25) God Answers Prayer! Series

GOD ANSWERS PRAYER!

TEXT: Jeremiah 33:3.

INTRODUCTION

Today, as we continue our journey into the Word of God,

Our focus remains firmly fixed on discovering...

“...those things most surely believed among us” (Luke 1:1).

And this is important – for us all,

After all, we’re going to be answering God’s call for our lives...

And reaching out to others with the truth of the Gospel,

This is what we are going to be sharing [the Bible]...

Because this is what we believe – Chapter and Verse.

In our previous lessons, we have already looked to some of the things

We believe about God, and about God’s Word,

While more recently we began to look towards our firm belief in Prayer.

Remember in Luke 11:1 – we find one of Christ’s disciples coming to Him

And saying: ...Lord, teach us to Pray.

And it’s through the example of “The Lord’s Prayer”

That Jesus has begun to reveal to us from the Bible...

The kind of heart we should pray with,

And the kinds of things we should actively be praying for.

In fact, we have had 9 lessons on The Lord’s Prayer so far,

And if anything – this has shown us that Jesus Prayer life was anything but shallow.

Everything was prayed with purpose and meaning,

And from Christ’s example of prayer - we have all had the privilege to learn so much.

However, one thing we have not yet learnt in all of this – is How God answers prayer?

And do you know something – God does answer Prayer – Amen!

Brethren, this is a big part of what we believe.

After all, if we didn’t believe that God answers prayer,

Then there would be absolutely no reason for any of us to pray at all.

We believe that God always has and always will answer prayer...

Because that’s what He declares He will do.

Turn with me now to our text today found in Jeremiah 33:3. Here the Scriptures record:

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Now Brethren, I have to be honest - because I love this verse!

Not only does it hightlight to us the fact that - God answers Prayer,

But it begins to enlighten us of this all important truth – God answers Prayer His way.

A lot of people miss this – they think their prayers have not been heard or answered

Because they fail to understand the way in which the Lord answers prayer.

Today – I want us to begin to explore this together,

I want to reassure you of your faith and belief that God can and does answer prayer.

1) GOD WANTS US TO CALL

Now looking back to our text...

The first thing I want you to see is that God wants us to Pray.

This is His wish and His desire for us.

Notice again with me the start of verse 3 in Jeremiah 33 because the Lord says: Call unto me

That term Call in the Hebrew means to: “cry out”…

Or to “personally summon or invite someone close”.

“Call to me” - God says…

“Cry out to me”,

“Make a personal address to me…

And invite me closer into your life.”

To which James 4:8 declares - Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.

“Just call upon me” – God says

Now that is a neat picture of prayer.

God wants us to call out to Him in this way – so that we can be closer together.

Command

Interestingly, the way this phrase is put together in the Hebrew

Sees it used in the imperative mood – which means it’s a command.

So these are instructions for us to follow.

“Call unto me” – God says.

“Pray to me…Because that’s what I want”.

God’s desire is that we would talk with Him.

He wants us to communicate with Him.

And I believe that this desire to communicate with God - rests deep within us as well.

It’s a heart-felt longing as God’s Children

To want to reach out and really connect with our creator and Saviour.

A longing that is so deep in fact - that to deny it...

Would mean us living out your lives every day

With a profound sense that something is missing.

Poor Communication

Did you know that Poor Communication is cited

As the number one cause for relationship failure today.

Who would have ever thought, that in order for our relationships to succeed…

We need to be prepared to talk with one another.

Well guys when it comes to our spiritual relationship with the Lord

It’s really no different.

A healthy spiritual relationship with God requires two-way communication.

Here’s how it works…