The Basics are Basic #4
PRAYER
Memory verse:
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24
Principles of Prayer
Psalm 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.
Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Matthew 6:5-8 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
James 4:2-3 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Conditions for Answered Prayer
- Pray in Jesus’ name
John 14:13-14 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
- Pray according to God’s will
1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him.
- Pray in faith
Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
- Pray with a pure heart
Psalm 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened
- Resolve conflicts in relationships
Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
- Confess sins
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
- Obey God
John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
Prayer is an expression of the heart towards our Heavenly Father. When we pray, God listens to our hearts, not our words.
God desires to answer our prayers because He loves His children. He will always answer our prayers, but always in a way that is according to His good and perfect will. We can and should pray about everything. There is nothing too difficult or insignificant for God!
Developing Kingdom Leaders - Tom Yeakley 