1. A Closer Look at PRAYER and God’s Response to our Requests
6, 499, Bible reading James 5;14-18

2. How Prayer Works Does God operate by rules ?
If there are any, who sets the rules ?
Is God limited by His
self-imposed rules ?

3. God’s Self-Imposed Rules
Yes, God operates by rules.
God is bound by His own rules.
Yes, God is often limited by
His own self-imposed rules.

4. Untying God’s hand Time and again, we read ---A minister’s wife
“Wake up, and Pray! Your husband is in danger”
If God already knows Pr. So & So is in danger
Why would He send an angel
To get the pastor’s wife to pray?

5. God’s Rules God will not interpose UNTIL we request.
God grants our request if it is for our good.
God answers according to His conditions.

6. Rules for People Those who pray Must believe -- James 1:6
Must obey – 1 John 3:22 Prov. 28:9
Must forgive others – Mt 5:23,24
According to God’s will – Mt 26:39
Must persevere – Lk 18:1-5

7. Irresistible Requests
God finds it hard not to grant our requests,
If they are for our good.
God has asked people NOT to pray
Thorn in the flesh. My grace…2Cor 12:8,9
Moses desperately wanted to go to Canaan Deut 3:26

8. God wants us to talk to Him
Ask, and it will be given to you
Seek, and you will find,
Knock, and it will be opened to you.

9. God wants us to talk to Him
Ask, and it will be given to you
Seek, and you will find,
Knock, and it will be opened to you.
Not just to inform God
But to pour out our hearts to Him

10. Prayer is not the Last Resort
Often we turn to God as the last resort.
When there is nothing else we can do.
Instead we should turn to Him first.
“First , last and best” EGW
Daily, continually ….
1 Thes. 5:17 “Pray without ceasing”

11. Connecting with God Spiritual power comes from God
We can only operate when connected
John 15:5 Without Me, you can do nothing
Converse is true ---
“With God all things are possible” Mt 19:26
Phil 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ”

12. About Confession If you offend God, You confess…Right?
Not necessarily.
Job confessed for his children. Job 1:5
Jesus interceded for those
who crucified Him Luke 23:34
Stephen prayed for those
who stoned him Acts7:60

13. Praying for others Roger Morneau’s “Incredible Power of Prayer”
James 5:16 “Prayer for one another”

14. Jesus Challenges us to Pray
John 16:24 So far, you have asked nothing
In My name that your joy may be full.

15. Pray as you read Bible
“Never should the Bible be studied without prayer.” SC 96
Interactive reading
Two way conversation with God
“Yes Lord, I want to be like that
“Father, I don’t ever want to leave You.”
“Lord help me to learn this lesson”
“Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth”

16. Centre of Worship Focal point of OT worship Sanctuary
Priestly ministration

17. Rev 5:6 Is. 11:2
Rev 5:8 Incense = Prayer
John 6:35

18. My Letter to God

19. Jesus Prayed often Before and after each major event
Prayed for each of His disciples John17: 12
Unity of believers
None would be lost
May have joy
Be kept from the devil
Be sanctified by the truth
He prayed for us by name. John 17:20

20. Will You Talk to God? Yes! Every day
Rowville 911, Preston 1011, Warburton 12.11, Asian 1111, Asian Youth 1111, Romanian 1.12, Yarra Valley 412, Gateway E 416, Hughesdale 5.16, (Lord’s Shepherd) Hamilton 10.16
Yes! Every day