David Jeremiah - Why Don’t My Prayers Get Answered?

September 7, 2025 | 58:20

Many of us have wondered why God hasn’t answered our prayers, but within Scripture we find seven reasons why our prayers may be going unanswered.

#WordofGod #Prayer #Faithfulness #TrustGod #Patience #WaitingonGod #Betrayal #Authority

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah | David Jeremiah - Why Don’t My Prayers Get Answered? | September 7, 2025

...
00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.708
Dr. david jeremiah: as a pastor, i've had the profound privilege
00:00:02.242 --> 00:00:04.611
Of walking alongside people through life's checkpoints:
00:00:04.744 --> 00:00:09.282
Marriage, the birth of children, and unfortunately death as well.
00:00:09.382 --> 00:00:15.655
Throughout the years, the questions i often hear
00:00:15.789 --> 00:00:18.558
Aren't about this life.
00:00:18.658 --> 00:00:19.059
They're about what comes next.
00:00:21.127 --> 00:00:23.630
That's why i have spent decades studying
00:00:23.630 --> 00:00:26.099
And preaching about heaven.
00:00:26.099 --> 00:00:28.301
And now, i've gathered all that biblical teaching together
00:00:28.301 --> 00:00:31.905
Into one book called "the promise of heaven."
00:00:31.905 --> 00:00:35.942
Male announcer: "the promise of heaven: 31 reasons to get
00:00:36.009 --> 00:00:38.645
Excited about your eternal home," releases october 7th.
00:00:38.645 --> 00:00:42.482
Pre-order your copy for a gift of any amount.
00:00:42.482 --> 00:00:45.051
Plus, receive exclusive bonus digital access to dr. jeremiah's
00:00:45.051 --> 00:00:48.688
"the promise of heaven" teaching series and study guide.
00:00:48.688 --> 00:00:51.758
Also available for pre-order, "the promise of heaven"
00:00:51.758 --> 00:00:54.260
Study set.
00:00:54.260 --> 00:00:55.595
For more details and to preorder,
00:00:55.595 --> 00:00:57.330
Contact "turning point" today.
00:00:57.330 --> 00:00:58.898
♪♪♪
00:01:01.101 --> 00:01:04.070
Dr. jeremiah: we're a pretty self-sufficient people
00:01:04.070 --> 00:01:06.072
But that has caused us to make prayer our last resort
00:01:06.072 --> 00:01:09.843
When we're in trouble.
00:01:09.843 --> 00:01:13.113
We make prayer so difficult.
00:01:13.113 --> 00:01:15.315
Prayer may be mysterious, but it's not complicated.
00:01:15.315 --> 00:01:18.585
It's simple.
00:01:18.585 --> 00:01:20.353
And in this series, i'm going to teach you
00:01:20.353 --> 00:01:22.789
How to transform your prayer life.
00:01:22.789 --> 00:01:28.261
I'm not here to make you feel guilty
00:01:28.261 --> 00:01:30.263
About not praying as much as you should.
00:01:30.263 --> 00:01:32.765
The real issue isn't guilt.
00:01:32.765 --> 00:01:34.634
It's that we're missing out on the great adventure
00:01:34.634 --> 00:01:37.070
God has for us.
00:01:37.070 --> 00:01:40.607
So you want to know why you're not seeing your prayers
00:01:40.607 --> 00:01:43.042
Being answered?
00:01:43.042 --> 00:01:44.377
Well, they're just not specific enough.
00:01:44.377 --> 00:01:47.714
Your prayer should be so specific
00:01:47.714 --> 00:01:49.616
That when god answers it, you recognize it.
00:01:49.616 --> 00:01:52.719
If you want your prayers answered,
00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:55.088
Three things need to be true:
00:01:55.088 --> 00:01:57.290
The request needs to be right, the timing needs to be right,
00:01:57.290 --> 00:02:01.361
And you need to be right.
00:02:01.361 --> 00:02:04.564
Don't pray like an adult.
00:02:04.564 --> 00:02:06.466
Pray like a child.
00:02:06.466 --> 00:02:08.101
Keep it simple, keep it specific, and keep at it.
00:02:08.101 --> 00:02:13.940
God cares about everything in your life,
00:02:13.940 --> 00:02:16.209
Even the little things.
00:02:16.209 --> 00:02:17.944
Nothing is too insignificant to get on your prayer list
00:02:17.944 --> 00:02:21.181
Because god has the capacity to care about every detail
00:02:21.181 --> 00:02:24.150
Of every one of his children, including you.
00:02:24.150 --> 00:02:28.555
What is prayer?
00:02:28.555 --> 00:02:30.156
Prayer is a conversation, prayer is a relationship,
00:02:30.156 --> 00:02:34.427
And prayer is a great adventure.
00:02:34.427 --> 00:02:36.729
Announcer: coming up on "turning point."
00:02:40.667 --> 00:02:43.536
Dr. jeremiah: ask god to give you a forgiving heart.
00:02:43.603 --> 00:02:45.972
Breathe out your prayers in an atmosphere of grace.
00:02:45.972 --> 00:02:48.975
You will be so surprised, if you do this,
00:02:48.975 --> 00:02:52.111
How wonderful it will be to pray again in the right way.
