Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Effective Pray-ers

May 6, 2025 | S25:E215

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Effective Pray-ers | May 6, 2025

...
00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.346
♪♪♪
00:00:01.814 --> 00:00:03.482
Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
00:00:07.686 --> 00:00:10.055
Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
00:00:10.055 --> 00:00:12.758
With dr. robert jeffress.
00:00:12.758 --> 00:00:14.326
Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress and welcome
00:00:15.761 --> 00:00:17.463
Again to "pathway to victory."
00:00:17.463 --> 00:00:19.798
It's safe to say that every christian has experienced the
00:00:19.798 --> 00:00:23.402
Disappointment of having their prayers go unanswered, but some
00:00:23.402 --> 00:00:27.606
People become so discouraged they give up on
00:00:27.606 --> 00:00:30.342
Praying altogether.
00:00:30.342 --> 00:00:32.144
Well even though god doesn't always grant our requests, he
00:00:32.144 --> 00:00:36.281
Always hears us.
00:00:36.281 --> 00:00:37.983
And today i want to show you how to pray for your needs and how
00:00:37.983 --> 00:00:41.386
To respond when god says no.
00:00:41.386 --> 00:00:44.590
My message is titled "effective pray-ers" on today's edition of
00:00:44.590 --> 00:00:49.728
"pathway to victory."
00:00:49.728 --> 00:00:51.063
♪♪♪
00:00:51.063 --> 00:00:58.504
Male announcer: god never intended for the holy spirit to
00:00:58.570 --> 00:01:00.973
Be a mystery to believers.
00:01:00.973 --> 00:01:03.175
In fact, if you're a follower of jesus, then god's spirit is
00:01:03.175 --> 00:01:06.845
Dwelling inside of you, and he's waiting to unleash his
00:01:06.845 --> 00:01:10.115
Supernatural power in your life.
00:01:10.115 --> 00:01:12.484
In his bestselling book "i want more," dr. robert jeffress
00:01:12.484 --> 00:01:15.921
Teaches what it means to be filled with the power of the
00:01:15.921 --> 00:01:18.757
Holy spirit.
00:01:18.757 --> 00:01:20.292
Looking to satisfy your spiritual cravings?
00:01:20.292 --> 00:01:22.928
Request the book "i want more" when you give a generous gift to
00:01:22.928 --> 00:01:26.198
"pathway to victory."
00:01:26.198 --> 00:01:29.334
Jeffress: ben patterson says, "one of the greatest evidences
00:01:33.572 --> 00:01:36.909
That we human beings act contrary to our self-interests
00:01:36.909 --> 00:01:41.780
Is the fact that we spend so little time talking to the
00:01:41.780 --> 00:01:46.185
Person who made us and loves us the most."
00:01:46.185 --> 00:01:50.355
You know, prayer is a missing ingredient in many of our lives,
00:01:50.355 --> 00:01:55.360
And it's that lack of prayer that robs us not only of
00:01:55.360 --> 00:01:59.231
Intimacy with god, a lack of prayer robs us of experiencing
00:01:59.231 --> 00:02:04.136
God's power in our life.
00:02:04.136 --> 00:02:06.538
Matthew chapter 6, as you know, is what many times we call the
00:02:06.538 --> 00:02:10.409
Lord's prayer, but this prayer was not given as a mantra to be
00:02:10.409 --> 00:02:14.880
Repeated, but as a model to be followed.
00:02:14.880 --> 00:02:18.116
Nowhere is this prayer ever repeated anyplace else.
00:02:18.116 --> 00:02:20.919
The early church never repeated it because you don't repeat a
00:02:20.919 --> 00:02:25.724
Model, okay?
00:02:25.724 --> 00:02:27.092
It is an outline.
00:02:27.092 --> 00:02:28.460
And it's not an outline of everything you should pray for,
00:02:28.460 --> 00:02:31.263
But it gives us some ideas of at least five things that should be
00:02:31.263 --> 00:02:34.266
Components of our prayer.
00:02:34.266 --> 00:02:35.667
First of all, jesus taught us when we pray, we ought to begin
00:02:35.667 --> 00:02:38.770
By praising god's name.
00:02:38.770 --> 00:02:41.106
The praise of god's name, "our father who is in heaven, holy,
00:02:41.106 --> 00:02:45.510
Is your name."
00:02:45.510 --> 00:02:48.180
God, thank you for being holy, different, separate, a cut above
00:02:48.180 --> 00:02:52.684
Those of us here on earth.
00:02:52.684 --> 00:02:54.553
And then secondly, we pray a prayer, a priority of
00:02:54.553 --> 00:02:58.724
God's purpose.
00:02:58.724 --> 00:03:00.058
You know, one of the greatest struggles we have when we kneel
00:03:00.058 --> 00:03:02.628
Down before god is, "god, do i want my will done or do i want
00:03:02.628 --> 00:03:07.466
Your will to be done?"
00:03:07.466 --> 00:03:09.268
And jesus said, "always put god's will first."
00:03:09.268 --> 00:03:12.671
"your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, in my life, as
00:03:12.671 --> 00:03:17.943
It's being done in heaven."
00:03:17.943 --> 00:03:20.012
Now let's look thirdly at a third component of our prayers.
00:03:20.012 --> 00:03:23.282
Jesus said we ought to pray for the provision for our needs.
00:03:23.282 --> 00:03:26.485
Yes, we want to remember to praise god for who he is.
