The door that prayer won’t open

Unbelief is the only door that prayer won’t open.

(NKJV)

12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer.

14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.

15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”

The Door that Prayer won’t Open

Unbelieve is the only door that prayer won’t open.

Introduction:

I will admit that when this sermon came to me that I considered it with much pause. Because as a believer I am in the camp that says there is nothing too hard for the Lord to do.

All of my life I heard the old folks saying things like prayer is the key, but faith unlocks the door. (Didn’t say it opened the door just unlocks it)

I have preached this sermon before, and I appreciate a fresh look and a familiar text from a much different vantage point.

So in this sermon I would like to uncover how prayer really works.

I ran a simple google search on prayer and this is what I found:

According to google prayer is a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship.

We understand that there are different kinds of prayer like:

Blessing and Adoration. In prayers of adoration or worship, we exalt the greatness of God, and we acknowledge our dependence on Him in all things.

Then there is petition: These are the prayers that we ask God for things we need—primarily spiritual needs, but we are also directed to ask for physical ones as well.

In our asking for stuff we should always be careful to include a statement of our willingness to accept God's Will, whether He directly answers our prayer or not.

The Lord’s Prayer there is a line that says "Thy will be done” that demonstrates a willingness to accept that, in the end, we acknowledge that God's plans for us are more important than what we desire.

There is intercession Prayer:

Prayers of intercession are another form of prayers of petition, but they are important enough to be considered their own type of prayer.

"Intercession is a prayer of petition which leads us to pray as Jesus did." In a prayer of intercession, we're not concerned with our needs but with the needs of others.

Then there is the prayer of Thanks-Giving

And then Praise is a type of prayer! Prayers of praise acknowledge God for what He is.

The Psalms are perhaps the best-known example of prayers of praise. Prayers of love or charity are another form of prayers of praise—expressions of our love for God, the source and object of all love.

Next the importance of prayer:

Prayer is absolutely vital. If we want to make any progress on the way of life, we need to understand why we ought to pray without ceasing, as Paul exhorts in .

The way of prayer is the way of life, “… for everyone who asks receives.” and . The one who prays for eternal life receives eternal life. If he prays for more life, he will receive more life; if he prays to be preserved on the way of life, he will be preserved on it. The one who prays for power to live a better life — to make progress on the way — will receive power. If we pray for victory over everything that hinders us, over everything that quenches and hampers the life of God within us, we will get victory. “You do not have because you do not ask.” . “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

If you desire life, and life in abundance; if you want more and more of it; if you want to make constant progress, to be increasingly cleansed, purified, and conformed to the image of Christ; if you want to make steady progress — step by step — then pray and pray again: pray without ceasing! (; ; ) so then prayer is not just something we do but it is the way of life for the believer. So for us prayer is not an option!

So you could see how I would struggle at the thought of there being anything that prayer could not do!

Especially when I considered the great prayers of the bible.

How do you pray? Prayers that are rooted in Scripture are guaranteed to be aligned with the heart of God. Here is a list of 15 powerful prayers from the Bible that you can use word-for-word or to spur on your own prayers:

Father God, we thank you that you’re amazing unfathomable love has been poured out for us at the cross and poured into us by the Holy Spirit. We want to taste and experience more of the depth and breadth and length and height of your amazing love. Help us to walk by faith. Help us to endure in suffering. Help us to own our need of you. Help us to fully embrace your Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. So, pour out your love into our hearts, in increasing measure by the power of your Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is in his name that we pray, Amen.

Father God, we praise you for the wonderful future that you have prepared for us through the death and resurrection of you Son, Jesus Christ. We eagerly wait the day when we will enter into your presence for all eternity with holy bodies untainted by sin. Please help us to not lose heart when we face the many pressures, anxieties, and troubles of life in this fallen world. Let us take great courage in the knowledge that you’ve given us the Holy Spirit to prepare our souls for our kingdom dwelling with you. Thank you for letting Jesus live in us. It is in his name that we pray, Amen.

