Steps To Receive an Answer to your Prayers.
And I say to you ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you (Luke 11:9).
Most prayers of the people of the world do not seem to receive an answer to their prayers. I believe God has a plan for the way we pray and what we pray about. For example, if we want revival we need to pray according to 2Cron 7:14-15. Salvation for our family, Acts 10:31-32. Our Prayer Life is an important part of our relationship with God. Yet, too often we neglect this communication with our heavenly Father. In many cases, we don’t pray because we don’t know exactly how to pray, or how often.
Jesus’ disciples clearly saw the effect that prayer had in His life. He spent large amounts of time in prayer, often by Himself. The disciples soon realized that the demonstration of Gods power and wisdom flowing from Jesus resulted from the intimate fellowship He enjoyed with His Father.
When they asked Him to explain more to them about prayer, Jesus told them this story:
Suppose one of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him; and from inside he shall answer and say, Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything. I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. And I say to you ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened. (Luke 11:5-10)
I. Be persistent. The first key to answered prayer is persistence, God wants us to hold on to His promises in prayer. Don’t let disappointment cause you to let go of your faith.
A. The man in the parable did not give up.
B. He did not receive anything just because he was his friend.
C. But because of his persistence, he would eventually get up and give him what he needed.
D: Luke 11:10 can be stated, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.
E. If we call on God, He promises to answer! But we must wait on the Lord and let Him answer our prayers in His perfect timing. Many times the greatest trial comes just before the answer arrives; it often seems darkest just before dawn.
II. Be Purposeful! The Bible says one of the reasons we haven’t received Gods best is that we have not asked Him (James 4:2 KJV). yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
A. God wants us to open our hearts with Him.
1. Talk with Him like a friend. Three things I tell new believers.
a. Talk to God everyday, prayer is talking to God. Talk to Him like you would a friend.
b. Let God talk to you every day, when we read the Bible God is talking to us.
c. Talk to others each day of the Lord and what He has done for you.
2. The man in this story knew what he wanted and asked with a definite purpose.
B. Take your needs and concerns to the Lord in prayer.
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.
C. Remember, the more you pray for the concerns on Gods heart, the more you will find your own needs being met. (James 5:16 KJV) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
III. Be Personal!
The most important key to effective prayer is a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. Our Father (1 John 3:2 KJV) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
A. The man in the parable went to his friend when he needed help.
1. Two men in the Bible who are known for their great faith are Abraham and Moses. Both men enjoyed an intimate friendship with God.
James 2:23 says of Abraham, he was called the friend of God,
Exodus 33:11 says, the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. Both men saw God do great miracles in their lives.
2. (John 15:14 KJV) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
IV. Be Thankful and give God all the glory.
A. Be sure to thank Him when the answers come!
1. We do not want to forget the 10 lepers. Only one returned.
2. I tell people if they want to keep their answer or healing give God the Glory!
3. We give God the Glory by telling others.
4. I believe it will work for salvation and all answered prayers.
Conclusion: What a comfort to know that God loves us so deeply that He has given each of us an open line directly to Him whenever we need direction, comfort or strength. And His continuing promise to us is that He will answer our prayers!
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