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COMPLETE SERMON NOTES

See Complete “If My People” Sermon Series HERE

If My People Pray I Will Hear

Why is prayer so challenging?

• Like all spiritual disciplines: it goes against the grain; its like swimming upstream.

What captivates us holds our attention

• God is not captivating us throughout the day

• No time – get up, run run run, get home, flop down

“WE MAKE NEW CONVERTS INTO WORKERS INSTEAD OF WORSHIPPERS” A.W. Tozer

APPLICATION:

1. Schedule it – not in a hurry. Whatever hurts our praying must be removed:

“The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day.” E.M. BOUNDS

2. Men would live better if they prayed better. “In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”John Bunyan

3. Still your heart. “Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!” Andrew Murray

• Stagnation turns into flowing water

• The mind becomes un-cluttered and focused

• The result is a powerful spiritual life

Old Testament

• 1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

• Psalms 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: you have enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

• Psalms 145:18 The LORD is near to all them that call on him, to all that call on him in truth.

• Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

BARNES NOTES ON THE BIBLE: “It is a universal rule that God sends trials on those whom he truly loves. It does not, of course, mean that he sends chastisement which is not deserved; or that he sends it ‘for the mere purpose’ of inflicting pain. That cannot be. But it means that by his chastisements he shows that he has a paternal care for us.” THERE IS POWER IN PAIN; PEACE IN ADVERSITY; AND STRENGTH IN THE STORM

I KNOW OF NO BETTER WAY TO MOTIVATE THEN THESE SCRIPTURES: Matthew 7:11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. 1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. James 4:3 You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it on your lusts. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. PRAYER CRUSHES SIN; IT OUTLIVES US; IT WORKS BEHIND THE SCENE – ~ Personal example of prayer and a time of prayer to follow…

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