The Power of Prayer
Notes
Transcript
We have more need to be taught to pray than to preach. “Wireless” communication may be a mystery to many, but it is a great reality to those who make use of it. With regard to prayer, there is need for a rediscovery of the possibilities that have always existed, that of direct communication with eternal personalities.
I. Conditions of Power in Prayer.
I. Conditions of Power in Prayer.
1. The Will of God. “This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us, and if we know that He hears us we know that we have” (1 John 5:14, 15). The supreme source of all power in prayer belongeth unto God.
1. The Will of God. “This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us, and if we know that He hears us we know that we have” (1 John 5:14, 15). The supreme source of all power in prayer belongeth unto God.
2. The Name of Jesus. “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do; that the Father may be glorified” (John 14:13, 14).
2. The Name of Jesus. “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do; that the Father may be glorified” (John 14:13, 14).
His “Name” stands for all that Jesus Christ is in the eyes of His Father. When praying in His Name, think of His character and work. “No man can come unto the Father but by Me.” “Abide in Me, then ask what ye will” (John 15:7).
His “Name” stands for all that Jesus Christ is in the eyes of His Father. When praying in His Name, think of His character and work. “No man can come unto the Father but by Me.” “Abide in Me, then ask what ye will” (John 15:7).
3. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit. When we do not know how to pray as we ought, the Holy Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us (Rom. 8:26). When we cannot frame our words to express the deep yearnings of the soul, the Holy Spirit, who is a “discerner of the thoughts of the heart,” helps our infirmities by making intercession for us
3. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit. When we do not know how to pray as we ought, the Holy Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us (Rom. 8:26). When we cannot frame our words to express the deep yearnings of the soul, the Holy Spirit, who is a “discerner of the thoughts of the heart,” helps our infirmities by making intercession for us
4. The Faith of the Heart. With the heart man believeth. “Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James. 1:5, 6). It is the desire of the heart that is to be made known unto God (Mark 11:24), and the Word of God must be trusted. Asking in faith means receiving with joy (John 16:24). Thus we have a fourfold secret of power.
4. The Faith of the Heart. With the heart man believeth. “Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James. 1:5, 6). It is the desire of the heart that is to be made known unto God (Mark 11:24), and the Word of God must be trusted. Asking in faith means receiving with joy (John 16:24). Thus we have a fourfold secret of power.
II. Hindrances to Effectual Prayer. These are numerous. Here are some that are common.
II. Hindrances to Effectual Prayer. These are numerous. Here are some that are common.
1. Selfishness. “Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss: that ye might use it for your own pleasures” (Jas. 4:3). We ask amiss when we ask anything for the honour and exaltation of self. “God will not give His glory to another.” To many this is a subtle and powerful temptation.
1. Selfishness. “Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss: that ye might use it for your own pleasures” (Jas. 4:3). We ask amiss when we ask anything for the honour and exaltation of self. “God will not give His glory to another.” To many this is a subtle and powerful temptation.
2. Secret Sin. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psa. 66:18). Let us see that, first of all, our own souls are “cleansed from secret fault.” Remember the wandering, “searching eyes of the Lord” (2 Chron. 16:9).
2. Secret Sin. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psa. 66:18). Let us see that, first of all, our own souls are “cleansed from secret fault.” Remember the wandering, “searching eyes of the Lord” (2 Chron. 16:9).
3. Unbelief. “He that cometh to God must believe” (Heb. 11:6). “Let not that man that wavereth in his trust think that he shall receive anything of the Lord” (Jas. 1:7).
3. Unbelief. “He that cometh to God must believe” (Heb. 11:6). “Let not that man that wavereth in his trust think that he shall receive anything of the Lord” (Jas. 1:7).
4. Formality. Jesus said, “If ye ask anything in My Name, I will do it” (John 14:14). We may end our prayers with, “For Christ’s sake, Amen,” when there has been nothing for Christ’s sake in the prayer. This holy and almighty Name is often used in heartless flippancy. This was the condemnation of the leading Pharisees. The angel prayers ascend and descend upon the Son of Man.
4. Formality. Jesus said, “If ye ask anything in My Name, I will do it” (John 14:14). We may end our prayers with, “For Christ’s sake, Amen,” when there has been nothing for Christ’s sake in the prayer. This holy and almighty Name is often used in heartless flippancy. This was the condemnation of the leading Pharisees. The angel prayers ascend and descend upon the Son of Man.
5. An Unforgiving Spirit. When ye pray, forgive; if you do not forgive, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you (Mark 11:25, 26). No use praying if harbouring a grudge against any one. We must forgive one another, as Christ forgave us (Col 3:13).
5. An Unforgiving Spirit. When ye pray, forgive; if you do not forgive, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you (Mark 11:25, 26). No use praying if harbouring a grudge against any one. We must forgive one another, as Christ forgave us (Col 3:13).
6. Impatience. “He is the Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). The reward may be lost for lack of perseverance. Abraham prevailed because he staggered not at the promise of God (Rom. 4:20). Jacob prevailed because he would not let go. Elijah prevailed in Mount Carmel because he continued in prayer when there was no sign of rain, saying, “Go again seven times.” The widow prevailed with the unjust judge because of her importunity, and Jesus added: “Shall not God avenge His own which cry day and night unto Him, though He bare long with them?” (Luke 18:1–7). I tell you that He will (v. 8).
6. Impatience. “He is the Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). The reward may be lost for lack of perseverance. Abraham prevailed because he staggered not at the promise of God (Rom. 4:20). Jacob prevailed because he would not let go. Elijah prevailed in Mount Carmel because he continued in prayer when there was no sign of rain, saying, “Go again seven times.” The widow prevailed with the unjust judge because of her importunity, and Jesus added: “Shall not God avenge His own which cry day and night unto Him, though He bare long with them?” (Luke 18:1–7). I tell you that He will (v. 8).