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prerequisites for answered prayer

A) INTRODUCTION.

B) WHY WE SHOULD PRAY ACCORDING TO JESUS.

C) PRAYER IN THE BIBLE.

D) PREREQUISITES FOR ANSWERED PRAYER.

E) REASONS WHY GOD DOES NOT ANSWER PRAYER.

F) REASONS TO PRAY.

G) IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT PRAYS FOR US.

H) GOD KNOWS BEFORE WE ASK.

I) GOD IS ABLE TO ENABLE US.

J) HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE PRAY.

K) TO WHOM SHOULD WE PRAY TO?

L) THE BIBLE IS SPECIFIC AS TO HOW WE SHOULD END OUR PRAYERS.

M) WHAT IS THE REASON WE SHOULD END OUR PRAYERS IN JESUS’ NAME?

N) PRAYERS THAT ARE ALWAYS ANSWERED BY OUR LORD.

O) SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND.

 

 

A) INTRODUCTION

 

Prayer Is Not Overcoming God’s Reluctance To Bless Us; It Is Asking Him For What He Wants To Give Us.    “Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures, will be overcome by his attacks.”  4SP:341.3; GC:519.2.

 

First of all, let us understand that the general pattern for answered prayer is to pray to the Father (Isa. 63:16; 64:8; Mat. 6:6 & 9; Luke 11:2; 1Pe. 1:17); and then the Scriptures are clear that we should end our prayers in Jesus’ Name:  John 14:13 & 14; 16:24 & 26; Colossians 3:17 [“by Him”].  However, what that really means is, Pray in His power; Pray His Will be done.  We have the authority of Jesus in our prayers when it is His will.  Therefore, Pray in His Authority is really what “in Jesus Name” means.  Note, see below under I) TO WHOM SHOULD WE PRAY TO?

 

Second of all, Prayer is a weapon.  You can’t fight an invisible world with the visible.  Nor can you fight a spiritual battle with physical weapons as listed in the Book of Ephesians, Chapter 6; which is not what those defensive and offensive weapons represent anyway.  Notice that verses 10 through 12 teach us who and what we are waring against. While verses 13- 17 list the “armour” we are to use and wear.  Then comes what most people miss -- verse 18, which states the most effective weapon given for the Christian -- “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”

 

Whether or not you recognize the war going on now for your soul, the war is all around you.  You may be complacent, but Satan never rests.  There are no bystanders standing on the sidelines in this game (if you will).  Therefore, strengthen your prayer life with the “Prerequisites For Answered Prayer” listed in God’s Word below.

 

A young man came to a Pastor and stated, “God doesn’t answer my prayers.”  The Pastor, being by a body of water, grabbed the young man and forced him under the water.  The young man struggled, and being near to death the Pastor let him up.  He then asked, “What was it you wanted most while under the water?”  The young man answered, “AIR!”  The Pastor then stated, “When you want the power of the Holy Spirit as much as you wanted AIR, then you will receive answers to your prayers.

 

However, there are reasons for God to not answer our prayers (see below).  Nor will He put up with your disobedience (see Eze. 20:3 & 31).

 

 

B) WHY WE SHOULD PRAY ACCORDING TO JESUS

 

 

Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9:  “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

 

Matthew 7:11:  “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in Heaven give good things to them that ask Him?”

 

Matthew 18:19:  “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven.”

 

Matthew 21:22:  “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

 

 

C) PRAYER IN THE BIBLE

 

 

Let me state that before you pray, pray for about what you are going to pray for.  This will take all the selfishness out of your prayers.  And don’t rely on miracles.  After all, how many of us use E-Mail?  I recommend you use Kneel-Mail.  And lastly, you might consider thanking God for all the prayers He didn’t answer (which would have been detrimental to you).

 

There are about 650 prayers in the Bible.  It should be admonished before praying to remember that God is not an accomplice to our work -- He is the work.

 

We can learn a lot about how God treats and handles our prayers from His account in Luke, Chapter 18, and beginning with verse 10:  “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.”  You know the account.  Let’s just look at two high points.  First, God hears all prayers.  Second, God only answers certain prayers.  With that, let’s get started towards a successful prayer life.  But first:

 

It cannot be stressed enough that “prayer and faith” must accompany each other in order for either to be successful (see James 5:16).  “Prayer and faith are closely allied, and they need to be studied together.  In the prayer of faith there is a Divine science; it is a science that everyone who would make his lifework a success must understand.”  ED:257.  Here is Hebrews 4:2 & 11:6:  “[4:2]  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” [11:6] But without faith it is impossible to please him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that He is [FAITH], and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

 

“The reading of the Word of God prepares the mind for prayer. . . Prayer is the strength of the Christian.”  RH, March 11, 1880.

