How To Get Your Prayers Answered!

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2 The Bible tells us that God is Love. In page after page, we see the countless demonstrations of His great love. We read of His compassion and promises, and we see His willingness to use awesome power on behalf of His people. God is faithful to His people and to His Word. There are times, however, when we as the very chosen of God tend to rely on our five physical senses to decide whether He is really "out there" and whether He is hearing and answering our prayers. Once we pray our prayers, all too often, it is easy to look around for physical evidence, and then believe for what we prayed. In effect, when we do that, it is like trying to see with our ears or hear with our noses. We must determine even before we pray that any physical evidence contrary to what we pray will not sway us into doubt and unbelief. We need to realize that the evidence or the Word, upon which our faith rests is far more reliable than what we can see. Regardless of physical evidence, the Word is perfect! That is the truth of the matter, but sometimes it does help to have some practical guidelines to keep us within the bounds of truth. So, the following seven steps are suggested as guidelines to help you in your determined walk of faith when it comes to your prayers and waiting for them to be answered. Jesus gave his disciples a model to go by in Matthew 6:1-13; In it, we see examples that are powerful and an attitude that is honorable. God knows in advance what we need even before we ask anything! But we need to ask or Pray! In that exchange (Matthew 6:1-13) there are 3 When s: (1.) When you give. (2.) When you pray. and (3.) When you fast. All three are connected in our relationship with God. We are going to touch on these and other areas that have impact on the prayers we pray. My sincere hope is that this book will be helpful and a blessing to you. Fred Hughes, CEO, Decision Ministries International 2

3 20 Keys for releasing powerful prayers! Prayers that bring results are based on Love and His Word. 1. Pray The Word Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path. 1 John 5:14-15; This is the boldness, which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions, which we have asked of him. (According to His will His Word is His will, therefore, we know His will) John 6:63; It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life. Romans 4:19-21 Without being weakened in faith, he didn t consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah s womb. Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform. Romans 12:2 Don t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well- pleasing, and the perfect will of God. Prayer that brings results must be based on God's Word. We should start with the Word, the answer to our prayers. Jesus said, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7). Prerequisite to ask anything is abiding or remaining in His Word and in Him! The Bible contains over 7,000 promises, and these are promises that include wealth and wisdom, health and success. Finding the specific promises that apply to your situation may take some time, but it will be well worth the effort. A number of Scriptures are listed in this book but there are many more to be found! 3

4 2. Prayer and Faith, work by Love Galatians 5:6; For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor un- circumcision, but faith working through love. 1 John 4:12; No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us. Faith works when we operate in the love of God. Get involved in helping someone. As you adhere to the message of God's love, His love will flow from you to others. Ephesians 2:8-9; For by grace are you saved, through faith, not works,.. Grace saves you! Grace comes to save you because of your faith, not your works. That Salvation produces good works because of the grateful understanding of the gift of grace and our salvation. That Salvation produces great gratitude of the grace given and we manifest good works that demonstrate our gratefulness of His gift to us. If your faith is working it will produce good works in your life. Not to get the salvation we need, but to express the grateful hearts we have because of what He has done. When we pray with an understanding of His Grace, our identity in Christ is clear. We are not trying by our works to get salvation rather our works are an expression of who we are in Christ. It may well be that the greatest works we do in life is to pray in faith for people and love them like God does. James 5:15; and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Praying and saying are often counter- productive to one another. We pray God s Word then with the same mouth, we nullify what we just said with statements of doubt and unbelief. By your stripes I am healed! Thank you Lord! Oh my I just know this is going to be the worst case of flu I have ever had! James 3:8-18; But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don t boast and don t lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 4

5 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (Grace coming through our faith, it brings our tongue to confess good things not evil In Christ I can do all things even control my mouth and the things I say. Our Words and our works are then Good and peace prevails in our life.) Romans 3:4; May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, That you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgment. (Our words will be judged so when we speak openly or in prayer choosing words carefully is important, they are containers sent out to do a job. Be careful that your words and prayers are sent out full of love and grace with faith.) Hebrews 4:11-16; Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. ( in His presence there is fullness and joy! Perfect peace and rest are found in Him. From that position it is very difficult to fall.) For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two- edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. (Confession of our identity in Christ and our words we proclaim.) For we don t have a high priest who can t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. Start your confession of faith before you see the manifestation of answers to your prayers. Believe you receive when you pray. Hold fast to your confession, by acting as though, it is already done. To be afraid to confess or act before you have it, is to doubt God's Word. 3. Rejecting Doubt, Fear & Unbelief 2 Corinthians 10:5; throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; Hebrews 11:6; Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. 5