00:03:26.485 --> 00:03:29.254
We want to remember to make god's will a priority, but you
00:03:29.254 --> 00:03:32.157
Know what?
00:03:32.157 --> 00:03:33.525
It's also okay to pray for things that we need and want.
00:03:33.525 --> 00:03:36.295
And at the top of the list ought to be the very practical needs
00:03:36.295 --> 00:03:39.231
We have.
00:03:39.231 --> 00:03:40.565
He says in verse 11, we can pray, "give us this day our
00:03:40.565 --> 00:03:43.669
Daily bread."
00:03:43.669 --> 00:03:45.737
Now when jesus talks about praying for our daily bread, he
00:03:45.737 --> 00:03:48.307
Doesn't have in mind here a loaf of mrs. baird's, okay?
00:03:48.307 --> 00:03:52.477
What he's talking about here is bread is a reference to all your
00:03:52.477 --> 00:03:56.081
Physical needs.
00:03:56.081 --> 00:03:57.416
It's food, it's water, it's clothing, it's shelter.
00:03:57.416 --> 00:04:01.286
All of these things are related to our physical needs and
00:04:01.286 --> 00:04:05.390
Somebody has pointed out, jesus did not teach us to pray, "lord,
00:04:05.390 --> 00:04:08.860
Give us our daily steak and lobster," okay?
00:04:08.860 --> 00:04:12.831
God never promised to meet your greeds, but he did promise to
00:04:12.831 --> 00:04:17.002
Satisfy your needs.
00:04:17.002 --> 00:04:19.371
Paul said, "my god shall supply all of your," what?
00:04:19.371 --> 00:04:22.941
"all of your needs," not all of your greeds, "according to his
00:04:22.941 --> 00:04:26.511
Riches in christ jesus."
00:04:26.511 --> 00:04:28.880
And then fourth, he said we ought to pray for a pardon for
00:04:28.880 --> 00:04:31.950
Our sins.
00:04:31.950 --> 00:04:33.285
He says in verse 12, "and forgive us our debts," that's a
00:04:33.285 --> 00:04:36.788
Reference to sins, "as we have forgiven our debtors."
00:04:36.788 --> 00:04:42.728
Now you might wonder, "wait a minute, if i'm a christian
00:04:42.728 --> 00:04:45.664
Already, why should i ask god to forgive me of my sins?
00:04:45.664 --> 00:04:49.668
Hasn't he already done that?"
00:04:49.668 --> 00:04:51.703
Well yes, he has.
00:04:51.703 --> 00:04:53.405
God has forgiven you of all of your sins.
00:04:53.405 --> 00:04:55.907
You are judicially forgiven.
00:04:55.907 --> 00:04:58.310
But even though we have god's judicial forgiveness, we still
00:04:58.310 --> 00:05:01.947
Need his parental forgiveness on a day to day basis.
00:05:01.947 --> 00:05:06.685
Those of you who are parents understand what parental
00:05:06.685 --> 00:05:09.154
Forgiveness is.
00:05:09.154 --> 00:05:10.856
Have you ever had a child who disobeyed you or disrespected
00:05:10.856 --> 00:05:15.360
You in some way or just was disinterested in a relationship
00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:18.830
With you?
00:05:18.830 --> 00:05:20.365
You don't kick them out of your family for those kind of sins,
00:05:20.365 --> 00:05:24.970
But there is a barrier that occurs in your relationship with
00:05:24.970 --> 00:05:28.073
Your child, a barrier that can only be removed when they
00:05:28.073 --> 00:05:31.810
Recognize their disobedience and turn away from it.
00:05:31.810 --> 00:05:36.081
And so it is in our relationship with god.
00:05:36.081 --> 00:05:38.417
The fact is, we sin daily and that's why we need to restore
00:05:38.417 --> 00:05:42.454
That parental relationship with god.
00:05:42.454 --> 00:05:45.590
The bible says we need to pray for god's forgiveness.
00:05:45.590 --> 00:05:48.660
1 john 1:9 says, "if we will confess our sins, he is faithful
00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:54.433
And just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from
00:05:54.433 --> 00:05:58.770
All unrighteousness."
00:05:58.770 --> 00:06:00.639
Did you know 1 john was not written to non-christians, it
00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:03.642
Was written to christians.
00:06:03.642 --> 00:06:05.177
That's john's word to christians, "christians, if you
00:06:05.177 --> 00:06:08.814
Will confess your sins, god will forgive you."
00:06:08.814 --> 00:06:13.518
Now hear me on this.
00:06:13.518 --> 00:06:14.953
That word confess means to acknowledge your sin, but it
00:06:14.953 --> 00:06:18.690
Does not refer to a cool, emotionally
00:06:18.690 --> 00:06:21.793
Detached acknowledgment.
00:06:21.793 --> 00:06:24.563
Inherent in true confession is a sorrow, a brokenness for
00:06:24.563 --> 00:06:30.202
Your sin.
00:06:30.202 --> 00:06:32.003
Psalm 51:17 said, "the sacrifices to god are a broken
00:06:32.003 --> 00:06:37.209
Spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, the lord will
00:06:37.209 --> 00:06:43.415
Not despise."
00:06:43.415 --> 00:06:45.884
The bible says that only when we are broken of our sin is that
00:06:45.884 --> 00:06:49.921
True confession.
00:06:49.921 --> 00:06:51.690
And with that brokenness also comes a willingness to turn away
00:06:51.690 --> 00:06:56.561
From that sin.
