Prayer Answers Guaranteed Pt 2: Passwords for Prayer

Pericope:  Luke 11:1 - One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray.'

Sermon Title:  Prayer Answers Guaranteed Pt 2: Passwords to Prayer

1. Username set up:  God wired human beings for prayer! Ecclesiastes 3:11, it says, "God has planted eternity in the human heart."

2. Username set up:  We're not very good at prayer Romans 8:26 We don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray.

Luke 11:1. One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray.'

3. Username set up: Our frustrations with prayer are caused by our misconceptions about prayer.

1.    Prayer is not a magic wand!

2.    Prayer is not a fire extinguisher!

3.    Prayer is not a ritual to relieve guilt Matthew 6:7 When you pray, do not use meaningless repetition…

Password 1: God loves for me to talk to him.

He wants you to talk to him about it for three reasons.

a)   Number one, he loves you.

b)    He gave you those interests. 

c)    The third reason he's interested in whatever you're interested in is he enjoys talking with his children. 

Psalm 103:13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who reverence him.

John 5:14-15 We can be confident approaching God, knowing that he listens to us whenever we ask him for anything according to his will. And since we know that he hears us when we make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us.

a)   Prayer is a conversation, not a ceremony.

b)   Prayer is a relationship, not a ritual.

Password 2: God listens to prayers  Matthew 6:5-8 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Hebrews 10:22. "Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith."

Password 3: God likes to show his grace by answering prayer  Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me, and I will answer you. I will show you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own."

Matthew 7:11, "If you, being imperfect and sinful parents, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him?"

James 4:2 "You do not have, because you do not ask."

Password 4: God longs to be close to me. Isaiah 30:18 "The Lord waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion."

Hosea 6:6"I don't want your sacrifices – I want your love! I don't want your offerings, I want you to know me!"

John 15:15,  "I don't call you servants... I call you my friends."

Life Application:

How do you get closer to God?

Psalm 25:14, "Friendship with God "Friendship with God is reserved,"

James 4:8 Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you."