Jesus Is The God Who Answers Prayer

VISITATION #12: JESUS IS THE GOD WHO ANSWERS PRAYER

(March 2011 – Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan)

INTRO TO TOPIC:

• For the past 12 weeks, we have been studying the life of JESUS.

• We have learned that He is Saviour, Healer, Deliverer, Peace, Hope, Provider and more.

• We will continue our series until Easter weekend – with His death and resurrection.

• We have called the series VISITATION, because it’s not just theology (the study of God), rather it is about personally experiencing Him in our lives.

• One of the best ways for us to encounter Jesus is through prayer.

OPENING TEXT:

“Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1).

• Jesus’ disciples didn’t ask Him how to preach or lead, but rather how to pray.

o If I wanted to learn how to play the guitar, I would go to Ken or Colin.

o If I wanted to learn how to butcher a cow, I would go to Adolf.

• If we want to learn how to pray powerful prayers: Let’s come to Jesus!

• Side note: If you want to learn more about prayer, get our series “The School of Prayer.”

THE BIG IDEA: Jesus is the God Who Answers Prayer. When we come to Jesus and learn how to pray, our prayers will have great power and wonderful results.

I. OPEN THE DOOR TO JESUS:

Jesus responds to His disciples by giving them what we call the Lord’s prayer.

First, let’s see the cross reference in Matthew’s Gospel:

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6).

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20).

• Prayer is first and foremost a personal relationship with the Lord.

II. REDISCOVER THE LORD’S PRAYER:

• Each section reveals to us something about God… (Luke 11:2-4).

1. Father: “So Jesus said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven…”

• This first part of prayer is one of the stumbling blocks for many people – FATHER.

• Because people have had a bad relationship with their fathers, or non-existent ones, they have had a hard time being able to relate to God as a Good Father.

• PERSONAL STORY: Alcoholic promise breaker for a father, strict step-father.

• Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9).

• QUOTE: “Today I wonder why it is God refers to Himself as “Father” at all. This, to me, in light of the earthly representation of the role, seems a marketing mistake. Why would God want to call Himself Father when so many fathers abandon their children?”

• God’s response to this FATHERLESS generation: “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.” (Psalm 68:5).

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Romans 8:15-16).

• When you become a Christian, you are adopted into God’s family! He loves you!

• So many Christians don’t know and believe the love that God has for them.

• Jesus received the Father’s blessing at His baptism: “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” He heard this at least two other times in His life. Have YOU?

• PRAYER: The Father’s Blessing – for men / young men then women / young women.

2. God: Hallowed be Your name.

• God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.

3. King: Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

• God wants us to pray for His kingdom to come – salvation, healing, etc:

o Pray for the harvest of lost souls (Luke 10:2).

o Pray for all your leaders – pastors, government leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-3).

o Pray for the peace of Jerusalem / Beausejour, Japan, etc! (Ps. 122:6).

o Pray for the church (Eph. 1:15-22; 3:14-21; Col. 1:9-11; Phil. 1:9-11).

o Pray for unity in the church (John 17:20-21).

o Pray for God’s Word to be preached in power (Eph. 6:19).

o Pray for your enemies (Luke 6:28).

4. Provider: 3 Give us day by day our daily bread.