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INTRODUCTION:
Is everyone's prayer heard and answered by
God? Does God respond with "No" or "Wait?" Are there
any requirements necessary BEFORE a person can expect to receive what he
has prayed for? If there were, surely the Bible would tell us about them.
Let's see if it does.
I. HAVE FAITH
- James 1:6-7. How does "doubt"
affect receiving answers to prayer?
- James 5:14-15. Is there ever a time when
a prayer of "faith" for an affliction might not result in a
healing? (See II Cor. 12:7-10)
- Matt. 21:18-22. Should we understand
that a prayer of faith can move LITERAL mountains? If not, then what
is meant here?
II. BE STABLE
- James 1:7-8. How would you say that
being "double-minded" and "unstable" could affect
receiving answers.
III. LIVE RIGHT
- James 5:16-18. How does being
"righteous" (like Elijah) have any bearing on receiving
answers to prayer?
- I John 3:21-22. To what extent must a
person "obey" and "please" God in order to receive
what he asks for? Does that mean a person has to be
"perfect"?
- John 9:30-31. Do you think this former
blind man was right about God not hearing a sinner's prayer? What
about Cornelius? (Acts 10:4, 30-31)
IV. BE EARNEST AND PERSISTENT
- James 5:16-18. Why would God honor an
EARNEST (or fervent) prayer and not a half- hearted one?
V. ABIDE IN THE WORD
- John 15:5-7. If a person refused to
"abide" (continue to believe and obey) Jesus' words, why
should this hinder his prayer life?
VI. BEAR FRUIT
- John 15:16. What do you think he meant
by "bearing fruit"? Why would Jesus tell his disciples that
bearing fruit had anything to do with receiving what they asked for?
VII. PRAY IN GOD'S WILL
- I John 5:14. Could this verse explain
why a prayer of "faith" sometimes might not be answered?
- James 4:3-4. Could this verse explain
why a prayer of "faith" sometimes might not be answered?
VIII. PRAY IN JESUS' NAME
- John 14:13. What is the significance of
praying "in Jesus name?" Must these exact words be used at
the end of a prayer?
Other discussion questions
- Should a person give God a
"deadline" for receiving an answer to a prayer?
- What do you do when no answer comes?
- What is your biggest obstacle to
praying?
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