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Presented May 21, 2006

SOME THINGS WE MUST BELIEVE FOR PRAYER TO BE ACCEPTABLE

                In our lesson tonight we want to notice some things we need to accept for proper prayer.

                James 1:5-8 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  In this verse we find a number of things about prayer that we need to consider: 1) we can and ought to pray to God, 2) there is such a thing as unacceptable prayer, 3) there are things we MUST believe in order for our prayers to be acceptable to Him.  What assumptions do we need to make as we pray to our heavenly Father?

I.                     That God is real

a.        This is the first thing we must accept if our prayers are to be acceptable to Him.  If you do not believe in God, prayers are useless.

b.       This also means that we believe He is who He says He is. 
We cannot pray to some “other god” and expect to hear it.  Muslims pray to Allah – he is NOT the god we read of in the Bible.  For centuries, men have worshipped idols and sacrificed and prayed to them.  Such prayers are empty and even insulting to God.  Remember what He said in the 10 commandments.  #1 – “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3)  #2 – make no carved images.  He does not accept idol worship.
ALSO, this means we believe what we know about Him – He is all powerful, everywhere, all knowing, eternal and IN CONTROL.

c.        Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith we cannot please God.  But He also says, “he who comes to God must believe that He is and the He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”

II.                   That God cares

a.        Our relationship with God is based upon the fact that He cares.
He sent Jesus to die on a cross because He cared (John 3:16).
He accepted His sacrifice because He cares – Romans 5:8-10, 3:24-26
He appointed to Jesus the place of mediator when we pray to Him – Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 2:1-2, 1 Timothy 2:5.

b.       1 Peter 5:7 – we are called upon to cast all our cares upon Him because He cares.

c.        This means that we know God WANTS to hear from us and answer our prayers.
Psalm 86:5 – David knows God is good, ready to forgive and abundant in mercy to those who call upon Him.
Matthew 7:7-11 – Jesus speaking to His apostles, He said to ASK!

III.                 That we need God

a.        Sadly, many do not pray to God today.  One primary reason is that they have become self-sufficient and think they don’t need God.
Friends, if you DON’T need God, then DON’T pray to Him!  However, realize that such is arrogant, self-serving and will result in your eternal damnation.

b.       Instead, we realize we are weak and need God in our lives
Jeremiah 10:23 – it is not in man to direct his own steps.

c.        Hebrews 4:15-16 – Let us come boldly before His throne

IV.                That He hears us

a.        This is based upon the fact that we are acceptable to Him.  God does not hear all prayers the same way. 
While he knows when those who are not Christians are praying God knows it (cf. Acts 10:4), still prayer is a privilege of the Christian.
John 9:31, 1 Peter 3:12 – His ears are open to the righteous.  This verse is a quote from Psalm 34:15-16, but note the context (12-17), esp. vs. 17, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.”
Proverbs 15:29 – “The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayers of the righteous.”

b.       This means that we need to become Christians if we want God to answer our prayers.  And we must strive to remain faithful to Him.

c.        Note also 1 John 5:14, “we know” that He hears us

V.                  That He answers our prayers

a.        Not all believe this.  Some believe that He has simply would up this world and let it go.  And His only interaction is on a grand scale.  They believe He will do nothing for you personally (such as help you get better, etc.)

b.       But God does answer prayers.  His word is testament to that fact.  In the word of God we find numerous examples of answered prayers.  From Isaac to pleaded with God because his wife Rebeka was barren (Genesis 25:21) to Hannah (1 Samuel 1:20-23) to David’s continued acknowledgments (Psalm 22:21, 118:21) to Zaharias, the father of John (Luke 1:13) and so many others.

c.        1 John 5:15 continues by noting that when we pray, we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.  Note  in this text how John does NOT say that He always answers in the positive, but rather He hears and knows that we have prayed to Him.
Also 1 John 2:22 says He answers, but it is conditioned upon our keeping His commandments and doing those things pleasing in His sight.

d.       How does He answer our prayers?

                                                   i.      Sometimes He says “Yes.” 
An interesting example of this is Acts 12:5,15, where Peter is in prison and about to be put to death.  The church is praying for him and he is delivered by an angel.  When he arrives – there is skepticism as to the prayers being answered.   Do we really believe when we pray?

                                                  ii.      Sometimes He says “No.”
Realize that God knows what is best for us - 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.  Here Paul requested that the thorn in his flesh be removed (3 times he asked) but God said no.  Paul notes that it was best.
But when God says “NO”, He still cares and knows what is best.  Note 1 Corinthians 10:13.
ALSO, Luke 22:39-44 where Jesus is praying to God, “Let this cup pass from Me.”  God would not because He knew what was best for all of us, BUT He sent an angel to comfort Jesus.

                                                iii.      Sometimes He says, “Yes, but not the way you are asking.” 
Often times, His answer comes from a totally different way than what we expected.
Sometimes He answers abundantly above what we ask – Ephesians 3:20.
For example, you may pray to God for strength.  He answers your prayers by allowing you to experience some great trial.

                                                iv.      Sometimes He says, “Wait” –
Luke 18:7 specifically tells us this after having given a parable about an unjust judge.
Hebrews 10:35-36 calls for us to endure or “hang in there.”
Realize that for some prayers to be answered, circumstances have to “fall into place.”  Will we allow God to do this in a way that is best for everyone?

VI.                That our prayers are acceptable to Him.

a.        Proverbs 10:32 – the lips of the righteous know what is acceptable

b.       1 John 5:14-15 – we must act according to His will

c.        We must believe His word

d.       We must be willing to do our part – are we willing to obey Him?

May we take the privilege of prayer seriously and may all our prayers be acceptable unto Him.  If we do these things, David wrote in Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my redeemer and strength.”