 

“If you expect salvation, you must pray.  Take time.  Be not hurried and careless in your prayers.  Beg of God to work in you a thorough reformation, that the fruits of His Spirit may dwell in you, and you shine as lights in the world.”  2SG:258.

 

“Satan is enraged at the sound of fervent prayer, for he knows that he will suffer loss.”  RH, February 18, 1862.

 

 

D) PREREQUISITES FOR ANSWERED PRAYER

 

 

You must Not Waver:  James 1:5-7.

You must Be Truthful:  Psalm 145:18.

You must Glorify God:  Psalm 50:15.

You must Believe:  Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24.

You must Seek God First:  Second Chronicles 7:14.

You must Humble Yourself:  Second Chronicles 7:14.

You must Search For Him With All Your Heart:  Jeremiah 29:12-13.

You must Keep God’s Commandments:  Isaiah 59:1-2; First John 3:22.

You must Ask According To God’s Will:  Romans 8:26; First John 5:14-15.

You must Forgive Others First: Matthew 6:12 & 14-15; Mark 11:25-26; Luke 11:4.

You must Be Willing To Ask:  Psalm 4:3. Matthew 7:7 & 11; Luke 11:9; James 1:5; First John 3:22.

You must Pray Everywhere (Always):  Luke 21:36; Acts 6:4; Ephesians 6:18; First Timothy 2:8.

You must Ask In Christ’s Name:  Malachi 1:11; John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23; Ephesians 2:18.

You must Pray To The Father:  Matthew 6:6 & 9; Luke 11:2; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6.

You must Be Righteous:  Psalm 34:15 & 17; 66:18; Proverbs 15:8 & 29;

   First Timothy 2:8; James 5:16; First John 3:22.

You must Turn From Your Wicked Ways:  Second Chronicles 7:14.

You must Pray While He Can Still Be Found By You:  Isaiah 55:6.

You must Humble Yourself:  Psalm 10:17; Luke 18:14.

You must Persevere:  Luke 11:8; 18:1; Hebrews 11:6.

You must Pray With Thanksgiving:  Philippians 4:6.

You must Have God Living In You:  John 15:7.

You must Honor Your Wife:  First Peter 3:7.

You must Fear God:  Psalm 145:19.

 

 

C) REASONS WHY GOD DOES NOT ANSWER PRAYER

 

 

You Are Sinning:  John 9:31.

You Doubt:  First Timothy 2:8.

You Have Pride:  Job 35:12-13.

You Are A Murderer:  Isaiah 1:15.

You Are Contemplating Evil:  Psalm 66:18.

You Reward Evil For Good:  Psalm 109:5-7.

You Have Set Up Idols In Your Heart:  Ezekiel 14:3; 20:31.

You Are A Hypocrite:  Job 27:8-9; Matthew 6:5; Luke 18:14.

You Need To Learn About God’s Grace:  Second Corinthians 12:8-9.

You Are Doing Evil:  Joshua 7:10-12; Proverbs 15:29; Isaiah 1:15; 59:2; Micah 3:4; John 9:31.

You Have Wandered Away From The Lord:  Jeremiah 14:10-11.

You Ignore God’s Law:  Proverbs 28:9; Zechariah 7:12-13.

You Ask For Your Will And Not God’s:  James 4:3.

You Are Trusting In Yourself:  Luke 18:9-14.

You Hate Knowledge:  Proverbs 1:28-29.

You Use Vain Repetitions:  Matthew 6:7.

You Ignore The Poor:  Proverbs 21:13.

You Ignore God:  Ezekiel 20:3 & 31.

You Are Angry:  First Timothy 2:8.

 

 

D) REASONS TO PRAY

 

 

If  You Are Sick:  James 5:14.

If You Have Sinned:  James 5:15; First John 1:9.

For “Wisdom And Revelation In The Knowledge Of Him:” Ephesians 1:17.

For God’s Will To Be Done:  James 5:17.

If You Are Destitute:  Psalm 102:17.

If You Are Afflicted:  James 5:13.

For Healing:  James 5:16.

 

 

E) IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT PRAYS FOR US

 

 

Matthew 10:20; Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20.

 

 

F) GOD KNOWS BEFORE WE ASK

 

 

Isaiah 65:24; Matthew 6:8.

