?
What does
God want to give?
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Gift of Holy Spirit
No genuine seeker
will leave God
empty handed
Given Spirit.
We want to help others
People tell me:
“I can’t do that...”
“That is not may spiritual gift.”
Look at parable:
Luke 11:8 (HCSB)
I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
How much
bread does he get?
God does not
give you
in advance
of your needs.
Gives as need arises...
Some say
“I don’t know how...
preach
teach
witness
answer questions...
You learn
as you need...
Not much before.
If you have a need
and you will give
don’t be scared
ask and proceed!
You’ll be given
As Much As You Need!!!
While crossing the Atlantic on an ocean liner, F.B. Meyer was asked to address the first class passengers. At the captain’s request he spoke on “Answered Prayer.” An agnostic who was present at the service was asked by his friends, “What did you think of Dr. Meyer’s sermon?” He answered, “I didn’t believe a word of it.” That afternoon Meyer went to speak to the fourth class passengers. Many of the listeners at his morning address went along, including the agnostic, who claimed he just wanted to hear “what the babbler had to say.”
Before starting for the service, the agnostic put two oranges in his pocket. On his way he passed an elderly woman sitting in her deck chair fast asleep. Her hands were open. In the spirit of fun, the agnostic put the two oranges in her outstretched palms. After the meeting, he saw the old lady happily eating one of the pieces of fruit. “You seem to be enjoying that orange,” he remarked with a smile.
“Yes, sir,” she replied, “My Father is very good to me.”
“Your father? Surely your father can’t be still alive!”
“Praise God,” she replied, “He is very much alive.”
“What do you mean?” pressed the agnostic.
She explained, “I’ll tell you, sir. I have been seasick for days. I was asking God somehow to send me an orange. I suppose I fell asleep while I was praying. When I awoke, I found He had not only sent me one orange but two!”
The agnostic was speechless. Later he was converted to Christ.
1. Ask
2. Asking to Give
3. Ask What The Father Wants To Give?
4. Ask Perseveringly
4. Ask Perseveringly
Possible Conditions Met
Still No Answer...
Now What???
and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.
God longs to give
but....
Often realizes
delay is good for us!
Jesus never said,
ask once...
And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
The Word ask here:
αἰτεῖτε
αἰτεῖτε
Verb
present, active, imperative, 2nd Person Plural
2nd Person Plural
Imperative
Present Tense means:
not just
happening presently...
but continuously
not completed
“Keep asking”
Question:
Why do I have to ask God
repeatedly?
Isn’t He listening?
Doesn’t He care?
The persistent asking brings the petitioner into a more earnest attitude, and gives him an increased desire to receive the things for which he asks. — COL 145.3
Pray help us
realize our need.
If we pray little.
We are self-sufficient.
The greater the need
the more earnest prayer.
Earnest Prayers
= deeper connection.
Begging at Midnight...
Someone who is
desperate
and knows it...
Problems will Come
Needs will arise
Home
Work
Financially
Health
Socially
ect.
Don’t look to
people
self
Look to God
God like
desperate prayers.
He Says...
“Ah They Finally Surrendered”.
In June of 2013 news broadcasts across the country featured a little boy named Grayson Clamp doing something he had never done before. The three-year-old was born without the auditory nerves that carry sound to the brain. Attempts to restore his hearing with a cochlear implant were unsuccessful, so doctors at the University of North Carolina tried an experimental procedure to implant an auditory nerve directly into Grayson’s brain. This procedure proved successful, and millions of people enjoyed seeing the look of wonder and joy on the little boy’s face when he heard his father’s voice for the first time.
Today with the technology available communication is instant—but even then it is a delight to hear from a friend or family member who is far away. Just as we respond to those familiar voices with pleasure, God delights in hearing from His children.
Why do we pray? Certainly it is not to inform God of what we need. He already knows everything about our situation, and, far better than we could devise, He knows the answer that will be best for us. Prayer is meant in part to remind us of how dependent on God we truly are. But prayer is not just for our benefit. God enjoys hearing us pray! When we come to Him in faith and make our petitions before His throne of grace, His heart rejoices. He likes hearing our voices. Let us never go long without going to Him in prayer.
