Does Prayer Really Work

Does Prayer Really Work?

We can be assured that when we pray – God listens. He will answer our prayers. If one only knew of all the good accomplished - & the evil averted through prayer – I think we would be even more diligent in our prayer. The Bible attests that prayer works. Do we pray w/the expectation that our prayers will be answered?

I. Prayer works for the Christian.

A. Jesus testified to the power & effectiveness of prayer.

1. Mt. 7:7-11 – God will give what is good to those who ask Him.

2. John. 14:13-14…

B. Paul testified to the power & effectiveness of prayer.

1. Eph. 3:20 – power of prayer implied here as Paul encourages Ephesians.

2. Phil. 4:6 – we can share everything with Him!

C. Heb. 4:16 – draw near w/confidence. See also 10:22-23; 11:6

II. A concentration on Js. 5:16b.

A. Focus upon “effective/fervent” in 5:16b.

1. Strong’s: to be mighty in; to work (at).

2. Thayer: to be operative; be at work; put forth power.

3. Prayers that are effectual are:

a) Sincere & earnest.

b) Hearty & persevering

4. Not listless and indifferent.

B. Consider also that prayer is mighty in what it is able to do.

1. In other words: prayer of a righteous man is very powerful in its operation.

III. Who are the Righteous with Effective Prayer? See 5:16b.

A. Righteous seek for God - Heb. 11:6; Mt. 5:6; Isa. 55:6; Jer. 29:13

B. Righteous keep God’s commandments - 1 John. 2:1; 29; 3:7-12; 22; 5:2-3

C. When righteous pray – their requests are:

1. According to God’s will – Mt. 26:39; 1 John. 5:14-15

2. In the name of Christ – Eph. 5:20; Col. 3:17

3. Humble – Psa. 10:17-18

a) Lk. 18:9-14 – Pharisee/publican

4. with thanksgiving – Phil 4:6

5. Unceasing – 1 Thess. 5:17; LK. 18:1-8

D. Righteous are those who have been forgiven – Rom. 4:7-9

IV. Js. 5:16b - The Prayer of the Righteous Will Accomplish Much.

A. Opposite: Prayer of unrighteous will accomplish little. See Isa. 59:2; Prov. 15:8-9; 29

1. Principle taught by Peter in 1 Pet. 3:12

2. If living sinful life – how can one expect to call upon God to help – while continually rejecting Him at other times?

3. Can the sinner expect God to bless Him/reward Him for his actions?

B. If living righteously – we can expect our prayer to be heard/answered.

1. 1 Kings 18:41-46 – Elijah’s prayer for rain

2. Ex. 32:11-13 – Moses’ prayer for Israelites

Conclusion:

A. Bible teaches that there is power in prayer for the righteous person who prays to God in faith.

B. Do you live by faith? Are you forgiven? Do your prayers accomplish much?



Does Prayer Really Work? We can be assured that when we pray – God listens. He will answer our prayers. If one only knew of all the good accomplished - & the evil averted through prayer – I think we would be even more diligent in our prayer. The Bible attests that prayer works. Do we pray w/the expectation that our prayers will be answered? I. Prayer works for the Christian. A. Jesus testified to the power & effectiveness of prayer. 1. Mt. 7:7-11 – God will give what is good to those who ask Him. 2. John. 14:13-14… B. Paul testified to the power & effectiveness of prayer. 1. Eph. 3:20 – power of prayer implied here as Paul encourages Ephesians. 2. Phil. 4:6 – we can share everything with Him! C. Heb. 4:16 – draw near w/confidence. See also 10:22-23; 11:6 II. A concentration on Js. 5:16b. A. Focus upon “effective/fervent” in 5:16b. 1. Strong’s: to be mighty in; to work (at). 2. Thayer: to be operative; be at work; put forth power. 3. Prayers that are effectual are: a) Sincere & earnest. b) Hearty & persevering 4. Not listless and indifferent. B. Consider also that prayer is mighty in what it is able to do. 1. In other words: prayer of a righteous man is very powerful in its operation. III. Who are the Righteous with Effective Prayer? See 5:16b. A. Righteous seek for God - Heb. 11:6; Mt. 5:6; Isa. 55:6; Jer. 29:13 B. Righteous keep God’s commandments - 1 John. 2:1; 29; 3:7-12; 22; 5:2-3 C. When righteous pray – their requests are: 1. According to God’s will – Mt. 26:39; 1 John. 5:14-15 2. In the name of Christ – Eph. 5:20; Col. 3:17 3. Humble – Psa. 10:17-18 a) Lk. 18:9-14 – Pharisee/publican 4. with thanksgiving – Phil 4:6 5. Unceasing – 1 Thess. 5:17; LK. 18:1-8 D. Righteous are those who have been forgiven – Rom. 4:7-9 IV. Js. 5:16b - The Prayer of the Righteous Will Accomplish Much. A. Opposite: Prayer of unrighteous will accomplish little. See Isa. 59:2; Prov. 15:8-9; 29 1. Principle taught by Peter in 1 Pet. 3:12 2. If living sinful life – how can one expect to call upon God to help – while continually rejecting Him at other times? 3. Can the sinner expect God to bless Him/reward Him for his actions? B. If living righteously – we can expect our prayer to be heard/answered. 1. 1 Kings 18:41-46 – Elijah’s prayer for rain 2. Ex. 32:11-13 – Moses’ prayer for Israelites Conclusion: A. Bible teaches that there is power in prayer for the righteous person who prays to God in faith. B. Do you live by faith? Are you forgiven? Do your prayers accomplish much?