(John 16:23,24 NLT) At that time you won’t need to ask Me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use My name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life.” Many Christians today are experiencing powerlessness, lack of direction, little victory over sin, poor spiritual progress, a weak witness, unfruitful ministry, poverty, and other similar problems. Is there any connection between underdeveloped, defeated, or directionless lives and confusion over prayer? Dr. Myles Munroe believes a strong connection exists. I agree with him. So how do we start down the road to a fulfilling prayer life? Here are two quick answers:
1. We must be convinced that God is a Prayer-Answering God.
- Prayer was God‘s idea. Prayer is something God instituted! Prayer is not optional in God’s system. Our heavenly Father expects us to pray, because prayers that agree with His kingdom plans and purposes for the earth, release earthly license for heavenly interference.
- We must be convinced of this fact. If you question whether or not prayer is viable, valuable, or necessary, you will not pray; or if you do, your prayer won’t be faith-filled.
- We must deal with our doubts. We will learn later in this series how doubt hinders our prayers.
- If you have been questioning the usefulness of prayer, you must settle this issue in your heart. You have to get to the point where you are fully persuaded that God requires and responds to prayer.
2. We must pray (actually do it) IN FAITH.
- We can learn about prayer, but studying it and doing it are two different things.
- I know more than I do and I am often convicted of this reality. Knowing something does you no good if you are not applying what you know in your life.
- As we go through this series, take time every day to pray. The more you learn about prayer, and the more you actually practice it, the more comfortable you will get in your prayer life and the more you will actually DO it.
- You can read all the books in the library about running, but if you want to be a better runner you have to hit the road and actually run. It’s the same way with prayer. Reading about it is great, but practicing it is better!
In John chapter 16, as Jesus was preparing His disciples for His impending departure and He wanted them to shift their focus and dependency from Him to the Father. The disciples had relied on Jesus for over three years and Jesus wanted them to rely on the one He was relying on; the Father Himself. Speaking of the time when He would be gone Jesus said, “At that time you won’t need to ask Me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use My name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy” (verses 23 and 24).
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. We are supposed to pray to the Father.
2. When we approach the Father in prayer, it must be in the name of His Son.
3. When we pray and receive it ignites our joy.
I will elaborate on these points tomorrow.
Closing Confession: Father, I am convinced that You are a prayer-answering God. You instituted prayer and I will abide by the system You established. You expect me to pray and in some cases, you even require me to pray. I will no longer hinder You from operating in my life because of a lack of prayer. I will agree with Your Kingdom purposes daily in prayer. I will come to You, in the name of Your Son Jesus, in faith, not wavering, without a doubt in my mind, completely confident, and free of all malice, unforgiveness, bitterness, and strife in my heart. When I come to You this way I always get results. I practice prayer daily and the more I do it the more comfortable I get with it. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
