The Potential of Prayer

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: ‘In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

For some time he refused For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 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!’ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says.

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?’” (Luke 18:1-7 NIV)

Four Prayer Stoppers 1. Defilement “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;” (Ps. 66:18, NIV)

“The thief comes only to steal Four Prayer Stoppers 2. Doubt “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” (John 10:10, NIV)

Four Prayer Stoppers 2. Doubt “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;” (1 Timothy 2:8, NKJV)

Four Prayer Stoppers 3. Distraction

Four Prayer Stoppers 4. Delay

Dealing with Prayer Stoppers 1. Defilement - Repent

Dealing with Prayer Stoppers “…faith comes by hearing, 2. Doubt - Study “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17, NKJV)

Dealing with Prayer Stoppers God’s Word is Unique… It is Powerful “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” (Psalm 33:6)

It is Trustworthy Dealing with Prayer Stoppers God’s Word is Unique… “My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.” (Psalm 89:34)

It is Eternal Dealing with Prayer Stoppers God’s Word is Unique… “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Mt. 24:35, NKJV)

Dealing with Prayer Stoppers 3. Distraction – Briefly Yield

Dealing with Prayer Stoppers 4. Delay - Rest

2 Observations on the Potential of Prayer 1. Releases the Rewards of Heaven “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Heb. 11:6, NIV)

Conditions of Rewarded Prayer Faith Diligence Faithfulness

Conditions of Rewarded Prayer Faithfulness “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” (John 15:7, NIV)

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” (Jn. 15:4-7, NIV)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)

2 Observations on the Potential of Prayer 2. Makes Possible the Impossible

The Potential of Prayer