00:02:52.111 --> 00:02:56.349
Announcer: prayer: keep it simple, keep it specific.
00:02:59.219 --> 00:03:02.021
"everything to god in prayer: guided prayers for your deepest
00:03:02.021 --> 00:03:04.991
Needs & biggest dreams," by dr. david jeremiah,
00:03:04.991 --> 00:03:07.860
Provides you with 100 carefully crafted prayers to guide you
00:03:07.860 --> 00:03:10.763
Through life's challenges and celebrations.
00:03:10.763 --> 00:03:13.499
When words fail you during times of grief;
00:03:13.499 --> 00:03:16.002
When your heart is filled with gratitude,
00:03:16.002 --> 00:03:17.570
But you can't express it; when you're facing decisions
00:03:17.570 --> 00:03:20.440
That seem impossible; dr. jeremiah helps you
00:03:20.440 --> 00:03:23.409
Bring everything to god.
00:03:23.409 --> 00:03:25.011
The bible tells us to go to god in prayer for all things.
00:03:25.011 --> 00:03:28.648
But sometimes we need guidance on how to pray effectively
00:03:28.648 --> 00:03:31.050
And specifically.
00:03:31.050 --> 00:03:32.719
Reading and praying these guided prayers by dr. jeremiah
00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:35.188
Will help you learn to pray with confidence and clarity
00:03:35.188 --> 00:03:38.558
And with renewed passion and purpose.
00:03:38.558 --> 00:03:41.761
Request "everything to god in prayer," new from dr. jeremiah,
00:03:41.761 --> 00:03:45.198
When you give a gift of any amount
00:03:45.198 --> 00:03:46.532
In support of "turning point."
00:03:46.532 --> 00:03:48.801
"everything to god in prayer," the perfect companion
00:03:48.801 --> 00:03:51.471
For your prayer life and a thoughtful gift
00:03:51.471 --> 00:03:53.439
For anyone in your bible study or prayer group.
00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:55.875
And you can request 2 copies for a gift of $60 or more.
00:03:55.875 --> 00:03:59.412
Your deepest needs and biggest dreams deserve the right words.
00:03:59.412 --> 00:04:03.182
Request "everything to god in prayer"
00:04:03.182 --> 00:04:04.817
By dr. jeremiah from "turning point" today.
00:04:04.817 --> 00:04:06.919
Announcer: thank you for watching "turning point."
00:04:09.656 --> 00:04:11.557
Here is dr. jeremiah with his message,
00:04:11.557 --> 00:04:13.960
"why don't my prayers get answered?"
00:04:13.960 --> 00:04:15.995
Dr. jeremiah: evangelist ron dunn wrote a powerful book
00:04:17.463 --> 00:04:20.733
On prayer, and toward the end of it,
00:04:20.733 --> 00:04:22.902
He shared this personal story.
00:04:22.902 --> 00:04:25.371
He said, "god did not answer two of the biggest prayers
00:04:25.371 --> 00:04:27.674
Of my life.
00:04:27.674 --> 00:04:29.409
I wanted those more than all the others put together,
00:04:29.409 --> 00:04:32.445
And i would have gladly forfeited them all
00:04:32.445 --> 00:04:34.580
For those two.
00:04:34.580 --> 00:04:36.549
I was surprised because i just knew god would answer them.
00:04:36.549 --> 00:04:41.054
I had a word from god.
00:04:41.054 --> 00:04:42.922
We had done everything we were supposed to do.
00:04:42.922 --> 00:04:44.957
We believed.
00:04:44.957 --> 00:04:46.459
We prayed in faith.
00:04:46.459 --> 00:04:47.994
We confessed. we claimed.
00:04:47.994 --> 00:04:50.530
We pleaded the blood. we rebuked the devil.
00:04:50.530 --> 00:04:52.465
We thanked god in advance for the answer, and we even fasted.
00:04:52.465 --> 00:04:56.169
And god had answered plenty of prayers like that before.
00:04:56.169 --> 00:05:00.106
I was hurt because i felt god had betrayed me.
00:05:00.106 --> 00:05:04.544
He had strung me along.
00:05:04.544 --> 00:05:05.878
He'd tantalized me with big answers to small prayers,
00:05:05.878 --> 00:05:08.781
But when the big one came along, nothing.
00:05:08.781 --> 00:05:12.985
No answer, no explanation, just silence.
00:05:12.985 --> 00:05:18.124
My prayer life," he said, "shriveled.
00:05:18.124 --> 00:05:20.727
When i tried to pray, those two unanswered prayers
00:05:20.727 --> 00:05:22.995
Hovered over me like two grinning demons,
00:05:22.995 --> 00:05:25.898
Mocking me: 'what's this, praying again?
00:05:25.898 --> 00:05:28.735
Didn't do much the last time, did it?
00:05:28.735 --> 00:05:30.937
Just wasting your time.'
00:05:30.937 --> 00:05:32.739
The prayers died in my throat."
00:05:32.739 --> 00:05:35.174
I can remember, as many of you can, some times in my life
00:05:35.174 --> 00:05:39.145
When i felt exactly like ron dunn.
