How to (and Not to) Pray

Notes: How to (and Not to) Pray

Matthew 20

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: God Came Near

Sunday, April 19, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Prayer is extremely important because it keeps us in touch with God.

Pastor Greg speaks on how we can pray prayers that are healthy and effective. He also warns against things that can hinder our prayers.

It's stupid to say that we should stay out of politics. Greg prayed at an event Marco Rubio was at.

Prayer...what a privilege it is.

You can pray anywhere and anytime.

The main thing with prayer is that we are right with God.

Why should I pray? The value of prayer is that it keeps me in touch with God. God gives us what we need when we need it.

Prayer is getting your will in alignment with God's.

How not to pray:

Matthew 20:17-23 NKJV

[17] Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, [18] "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, [19] and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again." [20] Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. [21] And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom." [22] But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." [23] So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father."

Why is this a bad prayer? It is utterly senseless and selfish prayer.

They immediately say that they are able, with no clarification of what Jesus is describing.

Matthew 20:22 NKJV

[22] But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able."

Why does God not always answer our prayers the way we ask Him too...

All prayers are answered, either. No, Go or Slow.

There is nothing wrong in bringing our request to God.

Prayer is not a sign of weakness; it is an acknowledgement that we are weak.

Jesus prayed, and if Jesus prayed then we need to pray.

We should always ask that the Lord's will would be done.

Matthew 20:29-34 NKJV

[29] Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. [30] And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" [31] Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" [32] So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" [33] They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." [34] So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

How to pray:

1. In a time of crisis, they prayed and so should we.

Psalm 50:15 NKJV

[15] Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."

James 4:2 NKJV

[2] You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

Pride can stop us from calling out.

Ephesians 6:18 NKJV

[18] praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-

When should we pray? All the time!

James 4:3 NKJV

[3] You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

2. They prayed with passion and persistence.

We need to pray with passion.

Acts 12:5 NKJV

[5] Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

Pray for things and for people by name, be specific.

3. Their prayer is heard by Jesus.

Matthew 20:32 NKJV

[32] So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV

[13] And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

4. Their prayer is answered in the affirmative by Jesus.

Unconfessed sin can hinder our prayers:

Psalm 66:18 NKJV

[18] If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

We sin more than we think we do.

1. Hanging onto sin will keep your prayers from being answered.

1 John 3:22 NKJV

[22] And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

Obedience is a choice and disobedience is a choice.

Reap the consequences of your sins.

Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV

[23] Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; [24] And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

2. Idols in our heart can keep us from Jesus.

Statues, people, and things can all be idols. Anything that takes the place of God is an idol.

3. Unforgiveness in your heart can hinder your prayers.

Forgiven people should be forgiving people.

Forgiveness does more good for you then for the people you are not forgiving.

Bitterness destroys you and others.

4. Unbelief can hinder our prayers.

When you pray, pray believing.

It is impossible to please God without faith.

Faith sees invisible things.

God loves to bless you.