1. Ask
2. Asking to Give
3. Ask What The Father Wants To Give?
4. Ask Perseveringly
5. Ask While Abiding In Christ
5. Ask While Abiding In Christ
There are conditions
one of those conditions.
Described here:
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
We must be
pursuing Christ.
Foxhole prayers
usually not much value.
God reads heart.
He knows the future.
He answers accordingly.
We cannot have
confidence in an answer
prayer is selfish
we are not in relationship
WE JUST WANT OUT OF TROUBLE.
Sometimes trouble is
what we need most.
Consequences often
wake us up.
A visiting farmer stopped at a city restaurant to eat lunch. When he was served his food he bowed his head and gave thanks to the Lord. Some teenagers sitting at a nearby table noticed the farmer’s prayer and shouted, “Hey, pops, back where you come from does everybody pray before they eat?”
Their laughter was silenced when the unmoved farmer answered, “No, the hogs don’t.”
1. Ask
2. Asking to Give
3. Ask What The Father Wants To Give?
4. Ask Perseveringly
5. Ask While Abiding In Christ
6. Ask With A Clean Heart
6. Ask With A Clean Heart
Pure heart...
Seeking Christ
Seeking to apply
Biblical teachings to our life.
Examples:
Conflict with Others
Conflict with Others
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Jesus is clear
we must first
resolve conflict with
other people before
seeking help and forgiveness.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Loving other people
is an expectation
for a Christian.
If we
know 28
can preach
are healthy
serve at church regularly
But,
we are MEAN!
We are not
living Christian life.
Storing Up Treasure on Earth
Malachi 3:8–10 (ESV)
Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
There is a test.
We test God
God test us.
We must meat these conditions.
Christ’s Object Lessons Chapter 12—Asking to Give
So it is with every other one of God’s requirements. All His gifts are promised on condition of obedience.
God’s answer is always yes!
A man had a habit of grumbling at the food his wife placed before him at family meals. Then he would ask the blessing. One day after his usual combination complaint-prayer, his little girl asked, “Daddy, does God hear us when we pray?”
“Why, of course,” he replied. “He hears us every time we pray.”
She paused on this a moment, and asked, “Does He hear everything we say the rest of the time?”
“Yes, dear, every word,” he replied, encouraged that he had inspired his daughter to be curious about spiritual matters. However, his pride was quickly turned to humility at his daughter’s next question.
“Then, which does God believe?”
1. Ask
2. Asking to Give
3. Ask What The Father Wants To Give?
4. Ask Perseveringly
5. Ask While Abiding In Christ
6. Ask With A Clean Heart
7. Ask In Humble Faith
7. Ask In Humble Faith
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
If we don’t believe
then we don’t receive.
If we believe that
God desire to do
great things in/through us
WE WOULD PRAY BIG PRAYERS!
Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
Sometimes we just don’t
have enough faith to
ask God for what he
really wants to do.
Those who pray big
get big answers!
When Hutson Taylor was sailing to China to begin his missionary work, his ship was in great danger. The wind had died, and the current was carrying them toward sunken reefs which were close to islands inhabited by cannibals—so close they could see them building fires on the shore. Everything they tried was to no avail. In his journal Taylor recorded what happened next: The Captain said to me, “Well, we have done everything that can be done.” A thought occurred to me, and I replied, “No, there is one thing we have not done yet.” “What is that?” he queried. “Four of us on board are Christians. Let us each retire to his own cabin, and in agreed prayer ask the Lord to give us immediately a breeze.”
Taylor prayed briefly and then, certain that the answer was coming, went up on the deck and asked the first officer to let down the sails. “What would be the good of that?” he answered roughly.
God is waiting
God is waiting
Rainbow around throne
Aaron with names on Chest.
Mother with a sick Child.
Anticipates need
water
vomit
hears all
always ready.
“What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use—men of prayer, men mighty in prayer.”—E.M. Bounds
Appeal
Appeal
IF YOU WANT A YES...
Find someone to share bread with.
You will be given as the need arises.
Realize your desperate need.
Cry out to God.
