Prayer: a great test of faith An unbeliever won’t pray A believer prays best in trying times Test for believer: pray in good times? Many difficulties hinder our prayers

I. Wrong View Of Foreknowledge

“Did God from all eternity foreknow all things that can ever happen? If so, then He knew all who would be saved or lost; prayer won’t change it” “God knows if a sick person will get well or die. Why pray? Go to doctor? Take medicine? He uses means to save us

Foreknowledge does not force We would still make the same choices with or w/o foreknowledge; we are free to choose Josh.24:15 Jn.6:66-71 Deserted Him, returned to old way of life His word separated good and bad They made the choice

I. Wrong View Of Foreknowledge II. Wrong View Of Miracles

Deism: no such thing as miracles Others: age of miracles passed; no need to pray  Even in age of miracles, God often answered prayer through means Rain 1 K.18 Ja.5 Reign Joseph Esther Food Mt.6:11 2 Th.3:10

I. Wrong View Of Foreknowledge III. How Could Prayer Change Mind Of Deity? II. Wrong View Of Miracles

Prayer does not change God’s mind It asks Him to do what He promised. Ja.5:17-18 Mt.7:7-11  Our Father gives us, not what we ignorantly seek, but really need Some dress their lusts in the garb of prayer (Mt.20:20-24; Ja.4:1-3)

Edited prayers Revised Version (Ro.8:26-27) He knows how to give far better than we know how to ask Holy Spirit edits our prayers Son presents our prayers Father receives our prayers

I. Wrong View Of Foreknowledge IV. God Does Not Answer Prayer II. Wrong View Of Miracles III. How Could Prayer Change Mind Of Deity?

“Prayer simply moves us to work for the things we want ” Direct contradiction of Bible Pray to tree / stone: strong influence?  They can’t hear or answer (Ps.115)  If God can’t hear or answer, it’s just as foolish to pray to Him

I. Wrong View Of Foreknowledge V. Dictatorial Prayers II. Wrong View Of Miracles III. How Could Prayer Change Mind Of Deity? IV. God Does Not Answer Prayer

Some lecture God Mt.26:…39, Jesus set the standard Ep.3:20  We would cheat ourselves of many good things if He always answered just as we asked (Mt.6:10) 1 Jn.5:14

According to His will… “If we knew God's will thoroughly, and submitted to it heartily, it would be impossible for us to ask anything for the spirit or for the body which He should not perform”

I. Wrong View Of Foreknowledge VI. Prayer Is A Duty II. Wrong View Of Miracles III. How Could Prayer Change Mind Of Deity? IV. God Does Not Answer Prayer V. Dictatorial Prayers

A small view of a great blessing Lk.6:12 Lk.11:1-4, the pattern of prayer Lk.11:5-13, the privilege of prayer Lk.18:1-8, the persistence of prayer Lk.22:31-34, the power of prayer

Satan’s appetite for our destruction cannot match the Lord’s intercessory prayer. Satan sought Simon. Prayer said, “You cannot have him!” Human frailty Satan’s subtlety Lord’s intercession