Father God, we praise you for using us to bring joy to your Son, Jesus Christ. In the midst of all the struggles, pressures, and discouragement we face while in our frail, failing bodies, please continue transforming us into servants who are always of good courage. Lead us by your Holy Spirit to find rest in the grand promises that you’ve revealed to us in your Word. We confess that we are weak and that we need your help. Prepare us for the day when you will judge an account of all our works and offenses. Though we do not deserve your grace, we cannot even begin to express our gratitude for nailing our guilt and shame upon the cross through your crucified Son. Lord, we earnestly long to experience the moment when you will declare to us, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master.” Help us this week as we continue our walk of faith looking forward to the day when our faith will become sight. It is in the name of Jesus that we pray, Amen.

We praise you God for your infinite wisdom. We know so little, and yet we are so grateful to serve the one who knows all things. We confess that our hearts have been shattered by our sinful desires, and that we have tried to hide our shame from you. Please forgive us for the ways we’ve slandered other people in our lives. Our hearts are broken and we cannot save ourselves. We thank you for knowing our own hearts better than we do. We thank you for saving us through your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank you for bringing our dead hearts to life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Please guard our hearts from a critical spirit, and help us to not lose heart when we feel pressures leading us into doubt. Renew our minds and give us confidence with the truth found in the words of the Bible. It is in the name of Jesus Christ that I pray, Amen.

Father God, we praise you for the confidence you give our hearts through the love of your Son. We look forward to the day when we will not pass from this world into condemnation, but instead will enter into your presence of everlasting celebration. Father, we confess that we are tired of living for ourselves. We thank you for sending Jesus to die in our place to deliver us from the misery of a self-centered life. No matter what struggles, temptations, or tragedies we face this week, please help us not to lose heart. Through the Holy Spirit, guard us from ever doubting your great love for us. Help us to remember the good news that you have made us your own and that you have forgiven our sins. Lead us to live our lives for Christ’s sake at our workplaces, with our friends and families, and wherever else we may go this week. We pray all this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Father God, we praise you for making us new creations in Christ! We are grateful for the good news that you do not regard us by our flesh. We are thankful that unlike us, you know and judge us rightly by our hearts. We are sorry for the ways that we have let our shallow, worldly judgments of others become barriers to our proclamation of your gospel. Thank you for overcoming our weakness and partiality to bring life to our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Please help us to see people more like you do so that we would grow in our boldness to share the gospel with others. We pray all this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Father God we thank you for reconciling us through Jesus Christ, and we praise you for choosing to make redeemed sinners like us your gospel ambassadors to this broken world. Please continue to equip us and use us in your redemptive mission as you graciously bring peace to sinners. Sanctify us for your glory as we confess, repent of, and remember the trespasses that we’ve committed against you. Keep us all humble as we seek reconciliation with other people we’ve wronged. Protect us with the Holy Spirit from our spirit of pride whenever we serve our families, our church, our coworkers, or strangers in need. Though we don’t deserve your forgiveness, we praise you for the unfathomable love and grace that you demonstrate at the cross. Please nourish our hearts daily this week with the words of the Bible and give us courage to proclaim your gospel boldly to all. We pray all this in the name of Jesus and for his sake. Amen.

Father God we praise you for your perfect righteousness. There is no fairer nor more merciful a judge than you, and we confess that we do not deserve your forgiveness for the sins we’ve committed. Though we have wronged you, betrayed you, and hated you in so many ways, we thank you for the unbelievable gift of freedom from the power of sin in our lives. Help us to always remember the cost of our freedom and to never forget how Jesus has dealt with our sins at the cross. Help us to also grow in our awareness of the sins that taint our lives so that we would learn to hate our sins like you do. Shine the light of your Holy Spirit into the dark places of our hearts so that we might better know and repent of our sins for your glory. Thank you so much for reconciling us through the gospel to make us your righteous servants. Use us to proclaim your good news boldly to others this week. We pray all this in the name of Jesus and for his sake, Amen.

