The Nature of Prayer - Sermon Bible Truth Web Site Sermon -

THE NATURE OF PRAYER

Psalms 65:2 - Heb. 11:6

Cooper Abrams

INTRODUCTION:
1. What is prayer? It is simply talking to God as a friend, parent.
2. Many have questions about prayer? Jesus's disciples did and ask him for instruction.
"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." (Luke 11:1)
3. Many are not all they can be a Christians because they do not have a real prayer life.
"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things {are} possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23) .
4. There is great power in prayer. During Jesus's ministry on Earth He was regularly praying to the Father.
I. THE FIRST GREAT TRUTH ABOUT PRAYER.
IT IS THE NATURE OF GOD TO HEAR AND ANSWER PRAYER.

A. Psa. 65:2. "O thou that hearest Prayer."

1. This is title of God.
2. He hears and answers prayer

B. God's mercy never changes!

Mal. 3:6, "I am the Lord, I change not."
Heb. 13:6, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever."

C. God is always close at hand.

"Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?" (Jeremiah 23:23)

D. He heard the prayers of Enoch as he walked with God. Abraham, and Lot Elijah, prayed down fire from heaven. Daniel, daily praying ask God about the future.
He heard the prayer of Cornelius, a Roman Centurion seeking to know God.
He heard the prayers of the disciples and the early church.
E. God always is ready listening to the one who would call on his name.

II. THE SECOND GREAT TRUTH ABOUT PRAYER.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO COME TO GOD OR TO PLEASE HIM WITHOUT BELIEVING THAT HE IS A PRAYER HEARING AND ANSWERING GOD!
A. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)
B. To know God you must believe in Him.

Belief is trust, and trust means you accept something from Him.
If we trust in someone it means we rely on them? Right?
God wants us to know Him, and rely on Him.

C. To seek God one must realize that He is there.

Why seek God if we have no need of Him?
That is the predicament of the World! They do not seek God, because they think they are self sufficient. Only a man who knows he's lost seeks help to find his way? A man who would seek God, must understand that there is greater than himself.

D. He must also understand that "God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

1. The god's of the world are not gods of mercy. They are god's who must be appeased! They are made in the minds of sinful men, like themselves.
2. Only the God of the Bible, the only true God, show unmerited mercy towards man.
3. He listens intently for the whisper of prayer from the sinner.
4. He Rev. 3 says, stands at the door and knocks.
5. He seeks to save and help in the time of need.

III. THE THIRD GREAT TRUTH.

EVERY ATTRIBUTE OF GOD IS IMPLIED IN THE FACT THAT HE HEARS AND ANSWERS PRAYER
A. Earlier we said it was the nature of God to hear and answer prayer. This tells us of a great deal about God.

1st. God is a living God. He is not an Idol or the figment of someone's imagination. We know this from His Word and deeds. We can see His power in creation all around us. We can know this because He is totally different from all the gods of men. They are basically all the same..
2nd God is all knowing and omniscient. He hears all who pray. He hears the cry of millions, in all countries, in all languages. He know the hearts of those who pray in faith or hypocrisy.
3nd God is all powerful. He controls all things. He created us, holds the universe together. Nothing is beyond His power.
4th God is supernatural. He is a God of miracles.
Greatest miracle of God most times is overlooked. People look for the spectacular. Seeking to see miracles of healing. Greatest miracle is a changed life! It is a forgiven life.

ILLUS: Like the actor who started his own church in Calif. who was on Peter Jennings Special, In the name of God. Went to a church several times and was disappointed. Went up to a man with a name tag (said he must be important) ask "When does it happen?" Man said what? He replied, "When does the miracle happen?" The man responded, "We believe in them, but we do not do them." (This was a poor answer...if this was truly the answer the actor got) So he went out and started a church of his own that does miracles. Question? Are miracles the purpose of the church? The Bible says preaching the Gospel, and edifying the saints is the purpose of the church not miracles.

Can God heal? Yes, and He does. But He does not allow man to manipulate Him. God is not at the beck and call of any man. God does not put His power under the control of a man. Nor does He respond to a who utters a lot of mom-bo-jam-bo.
Can He give strength to the those in trouble? Even unto death? Is anything to small or great for Him? The answer is of course not.
5th. God is a God of love and mercy.
He loves and came to save the sinner. "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Rom. 5:20 God answers prayer.

B. God can only be approached as He as told us. He only answers prayers that are prayed in faith and in His will. They are hindrances in our lives that will not allow God to answer our prayers. This will be explained in further in future messages.
Conclusion:

1. It is the nature of God to hear and answer prayer.
2. It is impossible to know God or please Him without believing and trusting in the fact He hears and answers prayer.
3. We learn a great deal about God, understanding His attributes, because He does hear and answer prayer. For the Christian?
Have you understood how much of God is revealed to us in His answering prayer.
Have you understood that he is always there instantly ready to hear and answer your prayer.
Do you have true fellowship with God, be talking with him in prayer? For the person who has not trusted the Lord as their Savior.
He stands waiting, knocking at your hearts door....waiting desiring you to allow Him in. Do we understand that the privilege of prayer was not given to us to manipulate God and simply as a ritual we perform. It was given for us to commune and fellowship with God and not just a means to ask for things we want. Do we understand that sin and a lack of faith will hinder the effectiveness of prayer in our lives. Prayer is the first act of the lost sinner coming to Christ. "Oh, lord be merciful to me a sinner."
It is the nature act of a child of God to talk to his Father. To ask state our gratitude and thankfulness, to ask forgiveness, to express praise and honor, to intercede for others.
Will you pray now in all sincerity, that God will help you to see the need and purpose of prayer. That prayer will become a greater part of your life. That you would become a prayer warrior.
That your prayer life would be what God would be pleased with.

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