INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION Why aren t my prayers answered? or Is there something I might change about how I pray?
INTRODUCTION Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
INTRODUCTION How about YOU?
THE SITUATION Many of us feel guilty about prayer. Ask a Christian about their prayer life, and watch the reaction. God categorically states that He will answer prayer: and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22 There are many more verses:
THE SITUATION He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive so that your joy may be made full. John 16:24 And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weaknesses; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26,27
THE SITUATION Paul had a physical problem! There was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me 2 Corinthians 12:7 But you know that it was a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time, and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. Galatians 4:13,14
THE SITUATION Notice that there are no details about what the sickness was. The sickness was not recorded for posterity. We can pray for ourselves about anything.
THE SITUATION We are hurting needy people. We long for and yearn for a closeness to God. We want to hear from God. We want our prayers to be answered. Prayer can be intimidating. Prayer should flow from a heart brimming over with love for God.
THE SITUATION Praying for no pain, no complications maybe no growth. Praying for more things be content with what I have. Praying for God s will I m not being sarcastic but God s will will happen whether I pray for it or not.
THE SITUATION If I wonder why something trying is allowed, and press for prayer that it may be removed; if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment, and cannot go on in peace under any mystery, then I know nothing of Calvary love. IF - Amy Carmichael
THE SITUATION Great prayer passages from the Bible: Ephesians 1:15-23 knowledge of God Ephesians 3:14-21 know the love of Christ Colossians 1:9-18 knowledge of His will and the knowledge of God
THE SITUATION How about YOU?
THE PRAYER Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
THE PRAYER Was it 3 times in one prayer session? Was it 3 times in one day? Was it 3 extended prayer sessions over hours or days or months or years? It was a normal prayer, a heart-felt need. It was about something visible to him and to others.
THE PRAYER My prayer can be hindered. You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:2-3
THE PRAYER He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination. Proverbs 28:9 If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear. Psalm 66:18
THE PRAYER Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8
THE PRAYER And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5
THE PRAYER How about YOU?
THE ANSWER And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 God spoke directly to him with an answer This is awesome!
THE GROWTH And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
THE GROWTH And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
THE GROWTH And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
THE GROWTH Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me to keep me from exalting myself! 2 Corinthians 12:9
THE GROWTH God spoke directly to him with an answer Awesome! The answer was, no. N O N. O. NO. Be content in circumstances. Avoid pride. Boast about weakness. I too need to be close enough to God to hear Him when He answers me.
THE GROWTH The Word of the Lord is a gentle and delicate voice, only heard by those who no longer hear anything else. Sanctuary of the Soul by Richard J. Foster Unplug. Turn it off. Get Away.
THE GROWTH Hearing and then acting upon what God says to me. This is true insight. This is wisdom forming in him: And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Paul s response: for when I am weak, then I am strong.
LIFE APPLICATION GOD ANSWERS PRAYER! How about YOU?
LIFE APPLICATION GOD ANSWERS PRAYER! 1. When is the last time I was excited about prayer? Why is that? 2. How much change do you want? And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 Note: This is a lot of change!
LIFE APPLICATION GOD ANSWERS PRAYER! 3. I can be too distracted and irreverent when I pray. 4. I must pray in the presence of God and not be somewhere else. 5. I must be quiet enough to hear what He has to say to me.
LIFE APPLICATION GOD ANSWERS PRAYER! 6. Select some passages of scripture after which I can pattern my life and my prayers. Then do it. 2 Peter 1:5-8 Romans 5:1-5 Galatians 5:22-23 Ephesians 1:15-23 Ephesians 3:14-21 Colossians 1:9-18 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
LIFE APPLICATION GOD ANSWERS PRAYER! Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8
LIFE APPLICATION Make Me Thy Fuel - Amy Carmichael From prayer that asks that I may be Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee, From fearing when I should aspire, From faltering when I should climb higher, From silken self, O Captain, free Thy soldier who would follow Thee.
LIFE APPLICATION Make Me Thy Fuel - Amy Carmichael From subtle love of softening things, From easy choices, weakenings, Not thus are spirits fortified, Not this way went the Crucified, From all that dims Thy Calvary, O Lamb of God, deliver me.
LIFE APPLICATION Make Me Thy Fuel - Amy Carmichael Give me the love that leads the way, The faith that nothing can dismay, The hope no disappointments tire, The passion that will burn like fire, Let me not sink to be a clod: Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.
LIFE APPLICATION Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 KJV
LIFE APPLICATION Make Me Thy Fuel - Amy Carmichael Give me the love that leads the way, The faith that nothing can dismay, The hope no disappointments tire, The passion that will burn like fire, Let me not sink to be a clod: Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.
LIFE APPLICATION The Beginning!