Answered Prayer
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 10/18/2020
Foundation Scriptures:
Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! 5 Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon]. 6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 AMPC
1. Let Your Requests Be Made Known to God.
a. The Lord is our complete, and only, source and supply.
b. The reason many do not get anything from God is because they do not ask (Jam. 4:2b).
c. Ask your Father—with your mouth, out loud—for those things you need and want.
d. Yes, He knows what you need—but He needs to hear it from your mouth.
e. Many do not ask because they do not expect to receive—they have no faith in God to answer.
f. Romans 8:32 KJV — He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
2. Ask with Right Motives.
a. Prayers that are evil, carnal, selfish, or unscriptural, go unanswered.
b. James 4:1-3
c. [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures (Vs 3 AMPC).
3. Rejoice Always.
a. Do not worry or be anxious—rejoice.
b. Turn all your problems over to Him; depend on Him to help you.
c. Ask with an attitude of thanksgiving—with gratefulness for what He has already done and a joyful expectation of what He is about to do.
d. Then God’s peace will protect your heart and mind.
e. You can go about your business, knowing that He is taking care of everything.
f. If the devil tries to come with doubts—open your mouth and praise God and he will have to leave!
4. Unproductive Prayers.
a. Your prayers should be as simple and definite as possible.
b. Vain repetition—repeating the exact same word, phrase, or prayer over and over—is fruitless (Matt. 6:7-8 AMPC).
c. Long, religious, or hypocritical prayers are pointless, because they cannot compensate for bad behavior or lack of faith (Matthew 23:14).
d. It is persistent faith—not nagging words—that moves God.
e. Your Father knows what you need—ask for what you want—then continue to thank and praise Him for the answer.
5. Single-Minded.
a. Ask in FAITH—do NOT waver or be double-minded!
b. James 1:5-8 NKJV — If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
c. Do not give in to doubt, fear, unbelief, discouragement, or make excuses for unbelief.
d. Doubts and fears cannot co-habit with faith—they will pull you in a different direction and throw you all over the place.
e. If you are double-minded, do not be surprised when your prayers are not answered.
6. Be Persistent.
a. In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit.
b. Know your rights!
c. If even an unjust judge will respond to a woman who knows her rights and will not quit until she receives—how much more will our righteous Father work justice for His children who stand on their rights in faith?
d. God expects us to be persistent in prayer and not give up until we get the answer.
e. Do not lose heart (Luke 18:1; Gal. 6:9)—press in, in faith, until you receive.
f. Do not think you are bothering God by asking.
g. You have a divine, blood-bought right to get an answer!
h. Luke 12:32 KJV — Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
7. Expecting An Answer.
a. Hebrews 11:6 NKJV — But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
b. …Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. (Message Bible).
c. Your Father in heaven gives good gifts to those who ask Him (Matt. 7:7-11).
d. Luke 11:5-13 AMPC — For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened (Vs 10).
8. Obey, Ask, and Receive.
a. All of God’s promises are conditional—if we keep His commandments, He answers our prayers (Isa. 1:19).
b. 1 John 3:18-24
c. And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we [watchfully] obey His orders [observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us] and [habitually] practice what is pleasing to Him (Vs 22 AMPC).
d. Hebrews 10:22 KJV — 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.
e. John 15:7 AMPC — If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
f. When God’s Word becomes so much a part of us that it influences and directs everything we think, feel, say and do, He promises to answer our prayers and give us what we ask for.