The Power Of A Praying Dad Series

The Power of a Praying People

June 18, 2023

1 John 5:13-15 NIV

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Jesus refers to prayer 42 times and the gospels record Him personally praying 28 times.

“God does nothing on the earth save in answer to believing prayer.” John Wesley

1. God wants us to come near.

James 4:8 NIV

Come near to God and he will come near to you.

2. Prayer is asking.

v.14a - if we ask …

Matthew 7:7-12 NIV

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Ask. Seek. Knock.

Prayer puts us on offense.

3. Knowing God’s will means knowing God’s ways.

v.14b - if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

We pray better prayers when we know God’s nature.

Matthew 6:10 NIV

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord, what are you doing on the earth and how can I cooperate?

What are you doing in my marriage and how can I cooperate?

What are you doing in my children and how can I cooperate?

What are you doing in my heart and how can I cooperate?

What are you doing in the city and how can I cooperate?

Lord, what do you think I should do?

4. God answers prayers.

We often ask for too little when He’s able to do so much!

The distinctive feature of Christian prayer is the certainty of being heard.