The Promise of Answered Prayer

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Text
Matthew 7:7–11 ESV
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Introduction
Does God answer prayer?
If so, how does God answer prayer?
I heard a pastor once say, God responds to your prayer with “Yes,” or “No,” or “Not now.”
Transition
Point 1

If I am going to receive an answer, I need to ask.

This is not an absolute rule (Abram and a son, Moses and the burning bush)
With Persistence.
With Godly motives.
James 4:2–4 ESV
2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
With faith.
Matthew 9:20–22 ESV
20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
Point 2

If I am going to receive an answer, I need to listen.

Listen
Listen the God’s Word.
Listen to the conviction of the Holy Spirit
Listen to the still small voice of God. (Elijah is discouraged)
1 Kings 19:11–13 ESV
11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Develop a listening habit.
Stop and be quiet.
Psalm 46:10 ESV
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Worship and Praise.
Ask what should be asked.
Examine the heart (sin, fear, stress)
Point 3

If I am going to receive an answer, I need to respond.

Obey
Give thanks
Be content
Be generous
Philippians 4:11–13 ESV
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:19 ESV
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Conclusion/Application
Altar Call