ÿþ<html> <head> <title>Bible Baptist Church</title> <meta name="keywords" content="elmont, ny, new york, bible study, bible, sermon, devotion, preaching, true gospel, fundamental, baptist, soul winning, worship, church, spirituality, god"> <meta name="description" content="Preaching the true Gospel of Jesus Christ at Bible Baptist Church."> </head> <body topmargin="0" leftmargin="0" link="000099" alink="000000" vlink="000099"> <style fprolloverstyle>A:hover { font-weight: bold; color: red } A { text-decoration: none } </style> <!--Jun Gapuz--> <table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td height="52" background="../images/upper.gif" valign="bottom"><p style="font: bold 38px times;" align="center"> BIBLE&nbsp; BAPTIST&nbsp; CHURCH</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="29" background="../images/dwner.gif" valign="top"><p style="font: bold 18px times;" align="center"> 779 Elmont Road - Elmont, New York 11003 </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img border="0" src="../images/bibleline.gif" width="100%" height="43"></td> </tr> </table> <table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" height="100%"> <tr> <td width="99%" valign="top" style="padding: 20px;" background="../images/lightgray.jpg"> <!--td width="99%" valign="top" style="padding: 20px;" background="images/white.gif"--> <!--a href="http://FundamentalTop500.com/" target="_BLANK"><img src="http://FundamentalTop500.com/ft500.php3?sid=4425" height="38" width="124" border="0" alt="The Fundamental Top 500" align=right></a--> <div id="message"> <blockquote> <xmeta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <xmeta content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2668" name="GENERATOR"> <xbody bgcolor="#ffffff"> </xbody></xmeta></xmeta><div><font face="Times New Roman" size="4"> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="5"> <strong> ASKING AND RECEIVING </strong></font></p> <br> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size=4><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Text: <a href="../KJV/JAMES_4.html" target="blank">JAMES 4:1-3</a>; <a href="../KJV/JAMES_5.html#15" target="blank">5:15-20</a><o:p></o:p></b></span></font></font></p> <hr size="3" color="990000"> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="4"><b><u>INTRODUCTION</u>: </b></font></font></p> <br> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;" type="1"> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">One of the most fascinating statements in the Bible is found in James 4:2 -- &quot;ye have not, because ye ask not.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Many Christians miss out on the manifold blessings of God simply because they do not ask.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Our Lord said in Matthew 7:7, 8, &quot;<u>Ask, and it shall be given you</u>; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: <u>For every one that asketh receiveth</u>; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Our Lord said in Matthew 6:8, &quot;Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye <span class="yiv938972334criteria">ask</span> him.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">And even though our Lord already knows what we need, He still wants us to ask.<span class="yiv938972334btext"> This is an important principle of prayer.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Isaiah 65:24 says, &quot;</span>And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">God has created this universe in such a way that it runs according to certain principles and laws that He has established.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">I am going to preach on the law of asking and receiving.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">There are certain laws regarding prayer, that if carefully followed will result in the joy of having our prayers answered.<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>But if these laws are ignored, we miss out on God&#39;s blessings -- &quot;Ye have not, because ye ask not&quot; (James 4:2; cf. Matthew 7:7-11).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Our Lord said in Matthew 21:22, &quot;And all things, whatsoever ye shall <span class="yiv938972334criteria">ask</span> in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Our Lord said in John 14:14, &quot;If ye shall <span class="yiv938972334criteria">ask</span> any thing in my name, I will do it.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Our Lord said in John 16:24, &quot;A<span class="yiv938972334criteria">sk</span>, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">God has established these principles for prayer, and our prayers must be according to the way God has set things up.</font></font></span></li></ol> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span style=""><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">I. </font></span></b><b><span><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER</font></span></b></font></p> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;" type="1"> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">These principles are very clear and easy to understand (James 4:2, 3; 5:13-20; Luke 11:5-13).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Notice the request was for bread (Luke 11:5).<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Our Lord refers to bread, fish, and an egg (11:11, 12).<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Food </font><span class="yiv938972334btext"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">is a necessity.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Are we praying for necessary things, or are we &quot;asking amiss&quot; (James 4:3).<span style="">&nbsp; </span>The climax of our Lord&#39;s discourse on prayer in Luke 11 was reached when He disclosed the Father&#39;s promise to give the Holy Spirit to</font></span></span><span style=""><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"> them that ask him (Luke 11:13).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The Lord wants us to understand that our urgent and fervent prayer requests are answered by the Father&#39;s gift of the fulness of the Holy Spirit.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">In the 19th century, the great evangelist Charles Finney wrote a book entitled <i>Principles of Prayer</i>.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">In his memoirs, Finney wrote that during his revival efforts he spoke to Christians and &quot;endeavored to make them understand that God would answer prayer, provided they fulfilled the conditions upon which He had promised to answer prayer; and especially if they believed, in the sense of expecting Him to answer their requests.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">That last statement is very important -- &quot;especially if they believed, in the sense of expecting Him to answer their requests.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">James 1:5-7 says, &quot;If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;But let him ask in faith...&quot; (1:6).<span style="">&nbsp; </span>This is a very important principle of prayer.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Hudson Taylor, the missionary to inland China, understood the principles of asking and receiving.<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Here is an example from his biography, <i>Hudson Taylor in Early Years</i>, Volume 1, written by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor.</font></font></span></li></ol> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">On one occasion when we were in dangerous proximity to the north of New Guinea. Saturday night had brought us to a point some thirty miles off the land, and during the Sunday morning service which was held on deck I could not fail to see that the Captain looked troubled and frequently went over to the side of the ship. When the service was ended I learnt from him the cause a four-knot current was carrying us toward some sunken reefs, and we were already so near that it seemed improbable that we should get through the afternoon in safety. After dinner the long-boat was put out and all hands endeavoured, without success, to turn the ship&#39;s head from the shore. After standing together on the deck for some time in silence, the Captain said to me &quot;Well, we have done everything that can be done. We can only await the result.&quot;</font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">A thought occurred to me, and I replied, &quot;No, there is one thing we have not done yet.&quot;</font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;What is that?&quot; he queried.</font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;Four of us on board are Christians. Let us each retire to his own cabin, and in agreed prayer ask the Lord to give us immediately a breeze. He can as easily send it now as at sunset.&quot;</font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The Captain complied with this proposal. I went and spoke to the other two men, and after prayer with the carpenter we all four retired to wait upon God. I had a good but very brief season in prayer, and then felt so satisfied that our request was granted that I could not continue asking, and very soon went up again on deck. The first officer, a godless man, was in charge. I went over and asked him to let down the corners of the mainsail, which had been drawn up in order to lessen the useless flapping of the sail against the rigging,  What would be the good of that?&quot; he answered roughly.</font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">I told him we had been asking a wind from God ; that it was coming immediately; and we were so near the reef by this time that there was not a minute to lose.</font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">With an oath and a look of contempt, he said he would rather see a <span style=""></span>wind than hear of it, But while he was speaking I watched his eye, following it up to the royal, and there sure enough the corner of the topmost sail was beginning to tremble in the breeze.</font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;Don&#39;t you see the wind is coming? Look at the royal!&quot; I exclaimed.</font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;No, it is only a cat&#39;s paw,&quot; he rejoined (a mere puff of wind).</font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;Cat&#39;s paw or not,&quot; I cried, &quot;pray let down the mainsail and give as the benefit.&quot;</font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">This he was not slow to do. In another minute the heavy tread of the men on deck brought up the Captain from his cabin to see what was the matter. The breeze had indeed come! In a few minutes we were ploughing our way at six or seven knots an hour through the water ...and though the wind was sometimes unsteady we did not altogether lose it until after passing the Pelew Islands.</font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Thus God encouraged me ere landing on China&#39;s shores to bring every variety of need to Him in prayer, and to expect that He would honour the name of the Lord Jesus and give the help each emergency required.</font></font></span></p> <br /> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;" start="11"> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Faith is essential in asking and receiving.<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Our Lord said in Matthew 21:22, &quot;And all things, whatsoever ye shall <span class="yiv938972334criteria">ask</span> in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Some Christians do not get their prayers answered because they really do not believe God can answer or that He will answer their prayers.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">James 1:6, 7 says, &quot;But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Some do not get their prayers answered simply because they do not ask.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>James 4:2 says, &quot;Ye have not, because ye ask not.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Then James says, &quot;Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts&quot; (4:3).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The word translated &quot;lust&quot; in James 4:3 does not have the meaning we usually think of.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>It means, &quot;so that you may consume it on your worldly pleasures.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">That is asking &quot;amiss&quot; (4:3).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Some Christians are not obedient, and that is why they do not get their prayers answered.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>First John 3:22 says, &quot;And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, <u>because we keep his commandments</u>, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">This brings me to my next point.</font></font></span></li></ol> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span style=""><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">II. </font></span></b><b><span><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">WHY SOME PRAYERS ARE UNANSWERED</font></span></b></font><span style=""></span></p> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;" type="1"> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The Bible gives several reasons why certain prayers remain unanswered.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Sometimes we &quot;ask amiss&quot; (James 4:3).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">In the Bible, we never read of people asking God for foolish things.<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The Syro-Phoenician woman had a my daughter who was <span class="yiv938972334criteria">grievously</span> <span class="yiv938972334criteria">vexed</span> with a devil (Matt. 15:22).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The Roman centurion had a servant, who was sick of the palsy and grievously tormented (Matt. 8:6).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The apostle Paul prayed that the Christians in Ephesus would be given the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ (Eph. 1:17).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">In fact, most of Paul&#39;s prayers were like that.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Sometimes we do not expect God to answer our prayers, and therefore He doesn&#39;t answer them.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Sometimes we give up and stop praying right before the prayer was about to be answered.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>This is why our Lord said to &quot;ask, seek, and knock&quot; (Luke 11:1-13).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">R.A. Torrey said, &quot;We find right here why it is that many prayers fail to accomplish that which we seek from God. We pray and pray and pray, and are almost up to the verge of the attainment of that for which we are praying, and right then, when God is just about to answer the prayer, we stop and miss the blessing.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Torrey prayed fifteen years for his brother to get saved.<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>He said, &quot;I prayed fifteen long years for the conversion of my oldest brother. When he seemed to be getting farther and farther away from any hope of conversion, I prayed on. My first winter in Chicago, after fifteen years of praying, never missing a single day, one morning God said to me as I knelt, &#39;I have heard your prayer. You need not pray anymore; your brother is going to be converted.