May 18, 2008 Summit AM
Praying Like
Winners
Introduction
A. Text Mt.7:7-12
B. Do you pray like a victorious Christian?
1. Confidently coming into Gods presence to receive direction?
a. Knowing He will welcome & receive you?
b. Confident that He wants to hear from you?
2. Confident that all your needs will be met accomplish His will
a. Know He always has your well being in mind
b. That He will act appropriately always at the right timing
C. Few weeks ago discussed the necessity of asking
1. James 4:3 have not because we ask not
2. Asking is not optional
3. Principles to follow as we ask
Attitude of expectation
Ask one that can meet our needs
Be specific
Ask repeatedly
4. Add to those thoughts victorious prayers
D. Pray
A. Heb.11:6 without faith impossible to please Him
1. Believe that He is
2. Believe that He rewards those who diligently seek Him
a. God wants us to seek Him pursue Him
b. Deut.4:29 find if seek with all your heart
c. Acts 17:27 seek & find not far from any of us
B. Other scriptures
1. Prov.15:8 prayers of the upright please Him
2. Prov.15:29 hears the prayers of the righteous
3. Ps.145:18,19 near to all who call; hears the cry of those who fear Him
4. Song of Solomon 2:14 let me hear your voice (sweet to me)
C. Look at NT see how many times encouraged to pray
1. By Jesus
Lk.18 pray & not give up
Mt.7 ask trust He wants to give what is best
Jn.14 ask for anything in My name
2. By disciples
1 Thess.5 Paul encourages us to pray continuously
Eph.6 pray for all the saints their victory over Satan
D. Reality prayer less people are powerless people
1. Disciples unable help Jesus or drive out demon
2. James 4:3 have not because we ask not
A. His
name is above all names
1. Phil.2:7-11
2. No other name gets Gods attention
Not - Buda; Allah; Mary; Pope
3. Name of Rockefeller may open the doors of finance
Name of Einstein may open the doors of science
Only the name of Jesus will open the doors of heaven Jn.14:6
B. Rom.8:32
1. Along with Him provides through Jesus alone
a. Outside Him we are enemies
b. Outside Him we are helpless it is hopeless
c. Eph.1:3 all spiritual blessing in Him no where else
2. Phil.4:19 meet all needs in Christ Jesus
C. Point dont expect anything from God apart from Jesus
1. Question what does asking in His name mean?
a. Is it just a phrase we tack ion at the end of our prayers?
b. Is there something significant we need to have in mind?
2. Means
a. I come as His servant seeking His will & glory
b. My desire is to do His will accomplish His work
c. My desires & needs are secondary (taken care of as I serve Him)
1) Phil.1 For me to live is Christ
2) Gal.2 - I have been crucified with Christ
d. No magic in just repeating the phrase Acts 19:14-16
e. We come as His representative to accomplish His will
D. To
pray in His name our lives need to match His character
1. His desire to always bring glory to His Father Jn.14:13
2. To do this we must submit to His lordship Jn.5:22,23
E. See the promises of Jesus when we ask in His name
1. Jn.14:13,14 I will do whatever you ask in my name
a. Not just that God would hear Jesus will act
b. Rom.8:34 intercedes for us
c. His goal glorifying His Father
2. Jn.15:7 remain in Me & My word remains in you
a. Walk in open confession before God.
Opening up your life to God; he confesses all known sin.
Does not walk in sin, nor allow any sin to go unconfessed
b. Lives in a consciousness of God's presence Proverbs 3:5-6).
c. Does not walk in continuous sin (1 John 3:6)
d. Surrenders himself to obey God's commandments (1 John 3:24).
e. Dwells in love, unity and fellowship with all other believers
Conclusion
A. Learn to pray victoriously confidently in the name of Jesus
B. Pray