Prayer That is Acceptable to God
Introduction.
As Christians
there is something that we do often. Already today, as we have assembled
together we have done it several times this morning and already a number of
times tonight. We have prayed to God. It is something we are to do “without
ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). It is important, however, that we make certain that
when we do this important act of worship to God we do it in a manner that is
acceptable to God. Tonight let’s consider seven things about acceptable prayer
to God.
I. We Must Ask.
A.
Prayer
involves more than requests, but asking of God is an important element of
prayer.
B.
“Ask and it
will be given” (Matt. 7:7-11).
C.
“You do not
have because you do not ask” (James 4:1-3).
II. We Must Be
Righteous.
A.
“The eyes of
the Lord are on the righteous” (1 Pet. 3:10-12).
B.
The prayers
of the wicked are an abomination (Prov. 28:9).
C.
Sin causes
God not to hear prayers (Isa. 59:1-2).
III.
We
Must Ask What is According to God’s Will.
A.
“Anything
according to His will” (1 John 5:14-15).
B.
We know His
revealed will by His word (Eph. 5:17).
C.
Not all
requests are God’s will (James 4:13-15).
IV. We Must Ask in
Faith.
A.
“Ask in
faith, with no doubting” (James 1:5-7).
B.
Faith doesn’t
mean we get every request (1 John 5:14-15).
C.
Faith trusts
God even when the answer is no (Heb. 11:6).
V.
We
Must Ask with a Forgiving Heart.
A.
We are
forgiven as we forgive (Matt. 6:9-15).
B.
Worship is
not acceptable with unreconciled wrongs (Matt. 5:23-24).
VI.
We
Must Ask with a Thankful Heart.
A.
Any request
must be offered with gratitude for past blessings (Phil. 4:6-7).
B.
“In
everything, give thanks” (1 Thess. 5:17-18).
VII.
We
Must Ask in the Name of Christ.
A.
Jesus taught
to ask in His name (John 14:13-14).
B.
All we do
should be under the authority of Christ (Col. 3:17).