00:05:39.145 --> 00:05:42.915
And i'd be surprised if most of you haven't felt that same way
00:05:42.915 --> 00:05:45.685
At some point along the way.
00:05:45.685 --> 00:05:47.987
I'm gonna give you seven reasons from the bible
00:05:47.987 --> 00:05:50.223
Why god does not answer your prayers.
00:05:50.223 --> 00:05:52.692
In the old testament, habakkuk the prophet struggled and he
00:05:52.692 --> 00:05:56.162
Said, "o lord, how long shall i cry, and you will not hear me?"
00:05:56.162 --> 00:06:03.035
And job wrestled with it.
00:06:03.035 --> 00:06:04.871
Job said, "oh, that i had one to hear me!
00:06:04.871 --> 00:06:07.106
Oh, that the almighty would answer me."
00:06:07.106 --> 00:06:10.009
And david said the same thing, "how long, o lord?
00:06:10.009 --> 00:06:13.546
Will you forget me forever?
00:06:13.546 --> 00:06:15.481
How long will you hide your face from me?"
00:06:15.481 --> 00:06:19.118
When we turn from the old testament to the gospels,
00:06:19.118 --> 00:06:22.155
We find a familiar pattern, an interesting assortment
00:06:22.155 --> 00:06:26.325
Of requests that jesus denied.
00:06:26.325 --> 00:06:29.996
During his earthly ministry, our lord didn't say yes
00:06:29.996 --> 00:06:33.533
To his petitioners.
00:06:33.533 --> 00:06:34.967
In fact, when you start to look at it, it's kind of interesting
00:06:34.967 --> 00:06:38.137
How often he said no.
00:06:38.137 --> 00:06:41.007
Do you recall when the two ambitious brothers,
00:06:41.007 --> 00:06:42.842
James and john, aided by their mother,
00:06:42.842 --> 00:06:45.578
Asked if they could sit to our lord's left and right
00:06:45.578 --> 00:06:47.980
In the kingdom, and they didn't know
00:06:47.980 --> 00:06:49.782
The implications of what they were asking,
00:06:49.782 --> 00:06:51.684
And the lord didn't grant their request?
00:06:51.684 --> 00:06:53.453
Do you know that story?
00:06:53.453 --> 00:06:55.321
And martha asked jesus to tell her sister mary
00:06:55.321 --> 00:06:57.924
To help with the food preparation,
00:06:57.924 --> 00:07:00.159
And jesus said, "i'm not doing that.
00:07:00.159 --> 00:07:03.663
Sometimes god delays his answers.
00:07:03.663 --> 00:07:06.399
I know that sometimes the answer is no,
00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:09.235
And no is just as much of an answer as yes.
00:07:09.235 --> 00:07:12.538
I know that sometimes god answers
00:07:12.538 --> 00:07:14.173
In ways we don't recognize at the time
00:07:14.173 --> 00:07:17.210
And don't realize until much later on in life.
00:07:17.210 --> 00:07:20.880
But i also know this, there are moments
00:07:20.880 --> 00:07:24.116
When god makes it very clear why he isn't answering.
00:07:24.116 --> 00:07:28.821
J. oswald sanders, who's written a lot about prayer, said,
00:07:28.821 --> 00:07:33.493
"when a prudent businessman discovers
00:07:33.493 --> 00:07:35.628
That his business is failing, he takes stock.
00:07:35.628 --> 00:07:39.632
He examines the books.
00:07:39.632 --> 00:07:41.100
He determines the cause.
00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:42.835
Should we be less prudent in our spiritual accounting?
00:07:42.835 --> 00:07:46.572
Have we ever sat down and honestly asked
00:07:46.572 --> 00:07:49.509
Why some of our prayers go unanswered?
00:07:49.509 --> 00:07:51.944
Do we simply accept failure fatalistically?
00:07:51.944 --> 00:07:55.615
Do we piously say, 'well, it just wasn't god's will,
00:07:55.615 --> 00:07:58.217
So i guess i shouldn't have asked.'"
00:07:58.217 --> 00:08:02.121
There are several places in scripture,
00:08:02.121 --> 00:08:04.023
And i want to take you through this list,
00:08:04.023 --> 00:08:06.359
Where god states plainly that under certain circumstances
00:08:06.359 --> 00:08:10.429
He will not answer prayer.
00:08:10.429 --> 00:08:12.565
I hope we can use this as kind of a checklist.
00:08:12.565 --> 00:08:14.934
I mean, if my prayers seem to go unanswered,
00:08:14.934 --> 00:08:17.803
Could the reason for that be found on this list?
00:08:17.803 --> 00:08:21.474
This isn't an exhaustive list.
00:08:21.474 --> 00:08:23.209
This isn't all the things that could keep your prayers
00:08:23.209 --> 00:08:26.546
From being answered.
00:08:26.546 --> 00:08:27.914
But these are the things that are in the bible
00:08:27.914 --> 00:08:29.248
And it's a pretty good place to start.
00:08:29.248 --> 00:08:31.751
First of all, our prayers are not answered
00:08:31.751 --> 00:08:33.920
Because of un-prayed prayers.
