CONTINUING STEDFASTLY IN PRAYERS

Prayer is an Expression of Faith

• Luke 18:1-8 note the question in v.8• Luke 11:1-13• Content of prayer• Parable of asking at midnight• Keep on asking, seeking, knocking

Prayer is an Expression of Faith

• James 1:5-8• Acceptable prayer must be in faith• Romans 10:17• Faith comes from God’s word• 1 John 5:14-15• We should pray according to God’s will• We can know that we will receive what we

ask

Do We Always Get What We Ask?• 2 Corinthians 12:1-10• Paul could boast in special revelations• Thorn in the flesh kept him humble• Prayed three times for it to be removed• God’s answer “My grace is sufficient for you.”• “Yes”• “Yes, and more”• “Wait.” Deuteronomy 8:2-5• “I love you too much to give what you ask.”

Why Don’t We Always Get What We Ask?

• 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 to keep us humble• Deuteronomy 8:2-5 to teach us discipline• James 4:1-4 asking for carnal and selfish

motives• James 1:6-8 we don’t pray in faith• 1 Peter 3:7 disobedience to God’s word• John 3:5 many pray but are not born again

Why Don’t We Always Get What We Ask?

• John 3:5 many pray but are not born again• We must be born again to be a child of God• We must be children of God to call Him our

Father• John 9:31 We must want to do His will• John 15:11-17 God wants us to be happy• Ask in Jesus’ name• For those who do whatever He commands

Prayer is More Than a Wish List• Romans 10:1 prayer and heart’s desire• Do not worry about anything• Pray about everything Phil 4:6, 1 Pet. 5:7• Acts 4:24-30 only 2 verses of 7 are requests• Offer praise Matthew 6:9-10• Thanksgiving 1 Timothy 2:1-6• Confession of sin 1 John 1:8-10• Become a child of God and receive the privilege

of praying to Him as Father! Acts 2:36-42