CONDITIONS OF SUCCESSFUL PRAYER


A. EXPERIENCE SHOWS
  1. That some people's prayers are much more successful than others:
  2. That raises the question - Why?
    1. God is not a respecter of person - Acts 10:34, 35
    2. It must be because of that which is associated with prayer - "Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss" - Jas. 4:3
B. CONDITIONS TO SUCCESSFUL PRAYER
  1. We must pray according to the will of God:
    1. That is what Jesus Christ did at all times - Matt. 26:42
    2. That is why God hears us when we pray - "And we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask. We know that we have the petitions that we desired of him . . . if we ask any thing according to his will" - 1 John 5:14, 15
    3. Even the Holy Spirit helps us in our prayer when we pray according to the will of God - Rom. 8:27
  2. We are heard when we pray in the blessed name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ:
    1. There is no other name in which to pray - Acts 4:12
    2. "Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you" - John 15:16
    3. The name of Jesus Christ is the key to all the thoughts, words, and actions of the children of God - "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." - Col. 3:17
  3. We must forgive those who trespassed against us before God will hear our prayer:
    1. "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." - Mark 11:25, 26; Col. 3:13; Matt. 18:19, 22
    2. "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother." - Matt. 5:23, 24
  4. Confession of our sins, and also forsaking them is a must before our prayers are answered:
    1. Daniel did for himself and his people - Dan. 9:4, 8, 20, 23
    2. That is a condition laid down in the Bible - 1 John 1:7-9; Prov. 28:13
  5. Sincerity must mark our prayers:
    1. Compare the attitude of the two men that went up to the temple to pray - Luke 18:9-14
    2. Think of the warning the Lord gives against hypocrisy - Matt. 6:1-9
    3. Sincerity marked the prayer of the Psalmist - Ps. 66:18
  6. Childlike faith is a must when we pray:
    1. Without faith it is impossible to please God - Heb. 11:6
    2. "Therefore I say unto you, Whatsoever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall receive them." - Mark 11:24
  7. Perseverance in prayer:
    1. Too many give up too soon, and that is why they are not heard.
    2. Think of blind Bartimaeus - Mark 10:46-48
    3. Or recall the prayer of the mother for her plagued daughter - Matt. 15:22-28
  8. Lean upon the aid of the Holy Spirit in your petition:
    1. For we know not how to pray, as we ought to.
    2. It is He who makes intercession for us - Rom. 8:26
C. THUS WE SEE SOME OF THE REASONS
  1. Why some people are more successful in their prayer than others:
  2. They meet the eight conditions, as indicated in this outline:
  3. They are right with God and men, and that is why God hears their petitions:
  4. They have a pure and acceptable motive in their petitions:
  5. When selfishness is behind our prayers, God will not hear our prayers:
  6. Such prayers become sin unto those who offer them: Ps. 109:7


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