What is the nature of our prayers? I Jhn 5:14,15 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. I Jhn 3:21,22 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. (kingdom interests)

What is the nature of our lives? Col 3:1-3 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

What answers can we expect from God? Yes No Yes, but not yet – wait!

Why we are told NO? God’s Sovereignty Paul and his thorn in the flesh Christ and His cup of sorrow Two sports teams Jas 1:2 Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials which produces endurance (paraphrased)

Why are we told NO? Wrong Heart: Mtt 5:23 Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go – first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Mtt 6:1,5 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

Why are we told NO? Wrong motives Jas 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. (money miss spent not available for your needs) Quote: God supplies your needs, not your greeds. Phil. 4:19 My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus Isaiah 58:3,4 ‘Why have we fasted and You do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?’ Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire, & drive hard all your workers. 4 “Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist. You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high. (hypocrisy in prayer)

Why are we told NO ? We have wrong heart or motives or We doubt: James 1:5-8 (NASB) 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Why are we told NO ? We doubt: Mtt 9:22,29 But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was well. Then He touched their eyes, saying, “it shall be done to your according to your faith.” Mtt 17:20 20 And He *said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. Mtt 21:21,22 21 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer believing you will receive. (God’s will/glory)

Why are we told NO? Wrong motives, doubt, and . sin in our life! Isaiah 59:1,2 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short That it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. Lev 26:14-16 ‘But if you do not obey Me and do not carry out all these commandments, 15 if, instead, you reject My statutes, and if your soul abhors My ordinances so as not to carry out all My commandments, and so break My covenant, 16 I, in turn, will do this to you: … (receiving curses = need to repent and develop a desire to know/follow His will.)

Why are we told NO? Wrong motives, doubt, and. sin in our life! Proverbs 21:13 He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered. Jas 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another; and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (Cornelius convert) Heb 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy & find grace to help in time of need.

Why are we told NO? Wrong motives, doubt, and . sin in our life! Jeh 29:12-14 (captivity) Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and …

Prayer Guidelines: 1) Ensure that your are in proper relationship with the Father. 2) Approach God in and through Jesus’ name. We are praying as best we can according to His will. James 1:5 (NASB) 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him . . ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, . . and it will be given to him

Prayer Guidelines: 3) Pray believing that this is His will and therefore will be granted. I John 5:14,15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know He hears us - whatever we ask – we know that w have what we asked for of Him. Eph 3:12 In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

What answers can we expect from God? Yes No Yes, but not yet – wait!