00:08:33.920 --> 00:08:36.989
Sometimes we miss out on what god wants to give us
00:08:36.989 --> 00:08:40.326
Just because we don't ask.
00:08:40.326 --> 00:08:41.761
The bible says it this way: "you have not, because you ask not."
00:08:41.761 --> 00:08:46.866
Our unspoken desires are like concert tickets never picked up
00:08:46.866 --> 00:08:51.037
At the window or an unredeemed gift certificate.
00:08:51.037 --> 00:08:54.607
We thank god for the day, we ask him to bless our food,
00:08:54.607 --> 00:08:58.277
But we fail to bring before him the things we truly need
00:08:58.277 --> 00:09:01.948
Or truly desire.
00:09:01.948 --> 00:09:03.349
I've actually had people say they're embarrassed
00:09:03.349 --> 00:09:06.419
To tell god what they really need.
00:09:06.419 --> 00:09:09.455
Years ago while preaching on prayer i watched the drama team
00:09:09.455 --> 00:09:13.993
Present a powerful illustration.
00:09:13.993 --> 00:09:16.462
The setting was the vestibule of heaven,
00:09:16.462 --> 00:09:19.599
And the stage was filled with file cabinets lining the room.
00:09:19.599 --> 00:09:23.903
As a new resident of heaven entered,
00:09:23.903 --> 00:09:25.738
He noticed the cabinets and he asked about them.
00:09:25.738 --> 00:09:28.941
He was told that each drawer bore the name of a believer,
00:09:28.941 --> 00:09:32.044
And curious, he found the drawer with his name on it
00:09:32.044 --> 00:09:34.547
And asked what was inside.
00:09:34.547 --> 00:09:37.416
The response was sobering.
00:09:37.416 --> 00:09:38.951
It was full of blessings, said the person he talked to.
00:09:38.951 --> 00:09:42.989
Things god had wanted to give him, but couldn't give him
00:09:42.989 --> 00:09:46.092
Because he never asked for them.
00:09:46.092 --> 00:09:48.194
What a shame it would be to miss out on god's provision,
00:09:48.194 --> 00:09:51.931
Not because he was unwilling, but because we never asked.
00:09:51.931 --> 00:09:56.602
Some people think god does not like to be troubled
00:09:56.602 --> 00:09:59.438
With our constant coming and asking.
00:09:59.438 --> 00:10:02.475
The only way to trouble god is not to come at all.
00:10:02.475 --> 00:10:06.212
That's what d.l. moody said.
00:10:06.212 --> 00:10:07.980
So sometimes our prayers are not answered
00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:10.249
Because they're never prayed.
00:10:10.249 --> 00:10:12.318
God wants you to recognize your need.
00:10:12.318 --> 00:10:14.520
He wants me to recognize my need.
00:10:14.520 --> 00:10:16.422
He wants us to say out loud, "this is my prayer."
00:10:16.422 --> 00:10:20.993
If we do not pray, we should not expect an answer.
00:10:20.993 --> 00:10:25.564
Number two, the bible is very clear about the fact
00:10:25.564 --> 00:10:29.101
That sometimes our prayers are not answered
00:10:29.101 --> 00:10:31.537
Because of unconfessed sin.
00:10:31.537 --> 00:10:34.740
Here's what psalm 66:18 says:
00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:38.144
"if i regard iniquity in my heart,
00:10:38.144 --> 00:10:42.948
The lord will not hear me."
00:10:42.948 --> 00:10:46.719
We often think of unanswered prayer as a master
00:10:46.719 --> 00:10:49.221
Of god's timing, or maybe even a test of faith.
00:10:49.221 --> 00:10:53.492
But sometimes the issue isn't with god's timing,
00:10:53.492 --> 00:10:57.229
It's with our hearts.
00:10:57.229 --> 00:10:59.732
And this isn't just one verse.
00:10:59.732 --> 00:11:01.367
The bible repeats this principle over and over.
00:11:01.367 --> 00:11:05.271
Listen to proverbs 28, verse 9: "one who turns away his ear
00:11:05.271 --> 00:11:09.675
From hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination."
00:11:09.675 --> 00:11:15.081
And then there's isaiah 1:15 where god says,
00:11:15.081 --> 00:11:18.451
"when you spread out your hands,
00:11:18.451 --> 00:11:20.119
I will hide my eyes from you; even though you
00:11:20.119 --> 00:11:22.955
Make many prayers, i will not hear,
00:11:22.955 --> 00:11:26.358
Because your hands are full of blood."
00:11:26.358 --> 00:11:29.495
Isaiah 59:1-2 puts it even more clearly: "his hand is not
00:11:29.495 --> 00:11:33.699
Shortened, that it cannot save; nor his ear heavy,
00:11:33.699 --> 00:11:37.036
That it cannot hear.
00:11:37.036 --> 00:11:38.537
But your iniquities have separated you from your god;
00:11:38.537 --> 00:11:42.408
And your sins have hidden his face from you,
00:11:42.408 --> 00:11:44.877
That he will not hear."
00:11:44.877 --> 00:11:47.113
Now let's go back to the top of the list and unpack this
00:11:47.113 --> 00:11:49.548
A little bit more.
