GOD WANTS TO ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS
John 15:7-8
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
HOW GOD ANSWERS
I have often heard it said that God has three answers to your prayers; yes, no, and wait.
I believe God is a lot more complicated than that. You cannot explain the actions
of God in simple terms. There are many reasons God answers a prayer,
says no to your prayer, or says wait on Him.
The yes may be because an immediate answer is needed to provide, protect or
Show His power and glory to you or others around you.
The no may be to close a door you don’t need to go through. The no may be
to protect you from unseen dangers. The no may be to redirect you to a place
where He can use you or bless you more.
The wait maybe, God wants you to have what you asked for, but you are not
ready for the responsibility that is required,
The no may be because you are not abiding in or remaining in Him. The no
maybe that you are living according to His word.
The no may be because you are asking with the wrong motives
James 4:2-3
You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
The no may because what you are asking for will bear no fruit for
the kingdom of God.
The no maybe you want the glory of God for yourself.
The no may be that what you asking for is not becoming a God's
disciple.
EVIDENCE OF DISCIPLESHIP
A disciple of Jesus bears fruit. Not fruit of the flesh, but fruit of the spirit. Any
prayer we ask that does not bear fruit will not be answered by the Father.
Our prayers ought to be dedicated to bearing fruit. It is not a prayer of a lot of
words. But a prayer that drives us to actions that others can see.
What is this fruit?
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
How often do you pray for these fruits? How often do you pray for an increase in
these fruits?
THE ATTITUDE OF PRAYER
How does praying for these fruits get what I need or want?
If I pray for what I want, should my focus be on how getting what I want will be
used to produce spiritual fruit?
John 15:9-13 is the answer:
9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
To remain in God’s love means keeping your focus on Him regardless of your
circumstances. Remaining in God’s love starts with obedience to His commands
One of the evidence of being in God’s love is the joy you have for life
Since I am assured that my needs will be taken care of, I can focus on my love for God
and others. Because I am grateful, I will focus on obedience to God’s commands.
Since the issue of life is gratefulness. Gratefulness will produce a change in
attitude.
My focus should first be to please God through faith
Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
Pleasing God produces a pleasing attitude that produces the fruit of the Spirit.
Proverbs 4:23
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
PRAYING WITH THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
When you pray with love for the Father and everyone else, this includiesyour
enemies
When you pray, pray with the joy of the Lord in your heart
When you pray, pray with the peace of Jesus in you mind
When you pray, pray with patience waiting on the Lord’s solution
When you pray, pray with kindness in your heart for everyone, Be ready to
show kindness as the opportunity arises
When you pray, pray with gratefulness. Focus on the goodness of the Lord
When you pray, ask God to increase your faith
When you pray, ask God to teach you to be gentle in all situations
When you pray ask God to increase your self control
When you pray ask God for what you want with assurance that your prayers
are already answered.
Matthew 6:9-14
"'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.'
PRAYER NEEDS A SPECIAL PLACE AND A DEDICATED TIME
Matthew 6:5-6
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
PRAYER IS RELATIONAL
OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN
It is developing and strengthening the relationship with Father
It emphasizes the ownership of the Father
It emphasizes His presence in our lives
It emphasizes trust in the Father
It emphasizes the position of the Father
PRAYER IS INTENTIONAL
Which aren’t in Heaven Hallowed be thy name
1. Prayer intended to give God praise
2. Prayer Intended to recognize the Power, authority, and sovereignty of God
3. Prayer is to carry out the will of the Father
4. Designed to give God Glory
PRAYER IS PURPOSEFUL
Give us this day our daily bread
It is a time of communication with the Father
3. Prayer the time of confession sin
It is a time to request forgiveness
4. Prayer is the time to present your Petition
PRAYER IS AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE
5. Prayer is the time to make Intercession for others
A time to commit to the will of the Father
A time to vow obedience to the Father
PRAYER IS THE TIME TO REESTABLISH FELLOWSHIP
Thy will be done
6. Prayer is only acceptable to God in the name of Jesus\
7. Prayer should be a lifelong desire aided by the indwelling of
the Holy Spirit
8. Prayer should be shaped by the Words of Jesus
PRAYER IS A TIME OF DIRECTION AND PROTECTION
Lead us not into temptation and deliver us
It recognizes our inability to do for ourselves
It recognizes our lack of foresight
It recognizes our dependency on the Father
PRAYER IS HOPEFUL
In heaven as it is on earth
It is a view of our eternal home
It is a view of all things working in our favor
PRAYER IS A TIME TO EXPRESS GRATEFULNESS
Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Prayer draws you close to God
With your focus on God, Satan is blocked
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