1003 Prayer 03

Prayer and Faith

We saw in our previous lesson that there are many kinds of prayer we lift
up to the Lord. Although each prayer we lift up to God is unique in its
purpose and function, every type of prayer has one requirement in
common. All prayers require faith. We need faith that the answer will come,
and more importantly, we need faith in the One we are praying to.

(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he
who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those
who diligently seek Him."

This Scripture in Hebrews tells us that we must believe that

1. God “is.”
If you are a Christian, you believe that God exists. You believe that Jesus
Christ died for your sins and was resurrected. You believe in all of God’s
divine attributes, among which are that He is all-knowing, all-powerful, ever
present, and loves us unconditionally. We have seen in the prayers of the
Apostle Paul that he clearly stated and incorporated his beliefs in who God
is in his prayers. Paul declares in his prayer in 1 Timothy 1:17 (NKJV) that
God is “the King eternal, immortal, invisible who alone is wise.” In 2
Corinthians 1:3) He is “the source of every mercy and the God who
comforts us” (NLT). In Romans 15:13 Paul declares He is “the God of
hope” (NKJV); and in 1Thess 5:23 He is the “God of peace” (NKJV);
Romans 15:5- “He is the God who gives “patience and comfort” (NKJV)
(NLT, NIV use the words endurance and encouragement).

Paul extols the character of God in his prayers. He followed the pattern that
Jesus established when He responded to the disciples request “Lord teach
us to pray.” You studied it in detail when you read “Focused on the Father.”

(Luke 11:1-2 NKJV) "Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place,
when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray,
as John also taught his disciples." {2} So He said to them, "When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. …”

1
Teaching Ministry of Pastor Nancy Abramson. All rights reserved 2011.
The beginning of Jesus’ teaching about prayer … was about modeling our
prayers to be heartfelt gestures of adoration to our Heavenly Father.
We begin our prayers by expressing our confidence that He is who He says
He is. This builds our faith and encourages us. If you want to bring increase
to your prayer life, bring increase to your faith life. As you pray, declare
your faith in Who He is.

The second part of the Scripture in Hebrews tells us that

2. He is “a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” A rewarder not just

God not only is Who He says He is, but God can do what He says He can
do.

(Ephesians 3:20 NKJV) "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly

Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified Bible) “Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the
[action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose
and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think
[infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or
dreams]--“

God can do way over, far above and exceedingly beyond what we could
ever think to pray for.

When you pray you must have faith that God wants to answer your prayer.
He wants to bless you. He is the One who rewards us.

Our part according Hebrews is to seek Him “diligently." Diligence is not

n.1. constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken.

Turn to Luke 11:5. These are the verses immediately following the Lord’s
Prayer in Luke. Jesus is assuring us that when we pray God, our Father, is
willing and able to answer us.

2
Teaching Ministry of Pastor Nancy Abramson. All rights reserved 2011.
(Luke 11:5-13 NKJV) "And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to
him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; {6} 'for a friend of mine
has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; {7} "and he will
answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children
are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'? {8} "I say to you, though he will not
rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise
and give him as many as he needs. {9} "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. {10} "For everyone who asks
receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. {11} "If a
son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks
for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? {12} "Or if he asks for an egg, will
he offer him a scorpion? {13} "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to
your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those
who ask Him!""

We see a similar parable in Luke Chapter 18.

(Luke 18:1-8 NKJV) "Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought
to pray and not lose heart, {2} saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who
did not fear God nor regard man. {3} "Now there was a widow in that city; and
she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' {4} "And he
would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear
God nor regard man, {5} 'yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her,
lest by her continual coming she weary me.'" {6} Then the Lord said, "Hear what
the unjust judge said. {7} "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out
day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? {8} "I tell you that He will
avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really
find faith on the earth?""

These parables remind us that God is faithful. He is not like the friend who
doesn’t want to get out of bed, or the unjust judge who had no regard for
God or man. The judge did not care about anyone, yet he still granted the
woman her request. How much more can we be assured of an answer from
our God, our Abba Father, who loves us, who sent His son to die for us,
and who is preparing a marriage supper for us. How confident are we that
He will hear our prayers and respond to us? How patient are we to wait for
the response?

There is a very serious question posed at the end of this second parable.
Jesus asks, but when He comes with the ultimate answer, will we still be
standing strong in faith? Regardless of how long it takes, will we stand?

3
Teaching Ministry of Pastor Nancy Abramson. All rights reserved 2011.
Prayer is based on faith - standing in faith in “who” God is, standing in faith
in His willingness to answer and standing in faith in His ability to answer.
Otherwise why pray?

Ultimately, the outcome of your prayers is not the final issue. Your
unwavering faith in God is the final issue.

Let’s look at Job.

(Job 13:15 NKJV) "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him…?"

(Job 37:23-24 NKJV) "As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in
power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress. {24} Therefore
men fear Him; He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart.""

Here is Job’s “aha” moment. The moment when he finally understands

Turn to Mark 11. Most of us are familiar with this Scripture about prayer.
Notice, Jesus begins His instruction on prayer with a faith statement.

(Mark 11:22-24 NKJV) "So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.
{23} "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed
and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those
things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. {24} "Therefore I say
to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them,
and you will have them."

Have faith in God.

Prayer is the way we express and exercise our faith. Prayer goes far
beyond receiving the answers, it goes deep to the heart of what we
believe and Who we believe in. When we diligently seek God in prayer,
we must do it in faith, believing Who He is.

(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who
comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him."

Read David Wilkerson blog. http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/13112

4
Teaching Ministry of Pastor Nancy Abramson. All rights reserved 2011.
I would like to read something to you from David Wilkerson. He was the founder of
Times Square Church in New York City, author of the classic Christian book “The Cross
and the Switchblade,” and founder of Teen Challenge, posted this blog on April 27,
2011, the day he was killed in an automobile accident and went to be with the Lord.

WHEN ALL MEANS FAIL

To believe when all means fail is exceedingly pleasing to God and is most acceptable. Jesus said
to Thomas, “You have believed because you have seen, but blessed are those that do believe and
have not seen” (John 20:29).

Blessed are those who believe when there is no evidence of an answer to prayer—who trust
beyond hope when all means have failed.

Someone has come to the place of hopelessness—the end of hope—the end of all means. A
loved one is facing death and doctors give no hope. Death seems inevitable. Hope is gone. The
miracle prayed for is not happening.

That is when Satan’s hordes come to attack your mind with fear, anger, overwhelming questions:
“Where is your God now? You prayed until you had no tears left. You fasted. You stood on
promises. You trusted.”

Blasphemous thoughts will be injected into your mind: “Prayer failed. Faith failed. Don’t quit on
God—just do not trust him anymore. It doesn’t pay!”

Even questioning God’s existence will be injected into your mind. These have been the devices
of Satan for centuries. Some of the godliest men and women who ever lived were under such
demonic attacks.

To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping will last
through some dark, awful nights—and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, “I
am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it
was all part of my plan. It was no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let me
embrace you in your hour of pain.”

Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail—his love
prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word. There is no other hope in this world.

To close this lesson I would like to pray a prayer for you. It is Paul’s prayer for the
Thessalonians. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV) "May God himself, the God of peace,
sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. {24} The one who calls you is faithful
and he will do it."

5
Teaching Ministry of Pastor Nancy Abramson. All rights reserved 2011.