Does Prayer Really Work?

Does Prayer Really Work? BS -November 9, 2007, Attendance - 13

Principles

Unanswered prayer is a major obstacle that stands in the way of a life of true faith.
- People have lost their faith because of unanswered prayer.
- Some turned to horoscopes, psychics, etc.
- Others focus on materialistic things.
- We agree that prayer is important but we secretly wonder:
a. Does GOD really hear me when I pray?
b. Why is prayer so boring and fruitless for me?
c. Shouldn’t I expect my prayers to be answered?
d. Is GOD mad at me? Is that why He doesn’t answer me?
- The greatest difficulty in most believers' experience is their prayer lives.

Unanswered prayer can lead to these results:

We feel abandoned and isolated from GOD, imagining that HE doesn’t care about our problems. As a result, we begin to doubt HIS love for us and see HIM as someone who is against us.

We question GOD’s character and integrity.We begin to distrust HIM , eroding our basis for belief and causing our relationship with to suffer.

We feel as if our lives are very unsettled and unstable. We may ask, Can I really depend on GOD? What can I really count on in regard to prayer? Then we begin to rely on ourselves, or other people, groups or beliefs instead of appropriating the power and promises of GOD to meet our needs.

We come to premature conclusions about ourselves and prayers. We conclude that our prayers are not being answered because we lack faith. This means, that we don’t understand the principles and truths concerning prayer that GOD has given us in HIS word for our benefit.

We doubt our calling as GOD’s intercessors. We begin to think “answered prayer must be only for the super natural Christians”. Thus, we abandon a major purpose of GOD for our lives.

When we experience these consequences of unanswered prayer, we are tempted to ask the question posed in JOB 21:15, “What would we gain by praying to HIM?”. But the real question is ‘ What are we losing by not praying to GOD?”

A great many believers don’t have successful prayer lives- and successful lives in general- because they simply don’t know how or why to pray.

Many Christians today are experiencing powerlessness, lack of direction, little victory over sin, poor spiritual progress, a weak witness, unfruitful ministry, poverty and other similar problems because they don’t know hoe or why to pray.

Christians know certain principles of prayer, but are not fulfilling their full potential as intercessors because they don’t understand key aspects of prayer.

Prayer is not just an activity, a ritual, an obligation. Nor is it begging GOD to do what we want HIM to do. It is communion and communication with GOD that touches HIS heart. When you understand the principles of the art of prayer, you will begin to communicate with GOD with power, grace and confidence.

Prayer has the power to transform lives, change circumstances, give peace, and perseverance in the midst of trials, alter course of nations, and win the world for Christ.

The power of prayer is the inheritance of the believer.

To understand prayer, we need to recognize the following:

Prayer activity that does not bring results is an indication that something is wrong. When prayer isn’t answered, the Word of GOD generally provides an indication of why it was not answered, gives insight into the kind of prayers GOD responds to and points out what can stall our prayers.

Every prayer based on the Word of GOD and offered in faith by a person who is in right relationship with GOD is answered. GOD answers as soon as we ask and He reveals those answers in HIS timing. That is why Jesus told his disciples that they should always pray and not give up, Luke 18:1.

GOD is faithful to answer prayer. Read Mark 11:24
GOD’s will and Word do work when they are understood and put into practice. Learn how to pray in a way that embodies the truths and principles of prayer GOD has given us in His Word.
True prayer will do the following:
1. build intimacy with GOD
2. bring honor to HIS nature and character
3. cause respect for HIS integrity
4. cause a trust in HIS love
5. enable belief in HIS Word
6. Affirm HIS purposes and will
7. appropriate HIS promises

GOD is loving and gracious. He knows we have a limited understanding of Himself and His ways, and that we struggle with our fallen nature. That is why He will at times answer our prayers even when they are weak and full of doubt. However, he wants us to grow and mature. He does not want to leave us in weaknesses and uncertainty. He wants us to enter into HIS purposes, because that is where we can truly be children of our heavenly Father, work together with HIM, and live the abundant life Christ came to give us (John 10:10). Therefore, at times , He will withhold answers to prayer so we will seek HIM.

Praying without understanding and applying the truths and principles of prayers in ineffective.

Prayer is meant to be answered or else GOD would not ask us to pray.

He is not interested is wasting your time and efforts. He is too practical for that. He is interested in results, not just “many words” (matt, 6:7) spoken in prayer. Jesus didn’t pray without expecting to be heard, read John 11:41-42

We need to pray as Jesus prayed.

Questions to Cell members:

How often do I pray?
Is prayer a mystery to me?
Are there aspects of prayer that are confusing or unclear to me?
Have I experienced unanswered prayer?
How has that made me feel about prayer, about GOD, and about myself?
Am I experiencing powerlessness, lack of direction, little victory over sin, poor spiritual progress, a weak witness , unfruitful ministry, poverty, or other similar problems?
How would answered prayer make a difference in my life?

BS led by Elmer, Nov 9, 2007, Attendance - 13