Father God, we bow before you, and recognize our great need of a Savior. Today we want to lift our hearts and give thanks for Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. We lift our hearts in praise to our Savior, and as your loved children and your redeemed servants, we lay our lives before you in worship. Forgive us our sins, guide us by your Spirit into repentance, and make us bold proclaimers of your Word. We pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Father God we praise you for the ultimate gift of love in your Son. What a marvelous light of hope you have given to our dark world. We thank you for fulfilling your law perfectly in Jesus Christ when not one of us could. We confess that we cannot save ourselves, and we are grateful for the good news of salvation in Christ alone. Please embolden us with the Holy Spirit like Elizabeth, Simeon, and the shepherds to bear witness to Jesus. It is in his name and for his sake that we pray, Amen.

God we thank you for the love and favor you extend to us who believe in Jesus Christ. We confess that we do not deserve your overwhelming grace towards sinners like us. We praise you though for choosing to make us new creations through our union in Christ’s death and resurrection. Please turn us from evil thoughts and worldly distractions diverting our attention from you. Allow the Holy Spirit to open up our eyes to clearly see your revelation in the Bible every day. Help us to learn from the examples of men and women that you have given us in your Word so that we might live more holy lives for your glory. Use your Church here and around the globe to shine brightly for our dark world. We pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ and for his sake, Amen.

God we praise you for your compassionate heart. Give us the relentlessness of the good shepherd who goes after wandering sheep and never gives up. Protect us by your Holy Spirit from being easily discouraged and grant us the spiritual strength to endure the hardships we face. Please deliver us from a sour compulsive nature to envy others and resist your will. Save us from a life of pretense and guard us from using religion as a mask to cover up our resistance to the claims of Jesus Christ on our lives. Father God, please help us during the seasons of grief and loss that we may endure to know that your Son lives, and that in him sorrow can never have the final word. We pray all this in the name of Jesus and for his sake, Amen.

Father God we are grateful for all that you’ve lavishly blessed us with through our union with Jesus Christ. We praise you for sealing us as your adopted children and making us rich inheritors of your everlasting kingdom. We thank you for comforting us in our moments of weakness and tribulation with the assured knowledge that like Christ you will raise us to life after death. We glorify you for the success that you have given to the Church as the Holy Spirit leads us to proclaim the good news to every tribe, every tongue, and every nation. Lord, we confess that we have often wasted and squandered your blessings. Please forgive us and help us to invest every blessing we have for your kingdom so that you might use us as blessings to others. If it be your will, we ask that you help us to win the favor of our family, friends, and co-workers by unashamedly living out our lives for the gospel and the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray all this in his name and for his sake, Amen.

Father God we praise you for your absolute goodness, perfection, and holiness. We thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who was tempted in every way as we are and yet did not sin. We confess that in our weakness, we have shamefully enjoyed sins of the mind and body that we ought to have resisted. Please forgive us for our unholy failures. Teach us to truly mourn our offenses against you and lead us by the Holy Spirit into faithful repentance. We are grateful for the overwhelming grace that we continue to experience each day because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Thank you for giving us the power of the Holy Spirit to face future temptations. Continue to sanctify us in our frail bodies as we eagerly await the return of your glorified Son. In a world full of darkness, make us your holy lights and gospel witnesses this week. It is the name of Jesus Christ and for his sake that we pray, Amen.

Lord, we praise you for your righteousness and perfect judgments, for you are an incorruptible judge far greater than any corruptible government or sinful man. You are infinitely wise, truly knowing the thoughts, intentions, and hearts of every being that you have ever made. We thank you promising to one day vindicate every lie, every betrayal, and every injustice that your Church endures. Please deliver us from a bitter spirit that so easily becomes resentment and hate when we feel wronged by others. Help us to see your divine purpose and trust in your goodness even in our own suffering and loss. Forgive us for the times when we suppress the truth of your promises and turn to go our own way. By your Holy Spirit, lead us into repentance, guard us from temptation, and sanctify us for your kingdom work among our family, friends, and co-workers this week. Teach us more of the love of Christ that goes on loving even when it is slighted. It is the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus that we pray, Amen.