00:11:49.548 --> 00:11:51.484
Psalm 66:18 says: "if i regard iniquity in my heart,
00:11:51.484 --> 00:11:56.555
The lord will not hear."
00:11:56.555 --> 00:11:58.390
Please note what the verse does not say.
00:11:58.390 --> 00:12:01.627
The verse does not say: "if i sin, the lord will not hear me."
00:12:01.627 --> 00:12:06.265
It says, "if i regard sin in my heart,"
00:12:06.265 --> 00:12:09.735
In other words, i know there is sin in my life
00:12:09.735 --> 00:12:12.605
And i'm not doing anything about it.
00:12:12.605 --> 00:12:15.541
A person who regards iniquity is one who holds a particular sin
00:12:15.541 --> 00:12:19.478
In his heart and loves it and makes an alibi for it
00:12:19.478 --> 00:12:23.015
And excuses it and covers it up.
00:12:23.015 --> 00:12:26.118
It is not primarily therefore the fact of sin,
00:12:26.118 --> 00:12:29.421
But rather a love for sin and excusing sin
00:12:29.421 --> 00:12:33.325
That makes a barrier between us and god.
00:12:33.325 --> 00:12:36.228
The prayer god wants to hear from us is 1 john 1:9:
00:12:36.228 --> 00:12:41.000
"if we confess our sin,
00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:42.968
He's faithful and just to forgive us our sin
00:12:42.968 --> 00:12:46.238
And to cleanse us from all iniquity."
00:12:46.238 --> 00:12:49.241
He will take all unrighteousness away.
00:12:49.241 --> 00:12:52.344
God doesn't want us to hoard sin in our life.
00:12:52.344 --> 00:12:55.080
Now you say, "pastor, what does that mean?"
00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:56.882
Well, you're a christian.
00:12:56.882 --> 00:12:58.484
You go to church every week.
00:12:58.484 --> 00:12:59.885
You live a good life.
00:12:59.885 --> 00:13:01.420
But there's something you know that you shouldn't be doing
00:13:01.420 --> 00:13:04.990
Or involved in, and you don't want to give it up.
00:13:04.990 --> 00:13:08.127
And you save a little place in your heart for it.
00:13:08.127 --> 00:13:10.329
It's a corner there.
00:13:10.329 --> 00:13:11.997
And you protect it with your excuses
00:13:11.997 --> 00:13:15.067
And all of the other things in your life.
00:13:15.067 --> 00:13:17.102
The bible says if you hoard sin in your life, if you regard it,
00:13:17.102 --> 00:13:20.739
If you keep it and you don't deal with it, it's hard pressed
00:13:20.739 --> 00:13:24.643
For you to go and ask god and expect him to hear you.
00:13:24.643 --> 00:13:28.747
Thirdly, our prayers are not answered
00:13:28.747 --> 00:13:31.183
Because of unbelieving minds.
00:13:31.183 --> 00:13:34.320
Here's another barricade to answered prayer.
00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:37.323
The bible says: "let him ask in faith, with no doubting,
00:13:37.323 --> 00:13:42.628
For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven
00:13:42.628 --> 00:13:46.131
And tossed by the wind.
00:13:46.131 --> 00:13:47.967
For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything
00:13:47.967 --> 00:13:52.238
From the lord; he is a double-minded man,
00:13:52.238 --> 00:13:55.474
Unstable in all of his ways."
00:13:55.474 --> 00:13:58.644
Jesus said in mark 11, "i assuredly say to you,
00:13:58.644 --> 00:14:01.480
Whoever says to this mountain,
00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:03.249
'be removed and cast into the sea,'
00:14:03.249 --> 00:14:06.218
And does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things
00:14:06.218 --> 00:14:09.588
He says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
00:14:09.588 --> 00:14:14.093
Therefore i say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray,
00:14:14.093 --> 00:14:17.596
Believe and you will receive them, and you will have them."
00:14:17.596 --> 00:14:22.801
Faith is not an optional agreement when we pray.
00:14:22.801 --> 00:14:28.540
It is essential.
00:14:28.540 --> 00:14:29.875
Hebrews 11:6 says, "without faith it is impossible
00:14:29.875 --> 00:14:33.445
To please god,
00:14:33.445 --> 00:14:34.847
For he who comes to god must believe that he is,
00:14:34.847 --> 00:14:37.716
And that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him."
00:14:37.716 --> 00:14:42.655
John newton was the former slave trader who turned pastor
00:14:42.655 --> 00:14:47.393
And hymn writer.
00:14:47.393 --> 00:14:49.161
He understood the power of bold, faith-filled prayer.
00:14:49.161 --> 00:14:51.964
He often spoke of what he called large asking.
00:14:51.964 --> 00:14:56.402
Newton frequently cited a legendary story
00:14:56.402 --> 00:14:58.804
About a man who approached alexander the great,
00:14:58.804 --> 00:15:02.274
Requesting a vast sum of money
00:15:02.274 --> 00:15:04.610
In exchange for his daughter's hand in marriage.
00:15:04.610 --> 00:15:08.247
Alexander agreed and instructed the man to ask his treasurer
00:15:08.247 --> 00:15:12.651
For whatever he wanted.
