Sixteen Signs Of A True Believer Part 5 Series

Witnesses tell us that, as stood in the parking lot after an act, a friend waited to drive him to his next performance. Sam walked away from the car, stood off to himself and was heard to say (this is incredible) "I'm not ready" followed by a pause then saying a resigned "Alright." (Who was he talking to?)

On his way to a performance in Laughlin, Nevada, on a two lane highway in the Mojave Desert near Needles, California (ironic), his car was struck head on by a drunk driver (again ironic). He was either thrown or pulled from the car, and as he lay on the pavement said, "Oh God, I don't want to die like this." It was a prayer that God would not hear. Sam Kinison had not been doing His commandments. He had not been obeying His will. He had not been doing those things that were pleasing in the Lord’s sight! His grave is in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It reads, “In another time and place, he would have been a prophet.” Sam was just 38 years old!

EIGHT REASONS FOR HINDERED PRAYER

1. Not praying in Jesus name.

John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

• It is no wonder that even the ACLU will tolerate prayers not made in Jesus’ name.

2. Not praying according to the revealed will of God.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (1 John 5:14)

3. Making a pretense of our prayer.

Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

4. Praying half-heartedly.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. [13] And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

5. Allowing unresolved issues to remain in our family.

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

6. Praying with unconfessed sin in our heart.

Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Prov. 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

7. Praying with unresolved anger.

1 Tim. 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

8. Praying with an unregenerated heart.

Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. (John 9:31)

The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. (Proverbs 15:29)

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

SO, Sign number 11, Can I know that I am saved by having seen answers to my prayer.

CONCLUSION:

1. Are you free from moral guilt?

• Are you living, tormented by guilt, unable to accept the forgiveness of God?