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Behind Our Prayers
Contributed by Joel Santos on Jul 22, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: We Christians can pray, but the effectiveness of it depends on something important BEHIND OUR PRAYERS.
BEHIND OUR PRAYERS
We Christians can pray, but the effectiveness of it depends on something important BEHIND OUR PRAYERS.
A. FAITH BEHIND OUR PRAYERS (15)
"The PRAYER OF FAITH shall save the sick..."
-The effectiveness of our prayers greatly depends on our FAITH.
Mark 11:24 "Whatsoever you desire when you pray believe that you received them, and ye shall have them."
B. RIGHTEOUSNESS BEHIND OUR PRAYERS (16)
"The PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN availeth much."
-The effectiveness of our prayers greatly depends on our Righteousness before God.
Psalms 4:5 "Offer sacrifices of RIGHTEOUSNESS and put your trust in the Lord."
C. SINCERITY BEHIND OUR PRAYERS (17-18)
"Elijah EARNESTLY PRAYED...and he PRAYED AGAIN..."
-The effectiveness of our prayers greatly depends on our sincerity in praying.
Example: Luke 18:1-8
Sincerity in Prayer Takes Time and Effort
· Who ever told us that prayer was easy as lying
· This widow woman, who already had a busy schedule, and no help, was going to have to take the time herself and go meet this judge face to face
· Not just a once-off event either. She was going to stay at it until an answer was received - perseverance - tenacity!
· This widow woman was not cheap with her time with this judge
· She invested time each and every day - had a set time she would go to meet this judge and cry-out before him her case
· She would go not only during the day, but at night.