(PRAYER) What is a logjam? Logs that bunch together and stop up the flow (i.e.water) What is the prayerline? • John 14:6; 16:23 { READ OUTLOUD • 1John 2:1 Jesus teaches about prayer in: • Luke 11:1-13 { READ OUTLOUD • Matthew 6:5-15 • THE LORD'S PRAYER – Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2 (SKIT) Now, introducing, "The Lord's Prayer…(with a different perspective)" KEYS TO ANSWERED PRAYER 1. BELIEVE – Mark 11:24 (Hindrance) 2. THANKSGIVING – Philippians 4:6 3. NOT FAINT – Luke 18:1 4. THE SPIRIT – Romans 8:26 (READING TO END – PRAYER LANGUAGE) HINDERENCES TO ANSWERED PRAYER What types of things can hinder prayer being answered? 1. INIQUITY - Psalm 66:18-22 2. SIN, ASK AMISS - James 4:1-11 3. WORKS OF THE FLESH - Galatians 5:19-26 4. GOSSIP, ANGER, UNFORGIVENESS, FOLLY, IMPATIENCE Knowing if your blessing is of satan or God: discernment (basically) temporal or everlasting; want vs. need. "Microwave Gift" description; laborious or easy to maintain stewardship of 6 STEPS TO ANSWERED PRAYER 1. DECIDE …what you need – Philippians 4:6 2. KNOW GOD'S WORD ….study to show yourself approved. How would you know what you believe? – 2Timothy 2:15; God's will is His Word – Matthew 6:5-8 3. ASK…verbalize believing – Luke 11:9 4. REFUSE DOUBT – 2Corintians 10:5; Mark 9:23; James 4:7; Hebrews 10:35-36 5. BIND AND LOOSE…"on earth as it is in Heaven" – Matthew 16:19 6. PRAISE AFTER ASKING – Isaiah 55:8-13; Hebrews 13-15 GOD'S PROMISES God does hear and answer prayer. What does He promise? • SHOW GREAT & MIGHTY THINGS – Jeremiah 33:3 • POWER THAT WILL WORK IN US Scripture Memory: Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." • MERCY & GRACE – Hebrews 4:16 7 DIFFERENT KINDS OF PRAYER 1. PRAYER OF AUTHORITY (Binding and Loosing) – Matthew 16:19 2. PRAYER OF AGREEMENT (Unity) – Matthew 18:19 3. PRAYER OF PETITION (Faith) – Matthew 21:21-22 4. PRAYER OF WORSHIP, THANKSGIVING OR PRAISE – 2 Chronicles 20:18-22 5. PRAYER OF COMMITMENT (Dedication and Consecration) –Matthew 26:39 6. PRAYER OF INTERCESSION – Romans 8:26-27 7. PRAYER IN THE SPIRIT (Tongues) – 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 14 READ ROMANS 10 and JAMES 5:12 thru to end of chapter (SKIT) " The Lord's Prayer (with a different perspective) "Our Father which art in heaven....." ---Yes? Don't interrupt me. I'm praying. ---But you called me. Called you? I didn't call you. I'm praying. "Our Father which art in heaven....." ---There you did it again. Did What? ---Called me. You said, "Our Father which art in heaven." Here I am.....What's on your mind? But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like getting a duty done. ---All right. Go on. "Hallowed be thy name....." ---Hold it. What do you mean by that? By what? ---By "hallowed be thy name"? It means.....it means.....Good grief, I don't know what it means. How should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way,what does it mean? ---It means honored, holy, wonderful. Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what "hallowed" meant before."Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." ---Do you really mean that? Sure, why not? ---What are you doing about it? Doing? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there. ---Have I got control of you? Well, I go to church. ---That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money---all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read? Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at the church. ---Excuse me. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you, for example. Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others. ---So could I. I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free. ---Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together, you and I. Some victories can truly be won. I'm proud of you. Look, Lord, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. "Give us this day, our daily bread." ---You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is. Hey, wait a minute! What is this, "Criticize me day"? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups. ---Praying is a dangerous thing. You could wind up changed, you know. That's what I'm trying to get across to you. You called me, and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep praying, I'm interested in the next part of your prayer .....(pause). Well, go on. I'm scared too. ---Scared? Of what? I know what you'll say. ---Try me and see. "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us." ---What about Ann? See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories about my family. She never paid back the debt she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her! ---But your prayer? What about your prayer? I didn't mean it. ---Well, at least you're honest. But it's not much fun carrying that load of bitterness around inside, is it? No. But I'll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I got some plans for that neighbor. She'll wish she had never moved into this neighborhood. ---You won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. Think of how unhappy you already are. But I can change all that. You can? How? ---Forgive Ann. Then I'll forgive you. Then the hate and sin will be Ann's problem and not yours. You will have settled your heart. Oh, you're right. You always are. And more than I want to revenge Ann, I want to be right with you. Ann, I want to be right with you.....(pause).....(sigh). All right. All right. I forgive her. Help her to find the right road in life, Lord. She's bound to be awfully miserable now that I think about it. Anybody who goes around doing the things she does to others has to be out of it. Someway,somehow, show her the right way. ---There now! Wonderful! How do you feel? Hmmmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll have to go to bed uptight tonight for the first time since I can remember. Maybe I won't be so tired from now on because I'm not getting enough rest. ---You're not through with your prayer. Go on. Oh, all right. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." ---Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted. What do you mean by that? ---Don't turn on the TV when you know the laundry needs to be done and the house needs to be picked up. Also, about the time you spend chaffing with your friends, if you can't influence the conversation to positive things, perhaps you should re-think the value of those friendships. Another thing, your neighbors and friends shouldn't be your standard for "keeping up". And please don't use me for an escape hatch. I don't understand the last part. ---Sure you do. You've done it a lot of times. You get caught in a bad situation. You get into trouble and then you come running to me, "Lord, help me out of this mess, and I promise you I'll never do it again." You remember some of those bargains you tried to make with me? Yes and I'm ashamed, Lord. I really am. ---Which bargain are you remembering? Well, there was the night that Bill was gone and the children and I were home alone. The wind was blowing so hard I thought the roof would go any minute and tornado warnings were out. I remember praying, "Oh God, if you spare us, I'll never skip my devotions again." ---I protected you, but you didn't keep your promise, did you? I'm sorry, Lord, I really am. Up until now I thought that if I just prayed the Lord's Prayer every day, then I could do what I liked. I didn't expect anything to happen like it did. ---Go ahead and finish your prayer. "For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever." Amen ---Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy? No, but I'd like to know. I want now to please you. I can see what a mess I've made of my life. And I can see how great it would be to really be one of you followers. ---You just answered the question. I did? ---Yes. The thing that would bring me glory is to have people like you TRULY love me. And I see that happening between us. Now that some of these old sins are exposed and out of the way, well, there is no telling what we can do together. Lord, let's see what we can make of me, O.K.? ---Yes, let's see...." This document is proprietary and confidential to His Indwelling Spirit Ministries and those who are being sent it to be forwarded to Moroccan Missionaries. Unauthorized use and distribution are prohibited. His Indwelling Spirit Ministries, All Rights Reserved® BBSOCS Ministries, a subministry of His Indwelling Spirit Ministries, Columbus, Ohio USA