6 James 1:6-7; But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. For let that man not think that he will receive anything from the Lord. Hebrews 3:12; Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God; (This is not talking about loosing your salvation but rather allowing the old nature or old soul to operate in unbelief rather than faith) Isaiah 53:1-6 (perhaps the most powerful presentation of the gospel is this scripture) Who has believed our message? To whom has the arm of Yahweh been revealed? For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no good looks or majesty. When we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised, and rejected by men; a man of suffering, and acquainted with disease. He was despised as one from whom men hide their face; and we didn t respect him. Surely he has borne our sickness, and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds, we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all. This Scripture gives us three frames of exchange. The Garden is where we Jesus takes on the soul and it s failed attempts to successfully handle the mind, will & emotions. The Whipping post, by His stripes we were (Not, we will be, but we are healed!) Finally, The Cross! Without a blood covenant we are lost in our sins with no savior. But in Him we are free from sin, no longer it s slave. Jesus took all of these for you and I. Salvation comes full and free! Nothing we did, but all about what He did. We walk free of doubt and fear because of what Christ did! Refuse to allow doubt and fear to enter your consciousness. Satan will tell you that your answers are not coming, but take those whispers of doubt captive. You have the right and power to demolish every argument that comes against the knowledge of God's Word. Control your mind, will and emotions with the Word and dwell on the answer instead of the problem. Rejecting doubt and fear is your way to living successfully in this life! You have authority in Jesus name and in the fact that you are a son or daughter of the most high. Knowing who you are in Christ is vital to walking free of fear and doubt. 6

7 4. Identity & Authority In Christ Finding our true identity in Christ is in loosing the identity of self. In dying to self we live in Christ! Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose Proverbs 4:20-24; My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. 1 John 3:22, and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. (Why? Because He first loved us we love and follow Him) Matthew 6:22-23, The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! Matthews 13:15-16; for this people s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and should turn again; and I would heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. Only when we know our true identity can we understand how to walk in the authority God gives us. Romans 13:14; But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts. Philippians 4:12-13 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me 7

8 5. An Overcoming Testimony Acts 4:33; With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. Revelation 12:11 They overcame him because of the Lamb s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn t love their life, even to death. Testify of what you believe. Testify of the Word of God. Add your testimony, to what you have received by the blood - your redemption. You have rights to all that Jesus did. God gives you the on going opportunity to tell of what great things He has done in your life! 6. Be Purposeful & Specific Jesus once asked a blind man what he needed? The man responded, That I might have my sight. Sounds logical! But Jesus was trying to help him receive what he needed not just some general bless me request. (Mark 10:51-52) Your Faith has made you well. If you are being specific and asking purposely it can facilitate your faith working and your request being fulfilled more expediently. Mark 5:28 A woman suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years said If I can only touch the His clothes I will be healed. She, had an intentional plan, a purposeful plan, a specific plan and that mixed with her faith got her healing. Her hope and money had all been depleted but when she heard about Jesus! She could go and physically touch him. Prayer is how we reach out and touch Jesus today, the times have changed but God has not! It is not that God needs a detailed list of how to help you! He is full aware of your needs and wants well before you ask! It is really more about you specifically knowing what your are asking Him to do and a reference for you to recall clearly and comprehend what God has done and when He did it! Being sure to match your prayers to His word, He preforms His Word! Not your request. 8

9 7. Being Generous Luke 6:38; Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you. James 5:16; Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. Mark 4:14-29; The farmer sows the word. The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes, and takes away the word which has been sown in them. These in the same way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy. They have no root in themselves, but are short- lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble. Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are those who have heard the word, and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times. He said to them, Is the lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn t it put on a stand? For there is nothing hidden, except that it should be made known; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear. He said to them, Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you who hear. For whoever has, to him will more be given, and he who doesn t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him. He said, The Kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed on the earth, and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he doesn t know how. For the earth bears fruit: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts forth the sickle, because the harvest has come. 9

10 Acts 20:35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Get on the giving end. If you need healing, then give the message of healing to someone else. If you need money, give money. It is God's law. You will reap what you have sown. The way you measure out is the way it will be measured back to you. I have found that the biggest enemies we face are our own experiences. Will we allow our personal experiences to nullify the Truth or will we require that our experiences rise to match the Truth. What does the Bible say? Do I believe what it says or do I rely on my own experiences and what I have been taught to believe. God is well able to do the miraculous. He has not change. His Word has not changed. The question is: "Do you believe?" Prayer is a declaration of your belief in God's Truth, expressed to God! And an expectancy that God heard your prayers and will answer them. The truth is He answered them 2,000 years ago. 8. Being Persistent There was a lady who came day after day to a king, asking for her needs to be met. This made the king a little irritated, but the woman receives what she needed. We never need to beg God for what we need, He knows our needs, and He hears our petitions. But being in persistent pursuit is profitable prayer. This is not to say we go begging God! Nor is it to say ask only once any more is unbelief! The balance is that we ask and keep asking until we see the answer! Than is not unbelief or begging God! It is an operation of faith! Stand and do not relent, hold your ground and keep asking with the expectation that God will hear and answer your prayers and petitions. Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10

