What Prayer Will and Will Not Do

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.

Do you believe this?

Prayer Will Strengthen Your Relationship with God

A strong, fruitful, effective and loving relationship requires communication

Philippians 4:4–7 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

To offer up supplication is not just to pray. It is to camp out before His throne in hopeful expectation of His grace.

General prayer is us sending our requests up to the throne - supplication carries with it more of the idea of pressing in, camping out in your prayer closet, and petitioning for His grace, mercy and kindness in your situation.

Prayer Will Enable the Christian to Experience Forgiveness

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:1 ESV

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Prayer Will Allow You to Intercede For Others

Colossians 4:3 ESV

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—

1 Timothy 2:1–3 ESV

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

WHAT PRAYER WILL NOT DO

PRAY CANNOT AND WILL NEVER NEGATE GOD’S WILL

How do I know what God’s will is?

1 John 3:21–23 ESV

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

1 John 5:14 ESV

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

God’s will is that none should perish BUT ALL COME TO REPENTANCE 2 PET 3:9

Prayer alone will not save the lost

Prayer will not impart faith (Rom 10:17)

John 14:14 ESV

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Matthew 21:22 ESV

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Just Because to Ask “In Jesus Name” Don’t mean You’re Going to Get it

if a person prayed, “Lord, please forgive me of my sins even though I will not forgive others of their sins, in Jesus’ name, Amen,” would Jesus comply with such a request? NO

Acts 19 Sons of Sceva

1 Peter 3:10–12 ESV

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Prayer will not keep the Christian from Trials

David – his sick infant son (2 Sam 12)

Paul – his thorn in the flesh (2 Cor 12)

Jesus – the cup he must drink from (Matt 26)

NONE OF THESE PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE

These men did not get up from their prayers with hatred, anger and pessimism. I would say they had a greater level of peace than they did before EVEN THOUGH THEIR PRAYERS WERE NOT ANSWERED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

David – understood his child would never come to him, but he will go to him

Paul - understood that God’s grace will be sufficient for him

Jesus understood that God’s will must be done. (Luke 22:43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.)

When we put the things of the world our physical comforts ahead of God in our life we forfeit him as being Lord.

The power is not in our prayer no matter how earnest or eloquent it may be.

The power rests in the one who answers the prayer and it always according to what he wants to see accomplished.

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