God Answers Prayer

Psalm 116:1-9 God Answers Prayer

Adrian Rogers “the one thing above everything that I should do is pray.’”

“I know not by what method rare, But this I know, God answers prayer.

I know that he has given his Word, Which tells me prayer is always heard

And will be answered soon or late, And so I pray and calmly wait.

I know not if the blessing sought, Will come in just the way I thought

But leave my prayers with him alone, Whose will is wiser than my own

Assured that he will grant my quest, Or send some answer far more blessed

I. A DECLARATION 1 “I love the LORD. . .”

C.S. Lewis explains in his book, The Four Loves, four different types of love: storge (affection), phileo (friendship), eros (erotic or romantic love), and agape (charity or God-love, unconditional love).

(a) Love Required Mat 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.

(b) Love Requested John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

(c) Love Reminded Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

II. A DEMONSTRATION - 1 because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me,

The Wizard of Oz: “Because, because, because, because, because / Because of the wonderful things he does. . .”

David presents his case in the style of a lawyer in a courtroom.

Exhibit A. “Because He hath heard my voice. . .” (v. 1b)

Exhibit B. “Because He hath heard . . . my supplication. . .” (v. 1b)

Exhibit C. “Because He hath inclined His ear unto me . . . “(v. 2a)

The Lord Heard Him! * He says in v.1-2 ........

The Lord Helped Him! * The Psalmist said in v.3-6 .......

1. His CONDITION, 3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

2. His CONFESSION. 6 I was brought low, and he helped me.

3. His PETITION. 4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

4. His SALVATION. 8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

5. His RESOLUTION. 9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

6. His CONSOLATION. 7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

III. A DETERMINATION 2 therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

“Philip Henry [brother of Matthew Henry], prayed for two of his children who were dangerously ill, remarked, ‘If the Lord will be pleased to grant me my request concerning my children, I will not say, as the beggars at our door used to do, ‘I’ll never ask anything of Him again;’ but, on the contrary, ‘He shall hear oftener from me than ever,’ and I will love God the better, and love prayer the better, as long as I live.’”

Answered prayer makes us want to pray more.

James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

IV. A DEDICATION “. . . as long as I live.” (v. 2b)

Psalm 116 is actually a psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance from death.

In the words of Eliza M. Hickok, “. . . this I know: God answers prayer.”