Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It
Is To Men As They Are
"Preach The Word"
"What Happens When You Pray?"
John 11:41-44
"Then they took away the stone from the place where the
dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father,
I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou
hearest me always: but because of the people which stand
by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice,
Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth,
bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was
bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose
him and let him go."
I. How SHOULD WE PRAY?
1. We should pray in Jesus' Name.
John 14:14 — "If ye shall ask anything in my name,
I will do it."
Prayer isn't real unless it is offered in Jesus' Name.
He said, "No man cometh unto the Father but by me."
A prayer that leaves Jesus' Name out dishonors
Christ and displeases God.
2. We should pray in a forgiving spirit.
Mark 11:25 — "And when ye stand praying, forgive,
if ye have ought against any: that your Father
also which is in heaven may forgive you your
trespasses."
3. We should avoid vain repetitions.
Matthew 6:7 — "But when ye pray, use not vain
repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that
they shall be heard for their much speaking."
4. We should pray with insistence.
Luke 11:8 — "I say unto you, though he will not
rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet
because of his importunity he will rise and give
him as many as he needeth."
5. We should pray according to the will of God.
Luke 22:42 — "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, re-
move this cup from me: nevertheless not my will,
but thine be done."
6. We should pray in faith—believing.
Matthew 21:22 — "And all things, whatsoever ye
shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
II. WHEN SHOULD WE PRAY?
I Thessalonians 5:17 — "Pray without ceasing."
Luke 18:1 — "And he spake a parable unto them to this
end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
1. We should pray when everything is going alright.
This is a dangerous time for a Christian—he is
likely to forget God.
2. We should pray when sorrow and trouble come.
3. We should pray when we don't feel like praying.
III. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PRAY?
1. You get a better understanding of God, the Bible,
and life.
2. You are strengthened for service.
3. Your faith is increased.
4. You become a more cheerful Christian.
5. Prayer brings conviction to sinners.
6. Prayer changes people.
Keep on praying. Keep on asking, seeking, knocking.
God is in the prayer-answering business.
A Sermon by Dr. Herschel Ford
Site created by Tom Walker