An Unanswered Easter Prayer

A. THE UNANSWERED PRAYER IN GETHSEMANE

Abba Father, all things are possible unto Thee. Take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou will” (Mark 14:36).

1. No one can do our primary discipline, i.e., praying. Secularly discipline is giving money, witnessing, etc.

2. The One who turned water to wine, suffered an unanswered prayer.

a. Ignored

b. Postponed

c. Denied

d. Abandoned

3. In high priestly prayer (John 17) Jesus prayed:

a. For His glory (vv. 1-5)

b. For disciples to be kept (vv. 6-19).

c. For believers to be one (vv. 20-26).

4. In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to not suffer. “The cup of His fury” (Isa. 51:17). Also seen as Hell itself. “The wrath of God . . . poured into the cup of His indignation . . . tormented with fire and brimstone” (Rev. 14:10).

5. Gethsemane means “oil press”, i.e., place of intense pressure.

6. We turn to prayer when we hurt most. What hurts most?

a. Actual suffering

b. Anticipation.

7. HURT:

a. Sudden pain

b. Long-term illness

c. Lost of dream

d. Loss of loved one

e. Other

8. SURVEY: most American pray, even atheists 20%.

9. Since everyone hurts sometimes, everyone prays sometimes.

10. Reality: prayer does not always work. Because we believe so passionately in prayer we must also accept unanswered prayer.

B. EXAMINING JESUS PRAYER

1. Appeal to intimacy, i.e., Abba means Papa. Prayer is relationship.

2. All things means all within the nature of God. He can’t tell a lie, make a rock He can’t life, or go against His nature.

a. God must punish every infraction of His Law.

b. Everyone is guilty (Rom. 3:23).

c. Jesus was the only perfect substitute.

d. Jesus must take the punishment instead of sinners.

e. Therefore, the Father must ignore Jesus’ prayer.

3. God heard Jesus’ second request, i.e., submission. “Not My will but Thy will be done.”

4. The physical agonies of Calvary did not catch Jesus by surprise.

C. WHY SOME PRAYERS ARE NOT HEARD

1. Because they are just plain stupid.

2. Because they contradict other prayers.

3. Because God has a different plan and purpose. “Digory’s mother was dying and he prayed for healing. He had been desperately hoping the lion would say “yes”; he was horribly afraid he might say “no”! But he was taken back when it did nothing. The answer, “The lions face bent down near his own and a great shining tear shone in the lion’s eye . . . he felt as if the lion must really be sorrier about his mother than he was himself.” Narnia, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

4. Because it would be detrimental to others.

5. Because our understanding and expectation of God is wrong.

6. Because God has something better for us.

7. Because our prayers are selfishly motivated.

8. Because God wants our need to draw us to Himself.

9. Because God respects the free will of all and will not force others to do what we ask.

10. Because Satan opposes us and we haven’t prayed victoriously in spiritual warfare.

11. Because we haven’t exercised biblical faith (Mark 11:22-24).

12. Because we are impatient and won’t wait on God’s timing.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

To email Dr. Towns - eltowns@liberty.edu.