00:15:12.651 --> 00:15:15.354
And when the man made an extravagant request,
00:15:15.354 --> 00:15:18.757
The treasurer was shocked.
00:15:18.757 --> 00:15:21.560
He hesitated and went to alexander,
00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:25.130
Arguing that even a small fraction of what this man
00:15:25.130 --> 00:15:28.267
Asked for would have been more than sufficient.
00:15:28.267 --> 00:15:31.537
Alexander's response was remarkable.
00:15:31.537 --> 00:15:34.306
He said, "no, let him have it. let him have it all.
00:15:34.306 --> 00:15:37.276
I like that fella. he does me honor.
00:15:37.276 --> 00:15:40.045
He treats me like a king and proves by what he asks
00:15:40.045 --> 00:15:42.848
That he believes me to be both rich and generous."
00:15:42.848 --> 00:15:46.418
Newton concluded, "in the same way, we should go to the throne
00:15:46.418 --> 00:15:50.022
Of god's grace and present petitions that express honorable
00:15:50.022 --> 00:15:54.493
Views of the love, riches, and bounty of our king."
00:15:54.493 --> 00:15:58.797
This is the kind of faith god desires, one that truly believes
00:15:58.797 --> 00:16:02.334
He's able, that he's good and he's capable.
00:16:02.334 --> 00:16:05.504
And i wonder sometimes if that's not one of the things
00:16:05.504 --> 00:16:08.874
We all could work on a little bit,
00:16:08.874 --> 00:16:10.509
To believe god for big things, to believe him for things
00:16:10.509 --> 00:16:14.413
That when you first think,
00:16:14.413 --> 00:16:16.048
"oh that's really--that's impossible."
00:16:16.048 --> 00:16:18.317
What does the bible say?
00:16:18.317 --> 00:16:20.719
"all things are possible with god."
00:16:20.719 --> 00:16:23.422
And then our prayers are not answered
00:16:23.422 --> 00:16:25.958
Because of unrighteous motives.
00:16:25.958 --> 00:16:28.660
Sometimes we pray and we don't pray for the right reasons.
00:16:28.660 --> 00:16:32.765
We have inferior motivations.
00:16:32.765 --> 00:16:34.833
To me this is quite difficult because you can't always trust
00:16:34.833 --> 00:16:38.003
Your motivations.
00:16:38.003 --> 00:16:39.872
Not even your own.
00:16:39.872 --> 00:16:41.373
I mean you can't know others' motivations,
00:16:41.373 --> 00:16:43.342
But sometimes you don't even know your own.
00:16:43.342 --> 00:16:45.344
You know, the bible says that god will reward us
00:16:45.344 --> 00:16:47.646
On the basis of our motivations.
00:16:47.646 --> 00:16:49.648
And sometimes you look back over your life and say,
00:16:49.648 --> 00:16:52.451
"did i ever do anything truly, totally, just for god
00:16:52.451 --> 00:16:56.422
Without any of my own stuff enmixed with it?"
00:16:56.422 --> 00:16:59.925
And it's not really easy to answer that question.
00:16:59.925 --> 00:17:03.562
We often do good deeds for selfish reasons.
00:17:03.562 --> 00:17:07.066
Sometimes we ask god for greater things from lesser motivations.
00:17:07.066 --> 00:17:11.870
James wrote, "you ask and you do not receive,
00:17:11.870 --> 00:17:15.941
Because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."
00:17:15.941 --> 00:17:22.381
The phrase "ask amiss" means to ask in a wrong way
00:17:22.381 --> 00:17:27.086
With selfish or impure motives.
00:17:27.086 --> 00:17:29.288
And the greek word behind the word "pleasures"
00:17:29.288 --> 00:17:31.657
Is connected to hedonism, a lifestyle
00:17:31.657 --> 00:17:34.526
Consumed with personal pleasure and indulgence.
00:17:34.526 --> 00:17:38.030
A hedonistic society seeks gratification above everything.
00:17:38.030 --> 00:17:42.334
And too often our prayers reflect that same pursuit of
00:17:42.334 --> 00:17:46.205
Pleasure rather than a heart surrendered to god's purposes.
00:17:46.205 --> 00:17:50.609
We pray for health, not so that we can serve and glorify god,
00:17:50.609 --> 00:17:54.113
But so we can indulge in self-centered living.
00:17:54.113 --> 00:17:57.683
Or we pray for wealth, not so we can use our resources
00:17:57.683 --> 00:18:00.886
For the kingdom, but so that we can live in luxury
00:18:00.886 --> 00:18:03.922
And comfort and excess.
00:18:03.922 --> 00:18:06.258
This doesn't mean we cannot ask god to do something
00:18:06.258 --> 00:18:08.994
For those we love.
00:18:08.994 --> 00:18:10.863
This does not mean in any sense of the word
00:18:10.863 --> 00:18:14.333
That when we pray we cannot ask god
00:18:14.333 --> 00:18:16.969
To give us our daily bread and meet our needs.
00:18:16.969 --> 00:18:19.571
Surely we can do that.
00:18:19.571 --> 00:18:21.206
God delights in giving us good gifts but we must check
00:18:21.206 --> 00:18:25.077
Our motives.
00:18:25.077 --> 00:18:27.112
Are we seeking his glory or just our own desires?
