When God Answers Prayer

February 26, 2023 Download: Audio

James 4:1-8

So far in our series you’ve hopefully remembered some practical things that have encouraged your prayer life. We’ve seen that prayer works, plain and simple. God answers prayer. We’ve reflected on the fact that time with God is its own reward. He invites us to enjoy Him and take time to pray alone, free of distraction, so that we can focus on Him and His wonder and glory. We’ve also noted how God invites us to come to him as a child comes to a parent, without pretense, without fear, and with great expectations. And last week we saw that in prayer we find our glory, which is why we are not to boast (which is to seek glory) from transient things. We have so many reasons to spend time in prayer. So, how are you doing with it?

If you still find it difficult, let’s press on and address some of the things that make it difficult. There is that nagging reality that some prayers just don’t seem to be answered. James has something to say about that as we will see and it has the potential not only to change your prayer life but turn your whole life upside down. The other thing that make it hard are practical and we will wrap up with those. So, let’s jump into James as he writes in verse 2 and 3,

James 4:2–3 (ESV)

…You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

I want to start here and see what we can learn.