- [Have some massive weights on platform off to the side.] I have before me here on the platform some heavy weights and I want to ask you a simple question: do you think I can lift these weights over his head? [Try it and can’t.]
- Because I don’t work out, the fact that I could not lift these weights is a surprise to no one in the
sanctuary, least of all me. I know that if I haven’t been working out and building up muscle strength that I don’t have a prayer of lifting these weights.
- And yet, on our subject for this morning, we time and again see people basically trying to do what we all just agreed that I couldn’t do with these weights. Our subject this morning is prayer.
- So many people believe that, even if they haven’t prayed in weeks or months or years, they ought to be able to step right up and utter a prayer that is a world-shaker. But as we get into the Word this morning, we are going to find that that’s rather like believing you can step right up to this weight and jerk it over your head without having worked out.
- The simple question we are dealing with is: “Do all pray-ers get the same result?”
- The answer most people would give is, “Yes, of course,” but the answer most people would give is not necessarily the Bible’s answer.
What Is Prayer?
- To get a greater understanding of this, let’s begin with what prayer is.
- Many people treat prayer as a magical incantation: “Hocus pocus,” “Alakadabra.” You just say
the right words and what you want to have happen, happens.
- But prayer is not a magical incantation; prayer is a relationship. Prayer is the developing of a relationship with our Father in heaven.
- Consider this morning two of the relationships I have in my life. One is with Mr. Adkins. Mr.
Adkins is the fellow we call when the furnaces or air conditioners here at the church go down. My relationship with Mr. Adkins consists of having a problem, calling him, he comes, he fixes it, we exchange a few pleasantries, he leaves, and I don’t see him until there’s another problem. A second relationship I have is with my wife Karen. I love her, I changed where I lived when we got married so I could be with her, I changed my plans for my life to include her, I talk to her about everything of importance to me, I see her everyday and miss her when I don’t get to be around her.
- The truth is that many people want a “Mr. Adkins” relationship with God. God offers us so much more than that - a relationship that even goes beyond a “Karen” relationship.
- And, in relating to our subject for this morning, whether we have a “Mr. Adkins” relationship or a “Karen” relationship with God is going to have a huge difference in the outcome and impact of our prayers.
The Big Question
- Verse 19 puts before us the simple reality that not all pray-ers get the same result. Jesus got a
result that the disciples were unable to. The disciples want to know: how come You could and
we couldn’t?
- For us this morning, we want to know what the keys are to powerful prayer, so that our prayers will be effective.
Getting Results In Prayer
1. Look with me at v. 20.
- One reason for a lack of power in our prayers is a lack of faith. [Note what v. 20 says.]
- Cf. Matt. 21:22 - “And whatever thing you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
- Cf. Mark 11:24 (parallel passage to our text) - “Therefore I say to you, whatever thing you ask
when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
- Notice in each the key of belief, of faith.
- The obvious question then is, “How do I get more faith in God, more belief in the amazing things He is able to do?” That takes us back to the idea that prayer is a relationship rather than a magical incantation. The best way I know to get more faith in the amazing things God is able to do is to have seen Him do some amazing things. But for people who don’t have much a prayer life, for people who aren’t watching for God’s moving each day, what they mostly do is wish (“I really hope God able to do something”) rather than having rock-solid, hard-core, deeply-held
belief.
2. Look with me at v. 21.
- A second reason for our lack of power in prayer is a lack of obedience. [Note what v. 21 says.]
- Jesus had been doing those things the Father had commanded. He had spent much time in prayer; He had spent much time in fasting. He had been obedient to what His Father had told Him to do.
- Often we flagrantly ignore or disobey nearly everything God has instructed us to do, then in a
moment of crisis we go to Him and expect to be able to pray an incredibly powerful prayer.
- Cf. Ezekiel 20:31 - “‘For when you [willfully sin], you defile yourselves with all your idols, even to this day. So shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I will not be inquired of by you.’”
- Cf. James 5:16 - “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (Not just any person.)
- This all comes back to relationship. If I am willfully violating the promises I made to Karen,
that is going to put a severe strain on our relationship. If I am willfully violating the promises I made to my heavenly Father, that is going to put a severe strain on our relationship.
- Don’t talk about how much you love God; live like you love God!
- Jesus was in a deep relationship with His Father in part because He was obedient to what His Father told Him to do. Don’t go out and ignore everything you know God has instructed you to do and then come to God in prayer and expect to be a powerhouse of prayer.
- Cf. John 15:7 - “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
- The idea of “abiding” is key: it means that the teachings of Jesus have been taken into our heart
and are dwelling in our heart.
Conclusion:
- Why is this so important? Colossians 1:29 - “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy,
which so powerfully works in me.”
- Notice Paul doesn’t say he’s working with all of his own energy - he’s working with all of His energy. God offers you His power this morning through prayer, but prayer is not a magical incantation - prayer is a deep relationship with the Father.
- If you want the power, start working on the relationship.