Father God, we praise you for the Holy Spirit who grants us wisdom, fills us with life, guards our hearts, and illuminates our mind to comprehend the good news of Jesus Christ. Let us settle for nothing less than the pure unadulterated truth that you have revealed to us in your Holy Word. For we confess that apart from you we can do nothing. So please forgive us for the ways in which we have disobeyed your Word to put our own selfish desires before the needs of others. By the Holy Spirit we ask that you lead us into repentance and a life that glorifies you. Help us to resist the allure of this world’s deceitful philosophies promising hollow pleasures that ultimately lead to death and destruction. Put a deep desire in our hearts to know the wisdom of the Bible and use it to transform and renew our mind. Use each one of us to exemplify your holiness and love to this world as we aspire to follow Jesus and put his commands into action. Make us your gospel lights this week to those wandering in darkness among our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Embolden us as well as our brothers and sisters across the world to unashamedly proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ. Use our testimonies for your glory to help save souls. All this we pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

God we praise you for your unfathomable grace. Though we deserved punishment for our sins, you were lavishly merciful to the world. In love and justice you gathered our iniquities, and you laid them upon your Son so that we might be forgiven. Enable us now by your Holy Spirit to turn from our own way in order to follow the way of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Guard us from conceited, self-righteous acts and from apathetic obedience to your commands. For those of us struggling with a spirit of rebellion, resistance, resentment, or doubt, we pray that you would grant them a spirit of peace. Thank you God for sharing with us your overwhelming victory over death. In the name of Jesus Christ and for his sake we pray, Amen.

Six Prayers in Genesis:

1. Abraham for an heir (40 words; ). Answered because God had promised ().

2. Abraham for Ishmael to be his heir (7 words; ). Unanswered because it was not in harmony with God’s word and plan.

3. Abraham for Sodom to be spared if 10 persons were righteous (176 words; ). Unanswered because 10 righteous persons weren’t found ().

4. Eliezer, steward of Abraham, for a bride for Isaac (110 words; ). Answered because it was according to God’s word (,; ; ; ,; ).

5. Jacob for a blessing (). Answered because of God’s plan for him ().

6. Jacob for deliverance from Esau (130 words; ). Answered because of God’s word and plan for him (; ; ; ,; ).

References to prayer, entreating the Lord, calling on the name of the Lord, and groaning and being afflicted (; ; ; ; ).

Four Prayers in Exodus:

7. Moses for Aaron to go with him (16 words; ). Answered because God wanted to please Moses ().

8. Moses in complaint to God for not delivering Israel (42 words; ). Answered because of God’s word (,, ).

9. Moses for forgiveness for Israel (39 words; ). Answered because of atonement and intercession (,) and because of God’s word (,).

10. Moses for God’s presence to go with Israel to Canaan (138 words; ,). Answered because of God’s word () and His grace ().

References to groaning, sighing, crying, and entreating the Lord (,; ,; ).

Nine Prayers in Numbers:

11. Aaron for the blessing of God upon the people (32 words in the form of benediction; ). Answered because of God’s promise ().

12. Moses for God to bless on the journey (27 words; ). Answered when Israel lived free from sin, but unanswered when they sinned, which was according to God’s word ().

13. Moses in complaining to God because the burden was too heavy (136 words; ). Answered because of God’s words (,).

14. Moses for God to show him what to do to give the people flesh (56 words; ). Answered because of God’s word () and to show His power ().

15. Moses for the healing of Miriam (8 words; ). Answered because of God’s love for Moses ().

16. Moses for God to spare Israel and uphold His own honor (208 words; ). Answered because of Moses’ prayer ().

17. Moses for judgment on sin (20 words; ). Answered because of sin ().

18. Israel for forgiveness of sin (25 words; ). Answered because of Moses’ prayer and by type of Christ on the cross (; ).

19. Moses for a new leader of Israel (56 words; ). Answered because of God’s plan for Israel ().

References to prayer (; ).