11 9. Be Personal The key purpose of prayer is to be intimate with God! That s personal and that is how God designed it! Exodus 34:14; For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God Matthews 6:24; No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. 10. Fasting & Praying Jesus did not miss words When (not if) you fast, praying And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are:for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:15 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret:and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 11. The Prayer of Agreement Matthew 18:16-20 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them 11

12 12. Laying on of Hands or Touching Matthew 18:19 (As Touching) To touch or connect in a personal way while praying is very powerful and meaningful. 13. Anointing Oil Luke 4: 18-19; The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Isaiah 61) Jesus purpose was to come to Earth, live perfectly, and die as payment for our sins, so that we may live. He was anointed for this purpose! When? The sinner, not the saints, brought an alabaster box and broke it and anointed Jesus for his death. But the true anointing comes from the (Spirit of the Lord) Holy Spirit. We too have an anointing from the Holy Spirit, to fulfill our purpose! The anointing oil, is also used by the elders. Who anoint and pray for the sick, that come to them. James 5:14-15; Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. We also use the anointing oil for ordination or setting in leaders chosen to point the way and devote themselves to the study of the Word and Prayer. 14. Praise & Worship Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. 12

13 1 Corinthians 14: 13-15; Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also:i will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Ephesians 5:18-21 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Colossians 3:15-19 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him 15. Forgive Matthews 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:25 Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses 16. Ask Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened 13

14 Ask, and you shall receive, knock, and it will be opened to you. Luke 11:9-13 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him What ever you ask, in my name John 16:26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father James 1: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways It is ok to ask! So ASK! You will learn that you have a Yes & Amen! (So be it!) God. 17. Listen Hearken, is the word used for listen in much of the Bible. To Hearken, is to listen closely or carefully. Prayer is a conversation! At some point you have to listen, harken to what God is saying. John 10: 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 1 John 4:4-6 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error 14

15 The art of listening spiritually or listening to the Holy Spirit is so critical for us to learn. For decades now we have possessed the understanding of Use the Force, Luke. Unfortunately we have not translated from the pages of Scripture how to use the force of the same power that rose, Christ from the dead! I think more of us believe the Star Wars force than we believe the Power of Holy Spirit. Hearing is the first step, but listening is the goal. Hearing reveals the plan, listening reveals the successful implementing of the plan. 18. Obey Obedience is not a bad word! You have the right to obey! Don t let anyone take that right away from you! If soldiers choose not to obey their orders you have no army! If a football player chooses to do his own thing, you do not have a team and therefore no victory. 1 John 3:22, and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. (Why? Because He first loved us we love, follow and obey Him) 19. Pray For: Pray for not against, pray for others more and your needs and wants less. Not complaining or murmuring. James 5:15-16 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Luke 6:26 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (God is still not real big on murmuring! If you seem to be spending a lot of time in the desert, you may want to change this part of your prayers a little.) James 5:8-9 Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door 15

16 20. Pray in the Spirit Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. Isaiah 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (AMP) This is the true rest [the way to true happiness Pray in the spirit, Sing in the Spirit, Build yourself up on the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 14:15) God's Greatest Guarantees Are Yours! Promises - Guarantees: Truthful Words from God Promises for your unsaved loved ones: Luke 5:32, I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost. John 3:3-17 Jesus answered him, Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can t see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can t enter into the Kingdom of God! That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Don t marvel that I said to you, You must be born anew. The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered him, How can these things be? Jesus answered him, Are you the teacher of Israel, and don t understand these things? Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don t receive our witness. If I told you earthly things and you don t believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God didn t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 16

17 Acts 11: 13b,14, Simon, who is called Peter, who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house. Acts 16:31 They said, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. Romans 5:8; But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 1 Corinthians 7:13-16; The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 1 Peter 3:1-2; This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you; that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior: 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Promises for your children: Psalms 8:2; From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger. Psalms 91:11-12; For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, so that you won t dash your foot against a stone. Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate. 17

