Principles Of Prayer

TEXTPs 32:6;  Col. 4:2

INTRODUCTION:

A.      ONE OF OUR GREATEST BLESSINGS IS PRAYER.

          1.       Through prayer, the we find FORGIVENESS( 1 John 1:9 ).

          2.       Through prayer, the we find PEACE and strength( Phil. 4:6-7 )

B.      SO WE SHOULD BE DILIGENT IN PRAYER( 1 Thess. 5:17 ).

C.      JESUS KNEW PEOPLE WOULD BECOME SLACK( Luke 18:1 ).

I.      CHARACTERISTICS OF ACCEPTABLE PRAYER.

A.      IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN FAITH"( Matt. 21:22 ).

          1.       We must have faith in God, and in His ability to answer( James 1:5-8 ).

          2.       Is faith weak?  God's Word will increase it( Rom. 10:17 ).

B.      IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN THE SPIRIT OF HUMILITY."

          1.       Notice the example of the Pharisee and the publican( Luke 18:9-14 ).

          2.       Remember, ( Psa. 34:18;  James 4:6).

C.      IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN HARMONY WITH GOD'S WILL."

          1.       God answers prayer that is offered "according to His will"( 1 John 5:14 ).

          2.       Jesus provided the example in His prayers at Gethsemane( Luke 22:42 ).

          3.       Too often, prayers are unanswered because they are more concerned with

                   OUR will, rather than GOD'S will!( James 4:3 ).

D.      IT MUST BE "BY THOSE RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD."( 1 Pet. 3:12 )

          1.       The prayers of the righteous person are effective( James 5:16-18 ).

          2.       But those continuing in sin He will not hear!( Prov. 28:9;  Isa. 59:1-2 ).

E.      IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN THE SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING"

          ( Eph. 5:20;  Phil. 4:6;  Col. 4:2;  1 Thess 5:17-18).

F.      IT MUST BE OFFERED "WITH PERSISTENCE"

          1.       Jesus illustrated this through two parables( Luke 11:5-10;  Luke 18:1-8 )

          2.       The virtue of persistence is demonstrated in the prayers of:

                   a.       Jesus at Gethsemane( Matt. 26:44 ).

                   b.       Paul, pertaining to his "thorn in the flesh"( 2 Cor. 12:7-8 ).

                   c.       The early church( Acts 2:42 ).

G.      IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN THE NAME OF JESUS."( Eph. 5:20 ).

          1.       This means much more than simply adding a little phrase "in Jesus' name" at

                   the end of our prayers!

                   a.       Jesus is the only way by which we can approach God( John 14:6 ).

                   b.       Jesus is our "high priest" who intercedes for us( Heb. 7:24-25 ).

          2.       Through Jesus we may boldly approach God!( Heb. 4:14-16 ).

II.     OBSTACLES TO PRAYER.

A.      UNCONFESSED, UNREPENTED SIN.

          1.       "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear"( Psa. 66:18 ).

          2.       The BASIS for prayer rests upon our being in fellowship with Him; such

                   fellowship is broken if we continue in sin!( 1 John 1:6-7 ).

B.      IMPROPER TREATMENT OF OTHERS.

          1.       How we treat others has a bearing upon whether God will hear our prayers!

                   a.       How we treat the poor( Psa. 41:1-3 ).

                   b.       How one treats his friend( Matt. 5:23-24 ).

                   c.       How a husband treats his wife( 1 Pet. 3:7 ).

          2.       Especially if we desire to receive forgiveness!( Matt. 6:14-15; 18:21-23 ).

III.    ANSWERS TO PRAYERS.( Matt. 7:7-11 ).

A.      "REQUEST GRANTED"(1 John 3:22 ).

B.      "REQUEST GRANTED, BUT NOT YET"( Ecc. 3:1 ).

C.      "REQUEST GRANTED, BUT NOT AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT"( Isa. 55:8,9 ).

D.      "REQUEST DENIED"( Matt. 7:7-11 ).

          1.       What if the son asks for a stone or a serpent?

          2.       We may not fully understand, but we can still fully trust Him!( Hab 3:17-19 ).

CONCLUSIONTHE PRIVILEGE OF PRAYER IS TOO GREAT A

        BLESSING TO WASTE.