Two Prayers in Deuteronomy:

20. Moses asking to go over into Canaan (59 words; ). Unanswered because of sin (; ).

21. Moses for Israel to be spared (114 words; ). Answered because of intercession of Moses ().

References to prayer (,), also what to pray for elders at murder trials () and what all Israel should pray after obedience to the law ().

Two Prayers in Joshua:

22. Joshua in complaint because God had not given victory (90 words; ). Answered so sin could be put away ().

23. Joshua in the form of a command for the sun and moon to stand still (14 words; ). Answered because of necessity for time to finish God’s work ().

Nine Prayers in Judges:

24. Israel for guidance (14 words; ). Answered because it was in harmony with the will of God for the nation ().

25. Gideon for revelation and guidance (135 words; ,,,). Answered because of God’s word and will for Israel (,,,,).

26. Israel for deliverance and forgiveness of sins (36 words; ,). Answered because of God’s plan for Israel ().

27. Jephthah for victory (55 words; ). Answered because of God’s plan for Israel ().

28. Manoah for an angel to appear and give him directions (91 words; ,,,). Answered because of God’s plan for Israel (,,,,).

29. Samson for one last victory (33 words; ). Answered because of his reconsecration to the Nazarite vows (; ).

30. Israel for guidance (14 words; ). Answered because of judgment on sin.

31. Israel for guidance (19 words; ). Answered because of judgment on sin.

32. Israel for revelation (24 words; ). No answer recorded.

Six Prayers in 1 Samuel:

33. Hannah for a son (55 words; ). Answered because of God’s plan for Israel () and promises to bless with children upon obedience (; ).

34. Hannah to express gratitude for answered prayer (264 words; ). No request to answer.

35. Saul for guidance (16 words; ). Unanswered because of sin (; ).

36. David for guidance (7 words; ). Answered because of God’s plan ().

37. David for revelation (72 words; ). Answered because of God’s plan.

38. David for revelation (10 words; ). Answered because of God’s plan.

References to prayer (; ; ; ; ).

Four Prayers in 2 Samuel:

39. David for revelation (16 words; ). Answered because of God’s plan.

40. David for revelation (14 words; ). Answered because of God’s plan ().

41. David for fulfillment of Davidic covenant (364 words; ). Answered partially, and will be fulfilled in all eternity when Christ comes to reign (; ; ; ; ).

42. David for forgiveness of sin (29 words; ). Answered, but judgments fell ().

References to prayer (; ; ; ).

Five Prayers in 1 Kings:

43. Solomon for wisdom (146 words; ). Answered because it pleased God ().

44. Solomon, prayer of dedication (1,050 words; ). Answered according to obedience of Israel.

45. Elijah for resurrection of boy (35 words; ). Answered because of faith in God (; ).

46. Elijah for fire from heaven (63 words; ). Answered because of faith ().

47. Elijah for death (18 words; ). Unanswered because it was contrary to God’s plan which was to translate him and permit him to live bodily in heaven until time to come back to earth as one of the two witnesses (; ; ; ).

References to prayer (; ).

Three Prayers in 2 Kings:

48. Elisha for his servant’s eyes to be opened (11 words; ). Answered by faith.

49. Hezekiah for deliverance (133 words; ). Answered by faith ().

50. Hezekiah for a longer life (30 words); he received 15 years more (). Answered by faith ().

Two Prayers in 1 Chronicles:

51. Jabez for enlarged coast (33 words; ). Answered because of God’s word to give Israel all the land (; ).

52. David for Solomon and Israel (326 words; ). Answered partially, in the temporary obedience to God of Solomon and Israel.

References to prayer (; ; ).

Two Prayers in 2 Chronicles:

53. Asa for victory (50 words; ). Answered by faith ().

54. Jehoshaphat for victory (224 words; ). Answered by faith ().

References to prayer (; ).

Two Prayers in Ezra:

55. Ezra-prayer of thanksgiving (50 words; ).

56. Ezra for forgiveness and help (419 words; ). Answered ().

References to prayer ().