00:06:56.561 --> 00:06:58.163
We shouldn't expect god to take any confession of sin seriously
00:06:58.163 --> 00:07:03.835
That does not include a heartfelt decision to turn away
00:07:03.835 --> 00:07:07.072
From that sin.
00:07:07.072 --> 00:07:08.840
True confession means sorry enough to stop doing it.
00:07:08.840 --> 00:07:13.812
And that's what paul said--that jesus said is necessary in
00:07:13.812 --> 00:07:17.182
Our prayer.
00:07:17.182 --> 00:07:18.517
We pray, "forgive us, lord, of our sin as we forgive those who
00:07:18.517 --> 00:07:22.287
Have sinned against us."
00:07:22.287 --> 00:07:24.122
And notice that inseparable link between our receiving god's
00:07:24.122 --> 00:07:28.460
Forgiveness and our willingness to forgive other people.
00:07:28.460 --> 00:07:32.497
Jesus said, "before you can receive god's forgiveness, you
00:07:32.497 --> 00:07:36.468
Have to be willing to forgive those who've sinned
00:07:36.468 --> 00:07:38.370
Against you."
00:07:38.370 --> 00:07:39.938
After all, isn't that the prayer?
00:07:39.938 --> 00:07:42.040
"lord, forgive us of our sins, just as we have forgiven those
00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:48.513
Who have sinned against us."
00:07:48.513 --> 00:07:51.149
Make no mistake about it.
00:07:51.149 --> 00:07:53.051
The bible is very clear, if you will not forgive other people,
00:07:53.051 --> 00:07:59.090
God will not forgive you.
00:07:59.090 --> 00:08:03.528
Jesus said it very clearly in matthew 6:14 and 15, "for if you
00:08:03.528 --> 00:08:08.033
Forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly
00:08:08.033 --> 00:08:11.469
Father will also forgive you.
00:08:11.469 --> 00:08:14.139
But if you do not forgive others, then your father will
00:08:14.139 --> 00:08:18.009
Not forgive your transgressions."
00:08:18.009 --> 00:08:22.247
I know a lot of people who take the bible literally, the only
00:08:22.247 --> 00:08:24.983
Problem is they don't take it seriously.
00:08:24.983 --> 00:08:27.652
And so, they tried to explain away this verse, "what jesus
00:08:27.652 --> 00:08:30.255
Really didn't mean what he said about, you have to forgive other
00:08:30.255 --> 00:08:33.224
People before god will forgive you."
00:08:33.224 --> 00:08:35.760
Oh no, then how do you interpret this verse?
00:08:35.760 --> 00:08:38.330
Seems pretty clear to me, isn't it?
00:08:38.330 --> 00:08:41.132
If you will not forgive others, god will not forgive you.
00:08:41.132 --> 00:08:46.605
And then he said, "finally, we ought to pray for protection
00:08:46.605 --> 00:08:49.774
From evil."
00:08:49.774 --> 00:08:51.109
He says in verse 13, "and do not lead us into temptation, but
00:08:51.109 --> 00:08:56.014
Deliver us from evil."
00:08:56.014 --> 00:08:57.749
Now this is important to understand.
00:08:57.749 --> 00:08:59.384
This word translated temptation is a morally neutral word.
00:08:59.384 --> 00:09:04.656
It simply means a difficult situation.
00:09:04.656 --> 00:09:08.360
It's neither good nor bad.
00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:10.462
It's just a difficult situation.
00:09:10.462 --> 00:09:12.497
He said we should pray, "lord, keep us out of
00:09:12.497 --> 00:09:15.333
Difficult situations."
00:09:15.333 --> 00:09:16.801
Why?
00:09:16.801 --> 00:09:18.136
Because difficult situations are tests, tests that we can either
00:09:18.136 --> 00:09:22.741
Pass or tests that we might fail as well.
00:09:22.741 --> 00:09:26.945
Now sometimes this word difficult situation, sometimes
00:09:26.945 --> 00:09:30.982
It is translated temptation.
00:09:30.982 --> 00:09:33.318
Now temptation is always bad.
00:09:33.318 --> 00:09:36.154
Satan tempts us in order to destroy our faith, but god tests
00:09:36.154 --> 00:09:41.860
Us to strengthen our faith.
00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:44.596
Now what confuses some people who read the english bible is
00:09:44.596 --> 00:09:47.732
The same greek word is used to describe both a temptation and
00:09:47.732 --> 00:09:54.572
A trial.
00:09:54.572 --> 00:09:56.174
Temptations come from satan.
00:09:56.174 --> 00:09:58.243
Trials come from god.
00:09:58.243 --> 00:10:00.045
Temptation has an evil desire behind it to destroy our faith.
00:10:00.045 --> 00:10:03.882
A test has a good end result in mind, and that is to strengthen
00:10:03.882 --> 00:10:07.752
Our faith.
00:10:07.752 --> 00:10:09.087
Remember in james chapter 1, james says, "count it all joy,
00:10:09.087 --> 00:10:11.790
My brethren, when you encounter various trials," be happy of
00:10:11.790 --> 00:10:15.293
Your trials, "because the testing of your faith
00:10:15.293 --> 00:10:18.263
Produces endurance."
00:10:18.263 --> 00:10:19.831
But then later on he says in james 1, "let nobody say when he
00:10:19.831 --> 00:10:23.034
Is tempted, 'i'm being tempted by god,' for god can tempt no
00:10:23.034 --> 00:10:26.337
One with evil."
