What Prayer Will And Will Not Do 1

I. What Prayer Can Do – For The Christian 2

Jn. 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 3

1. Prayer can strengthen the soul Ps. 138:1-3 “I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth… 4

for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul” 5

Eph. 3:20-21 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen 6

2. Prayer can bring peace Phil. 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God… 7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 8

3. Prayer can result in forgiveness 1 Jn. 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 9

1 Jn. 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world 10

4. Prayer can benefit others When we pray for others, according to God’s will, it can bring them blessings from God 11

Rom. 15:30-31 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;… 12

That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints 13

1 Tim. 2:1-3 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority;… 14

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 15

5. Prayer allows us to make our requests made known to God Mt. 6:8 “Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” 16

“Although we cannot report any news to God, yet he tells us to pour out our hearts unto him. This is for our good. Not only may we receive blessings and help which might not otherwise be given (cf. Jas. 4:2),… 17

but prayer develops trust in him, and brings about untold blessings for other people for whom we pray.” (Bob Winton) 18

Phil. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 19

1 Jn. 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 20

II. What prayer will not do 21

1. Prayer alone will not save the lost Acts 8:5 “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.” 22

2. Prayer does not keep the Christian from trials Difficulties are a source of growth 23

Js. 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 24

1 Cor. 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 25

3. Prayer will not reveal the will of God We must study to learn the will of God We do pray to God for wisdom 26

2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 27

Js. 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 28

4. Prayer does not relieve us from our spiritual duties Prayer is not a substitute for visiting the sick, attending worship services, restoring the erring, living a godly life, etc. We can & should pray about all things – then go and do what needs to be done 29

Js. 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. 30

2 Cor. 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 31

Lk. 11:1 “Lord, teach us to pray…” 32

Heb. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 33