The Humility and Privilege of Asking - 1 John 5:14-15

I. Abraham: called a friend of God

a. God is God – He calls us friend but He’s still God

b. He’s Father and the Father must always be respected as Father

II. This epistle written to believers that they may be assured that they are recipients of eternal life and as a result they have confidence of answered prayer - you’ve got some benefits

III. We have a privilege to come to God in prayer yet our approaching God and boldly must always be in recognition of who God is in all humility. Prayer is a combination of praising God, laying your burdens, and asking.

IV. In church we have made prayer a performance and not a privilege. When it becomes performance, it’s not humble its prideful.

V. “Decree, declare... put a demand on God”

a. You can’t make God do nothing.... but you can ask Him to do anything you need Him to do

b. Ask with humility – with a mind and heart that reverences who God is (telling my mom what I was going to do – example)

c. Prideful prayer has an attitude to try and make God do something

VI. God moves according to His will (1 John 5:14)

a. God’s will is His intended action that in eternity has already been completed – (moral and permissive)

b. There can be no confidence in prayers uttered outside of God’s will

VII. Prayer must be done confidently not arrogantly

a. I pray to God because I am dependent on Him... not like He owes me something

VIII. Some of us don’t utilize our blessing and privilege to pray... but we need a praying church

IX. I’m going to ASK... because I want all of what God has for me.

X. Someone asks for prayer... don’t you tell them I’ll pray for you. Tell them I’ll pray for you NOW. So often when someone asks for prayer we say we’ll pray but we don’t

XI. It ought not be a burden to pray... it ought not be a rush to pray.

XII. The power of prayer is knowing that I prayed according to His will, He heard me... and I know He will answer!

XIII. I can rest because He heard me. I can go on because He hears me!

XIV. I’m not going to neglect my privilege (earthquake my phone didn’t work)

XV. I’ve got a direct line to God...