 

 

G) GOD IS ABLE TO ENABLE US

 

 

Ephesians 3:20:  “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power [Col. 1:27] that worketh in us,”

 

 

H) HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE PRAY

 

 

According to Daniel 6:10, we are to pray “three times” a day.  And according to Psalm 55:17, the time periods are:  “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray.”

 

“Daniel, notwithstanding he knew of the decree, failed not to pray three times a day. . .”  ST, November 18, 1886 paragraph 2.

 

“It is just as convenient, just as essential, for us to pray three times a day as it was for Daniel.  Prayer is the life of the soul, the foundation of spiritual growth.”  ST, February 10, 1890; DG:83; RC:207.

 

“Pray three times a day, and like Jacob, be importunate.”  RH, August 15, 1882; CG:501; 5T:164; AUGA:277.

 

“Go by yourself and pray, at least three times a day, and do not let it end here, but while about your work, keep your heart uplifted to God for strength and grace, that you may do all to the glory of God.  By thus doing you can shut out vain and foolish thoughts, and there will be but little room for the temptation of the enemy.”  YI, May 1, 1854.

 

“Have a set time, a special season for prayer at least three times a day.  Morning, noon, and at night Daniel prayed to his God, notwithstanding the king’s decree, and the fearful den of lions.  He was not ashamed, or afraid to pray, but with his windows opened he prayed three times a day.”  YI, October 1, 1855.

 

 

I) TO WHOM SHOULD WE PRAY TO

 

 

The Father:  Isaiah 63:16; 64:8; Matthew 6:6; 6:9; 7:11; 26:53; Luke 11:2 & 13; John 14:16; 16:23; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6; First Peter 1:17.

 

Jesus:  Acts 7:59; First Corinthians 1:2; Revelation 22:20 (Implied that John is talking to Jesus); (In the following Jesus is implied) Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; 9:14 & 21; 22:16; Romans 10:12-14.  However, the Biblical form is laid out clearly that we pray to the Father, in Jesus’ Name.  In Joel, It does not cancel the formula.  In Acts 7:59, Steven has just seen Jesus in vision and of course is talking to Him.  Nor does Acts, Chapters 2, 9, and 22.  In Romans, Elias is most likely talking to the Father.  In the Book of Revelation, John is visioning Jesus, and thus is talking to Him.

 

 

J) THE BIBLE IS SPECIFIC AS TO HOW WE SHOULD END OUR PRAYERS

 

 

As pointed out in the “Introduction,” we should end our prayers in Jesus’ Name:  John 14:13 & 14; 16:24 & 26; Colossians 3:17 [“by Him”].

 

 

K) WHAT IS THE REASON WE SHOULD END OUR PRAYERS IN JESUS’ NAME

 

 

Isaiah 53:12; Romans 8:34; First Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; 12:24.

 

Why do we need to pray “in Jesus Name?”  Because He is the One Who died for the breaking of God’s Law. Only God can (die) pay the price for the breaking of His very Own Law.  No other Name under Heaven or earth can redeem any without that price paid (in full).

 

 

L) PRAYERS THAT ARE ALWAYS ANSWERED BY OUR LORD

 

 

When Asking For Wisdom:  “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”  James 1:5.

 

When Asking For Pardon And Cleansing:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  First John 1:9.

 

 

M) SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND

 

 

First Samuel 12:23:  “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you:  but I will teach you the good and the right way.”

 

Remember to P.U.S.H. -- Pray Until Something Happens.  It’s A Spiritual War, Remember?

 

“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”  Martin Luther.

 

“Enoch walked with God three hundred years previous to his translation to Heaven [NOTE:  he lived 365 years; therefore after he had a child at 65 years old {Gen. 5:21-22}, it was then that he perfected his character], and the state of the world was not then more favorable for the perfection of Christian character than it is today.  And how did Enoch walk with God?  He educated his mind and heart to ever feel that he was in the presence of God, and when in perplexity his prayers would ascend to God to keep him.

 

“He refused to take any course that would offend his God.  He kept the Lord continually before him.  He would pray, ‘Teach me Thy way, that I may not err.  What is Thy pleasure concerning me?  What shall I do to honor Thee, my God?’  Thus he was constantly shaping his way and course in accordance with God’s Commandments, and he had perfect confidence and trust in his Heavenly Father, that He would help him.  He had no thought or will of his own.  It was all submerged in the Will of his Father.

 

“Now Enoch was a representative of those who will be upon the earth when Christ shall Come, who will be translated to Heaven without seeing death.”  1SAT:32 (1886); LDE:71.1-3.

 

 

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