Good morning,
This week we will continue our three week study on prayer. The topics include, prayer, how to pray, and subjects of prayer.
Prayer is talking with God. God desires a personal relationship with His people. God wants us to come to Him with our praises, concerns, and requests. In response, God speaks to us through His word, other people, or even a still small voice.
This week we will look at how to pray, conditions of prayer, and hindrances to prayer.
HOW TO PRAY/CONDITIONS OF PRAYER/HINDRANCES TO PRAYER
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. (Romans 8:26)
HINDRANCES TO PRAYER
UNBELIEF (James 1:6-7)
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
UNFORGIVING SPIRIT (Mark 11:24-26)
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
UNCONFESSED SIN (Psalm 66:18)
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
ASK AMISS (James 4:3)
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
There are four sure fire ways of hindering our answers to prayer.
Unbelief causes us not to believe God can or will answer our prayer.
Unforgiving spirit. God wants us to forgive others.
Unconfessed sin severs our communication line with God.
Ask amiss. Requesting things clearly out of God’s will.
CONCLUSION
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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