Deeper Life Bible Church, Aberdeen Sunday Message GOD-GIVEN CONDITIONS OF ANSWERS TO OUR PRAYERS 2 Chronicles 7:12-14; Isaiah 1:3,4,15,16-19

3 Points 1. THE PROMISES OF RECEIVING ANSWERS TO PRAYER 2. POSSIBLE REASONS FOR UNANSWERED PRAYERS 3. THE POWER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR ANSWERED PRAYERS

1. 1.THE PROMISES OF RECEIVING ANSWERS TO PRAYER Isaiah 58:9-14; John 15:7; 1 John 3:21,22; 5:14,15; Matthew 21:21,22; 1 Peter 3:7,12 7 Areas covered by God’s Promises; 1.Salvation from sin – Matthew 1:21,23 2.Sanctification of heart – 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24 3.Spirit’s Baptism & Power – Acts 1:8 4.Supply for all needs – Philippians 4:19 5.Sound health & healing – 3 John 2 6.Success in life – Joshua 1:8 7.Spiritual growth – 2 Peter 3:18

2. 2.POSSIBLE REASONS FOR UNANSWERED PRAYERS Isaiah 59:1,2; 58:3,4; Zechariah 7:12,13; Proverbs 28:9; Psalm 66:18; 2 Samuel 12:13-20; Jeremiah 7:8-11,16; 11:9,10,14; 14:7,10,11 The Possible REASONS for unanswered prayers include; R – Religious obligations – Isaiah 58:3,4 E – Envy & bitterness – 1 Peter 3:7 A – Adamant hearts – Zechariah 7:12,13 S – Sin – Isaiah 59:1,2 O – Obstinacy – Proverbs 28:9 N – Negative confessions & unbelief – Hebrews 3:12 S – Selfishness – James 4:3,4

3. 3.THE POWER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR ANSWERED PRAYERS Genesis 18:19; Exodus 33:11,17; 1 Kings 18:36-39; 2 Kings 20:1-6; James 5:16. This RIGHTEOUSNESS entails; R – Right-motive I – Integrity G – Gracious speech H – Humility T – Truthfulness E – Endurance O – Obedience U – Unity S – Submission N – New heart E – Eagerness S – Steadfastness S – Separation

Conclusion Before a word of petition is offered, we should have the definite and vivid consciousness that we are talking to God and should believe that He is listening to our petition and is going to grant the thing that we ask of Him. We should look to the Holy Spirit to really lead us into the presence of God and should not be hasty in words until He has actually brought us there. - R. A. Torrey We ought not to tolerate for a minute the ghastly and grievous thought that God will not answer prayer. History, as manifested in Christ Jesus, demands it. - Charles H. Spurgeon God's children should pray. They should cry day and night to Him. God hears every one of your cries in the busy hour of the daytime and in the lonely watches of the night. - Robert Murray McCheyne There is no myth, no imagination about it; God does hear when we speak to him; God does answer us. - Amy Carmichael

I believe that all you have to do to get a prayer answered it to pray something in the will of God and pray it with the right motive and pray it with the right heart. Tom Malone “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land..” 2 Chronicles 7:14 There are three answers to prayer – Yes! No! Wait! - unknown You are coming to a King, Large petitions with you bring for his grace and power are such none can ever ask too much. John Newton Prayer – secret, fervent, believing prayer – lies at the root of all personal godliness. - William Carey Answered prayers are sometimes the most convincing and faith-creating forces. Unanswered prayers chill the atmosphere and freeze the soil of faith. If Christians knew how to pray so as to have answers to their prayers, evident, immediate, and demonstrative answers from God, faith would be more widely diffused, would become more general, would be more profound, and would be a much more mighty force in the world. – E.M Bounds