He Heard You

He Heard You

August 3, 2005 – Danny L Williams

1 John 5:11-15

Does Prayer Really Work?

Prayer is one of the most misunderstood arts of the human experience-yet it is meant to be one of the most exciting aspects of a life of faith.

Prayer is a lonely experience for many of us.

Although we have been taught that it is important to pray, we have been so disappointed and frustrated that our prayers haven’t been answered, we’ve almost given up on it.

We may pray when we are scared or sick, but it’s not a regular practice in our lives.

Outwardly, we agree that prayer is worthwhile, but secretly we wonder:

Does God really hear me when I pray?

Why does it seem as if my prayers just hit the ceiling and bounce back at me?

Is God mad at me? Is that why He doesn’t answer me?

Why is prayer so boring and fruitless for me? Shouldn’t I expect my prayers to be answered?

Unanswered prayer is a major obstacle that stands in the way of a life of true faith.

Certain people have lost their faith altogether because of unanswered prayer.

Some have turned to philosophy, metaphysics, or cults to find answers to life’s questions and problems.

Others have turned to horoscopes, psychic hotlines, and witchcraft.

Still others have rejected the spiritual realm completely and now focus on purely materialistic things.

Confusion about prayer also affects those who are committed Christians.

The greatest difficulty in most believers’ experience is their prayer lives.

But what does it mean,

What is it to pray with power! There’s not a more important subject in all the world for a Christian than to learn how to pray. Not only to learn how to pray but to pray with power, to pray in the Spirit, to pray to get prayers answered.

As Christians we must realize that nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except that which lies outside the will of God.

Prayer can do anything that God can do, and God can do anything!

As we look at prayer tonight, I want you to understand that as you begin to pray there is no way you will not go to another dimension in your faith and walk with God.

1 John 5:11-15

my assignment is in vs. 14

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

confidence is from the Greek word which means to be out spoken,

God says, I want you to be out spoken about your prayer life.

Where does that confidence lie?

In Him

The only way you will have confidence in him is

1. if you know him

2. and the only way to know him is to pray

I mean Know him,

Not about him.

Look at the rest

That if we ask anything, ……not just anything

But anything according to his will,

Because anything would take you into the land of manipulation and witch craft.

His will

What is God’s will?

It’s his word

The word of God is the will of God explained.

Why pray his word.

Because God cannot deny his word or his will or himself

The will ----- we will go deeper in this a bit later,

But I am mesmerized by the next phrase

{he heareth us}

To think we have an audience with God is absolutely mind shaking

audience in prayer

that as finite as we are and as infinite as he is and that he would allow us to speak to him is Just awesome

and you have to know that, If you don’t know that you have an audience with God you won’t enjoy prayer

and we have raised a generation of people who enjoy church, but don’t enjoy prayer

they enjoy preaching and praise, but don’t enjoy prayer

and its hard to get them to pray

When you call most church people to the altar, they come and pray about three minutes.

They quickly run out of things to say to God.

Late to work talking on the phone

But never late because you were caught up in the throws of prayer

People who don’t pray or who don’t pray effectively is because they are not cognizant of the fact that God is on the other end of the line.

You have to know God is listening

Because if you don’t you will replace prayer with other things Like Praise

Praise only.

And that is not to say praise doesn’t work

But,

Your praise will never replace your prayer

No matter how exuberant

No matter how boisterous

Your praise will never replace your prayer

And I am concerned and overwhelmed that this generation as a whole,