SF497 - LIFE ON THE ROCK - THE SECRET TO ANSWERED PRAYER (Matthew 7 7-11)
SF497
LIFE ON THE ROCK:
THE SECRET TO ANSWERED PRAYER
Matthew 7:7-11
INTRODUCTION
There will come the time when more than anything else you will want to have your prayers answered.
The key to the vault of all of God’s treasure is prayer.
No substitute for prayer!
Prayer is our greatest resource!
It will meet our greatest need
Heal our greatest hurts
Conquer our greatest sins
1A. A PROMISE TO CLAIM
1B. The Reason Why We Pray
Why does God want us to Pray?
We don’t pray to inform or instruct God, we pray to invite God!
1C. The fellowship factor
(John 15:7) If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
God wants your fellowship!
2C. The development factor
Prayer promotes growth!
Why doesn’t God answer your prayer immediately - He wants you to grow
Illustration: Boy wanting to date a girl - she goes when he becomes acceptable.
3C. The relationship factor
(John 15:5) "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
2B. The Reliable Way to Pray
How does God want us to Pray?
Ask, Seek, Knock - verbs intensification
1C. Asking - Speaks of the Petition of our Prayer
“Ask = aiteo, to ask (in gen.):‑‑ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require
The greatest problem in prayer is the lack of asking!
(James 4:2) ...You do not have, because you do not ask God.
It is a sin not to pray!
Prayer will keep you from sin.
(Mark 14:38) Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation...."
Pray will keep you from worry.
(Philippians 4:6) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
You should ask God for everything you need
2C Seek - Speaks of the Purpose of our Prayer
Seek = zeteo,) to worship (God), or desire, endeavor, enquire
We need to seek the purpose of God
We need to seek the presence of God
God wants to do something in us before he does something through us.
(James 4:8) Come near to God and he will come near to you....
We need to seek the power of God
(James 5:16) .... The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
We need to pray with power and conviction - we need broken prayer, believed prayer, blessed prayer!
3C. Knocking - Speaks of the Persistence of our Prayer
(Luke 18:1) Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Luke 11:5-9
When Do You Stop...
When God gives you what you ask for. - Direct answer
When God assures you of what you ask for. - Delayed answer
When God says no - Denied answer
2A. A PROVISION TO ENJOY (9-11)
How Do I know That God is going to answer prayer?
By the way I will always take care of my children!
I know God will answer my prayers because...
God is good!!
God is wise!!
God is able!!
3A. A PATTERN TO COPIED (12)
If you have the security of perfect provision you can afford to relate to others in this way.
APPLICATION
This is written to God’s children...
Is He your heavenly Father?