00:18:27.112 --> 00:18:30.749
The bible warns that some prayers go unanswered
00:18:30.749 --> 00:18:34.286
Because they are from the wrong motive.
00:18:34.286 --> 00:18:37.856
Then the bible teaches us that our prayers are not answered
00:18:37.856 --> 00:18:41.393
Because of unresolved conflicts.
00:18:41.393 --> 00:18:43.896
I want you to write these verses down because these two verses
00:18:43.896 --> 00:18:46.298
Go together and if you're not careful you'll forget
00:18:46.298 --> 00:18:49.168
Where they are and you'll lose the power of them.
00:18:49.168 --> 00:18:51.870
So write these references down.
00:18:51.870 --> 00:18:53.906
Mark 11:25-26.
00:18:53.906 --> 00:18:56.642
Listen to what it says: "and whenever you stand praying,
00:18:56.642 --> 00:19:00.612
If you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your
00:19:00.612 --> 00:19:05.083
Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
00:19:05.083 --> 00:19:09.354
For if you do not forgive, neither will your father
00:19:09.354 --> 00:19:12.324
In heaven forgive your trespasses."
00:19:12.324 --> 00:19:16.428
So do you get what that says?
00:19:16.428 --> 00:19:17.996
The bible says if you have something against someone,
00:19:17.996 --> 00:19:21.733
You're holding a grudge against someone, you've got an issue
00:19:21.733 --> 00:19:23.802
With someone, the bible says you need to take the responsibility
00:19:23.802 --> 00:19:29.041
To forgive that person and get that relationship right,
00:19:29.041 --> 00:19:32.344
All right?
00:19:32.344 --> 00:19:33.679
Now he made the same point in his sermon on the mount.
00:19:33.679 --> 00:19:36.081
Listen to this: "therefore if you bring your gift
00:19:36.081 --> 00:19:39.017
To the altar, and there you remember
00:19:39.017 --> 00:19:41.653
That your brother has something against you,
00:19:41.653 --> 00:19:45.424
Leave your gift there before the altar,
00:19:45.424 --> 00:19:47.492
And go your way.
00:19:47.492 --> 00:19:49.027
First be reconciled to your brother,
00:19:49.027 --> 00:19:51.263
And then come and offer your gift."
00:19:51.263 --> 00:19:54.132
The first verse says if you have something against somebody,
00:19:54.132 --> 00:19:57.936
Go get it right.
00:19:57.936 --> 00:20:00.038
The second verse says if somebody's got something
00:20:00.038 --> 00:20:02.474
Against you, go get it right.
00:20:02.474 --> 00:20:05.110
And what that means, class, is it's always your turn.
00:20:05.110 --> 00:20:09.281
Because what happens to us when we get in situations like that,
00:20:09.281 --> 00:20:14.820
Well, and probably even in your marriage, i won't make
00:20:14.820 --> 00:20:17.623
Any confessions here, but probably even in your marriage,
00:20:17.623 --> 00:20:22.027
You have a little disagreement
00:20:22.027 --> 00:20:23.695
And you don't do anything about it
00:20:23.695 --> 00:20:25.130
Because you initiated the last time of forgiveness,
00:20:25.130 --> 00:20:28.333
And it's not your turn.
00:20:28.333 --> 00:20:29.735
Listen to me, it's always our turn.
00:20:29.735 --> 00:20:31.637
God made it clear in his word that our acceptance with him
00:20:31.637 --> 00:20:35.240
Is based solely on the work he did for us at calvary,
00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:38.310
And our belief in his son is our only hope of salvation.
00:20:38.310 --> 00:20:41.780
But the lord also told us that our fellowship with him in
00:20:41.780 --> 00:20:45.384
Prayer is conditioned upon our relationship with others.
00:20:45.384 --> 00:20:49.688
If you don't forgive someone who hurts you or that you hurt,
00:20:49.688 --> 00:20:53.492
It doesn't affect your salvation,
00:20:53.492 --> 00:20:55.761
But it may affect your fellowship with god.
00:20:55.761 --> 00:20:58.030
You may feel a distance come between you and god.
00:20:58.030 --> 00:21:00.866
You're still saved, but the walk of fellowship can be hurt.
00:21:00.866 --> 00:21:06.038
If i've offended my brother or my sister,
00:21:06.038 --> 00:21:08.874
I need to go make things right, or at least try to,
00:21:08.874 --> 00:21:13.178
Or my prayers may be hindered.
00:21:13.178 --> 00:21:14.780
If my brother has offended me, i must forgive him
00:21:14.780 --> 00:21:18.016
So bitterness won't be a barrier to my prayers.
00:21:18.016 --> 00:21:21.420
So have you hurt someone but haven't tried to make it right?
00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:25.390
Or are you resentful at someone?
00:21:25.390 --> 00:21:27.826
People can hurt us and some can hurt us in catastrophic ways.
00:21:27.826 --> 00:21:31.997
We can carry around bitterness for many years, but it's a
00:21:31.997 --> 00:21:35.467
Self-destructive attitude and a prayer-hindering emotion.
