Prayer

Communicating With God
I think we have all heard that “communication is a 2-way street.”
Communication involves speaking and listening on the part of both those involved in the conversation. In the case of talking to God it is called “prayer.” On the part of our hearing God it is mostly involved in knowing what His Word says --- reading and studying the Holy Bible. Although, I believe, to know God's answers to our prayers also involves looking for “open and closed doors,” --- ie providence --- God working behind the scenes in our lives. More on this later.

I. God Does NOT Listen to the Prayers of: Sinners: John 9:31

“Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.”

This statement was made by a man that was healed by Jesus, who had been blind from birth. How could he know such a thing? Is it true. Let's examine the Scriptures, as we are shown to do by example in Acts 17:11.

* Acts 10:30-31 [Gentile/non-Christian]
Backsliders/Covenant Breakers: Jeremiah 14:1–12;
Enemies of God's People: Psalm 18:37–41;
Evil Doers: Micah 3:1–4;
Hypocrites: Job 27:8–9; Matthew 7:1–11;
Prideful Person: Job 35:12;
Those Who Hate Knowledge of God's Will: Proverbs 1:20–28; 28:9;
Those Who Do Not Obey God's Word: Proverbs 28:9; Jeremiah 11:1–11;
Those Who Do Not Show Mercy and Compassion to Their Brethren: Zechariah 7:8–13;
Idol Worshppers: Ezekiel 8:5–18;

II. God Does Hear the Prayers of:

Righteous: Acts 10:30-31; Proverbs 15:29; 1 Peter 3:12; James 5:16;

“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7

III. How to Pray?

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:9–15

Believing God Can Accomplish It: Matthew 21:22;
In Jesus' Name: John 14:13; 16:26; 17:20-23;
Persistently: Luke 2:37; 18:1–8; 1 Thessalonians 5:17;
Accompanied by Righteousness: Acts 10:4 [a Gentile];
Accompanied By Fasting*: Matthew 6:5-18; Acts 13:3; 14:23; 1 Corinthians 7:5
Accompanied by Godly fear/reverence: Hebrews 5:7;
Sitting: Matthew 14:19; 15:35-36; Luke 24:30
Standing: Mark 11:25;
Together With Other Christians: Acts 12:12;
Alone, in secret: Matthew 6:5-6

IV. Why and When To Pray?

That We May Do God's Will: Colossians 4:12;
For Forgiveness: Matthew 6:12-15; Mark 11:25; Acts 8:22; James 5:16-17; 1 John 5:16
For Those in Need: Acts 12:5; Ephesians 6:18; 2 Corinthians 13:7, 9;
For Our Needs: Matthew 7:7–11;
For Our Enemies: Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28
For Our Faith to Grow and Remain Strong: Luke 22:32; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; Jude 20
For God's Guidance: Acts 1:24
For Healing from Sickness: Acts 28:8; James 5:14
For Our Love To Grow: Philippians 1:9;
For Prosperity and Good Health: 3 John 2
For Knowledge/Understanding of God's Word: Colossians 1:9
For Laboreres For The Work Of Spreading the Gospel: Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2;
For Safety: Luke 21:36; Acts 21:5; 27:29
For Unity of Christians: John 17:20–23
Suffering: James 5:13
That the Word of God May be Effective: 2 Thessalonians 3:1
To Build Up The Brethren: 2 Thessalonians 1:11
To Have A Good Conscience/Live Holy Lives: 1 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 13:18
When We Face Trials and Temptations: 26:41; Mark 14:38; Luke 22:46
With Thanksgiving For the Things We Have [home, food, jobs, etc.]: Acts 27:35; Romans 14:6; Philippians 4:6;

A WARNING:If you have not fasted before --- or if you are not in good health, seek your physician's approval before attempting a fast. With some diseases such as diabetes it could cause severe problems. Take it slow the first time, perhaps just skip a meal and see how it goes. Slight light-headness and lack of energy is common. The perhaps you could try a full day with only drinking lots of water, and see how it goes. Fasting is one way we show God we are serious about our prayers --- that the matter we are praying about is really important to us!

V. Listening For God's Answer:

If we are truly wanting to please God, we will seek His will in everything that we do. We know His will by knowing what His word says on the matter-at-hand. If we are praying for something that we KNOW is against God's will --- then we already know the answer. Just as Jesus prayed to be relieved of “the cup” that He knew He must bear --- the death and suffering of the cross. God gave Him the strength to be able to bear “the cup” of suffering and death that He was to accomplish so that we could have forgivess of our sins, and the New Covenant be put into effect.

In the same way if we KNOW that God's Word tells us something --- for instance “not to forsake the asssembly” [Hebrews 10:24-25] --- if we have the option of taking a job that would cause us to miss the assembly --- then we know that it is God's will that we DO NOT take such a job --- no matter how good a job it may appear to be!

By the way the “assembly” is not only on the first day of the week --- it needs also be with brethren in your area who are assembling in order to “stir up love and good works” during the week through Bible Studies and doing other “good works.”

If we know that something is within God's will --- then we need to look for God's providence in our lives. Are doors being “closed” or “opened” in the area of our prayers? When Gideon was seeking confirmation from God in Judges 6:36-40, He asked God to do specific verifiable things that he could see to verify --- not one time but twice. God does not mind us asking for verification of His will in matters of liberality.



A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please contact me at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com or 253-396-0290 (cell). Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor. .