"Prayer with Answers
I've heard of many successful people who make valiant endeavors to launch a successful prayer life, only to have it thwarted by pointlessness, neglect, boredom, weariness,and _____________... (you fill in the blank from your own personal response).
Some people fluctuate between two attitudes or extremes. One is a hopeful guesswork, the other is a holy fatalism. wrapped up in those suggestions is the vast majority of believers who are caught up in the never-ending crisis of 'not getting it all together in their prayer life' syndrome.
It is crucial to strike a balance between divine soverignty and human responsibillity. Psalm 91:!5 says, 'He shall call upon me, and I will answer Him"; and Isaiah 58:9, 'Then shalt thou call, and the Lord will answer; thou shalt cry and He shall say, "Here I am"...' These scriptures, along with others (Luke 11:9; John 15:7; I Chronicles 16:11; James 5:13) point the believer to a good understanding of the expression, 'Without Him, we cannot; without us He will not.'
Luke 4:1-4 gives us a valuable outline to follow in developing a prayer life that experiences answers:
I. A PROPER PERSPECTIVE - verses 1 & 2a
II. A PROVIDED POWER - verse 2b
III. A PRODUCTION PATTERN - verses 3 % 4a
Let me give you a few practical suggestions to enhance your personal prayer life:
1. Kneel (or sit) and begin with a time of praise.
2. Open the Bible and read some of what He has promised us.
3. Confess areas of need and weakness in your life.
4. Pray for specific needs in people (make a list)
5. When praying, pray aloud.
6. Wait upon the Lord.
7. Thank the Lord for answers to your petitions.
Getting it together,
Pastor Ron