00:10:26.337 --> 00:10:27.706
Now that word trial and temptation are both the same
00:10:27.706 --> 00:10:31.576
Greek word.
00:10:31.576 --> 00:10:33.278
You see, a difficult situation in your life can be both a trial
00:10:33.278 --> 00:10:40.819
And it can be a temptation at the same time.
00:10:40.819 --> 00:10:45.256
God can use a difficult situation in your life to
00:10:45.256 --> 00:10:49.227
Strengthen your faith, and satan at the very same time can hope
00:10:49.227 --> 00:10:52.764
That difficult situation will destroy your faith.
00:10:52.764 --> 00:10:56.434
For example, the loss of a job in today's economy.
00:10:56.434 --> 00:10:59.738
Many christians are suffering the loss of a job.
00:10:59.738 --> 00:11:02.674
Is the loss of a job, which is certainly a test, it's a
00:11:02.674 --> 00:11:07.412
Difficult situation.
00:11:07.412 --> 00:11:08.780
Is that a temptation or it's a trial--is it a trial?
00:11:08.780 --> 00:11:11.783
It depends upon how you respond to it.
00:11:11.783 --> 00:11:14.686
If you allow the loss of a job to cause you to question god, to
00:11:14.686 --> 00:11:18.990
Turn away from god, that's satan using that difficult situation
00:11:18.990 --> 00:11:24.129
To drive you away from god.
00:11:24.129 --> 00:11:25.530
That's a temptation.
00:11:25.530 --> 00:11:27.365
But at the same time, god is using that loss of a job, he can
00:11:27.365 --> 00:11:31.569
Use it to try your faith, to strengthen your faith, to draw
00:11:31.569 --> 00:11:36.541
You closer to yourself.
00:11:36.541 --> 00:11:38.309
You see, whether a difficulty in life is a temptation or a trial
00:11:38.309 --> 00:11:44.816
Just depends on your response to it.
00:11:44.816 --> 00:11:47.752
If you allow it to drive you away from god, then satan wins.
00:11:47.752 --> 00:11:52.390
If you allow it to draw god--yourself closer to god,
00:11:52.390 --> 00:11:56.227
Then god wins.
00:11:56.227 --> 00:11:57.996
So, what is he saying when he says, "do not lead us into
00:11:57.996 --> 00:12:02.667
Difficult situations"?
00:12:02.667 --> 00:12:04.836
He's telling us to pray what every school student prays,
00:12:04.836 --> 00:12:07.806
"lord, please keep us from tests.
00:12:07.806 --> 00:12:11.176
Keep tests far away from us."
00:12:11.176 --> 00:12:13.945
Why?
00:12:13.945 --> 00:12:15.313
Because tests can either be failed or they can be passed.
00:12:15.313 --> 00:12:18.783
So, he's saying, "it's okay to say, 'god please keep me out of
00:12:18.783 --> 00:12:21.352
Difficult situations.'"
00:12:21.352 --> 00:12:22.821
But then we go on to say, "but if you choose to allow a
00:12:22.821 --> 00:12:25.456
Difficult situation coming into my life, deliver me from sin,
00:12:25.456 --> 00:12:30.228
Deliver me from evil, keep me from allowing this difficult
00:12:30.228 --> 00:12:33.798
Situation to drive me away from you."
00:12:33.798 --> 00:12:37.035
What sort of things should we pray about?
00:12:37.035 --> 00:12:39.204
He said, "we should pray about anything and everything that
00:12:39.204 --> 00:12:42.173
We're concerned about."
00:12:42.173 --> 00:12:44.042
And that leads to a third question.
00:12:44.042 --> 00:12:46.311
Why doesn't god always answer my prayers?
00:12:46.311 --> 00:12:50.114
How many of you this morning have ever asked god to do
00:12:50.114 --> 00:12:52.851
Something that he didn't do?
00:12:52.851 --> 00:12:54.452
Would you raise your hand?
00:12:54.452 --> 00:12:57.222
That's all of us, isn't it?
00:12:57.222 --> 00:12:59.190
I mean, we all wrestle with this problem of unanswered prayer.
00:12:59.190 --> 00:13:04.662
Why is it that god sometimes says no to our request?
00:13:04.662 --> 00:13:09.634
Well the bible gives three answers, three possible answers
00:13:09.634 --> 00:13:13.671
For unanswered prayer.
00:13:13.671 --> 00:13:15.373
One reason is wrong actions, that is disobedience, sin in
00:13:15.373 --> 00:13:19.844
Our life.
00:13:19.844 --> 00:13:21.212
In isaiah 59:2, god said to the israelites, "but your
00:13:21.212 --> 00:13:24.816
Iniquities," your sin, "have made a separation between you
00:13:24.816 --> 00:13:29.254
And your god.
00:13:29.254 --> 00:13:30.622
And your sins have hidden his face from you so that god does
00:13:30.622 --> 00:13:35.526
Not hear."
00:13:35.526 --> 00:13:37.695
Now remember when god wrote these words, he was speaking not
00:13:37.695 --> 00:13:40.298
To the heathen, he was speaking to his own people, those who had
00:13:40.298 --> 00:13:44.502
Already received his judicial forgiveness.
00:13:44.502 --> 00:13:47.705
But he said, "israelites, because of your continuing
00:13:47.705 --> 00:13:50.608
Disobedience, god has not heard your prayer."
00:13:50.608 --> 00:13:56.180
1 peter is very clear.
00:13:56.180 --> 00:13:57.515
God turns his ear away from the wicked, from the unrighteous.
