A Closer Look at PRAYER and God’s Response to our Requests 6, 499, 306 Bible reading James 5;14-18

How Prayer Works Does God operate by rules ? If there are any, who sets the rules ? Is God limited by His self-imposed rules ?

God’s Self-Imposed Rules Yes, God operates by rules. God is bound by His own rules. Yes, God is often limited by His own self-imposed rules.

Untying God’s hand Time and again, we read ---A minister’s wife “Wake up, and Pray! Your husband is in danger” If God already knows Pr. So & So is in danger Why would He send an angel To get the pastor’s wife to pray?

God’s Rules God will not interpose UNTIL we request. God grants our request if it is for our good. God answers according to His conditions.

Rules for People Those who pray Must believe -- James 1:6 Must obey – 1 John 3:22 Prov. 28:9 Must forgive others – Mt 5:23,24 According to God’s will – Mt 26:39 Must persevere – Lk 18:1-5

Irresistible Requests God finds it hard not to grant our requests, If they are for our good. God has asked people NOT to pray Thorn in the flesh. My grace…2Cor 12:8,9 Moses desperately wanted to go to Canaan. Deut 3:26

God wants us to talk to Him Ask, and it will be given to you Seek, and you will find, Knock, and it will be opened to you.

God wants us to talk to Him Ask, and it will be given to you Seek, and you will find, Knock, and it will be opened to you. Not just to inform God But to pour out our hearts to Him

Prayer is not the Last Resort Often we turn to God as the last resort. When there is nothing else we can do. Instead we should turn to Him first. “First , last and best” EGW Daily, continually …. 1 Thes. 5:17 “Pray without ceasing”

Connecting with God Spiritual power comes from God We can only operate when connected John 15:5 Without Me, you can do nothing Converse is true --- “With God all things are possible” Mt 19:26 Phil 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ”

About Confession If you offend God, You confess…Right? Not necessarily. Job confessed for his children. Job 1:5 Jesus interceded for those who crucified Him Luke 23:34 Stephen prayed for those who stoned him Acts7:60

Praying for others Roger Morneau’s “Incredible Power of Prayer” James 5:16 “Prayer for one another”

Jesus Challenges us to Pray John 16:24 So far, you have asked nothing In My name that your joy may be full.

Pray as you read Bible “Never should the Bible be studied without prayer.” SC 96 Interactive reading Two way conversation with God “Yes Lord, I want to be like that “Father, I don’t ever want to leave You.” “Lord help me to learn this lesson” “Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth”

Centre of Worship Focal point of OT worship Sanctuary Priestly ministration

Rev 5:6 Is. 11:2 Rev 5:8 Incense = Prayer John 6:35

My Letter to God

Jesus Prayed often Before and after each major event Prayed for each of His disciples John17: 12 Unity of believers None would be lost May have joy Be kept from the devil Be sanctified by the truth He prayed for us by name. John 17:20

Will You Talk to God? Yes! Every day Rowville 911, Preston 1011, Warburton 12.11, Asian 1111, Asian Youth 1111, Romanian 1.12, Yarra Valley 412, Gateway E 416, Hughesdale 5.16, (Lord’s Shepherd) Hamilton 10.16 Yes! Every day