January 8 2012 How To Live Effectively Through Prayer
/How To Live Effectively Through Prayer
Nehemiah 1:4-11
Ezekiel 22:30 - I (God) looked in vain for anyone who would build again the wall of righteousness that guards the land, who could stand in the gap…but I found not one.
The effectiveness of my public life is determined by my private life.
Three Key Questions:
I. When should I pray?
Answer: before I do anything else. (verse 4)
An effective person does more than pray, but he doesn’t do anything else until he prays.
He prays:
• Effective people make prayer a first priority.
• Ineffective people make prayer a last resort.
When Nehemiah used prayer:
1:4-11
6:9
2:4
13:29
4:4,5
5:19
4:9
13:14,22,31
II. Why should I pray?
1. It shows I’m depending on God.
John 15:1-8
Matt. 5:3
2. It lightens my load.
Isaiah 40:31 - They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they Shall walk and not faint.
Effective people find their strength on their knees.
3. It releases God’s power.
Jer. 33:3 - (God says) Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you know not.
III. How should I pray?
Example of effective praying - verses 5-11.
Key question to ask myself:
How we should pray.
Four Secrets To Answered Prayer
1. Base your request on God’s character.
What Nehemiah said about God (verses 5-6)
* You’re a faithful God
* You’re a great God
* You are a God of love
2. Confess the sins of Israel and himself. (vs. 6b-7)
Effective people accept the blame. Losers pass the buck.
3. Claim the promises of God.
(vs. 6b-8) Nehemiah reminded God.
Prayer transforms God’s promises into performance!
The strength of my prayer life is determined by how well I know the promises of God.
4. Be very specific in what you ask. (vs. 10)
If I can’t ask God to bless what I’m doing, then I’d Better start.
Summary: The Type of Prayer God Answers:
* A prayer of conviction. (of who God is)
* A prayer of confession. (of what I am)
* A prayer of confidence. (in what God has promised)
* A prayer of commitment. (I’m willing to be a part of the answer)