00:13:57.515 --> 00:14:02.120
God will not hear or answer the prayer of those who are living
00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:06.557
In sin.
00:14:06.557 --> 00:14:07.926
Don't be asking your heavenly father for something while at
00:14:07.926 --> 00:14:10.461
The same time disobeying him.
00:14:10.461 --> 00:14:13.865
The bible says, "wrong actions can be one reason for
00:14:13.865 --> 00:14:16.601
Unanswered prayer."
00:14:16.601 --> 00:14:17.969
He gives a second reason.
00:14:17.969 --> 00:14:19.304
And that is wrong motives.
00:14:19.304 --> 00:14:21.572
Turn over to james chapter 4 for a moment.
00:14:21.572 --> 00:14:24.208
He says, "you ask and you do not receive, because you ask with
00:14:24.208 --> 00:14:28.546
Wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."
00:14:28.546 --> 00:14:32.951
Now what does it mean to ask god for something with
00:14:32.951 --> 00:14:35.019
Wrong motives?
00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:36.387
"pastor, you just told us that we ought to pray for what our
00:14:36.387 --> 00:14:38.723
Needs are."
00:14:38.723 --> 00:14:40.058
We ought to pray what's in our hearts, not what should be in
00:14:40.058 --> 00:14:41.793
Our hearts.
00:14:41.793 --> 00:14:43.127
Is it a selfish prayer to pray for a job?
00:14:43.127 --> 00:14:45.430
Is it selfish to pray for god to meet a financial need?
00:14:45.430 --> 00:14:48.433
Is it selfish to pray for god to heal a broken relationship?
00:14:48.433 --> 00:14:52.403
What does he mean to pray with wrong motives?
00:14:52.403 --> 00:14:56.174
Let's get something straight here.
00:14:56.174 --> 00:14:58.042
All of us have mixed motives when we come to god.
00:14:58.042 --> 00:15:01.212
I like what richard foster says.
00:15:01.212 --> 00:15:02.847
He said, "we all approach god with this tangled mess of
00:15:02.847 --> 00:15:06.117
Motives that only god can sort out.
00:15:06.117 --> 00:15:09.687
But he's big enough to do so."
00:15:09.687 --> 00:15:12.223
Instead of waiting until everything is perfect in our
00:15:12.223 --> 00:15:15.059
Life, we should remember this when we come to god.
00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:18.196
We're saved by grace, we live by grace, and we pray by grace.
00:15:18.196 --> 00:15:25.303
I think when he says, "be sure that your motives are right when
00:15:25.303 --> 00:15:28.606
You pray," he's talking about the general direction of
00:15:28.606 --> 00:15:32.176
Your life.
00:15:32.176 --> 00:15:33.911
He's saying, "before you come to god, ask yourself this question,
00:15:33.911 --> 00:15:38.349
'is my life self-centered or is it god centered?
00:15:38.349 --> 00:15:42.253
Is my life about building my kingdom or is it about building
00:15:42.253 --> 00:15:45.957
God's kingdom?'"
00:15:45.957 --> 00:15:47.792
When he's talking about praying with wrong motives, he's talking
00:15:47.792 --> 00:15:50.395
About not a single request, he's talking about the general
00:15:50.395 --> 00:15:54.399
Direction of your life, a life that is self-focused rather
00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:58.002
Than god-focused.
00:15:58.002 --> 00:16:01.439
Why does god not answer all of our prayers?
00:16:01.439 --> 00:16:03.975
It can be wrong actions.
00:16:03.975 --> 00:16:06.244
It can be wrong motives.
00:16:06.244 --> 00:16:07.912
Or third, the bible says it can be because of wrong request.
00:16:07.912 --> 00:16:12.350
There is no blanket promise in the bible that says, "ask god
00:16:12.350 --> 00:16:16.454
Anything you want, and he'll do it for you."
00:16:16.454 --> 00:16:19.524
Any reque--any promise in the bible like that is always within
00:16:19.524 --> 00:16:24.695
The boundary of god's will.
00:16:24.695 --> 00:16:27.632
Look at 1 john 5:14 and 15, we see that perfectly here.
00:16:27.632 --> 00:16:32.103
John says, "this is the confidence which we have before
00:16:32.103 --> 00:16:34.772
Him, that, if we ask anything," and underline this, "according
00:16:34.772 --> 00:16:39.477
To his will, he will hear us.
00:16:39.477 --> 00:16:42.413
And if we know that he hears us and whatever we ask, we know
00:16:42.413 --> 00:16:45.750
That we have the request which we have asked from him."
00:16:45.750 --> 00:16:50.188
God's promise is within the boundary of his will.
00:16:50.188 --> 00:16:55.159
Now listen to this.
00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:57.195
God's will is a hedge of protection that is built around
00:16:57.195 --> 00:17:00.765
Your life.
00:17:00.765 --> 00:17:02.133
And that hedge of protection, god's will, exists around your
00:17:02.133 --> 00:17:05.970
Life, not to keep good things out of your life, but to keep
00:17:05.970 --> 00:17:10.608
Evil things from entering into your life.
00:17:10.608 --> 00:17:14.612
Now i look back in my prayer journal at some of the things
00:17:14.612 --> 00:17:18.182
That i had asked god persistently to do for me, and i
00:17:18.182 --> 00:17:22.520
Shudder at some of those prayer requests.
00:17:22.520 --> 00:17:25.323
I am so grateful that god said no to those requests.