Nine Prayers in Nehemiah:

57. Nehemiah for confession of sins and help (256 words; ).

58. Nehemiah for judgment (53 words; ).

59. Nehemiah for help (7 words; ).

60. Nehemiah for help (31 words; ).

61. Israel-confession of sins (1,205 words-the longest prayer; ).

62. Nehemiah for blessing (29 words; ).

63. Nehemiah for blessing (18 words; ).

64. Nehemiah for judgment (21 words; ).

65. Nehemiah for blessing (7 words).

References to prayer (; ; ).

Seven Prayers in Job:

66. Job-prayer of thanksgiving and resignation (30 words; ).

67. Job in complaint and for relief and forgiveness (114 words; ). Answered ().

68. Job in complaint and for relief (571 words; ). Answered ().

69. Job in complaint and for life and forgiveness (198 words; ). Answered ().

70. Job for a fair trial (48 words; ). Answered ().

71. Job, prayer of confession (34 words; )

72. Job, prayer of repentance (87 words; ). Answered ().

Seventy-two Prayers in Psalms:

73-123. David. In 50 prayer-psalms he made requests for various blessings, most of them being answered because of faith in God’s promises (; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ). The ones unanswered will be answered in due time for David even prayed about future events.

124-138. An unknown psalmist (perhaps David) prayed for many kinds of blessings, which were granted or will be granted (; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ).

139-143. Asaph made many requests to God (in 5 prayers) for various kinds of blessing which were granted or will yet be granted (; ; ).

144. Moses makes requests to God ().

145. Ethan made requests for God to remember the reproach of His servants ().

Thus, in 72 of the 150 psalms there are personal requests to God, making them definitely prayer-psalms. A few of the other 78 may also be considered such because of the general nature of the subject matter. Even in the listed prayer-psalms many subjects are more outstanding than the prayers. See notes on these psalms.

Three Prayers in Isaiah:

146. Isaiah for cleansing (38 words; ). Answered ().

147. Hezekiah for deliverance (133 words; ). Answered ().

148. Hezekiah for healing and length of days (30 words; ). Answered ().

References to prayer (; ; ; ; ). There are also prayers that Israel will make in the time of their restoration as a nation (; ).

Eleven Prayers in Jeremiah:

149. Jeremiah, confession of inability to obey God (12 words; ).

150. Jeremiah, accusing God (24 words; ).

151. Jeremiah for judgment (80 words; ). Answered ().

152. Jeremiah, questioning God (133 words; ).

153. Jeremiah for help for Judah (95 words; ).

154. Jeremiah for help for Judah (81 words; ).

155. Jeremiah, judgment (118 words; ).

156. Jeremiah for judgment (158 words; ).

157. Jeremiah for judgment (174 words; ).

158. Jeremiah for judgment (214 words; ).

159. Jeremiah, concerning captivity of Judah (209 words; ).

References to prayer (; ; ; ; ,; ; ,,).

Four Prayers in Lamentations:

160. Jeremiah for judgment (108 words; ).

161. Jeremiah for consideration (113 words; ).

162. Jeremiah for judgment (158 words; ).

163. Jeremiah for the oppressed people of Judah (300 words; ).

Jeremiah could be called the praying prophet as well as the weeping prophet. He has 15 recorded prayers.

Three Prayers in Ezekiel:

164. Ezekiel protesting what God wanted him to do (41 words; ).

165. Ezekiel for the remnant (20 words; ).

166. Ezekiel for the remnant (14 words; ).

Two Prayers in Daniel:

167. Daniel for forgiveness of sins and fulfillment of prophecy (550 words; ).

168. Daniel for revelation (11 words; ).

References to prayer (; ).

