Keys to Effective Prayer

Sermon Date:  April 19, 2015

Sermon Topic: Keys to Effective Prayer

Foundational Scripture: 

Scriptures: Hebrews 10:19-22, Ephesians 3:12, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:1, 1 John 5:14, Romans 8:26-27, Philippians 4:9, Isaiah 26:3, Psalm 66:18, Matthew 5:23-24, Matthew 5:9, Proverbs 21:13, Luke 6:38, Matthew 15:7-9, 1 John 1:22, James 1:16

Sermon Notes:

With a title like, “Keys to Effective Prayer” there must be ineffective prayer. Through his grace, God gives us things that we don’t deserve. God shields us from the things we deserve. When justice would have its way, God shields us.

Hebrews 10:19-22 - ¹⁹ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; ²¹ And having an high priest over the house of God; ²² Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross we have all that we need. Let us draw near with a true heart of full assurance of faith. 

Ephesians 3:12 – In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. We have confidence. Come boldly to the throne. Prayers should reflect a longing for God.

Psalm 42:1-2 – 42 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. ² My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

My soul thirsts for God. We should have a longing to have a conversation with God before facing the world. Psalm 63:1 – O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; Early do I seek thee.

The true motive for prayer is to honor God’s name. To his name goes all the glory. He is faithful. We must come to God with the right motives.

God answers prayers according to his will. 1 John 5:14 – And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: If I ask according to his will he hears us. There is a law of God’s will. His word is his will. If you follow in his will you don’t have to worry. Romans 8:26-27 – ²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

The Holy Spirit makes intersessions for us. Sometimes we pray and don’t know what we are praying for, but the spirit intercedes for the saints.

What’s the character of a person of prayer? Peace with God, peace with myself and peace with others. Philippians 4:9 – Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. You must learn, receive and study the word.

I’ve got peace with God and I have the peace of God. If I have the peace of God, I don’t have to worry. Because I’m asking according to his will, I’m not asking God to hurt my enemy.

The peace of God comes when you keep your mind on God. Isaiah 26:3 – When you keep your mind on God, your relationships must be right in order to have your prayers answered. Psalm 66:18 - If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. If I don’t have peace with you, God won’t hear or answer me.

No matter how hard I pray, the Lord doesn’t hear me. The Lords hand is not short, your iniquity has separated you from him. When you are in a state of sin it separates you from God.

Matthew 5:23-24 - ²³ Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; ²⁴ Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. It’s your responsibility to make it right. God won’t accept your gift until you’re reconciled with others

Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. The peacemaker – those who make it right when there is a problem with a brother. Even if they wronged you. You make sure that the relationship is renewed and everything is in  order. We need peace with others.

If you see someone in need and you are able to help, but don’t God won’t hear your prayers.

Proverbs 21:13 – Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.  If I don’t hear the cry of the poor, God won’t hear me. Freely ye have received, freely give.

Luke 6:38 – Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.  If you release what’s in your hand, God releases what’s in his hand and his hand is bigger than ours.

Reverence, humility, honesty without hypocrisy. Matthew 15:7-9 - ⁷ Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, ⁸ This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. ⁹ But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

 God knows when your heart isn’t in worship. He is a searcher of hearts.

God answers the prayers of obedient people. Keep his commandments, do what’s pleasing in his sight. Everything I do must please God or he won’t answer your prayers.

We must utilize these keys if we want our prayers answered.

James 1:16 – Do not err, my beloved brethren. Confess your faults. That’s the character of a holy man or woman. Praise God for the things he has done, the things he will do and the things you have done.

When you pray, believe.

There will be times when we don’t receive what we ask for, but he puts us in the classroom of struggle to teach us lesson.

When you approach situations the Holy Spirit speaks to us.

God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason. Be quick to hear and slow to speak. Pray, but don’t talk so much.

Don’t go to God with a list of things; just thank him for what he has done.