PRAYER THAT PRODUCES RESULTS
By Pastor Patrick Hammond
By Pastor Patrick Hammond
TEXT: James 5:16; I John 5:14:15
INTRODUCTION
You don’t have to be a spiritual giant for God to answer your prayers. However, God does expect us to enter His presence with a keen sense of our need for His involvement in our lives.
James’ letter deals with everyday life: things like our speech, business ventures, relationships between employers and employees, respect of persons, and disagreements between Christian brothers.
Prayer is not a set of magical words, nor is just saying the name of Jesus the key to getting results.
Genuine prayer is simply talking to the Lord about different things.
Getting results is part of having confidence in the relationship you have with God.
In other words, the Bible is not a book of words that you can say and expect things to happen if you’re not connected to the source.
How can we pray in such a way that it will produce results?
1. PRAY ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL
“For this is the will of God, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:40 (NKJ)
Prayer that’s prayed in line with God’s purpose and plan cannot be denied.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2 (NKJ)
Conformed: systemize - an outward change
Transformed: metamorphoo - an inward change
Jesus said, "Nevertheless" Luke 22:42.
In other words whatever God deems best for me.
2. PRAYING WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE
"Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:22 (NKJ)
Our conscience serves as a judging tool.
“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck.” 1 Timothy 1:19 (NKJ)
Prayer is warfare because the devil doesn’t want you to have what you’re asking for.
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal.
“This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” Acts 24:16 (NKJ)
Nothing hinders your prayer faster than unforgiveness.
Mark 11:25; Matthew 5:23-24
3. PRAYING WITH THE RIGHT MOTIVES
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:3 (NKJ)
Selfish motives will not be blessed by God.
A selfish prayer doesn't bring Glory to God.
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” Matthew 6:5 (NKJ)
God answers prayers that are prayed in humility. Luke 18:9-14
4. PRAYING WHILE REMAINING IN THE WORD
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7 (NKJ)
This also means praying the Word of God over your situation.
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11
Being able to pray the Word or remain in the Word means that Word needs to be in your heart.
“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJ)
Meditating on the Word of God embeds the Word deep into your heart.
Repetition is the key.
5. PRAYING WHILE TRUSTING IN GOD’S TIMING
"For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, Nor [are] your ways My ways," says the LORD. Isaiah 55:8 (NKJ)
God knows far better what we need than we do.
CONCLUSION
Prayer is the foundation we build upon in our relationship with God. The more we pray, the closer we find ourselves and see ourselves walking in His will.