18 Proverbs 3:4, So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 22:6; Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and streams on the dry ground. I will pour my Spirit on your seed, and my blessing on your offspring: Isaiah 49:25 But thus says Yahweh, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children. Isaiah 54:13 All your children shall be taught of Yahweh; and great shall be the peace of your children. Colossians 3:20; Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. 2 Timothy 3:15; From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Promises for prosperity: Psalms 23:1, Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. Psalms 34:10, The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek Yahweh shall not lack any good thing. Psalms 37:25; I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread. Matthew 6:31-33; Therefore don t be anxious, saying, What will we eat?, What will we drink? or, With what will we be clothed? For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Luke 6:38; Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you. 18

19 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. Philippians 4:19; My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 3 John 2; Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. Promises for your marriage: Genesis 2:18, 24; 18 Yahweh God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him. 24 Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh. Psalm 101:2; I will be careful to live a blameless life. When will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a blameless heart. Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 10:12; Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs. Joshua 24:15; If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh. Romans 13:10; Love doesn t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. 19

20 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Love is patient and is kind; love doesn t envy. Love doesn t brag, is not proud, doesn t behave itself inappropriately, doesn t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. Ephesians 4:31-32, Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 5:21-33; subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ. Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh. This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly. Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband. 20

21 1 Peter 3:1-11; In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word; seeing your pure behavior in fear. Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious. For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror. You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered. Finally, be all like- minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing. For, He who would 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. 1 John 4:15-21 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God. We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother. 21

22 Promises for healing: Exodus 15:26; and he said, If you will diligently listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Yahweh who heals you. Psalms 103:3, who forgives all your sins; who heals all your diseases; Psalms 107:20; He sends his word, and heals them, and delivers them from their graves. Proverbs 4:20-22; My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body. Isaiah 53:5; But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. Jeremiah 17:14, Heal me, O Yahweh, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for you are my praise. Jeremiah 30:17; For I will restore health to you, and I will heal you of your wounds, says Yahweh; because they have called you an outcast, saying, It is Zion, whom no man seeks after. Malachi 4:2; But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out, and leap like calves of the stall. Matthew 8:8, The centurion answered, Lord, I m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. Matthew 9:35; Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 22

23 Mark 16:15-18; He said to them, Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages; they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Luke 6:19; All the multitude sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all. Hebrews 13:8; Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. James 5:14-16; Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. 1 Peter 2:24; who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. 3 John 2; Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. 23

24 Promises for peace of mind: Psalms 37:11; But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Psalms 119:165; Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble. Isaiah 26:3, You will keep whoever s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:12, Yahweh, you will ordain peace for us, for you have also worked all our works for us. Isaiah 55:12; For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands. John 14:27; Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. Romans 5:1, Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; Romans 8:6, For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace; Romans 8:14; For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. Romans 8:17-19; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Romans 15:13; Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Philippians 4:6-7; In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition 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 thoughts in Christ Jesus. 24

25 The Promises are given to those who believe them. They are not given to all men. 2 Corinthians 5:17, (AMP) Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life] When we receive Christ as Lord and Savior. We become a new man, a new creature, a new being something drastic happens we are not the same as that old man that we were! We have been made new! The only thing that passes away is our old man, that old nature dies in Christ and is buried with Christ and raised in newness of life with Him. Colossians 1:27; To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory. The Holy Spirit takes residents in you and all things are made new! We hear and know the presence and voice of God in our life. Holy Spirit then teaches all things we need to know. The Word of God sounds just like the Holy Spirit it will, like a tuning fork, tune our spiritual ears to hear the voice of God. The better we know His voice, the more we will know Him. Who is God? Truth: 1 John 5:6 - The Spirit is truth. Love: 1 John 4:8 - God is love. Peace: Ephesians 2:14 - He is our peace. The one who never leaves you: Hebrews 13:5 - God will never leave you nor forsake you. Merciful: Psalm 37:26- He is ever merciful. Kind: Psalm 117:2 - His merciful kindness is great towards us. Generous: James 1:5 - Ask God who gives liberally without reproach. All- Present: Psalm 139: God is present everywhere. Truthful: Titus 1:2 - God cannot lie. Forgiving: Psalm 86:5 - God is ready to forgive. Life: John 1:4 - In Him was life. All- Knowing: 1 John 3:20 - God knows all things. Gracious: Psalm 103:8 - The Lord is gracious. Safe: Proverbs 29:25 - Whoever trust in the Lord will be safe. A Present Help: Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 25

26 Wonderful: Isaiah 9:6-... and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. It is good to remember to whom it is we are praying! Keeping the correct attitude and respect as we acknowledge and ask. God does not have a problem with us asking, in fact He told us to do so. John 15:7; If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. John 16:21; A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world. Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them. Ephesians 3:14-21 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner (new) man. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love. Ephesians 6:18; Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints Philippians 4:6-7 ; Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. James 1:5-7; If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. James 5:13-18; Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? Let him call the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if 26