If_0817

[STORY] - At a concert, favorite artist, feet away, but no access...

What if you had FULL ACCESS?

[PAYOFF] - God gives us FULL ACCESS in Christ

But, why do our prayer not get answered at times?

What if you could have

Sometimes, it’s not His will

Sometimes, we MISS IT!

There is a big “IF” when it comes to our prayers!...

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

[POINT] - Appetite for God increases the more time you “consume” Him – you grow hungrier as your feed.

Prayer is paramount to your relationship – it IS your relationship.

[TAKE AWAY] - Seeking God – prayer isn’t only about answers, its roots are in relationship: God begins to mean more than “answers to prayers.”

Seeking God’s face is vastly different than seeking His hand.

The Apostle Paul understood this dynamic...

Philippians 3:8–9 NIV

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:9 NKJV

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Manner – Jesus goes on to give them The Lord’s Prayer

Not as a rote prter to be regurgitated over and over…

But, the manner...

Attitude

Bold; no matter the dealings. AUTHORITY!

No weak request…. PROPHESY your request!

“Give us our daily bread!”

Pattern

Luke

Luke 11:2–4 NKJV

So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”

[SO] - The attitude “adjustment” is the 4 A’s

Agreement - Our Father...

We must move from “my Father” to “our Father”

There is power and authority in agreement – “Where two are gathered…”

There is power and authority in agreement – “Where two are gathered…”

Matthew 11:25 NIV

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Matthew 11:24–25 NIV

But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Mark 11:24–25 NIV

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Matthew 5:23–24 NIV

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

[IMAGINE] – How many gifts would you find in front of the altar?

How may of us, have gifts un-sacrificed???

Abba - Father...

Son’s, still to this day, call their fathers “Abba”

Not God, not Almighty… Father! You are in the FAMILY!

Galatians 4:6–7 NIV

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Son’s, still to this day, call their fathers “Abba”

This is how we go to God in prayer. Bold as a son!

Not God, not Almighty… Father! You are in the FAMILY!

Atmosphere - In Heaven

Romans 8:26 NIV

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

We are connecting to Heaven when we pray!

Adoration - Hallowed be thy name...

Exodus 6:2–3 NIV

God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them.

[FIRST] - Using his name in vain…

Exodus 6:2 NIV

God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord.

[SECOND] - Worshiping His name…

YHWH, Tetragrammaton = I AM

Names of God:

Jehovah Tsidkenu = Righteousness

Jehovah M’Kaddesh = Who sanctifies

Jehovah Rapha = Our Healer

Jehovah Nissi = Banner of victory

Jehovah Raah = My shepherd

Jehovah Shalom = My peace

Jehovah Shammah = Who is there

Jehovah Jireh = Our provider

Take Away

1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Prayer isn’t just about getting answers, it’s more about making Him the center of our life!