9-08-04

How and why prayer works

Scriptures:

Hebrews 10:16-25, John 20:15-17, I Peter 3:12, I John 3:19-22, I John 5:14-15, John 15:7, John 16:23-27, James 5:13-18, Luke 18:1-10

1. Because the Father loves us-John 20:17, I John 3:1-3, Psalm 91:14-15)
2. Because the infrastructure for successful prayer is in place through the New Testament work of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. (Hebrews 10:16-25)  This makes answered prayer a legal act.  a. The blood of Jesus in the Holy of Holies 
3. We are God’s elect and God’s people (Romans 8:31-39, Psalm 91:1-16,II Corinth. 5:17-21, I Peter 2:5-10, Luke 18:7-8, II Corinth. 6:14-18, II Chronicles 7:14)
4. We are now righteous (I Peter 3:12, James 5:15-18, II Corinth. 5:17)
5. We have His Word/Will (I John 5:14-15, James 1:22-25)
6. We believe we can have what we desire when we pray specifically (Matt. 21:22, Mark 11:24)

Analogy – your car works in spite of a personal health crisis.  You get in it and drive yourself to the hospital.  This is the same with prayer.  It has nothing to do with the crisis.  Prayer works because it was designed to work.  It works because it works, not because you have a problem or some circumstance in your life.

Notes:  Christians fail when Christians fail to pray. 

Jesus examples-John 11:41-44, John 11:21-22, John 8:29

Statements of faith—The Father hears me always.  Whatever I desire when I pray, I receive because I believe.  Mark 11:24, Matt. 21:22