1. { Prayer & Fasting: Convinced of God’s Goodness Pastor Rod Enos Sunday, January 26, 2014

2. A. We Have Been Given Responsibility I. Why Pray?

3. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Genesis 1:27-28 (NIV)

4. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)

5. A.We Have Been Given Responsibility B.God Won’t Do It Without Us! I. Why Pray?

6. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

7. A.We Have Been Given Responsibility B.God Won’t Do It Without Us! C.Praying with Authority I. Why Pray?

8. A.Pressing Into God’s Goodness II. How Good Do You Think God Is?

9. Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7 "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me Luke 11:5-13 (NIV)

10. in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; Luke 11:5-13 (NIV)

11. knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? Luke 11:5-13 (NIV)

12. 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:5-13 (NIV)

13. Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)

14. 4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!’” Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)

15. 6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)

16. A.Pressing Into God’s Goodness B.Whatever You Ask in His Name II. How Good Do You Think God Is?

17. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:23-24 (NIV)

18. Prayer is co-operation with God. It is the purest exercise of the faculties God has given us - an exercise that links these faculties with the Maker to work out the intentions He had in mind in their creation. E. Stanley Jones

19. A.Pressing Into God’s Goodness B.Whatever You Ask in His Name C.How Do You Grow in God’s Goodness? 1.Read & Study God’s Word 2.Ask God for Greater Revelation 3.Remind God in Prayer of His Character II. How Good Do You Think God Is?

20. The driving force of prayer is being convinced of the goodness, justice, mercy and grace of God. To the degree that you see God in this light you will pursue Him in prayer. Something to Think About…