00:17:25.323 --> 00:17:29.994
I didn't even realize what i was asking for, but god knew what
00:17:29.994 --> 00:17:33.464
Was best for me and he said no.
00:17:33.464 --> 00:17:37.502
That's the way god's will is.
00:17:37.502 --> 00:17:39.270
It's not to keep good things out of your life, but to keep evil
00:17:39.270 --> 00:17:42.907
Things from entering into your life.
00:17:42.907 --> 00:17:45.376
Second, let's always realize when we talk about praying with
00:17:45.376 --> 00:17:48.279
Faith, to pray with faith doesn't mean building up this
00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:51.983
Kind of positive attitude that says, "oh, i know god's gonna do
00:17:51.983 --> 00:17:55.153
This, i know god's gonna do this."
00:17:55.153 --> 00:17:56.988
That's not what faith praying is.
00:17:56.988 --> 00:18:00.424
That's just positive thinking mumbo jumbo, okay?
00:18:00.424 --> 00:18:03.961
The fact is, most of the time when we pray, we don't know
00:18:03.961 --> 00:18:07.064
Whether this request is in god's will or not.
00:18:07.064 --> 00:18:10.401
We don't know if it's god's will to heal me or a loved one.
00:18:10.401 --> 00:18:14.038
We don't know if it's god's will for me to get this job.
00:18:14.038 --> 00:18:16.941
We don't know if it's god's will for this particular relationship
00:18:16.941 --> 00:18:20.378
To be restored.
00:18:20.378 --> 00:18:21.746
We don't always know.
00:18:21.746 --> 00:18:23.080
Paul said in romans chapter 8, verse 26, "for we don't know how
00:18:23.080 --> 00:18:26.684
To pray or to pray as we should."
00:18:26.684 --> 00:18:29.854
Well then what does it mean to pray with faith?
00:18:29.854 --> 00:18:31.756
I want you to write this down.
00:18:31.756 --> 00:18:33.658
To pray with faith means to boldly ask god for our requests
00:18:33.658 --> 00:18:40.164
And to quietly trust him to do what's best.
00:18:40.164 --> 00:18:45.136
Praying with faith means boldly asking god for our requests and
00:18:45.136 --> 00:18:50.608
Quietly trusting him to do what's best.
00:18:50.608 --> 00:18:54.879
You know, you see that in the bible illustrated with the two
00:18:54.879 --> 00:18:57.915
Greatest characters in the new testament.
00:18:57.915 --> 00:18:59.917
Do you realize that the two greatest characters in the new
00:18:59.917 --> 00:19:03.054
Testament both experienced unanswered prayer?
00:19:03.054 --> 00:19:07.291
Think about jesus christ.
00:19:07.291 --> 00:19:09.026
How did he pray in the garden?
00:19:09.026 --> 00:19:10.394
John--luke chapter 11?
00:19:10.394 --> 00:19:12.263
He said, "father, here's my request, and it is a
00:19:12.263 --> 00:19:15.433
Bold request.
00:19:15.433 --> 00:19:18.135
Keep me from going to the cross.
00:19:18.135 --> 00:19:20.738
Let this cup pass from me."
00:19:20.738 --> 00:19:23.341
That was a pretty bold request, wasn't it?
00:19:23.341 --> 00:19:25.876
Especially when he knew that was god's will.
00:19:25.876 --> 00:19:27.945
He said, "father, let this cup pass from me."
00:19:27.945 --> 00:19:31.382
That's the bold request.
00:19:31.382 --> 00:19:32.750
But then he said, "not my will but your will be done," quietly
00:19:32.750 --> 00:19:37.421
Trusting in god to do what's best.
00:19:37.421 --> 00:19:40.324
Or think about the apostle paul.
00:19:40.324 --> 00:19:41.726
He made a pretty bold request.
00:19:41.726 --> 00:19:43.394
In 2 corinthians 12, he was suffering from a physical
00:19:43.394 --> 00:19:46.297
Handicap, a thorn in the flesh.
00:19:46.297 --> 00:19:48.065
He said, "father, remove this thorn from me."
00:19:48.065 --> 00:19:51.869
He didn't pray it once, he prayed it three times.
00:19:51.869 --> 00:19:53.938
That was the bold request.
00:19:53.938 --> 00:19:56.240
And then he quietly rested in god to do what's best.
00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:59.944
When god said no three times in a row, he said, "god's grace is
00:19:59.944 --> 00:20:04.148
Sufficient for me.
00:20:04.148 --> 00:20:05.583
I'm gonna trust him.
00:20:05.583 --> 00:20:07.151
I'm gonna see the best in this because through my weakness, the
00:20:07.151 --> 00:20:10.288
Power of god is made manifest."
00:20:10.288 --> 00:20:13.124
That's what it means to pray with faith.
00:20:13.124 --> 00:20:15.726
Boldly ask god for what's in your heart, your request, but
00:20:15.726 --> 00:20:19.230
Then trust him to do what's best.
00:20:19.230 --> 00:20:22.300
The bible says that's what it means to pray in faith.
00:20:22.300 --> 00:20:27.104
You may be saying today, "well robert, you've convinced me that
00:20:27.104 --> 00:20:30.207
Prayer is a channel through which god pours blessings into
00:20:30.207 --> 00:20:33.277
My life, but how can i be more effective in my prayer life?
00:20:33.277 --> 00:20:36.947
My prayer life right now is virtually nonexistent.
00:20:36.947 --> 00:20:40.985
How can i be an effective prayer?"
