Lord, How Do I Know If You're Listening?

A. INTRODUCTION: REVIEW THE LORD’S PRAYER LUKE 11:1-4

* The early prayer experience of Charles Finney: His disillusionment in how Christians pray.

B. GOD LOVES TO HEAR US AFFIRM HIS SOVEREIGNITY

" . . . Thy will be done in heaven, so in earth" (Luke 11:2). "For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge; he putteth down one, and setteth up another" (Psalm 75:6-7).

1. Tell God that He is sovereign in all of your human Relationships.

2. Tell God that He is sovereign in all of your career Ambitions.

3. Tell God that He is sovereign in all of your personal Possessions.

C. CORRECT ALL HINRANCES TO PRAYER.

"And whatever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight" (I John 3:22).

* Acknowledge that our prayers can be hindered. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18). "Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2).

1. Confess all known sin to God. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1: 9).

2. Eliminate all tight giving to God and to others. "Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard" (Prov. 21:13). "Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you measure it shall be measure to you again" (Luke 6:38).

3. Practice forgiveness in private and public life. "For if you forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14-15). "Then came Peter to him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto you, Until seven times; but Until seventy times seven" ( Matt. 18:21-22).

4. Eliminate any tension within marriage. "In like manner, you husbands, . . . giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered" (I Peter 3:7).

5. Practice non-selfish praying. "You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:3).

6. Always find a private place to pray.

"But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father, who is in secret; and your Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward you openly" (Matt. 6:6).

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. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.