Two Prayers in Amos:

169. Amos for forgiveness s (16 words; ).

170. Amos for help (16 words; ).

Three Prayers in Jonah:

171. Sailors for mercy (33 words; ).

172. Jonah for deliverance from hell (198 words; ).

173. Jonah for death (70 words; ).

Three Prayers in Habakkuk:

174. Habakkuk for God to act (75 words; ).

175. Habakkuk for judgment (156 words; ).

176. Habakkuk for revival (474 words; ).

Seventeen Prayers in Matthew:

177. Jesus, The Lord ’s Prayer (66 words; ).

178. Leper for healing (9 words; ). Answered ().

179. Centurion for healing of his servant (73 words; ). Answered ().

180. Disciples for help from drowning (5 words; ). Answered ().

181. Demons for temporary liberty (37 words; ). Answered ().

182. A ruler for healing (18 words; ). Answered ().

183. A woman for healing (11 words; ). Answered ().

184. Two blind men for healing (8 words; ). Answered ().

185. Jesus giving thanks to God (38 words; ).

186. Peter to walk on water (13 words; ). Answered ().

187. Peter for help from drowning (3 words; ). Answered ().

188. A woman for healing of her daughter (36 words; ). Answered ().

189. A man for healing of his son (39 words; ). Answered ().

190. A mother for exaltation of her 2 sons, James and John (23 words; ). Unanswered because of wrong motive and not in harmony with God’s plan ().

191. Two blind men for healing (27 words; ). Answered ().

192. Jesus to be saved from death in the garden before He could die on the cross (62 words; ). Answered ().

193. Jesus on the cross (9 words; ).

References to prayer (; ; ; ; ; ).

Two Prayers in Mark:

194. A demon for temporary freedom (31 words; ).

195. Jesus in healing a deaf mute (2 words-the shortest prayer; ). Answered ().

References to prayer (; ,; ; ).

Seven Prayers in Luke:

196. Simeon in blessing Jesus (43 words; ).

197. Rich man in hell (80 words; ).

198. Ten lepers for healing (5 words; ). Answered (,).

199. A Pharisee in boasting of his righteousness (34 words; ). Unjustified ().

200. A publican for mercy (7 words; ). Answered, justified ().

201. Jesus on the cross (10 words; ).

202. Jesus on the cross (8 words; ).

References to prayer (; ; ; ; ; ; ).

Five Prayers in John:

203. Nobleman for healing of child (7 words; ). Answered ().

204. People for living bread (6 words; ).

205. Jesus for resurrection of Lazarus (40 words; ). Answered ().

206. Jesus for glorification (19 words; ). Answered ().

207. Jesus for disciples (638 words; ).

References to prayer (; ; ,; ).

Six Prayers in Acts:

208. Disciples for successor to Judas (41 words; ). Answered ().

209. Peter for healing of lame man (12 words; ). Answered ().

210. Disciples for boldness and power (178 words; ). Answered ().

211. Stephen for enemies (13 words; ).

212. Paul for instruction (12 words; ). Answered ().

213. Peter for resurrection of Tabitha (2 words; ). Answered ().

References to prayer (; ; ; ,,; ,; ; ).

One Prayer in 3 John:

214. That we the readers would prosper and be in health as our soul prospers (18 words; )

Eight Prayers in Revelation:

215. Elders in worship (27 words; ).

216. Angels in worship (22 words; ).

217. All creatures in worship (22 words; ).

218. Martyrs for vengeance (22 words; ).

219. Great multitude in worship (13 words; ).

220. Angels in worship (23 words; ).

221. Glorified saints in worship (56 words; ).

222. John for the coming of Jesus Christ a second time, 5 words ().

So when I look at this pray in it looks like a pretty good prayer.

Background:

(NKJV)

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.

2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.

4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

(NKJV)

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

They prayed constantly…

There prayer was focused in the right place because it was offered to God.

And then it was an unselfish prayer so what could be wrong with that where is that door that not even prayer can open.

I took a look at what prayer could do:

(NKJV)

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.

8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”

9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the Iron Gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

Pray can do all kinds of things

But what is the thing that prayer can’t do?

Ok

(NKJV)

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer.

14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.

15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”

The only door that pray will not open is unbelief!

(NKJV)

58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

(NKJV)

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

(NKJV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

(NKJV)

23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

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