&#39;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;Within two weeks he was in my home, shut in with sickness which made it impossible for him to leave my home for two weeks. Then the day he left he accepted Christ over in the Bible Institute in Mr. Moody s office, where he and I went to talk and pray together.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>I told this incident when holding meetings in a certain city. An elderly woman came at the close of the meeting and said, &#39;I have been praying for the conversion of my brother, who is sixty-three years old, for many years; but a short time ago I gave up and stopped praying.&#39; She added, &#39;I am going to begin my prayers again.&#39; Within two weeks of that time she came and said, &#39;I have heard from my brother, and he has accepted Christ.&#39;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;Oh, men and women, pray through; pray through; pray through! Do not just begin to pray and pray a little while and throw up your hands and quit; but pray and pray and pray until God bends the heavens and comes down!&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">First Thessalonians 5:17 says we are to &quot;pray without ceasing.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Romans 12:12 says, &quot;continuing instant <span class="yiv938972334criteria">in</span> <span class="yiv938972334criteria">prayer</span>.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Our Lord commended the Syro-Phoenician woman because she kept asking till her prayer was answered (Matthew 15:28).<span style="">&nbsp; </span>She would not be discouraged.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Our Lord spoke of the persistent widow woman in Luke 18.<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>He said in Luke 18:6 and 7, &quot;Hear what the unjust judge saith.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Sometimes prayers go unanswered because of unconfessed sin.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Psalm 66:18 says, &quot;If I <span class="yiv938972334criteria">regard</span> <span class="yiv938972334criteria">iniquity</span> in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">But then the Psalmist goes on to say, &quot;But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me&quot; (66:19, 20).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Isaiah 59:1, 2 says, &quot;Behold, the LORD&#39;s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Some prayers remain unanswered because of marital problems.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>First Peter 3:7 says, &quot;Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; <u>that your prayers be not hindered</u>.&quot;</font></font></span></li></ol> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span style=""><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">III. </font></span></b><b><span><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">HOW PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED</font></span></b></font></p> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;" type="1"> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">We are to seek the will of God (cf. Romans 8:26, 27).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">If we are praying according to God&#39;s will, we can have confidence our prayers will be answered (cf. I John 5:14, 15).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Here is how George Müller learned how to pray according to the will of God:</font></font></span></li></ol> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv938972334MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;" color="#222222">I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are over come when our hearts are ready to do the Lord&#39;s will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.</font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv938972334MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;" color="#222222">Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions. </font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv938972334MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;" color="#222222">I seek the Will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them. </font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv938972334MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;" color="#222222">Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God&#39;s Will in connection with His Word and Spirit. </font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv938972334MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;" color="#222222">I ask God in prayer to reveal His Will to me aright. </font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="yiv938972334MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;" color="#222222">Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective. </font></font></span></p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span>&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="4"><b><u> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">CONCLUSION</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">:</span></b></font></font></p> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;" type="1"> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">God answers our prayers in unusual ways. I heard a fascinating story about a boy who hated to be late for school. But his parents were always late for everything, and so one day he was late because of them.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">His teacher at the school said,  Be sure always to be on time. &nbsp; So the little boy always sought to be on time when he went to school.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>But this day, though it wasn&#39;t his fault, he was running late.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">And, when he walked out his door to go to school, the clock struck the time that he was to be there.&nbsp; Since he had a long walk from his house to the school, the little fellow bowed his head and prayed aloud,  O Lord, O Lord, don t let me be late for school! </font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">There happened to be a man nearby who overheard the boy s prayer.&nbsp; The man thought,  This is unthinkable.&nbsp; It has already struck time for the boy to be there, yet he prays,  O God, don t let me be late for school.  &nbsp; Yet out of curiosity, this man who heard that earnest prayer, followed behind the boy just to see what would happen.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Meanwhile over at the school, the school principal had put his key in the lock, and somehow he had turned it the wrong way.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>The key broke inside the lock, and he jammed the lock.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">He couldn t get the door open, and so he called for a locksmith.&nbsp; And by the time the locksmith had finished repairing the lock, and opened the door, and the principal and teachers, and all the students walked in, in walked in that happy little boy, just on time!</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">He knew God heard his prayer and answered his prayer.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">A skeptic would say it was a coincidence. I say God answers prayer, and often in unusual ways.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"> And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you&quot; (Luke 11:9).</font></font></span></li></ol></div> </font> <br> <p><font size="4"><B>Pastor James J. Barker</font></B> </FONT><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp; <A HREF="mailto:jbarker4@optonline.net"> &#151; Send Email &#151; </A><BR><BR> </blockquote> <hr size=3 color=335577> </td> </tr> </table> <!--Jun Gapuz--> </body> </html>