00:20:40.985 --> 00:20:43.487
Let me give you finally three simple ways to make prayer a
00:20:43.487 --> 00:20:48.092
Regular part of your life.
00:20:48.092 --> 00:20:49.460
Write them down.
00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.795
First of all, pray briefly.
00:20:50.795 --> 00:20:54.131
Pray briefly.
00:20:54.131 --> 00:20:55.499
Remember we saw last week, god is not interested in the length
00:20:55.499 --> 00:20:58.869
Of your prayers.
00:20:58.869 --> 00:21:00.204
"he's not impressed by your many words," jesus said in matthew 6.
00:21:00.204 --> 00:21:03.374
It's not the length of your prayers, it is the strength of
00:21:03.374 --> 00:21:06.510
Your prayers that count.
00:21:06.510 --> 00:21:08.212
And i personally found it is much more effective to pray
00:21:08.212 --> 00:21:11.382
Brief prayers frequently throughout the day than to find
00:21:11.382 --> 00:21:15.519
One long period of time to devote to prayer.
00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:18.656
Frequency is much better than length of prayer.
00:21:18.656 --> 00:21:21.092
Secondly, pray persistently.
00:21:21.092 --> 00:21:23.928
Pray persistently.
00:21:23.928 --> 00:21:25.296
That is, keep on praying even when the answer doesn't
00:21:25.296 --> 00:21:29.300
Come immediately.
00:21:29.300 --> 00:21:31.135
I like what somebody calls the push principle of prayer.
00:21:31.135 --> 00:21:35.272
And they've said, "when everything seems to go wrong,
00:21:35.272 --> 00:21:38.709
Just push.
00:21:38.709 --> 00:21:40.077
When the job gets you down, just push.
00:21:40.077 --> 00:21:43.114
When people don't react the way you think they should,
00:21:43.114 --> 00:21:46.016
Just push.
00:21:46.016 --> 00:21:47.351
When your money looks funny and the bills are due, just push.
00:21:47.351 --> 00:21:51.522
When people don't understand you, just push, push.
00:21:51.522 --> 00:21:56.927
Pray until something happens."
00:21:56.927 --> 00:22:02.099
Jesus said, "pray persistently."
00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:05.803
The third principle for activating an effective prayer
00:22:05.803 --> 00:22:09.273
Life, pray honestly.
00:22:09.273 --> 00:22:12.076
Pray honestly.
00:22:12.076 --> 00:22:13.978
Remember, don't pray what you think should be in your heart.
00:22:13.978 --> 00:22:18.082
Pray what is in your heart.
00:22:18.082 --> 00:22:19.917
God already knows about it anyway.
00:22:19.917 --> 00:22:22.620
Is there something you desperately want god to do
00:22:22.620 --> 00:22:25.189
For you?
00:22:25.189 --> 00:22:26.557
Go ahead and tell him.
00:22:26.557 --> 00:22:27.892
Go ahead and ask him for it and trust him to do what's right.
00:22:27.892 --> 00:22:31.429
Is there somebody you're really ticked off with?
00:22:31.429 --> 00:22:34.999
You're angry with?
00:22:34.999 --> 00:22:36.367
I don't care how angry you are with that person, you're
00:22:36.367 --> 00:22:38.769
Probably not as angry as the psalmist who prayed, "lord, dash
00:22:38.769 --> 00:22:42.406
The babies of my enemies against the rocks."
00:22:42.406 --> 00:22:44.842
You know, you're probably not that angry.
00:22:44.842 --> 00:22:47.311
So, you can go ahead and tell god about that person as well.
00:22:47.311 --> 00:22:51.415
Are you frustrated with god himself?
00:22:51.415 --> 00:22:54.318
Are you disappointed with his actions or his inaction on
00:22:54.318 --> 00:22:57.788
Your behalf?
00:22:57.788 --> 00:22:59.290
Go ahead and tell him about it.
00:22:59.290 --> 00:23:01.192
His shoulders are broad enough, his love is wide enough to
00:23:01.192 --> 00:23:04.662
Accept your frustration.
00:23:04.662 --> 00:23:07.164
Remember, in the end, prayer is not a theological formula, it's
00:23:07.164 --> 00:23:12.169
Not a religious ritual.
00:23:12.169 --> 00:23:15.206
Prayer in its very essence is simply talking with, conversing
00:23:15.206 --> 00:23:19.844
With the one who loves you, the one who made you,
00:23:19.844 --> 00:23:23.881
The one who cares most about you.
00:23:23.881 --> 00:23:28.285
Jeffress: prayer is not an option.
00:23:32.089 --> 00:23:33.924
It's a necessity for spiritual survival, and i hope today's
00:23:33.924 --> 00:23:38.162
Message has given you the tools to make prayer a consistent part
00:23:38.162 --> 00:23:42.199
Of your daily life.
00:23:42.199 --> 00:23:44.134
In closing, i want to affirm that when you give a gift a
00:23:44.134 --> 00:23:47.204
"pathway to victory," you're doing more than just receiving
00:23:47.204 --> 00:23:50.508
Helpful resources.
00:23:50.508 --> 00:23:52.176
You're making it possible for television viewers and radio
00:23:52.176 --> 00:23:55.312
Listeners around the world to hear the truth of god's word.
00:23:55.312 --> 00:23:59.717
As you think about the gift god is leading you to give, know
00:23:59.717 --> 00:24:03.320
That any amount truly makes a difference.
