STUDY #6: GOD ANSWERS YOUR PRAYERS (PART B)

AIM: To provide understanding in how God answers prayer and how to approach Him daily in prayer.

MEMORY VERSE 9: “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.” (1 Jn. 5:14-15)

1. GOD IS OWNER AND SOVEREIGN OVER EVERYTHING. JESUS LIVES TODAY TO INTERCEED FOR US:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, ² but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. ³ He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb.1:1-3).

“Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Heb.7:25).

QUESTION:

How much of the universe does God own? Is there any limit to His ability to help us?

2. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN GOD’S GLORY AND ANSWERING YOUR PRAYERS:

¹³ Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. ¹⁵ If you love Me, you will keep My commandments (Jn.14:13-15)

⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love (Jn.15:7-10)

¹⁴ And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him (1 Jn.5:14-15)

NOTE 1:

God is not our slave but our Master. Indeed He is King of all kings and the Lord of all lords! Asking – ‘In Jesus’ name’ is not running through the ‘shopping list’ of your wants and desires. Prayers ‘In His Name’ or ‘In Jesus Name’ means prayers ‘for His sake’ – ‘for His benefit’ – ‘for His glory’ – ‘that which pleases Him’ – ‘according to His desires’ – ‘according to His will’.  As a Christian you can ask in Jesus name because you belong to Him.

NOTE 2:

God always answers our prayers even when they are wrong e.g. like the Israelites in the wilderness when “¹⁴ They craved intensely in the wilderness and put God to the test in the desert; ¹⁵ He gave them what they asked but sent a wasting disease among them” (Ps.106:14-15).

God may say – ‘YES’ / ‘NO’ / ‘NOT YET’ / ‘WAIT’ / or ‘LATER’.

It is expressly stated that God heard the pleadings of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and the answer was ‘NO’ because He was not spared from the suffering of the cross – ⁷ In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence” (Heb.5:7)

Compare this verse with Luke 22:39-44.

QUESTION:

How do these principles from the Word of God change your understanding of prayer? What are the prerequisites for making your requests of the Lord?

1. THINGS THAT GET IN THE WAY:

³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions (Jms.4:3).

¹⁸ If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened (Ps.66:18).

QUESTION:

What is the key obstacle to God answering your prayer?

2. THE GENEROSITY OF GOD’S ANSWERS TO YOUR PRAYERS:

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us (Eph.3:20).

 ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6-7).

QUESTION:

What are the characteristics of God’s responses to your prayers?

MORE:

John 16:24 …

Matt 7:7-11 …

HOW TO PRAY

Prayer is not all about asking.  Good communication with God will include:

• Adoration – Praising God for who He is.
• Confession – Honestly admitting your sin to Him.
• Thanks – Expressing your gratefulness for His provision, and even your trials.
• Specific Requests – Asking God for the needs of others and yourself.