REMAIN: The Key To Answered Prayer

John 15:7–8 “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”

INTRODUCTION

One of the fruit of remaining is answered prayer.

God demonstrates His power through answered prayer.

When God’s power is demonstrated HE is glorified.

Prayer is more than a discussion with God.

v 7 - You may ask for anything you want…

John 14:13–14 “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”

In my name - according to His authority.

According to His character

For the advancement of the kingdom.

God’s promises are not blank checks for our own personal ambitions. They are invitations to work in ALIGNMENT with His will.

God is not obligated to fulfill every wish, but HE is obligated to fulfill every word HE has spoken.

Prayer involves several facets

It is enabling God to intervene in your life or in a situation.

When we pray we are discussing with God about His will

We are submitting to that will so that He can move on our behalf.

We are activating our faith so that God can do the impossible.

We are expressing gratitude ahead of the answer.

God Wants to answer your Prayers.

v7 - and it will be granted…

Matthew 21:22 “You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”

God’s power is not limited by our circumstances. God’s power is revealed by our faith.

God never says in His word that He doesn’t want to answer our prayers. There are certain things that keep Him from moving on our behalf.

God wants to demonstrate His power through our faith.

God doesn’t mind that you ask for the impossible. He care how you ask.

If people wonder why God is always so good to you it is because you are abiding in the Vine.

There are reasons why God doesn’t answer your prayers.

V7 - IF you abide in me and my words remain in you.

When we are not Abiding; our focus in prayer becomes one sided or motivated with by selfishness. When this happens we petition God in the wrong way and with the wrong heart.

Unconfessed Sin. Psalm 66:18 “If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”

We ask with the wrong intentions James 4:3 “And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”

Lack of or little faith James 1:6–7 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

Unforgiveness Mark 11:25 “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Not Remaining or turning away from God’s word. Proverbs 28:9 “God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law.”

We are not praying in alignment with His will.

We are not praying according to God’s word.

OTHERS

Mistreatment of others - Husbands

Not God’s timing

Lack of persistence

Spiritual Warfare

How God answers prayer.

All answers to prayer are first received in the Spirit before they are manifested in the natural.

You experience supernatural peace. Before God answers any prayer you will feel a peace. Even though you may not see results. Anxiety will lose its grip. Philippians 4:7 “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Doors Begin to open that you couldn’t open yourself. Revelation 3:8 ““I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.”

God’s answers often come through divine opportunities.

Things will start falling into place - things you couldn’t have orchestrated.

God’s word will confirm it.

When God answers a prayer he will first confirm it:

By supernatural peace

By His word

It can come through a sermon, a verse. Sometimes you’ll hear the word repeatedly. This is God saying, “It’s me!”

God will bring provision or show favor. Philippians 4:19 “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

If you have been believing for finances or favor, breakthrough, healing, or unexpected help.

God moves through people.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PRAY?

God’s presence begins to invade places.

God becomes magnified.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

CONCLUSION