00:24:03.320 --> 00:24:05.990
People all across our country and around the world are
00:24:05.990 --> 00:24:08.692
Connecting to god in new and refreshing ways because they're
00:24:08.692 --> 00:24:12.930
Hearing and applying the truth of god to their lives.
00:24:12.930 --> 00:24:16.834
Plus they're learning to deploy the power of god's spirit
00:24:16.834 --> 00:24:20.170
As well.
00:24:20.170 --> 00:24:21.505
So, please continue to give generously as together we pierce
00:24:21.505 --> 00:24:25.776
The darkness with the light of god's word.
00:24:25.776 --> 00:24:29.013
Now stay right there.
00:24:29.013 --> 00:24:30.381
I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
00:24:30.381 --> 00:24:34.485
Male announcer: the bible promises that when we put our
00:24:34.552 --> 00:24:36.620
Faith in jesus christ, our lives will be changed from the
00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:40.491
Inside out.
00:24:40.491 --> 00:24:41.825
And yet many christians feel discouraged and defeated in
00:24:41.825 --> 00:24:44.094
Their daily walk.
00:24:44.094 --> 00:24:45.462
Jeffress: if you're longing for something more in your
00:24:45.462 --> 00:24:47.698
Relationship with god, you're not alone.
00:24:47.698 --> 00:24:50.134
At one time, i felt dissatisfied and powerless to change it, but
00:24:50.134 --> 00:24:54.638
By god's grace i discovered how to deploy the power of the holy
00:24:54.638 --> 00:24:58.909
Spirit in my life.
00:24:58.909 --> 00:25:00.578
And today, i wanna help you discover that as well in my best
00:25:00.578 --> 00:25:04.615
Selling book "i want more."
00:25:04.615 --> 00:25:07.451
Male announcer: the book "i want more" was written to help you
00:25:07.451 --> 00:25:10.020
Build spiritual strength as you pursue a fresh way to unleash
00:25:10.020 --> 00:25:13.657
God's supernatural power in every area of your life.
00:25:13.657 --> 00:25:17.428
You're invited to request a copy of "i want more" when you give a
00:25:17.428 --> 00:25:20.764
Generous gift to support the ministry of "pathway to victory"
00:25:20.764 --> 00:25:24.001
Or when you become a pathway partner.
00:25:24.001 --> 00:25:26.337
And when you give $75 or more, we'll also send you the complete
00:25:26.337 --> 00:25:30.474
"unleashed" teaching series on dvd and audio disc.
00:25:30.474 --> 00:25:34.278
Jeffress: god has granted to you everything you need to lead a
00:25:34.278 --> 00:25:39.650
Fulfilling existence while here on earth.
00:25:39.650 --> 00:25:42.319
Everything he has given you is all wrapped up in the holy
00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:46.123
Spirit of god.
00:25:46.123 --> 00:25:48.158
Male announcer: your generous giving will help us encourage
00:25:48.158 --> 00:25:50.561
And equip viewers like you with biblical truth and hope.
00:25:50.561 --> 00:25:54.164
Thank you so much for your support as we continue to impact
00:25:54.164 --> 00:25:57.434
You, your family, and our nation with the transforming truth
00:25:57.434 --> 00:26:00.838
Of god's word.
00:26:00.838 --> 00:26:02.673
Jeffress: as you've been watching today's message on
00:26:04.308 --> 00:26:06.276
"pathway to victory," perhaps you've been thinking about a
00:26:06.276 --> 00:26:09.546
Specific prayer request that's heavy on your heart, something
00:26:09.546 --> 00:26:13.250
You've asked god to do time and time again, but it feels like he
00:26:13.250 --> 00:26:17.554
Isn't listening.
00:26:17.554 --> 00:26:19.189
Remember, pray briefly, pray persistently, and pray honestly
00:26:19.189 --> 00:26:25.429
And then trust god to do what is best.
00:26:25.429 --> 00:26:29.466
Well for the past week, we've been discovering a number of
00:26:29.466 --> 00:26:32.336
Channels through which god's spirit pours his power into
00:26:32.336 --> 00:26:35.706
Our lives.
00:26:35.706 --> 00:26:37.041
The first two were the word of god and prayer.
00:26:37.041 --> 00:26:40.678
And next time we'll look at channel number three,
00:26:40.678 --> 00:26:43.947
The church.
00:26:43.947 --> 00:26:45.282
Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next on
00:26:45.282 --> 00:26:47.985
"pathway to victory."
00:26:47.985 --> 00:26:50.688
Jeffress: without a vital connection to a local church,
00:26:50.754 --> 00:26:54.558
You're kind of like a severed limb from a body.
00:26:54.558 --> 00:26:58.595
If you were to take my hand and separate it from the rest of my
00:26:58.595 --> 00:27:01.732
Body, this hand would quickly atrophy, it would wither, and
00:27:01.732 --> 00:27:05.869
Then it would die.
00:27:05.869 --> 00:27:07.438
And it is the same way with members of the body of christ.
00:27:07.438 --> 00:27:11.775
You cannot exist as a christian apart from the connection to a
00:27:11.775 --> 00:27:17.414
Local body of believers.
00:27:17.414 --> 00:27:19.450
Male announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the
00:27:19.516 --> 00:27:21.919
Message "up with worship" here on "pathway to victory."
00:27:21.919 --> 00:27:28.225

Robert Jeffress - Effective Pray-ers

May 6, 2025 | S25:E215

Closed captions

Share