00:21:35.467 --> 00:21:40.872
Ask god to give you a forgiving heart, breathe out your prayers
00:21:40.872 --> 00:21:44.142
In an atmosphere of grace.
00:21:44.142 --> 00:21:46.111
You will be so surprised if you do this
00:21:46.111 --> 00:21:49.448
How wonderful it will be to pray again in the right way,
00:21:49.448 --> 00:21:54.353
Because you're not holding something back in your heart.
00:21:54.353 --> 00:22:00.225
Okay, number six: our prayers are not answered because
00:22:00.225 --> 00:22:05.063
Of uncompassionate hearts.
00:22:05.063 --> 00:22:07.966
Once again from the word of god, as i searched the scriptures
00:22:07.966 --> 00:22:11.036
Looking for hurdles that hinder our prayers, i found another
00:22:11.036 --> 00:22:14.773
Danger lurking in proverbs 21, verse 13:
00:22:14.773 --> 00:22:18.410
"whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
00:22:18.410 --> 00:22:22.948
Will also cry himself and not be heard."
00:22:22.948 --> 00:22:27.319
The apostle john also touches on this.
00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:29.788
He said, "whoever has this world's goods, and sees his
00:22:29.788 --> 00:22:33.825
Brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him,
00:22:33.825 --> 00:22:37.763
How does the love of god abide in him?
00:22:37.763 --> 00:22:40.532
Let us not love in word or in tongue,
00:22:40.532 --> 00:22:42.667
But in deed and in truth.
00:22:42.667 --> 00:22:44.369
And whatever we ask we receive from him,
00:22:44.369 --> 00:22:46.938
Because we keep his commandments
00:22:46.938 --> 00:22:49.107
And do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
00:22:49.107 --> 00:22:53.145
This is not about trying to feed the world's hungry,
00:22:53.145 --> 00:22:56.281
Although we ought to be concerned about that.
00:22:56.281 --> 00:22:59.384
This prayer barrier is about failing to have compassion
00:22:59.384 --> 00:23:02.320
For those we know who are in need,
00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:06.124
Especially those who come to us and seek our help,
00:23:06.124 --> 00:23:09.361
And we have the capability of meeting that need.
00:23:09.361 --> 00:23:12.964
If we respond without compassion,
00:23:12.964 --> 00:23:15.901
We violate our fellowship with god
00:23:15.901 --> 00:23:17.669
And he is not gonna answer our prayers
00:23:17.669 --> 00:23:19.805
Until we make that right.
00:23:19.805 --> 00:23:22.707
He's a god of compassion.
00:23:22.707 --> 00:23:25.811
Has he shown compassion to us?
00:23:25.811 --> 00:23:28.513
Out of the reservoir of his compassion to us,
00:23:28.513 --> 00:23:31.783
We're to have compassion on other people.
00:23:31.783 --> 00:23:35.020
Our prayers are not answered because of unprayed prayers.
00:23:35.020 --> 00:23:40.192
Our prayers are not answered because of unconfessed sin.
00:23:40.192 --> 00:23:44.696
Our prayers are not answered because of unbelieving minds.
00:23:44.696 --> 00:23:48.133
Our prayers are not answered because of unrighteous motives.
00:23:48.133 --> 00:23:51.837
Our prayers are not answered because of unresolved conflicts.
00:23:51.837 --> 00:23:55.841
Our prayers are not answered because of
00:23:55.841 --> 00:23:57.976
Uncompassionate hearts.
00:23:57.976 --> 00:24:00.078
And this last one is going to shock you.
00:24:00.078 --> 00:24:04.783
But i want to remind you again, i'm not making this up.
00:24:04.783 --> 00:24:07.986
This is from the bible.
00:24:07.986 --> 00:24:10.689
Our prayers are not answered because of
00:24:10.689 --> 00:24:13.191
Unresponsive husbands.
00:24:13.191 --> 00:24:17.629
Did you know that?
00:24:17.629 --> 00:24:20.699
"husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding,
00:24:20.699 --> 00:24:25.871
Giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel,
00:24:25.871 --> 00:24:29.741
And as being heirs together of the grace of life,
00:24:29.741 --> 00:24:33.411
That your prayers be not hindered."
00:24:33.411 --> 00:24:38.183
Men, the bible has a special category for us.
00:24:38.183 --> 00:24:44.222
It teaches us that men, and all the women are clapping,
00:24:44.222 --> 00:24:48.593
That's not fair.
00:24:48.593 --> 00:24:50.562
This teaches us that not having the right kind of relationship
00:24:50.562 --> 00:24:54.165
With our wives can hinder our prayers.
00:24:54.165 --> 00:24:57.769
It makes it hard to pray for your wife when you have not been
00:24:57.769 --> 00:25:01.106
Loving her and meeting her needs and living with her according
00:25:01.106 --> 00:25:03.842
To the teaching of the word of god.
00:25:03.842 --> 00:25:06.678
On the other hand, think of the potential that is wrapped up
00:25:06.678 --> 00:25:09.214
In the two of you praying together,
00:25:09.214 --> 00:25:11.650
Agreeing on things and praying in your prayers
00:25:11.650 --> 00:25:15.086
For the same things.
00:25:15.086 --> 00:25:16.588
Matthew 18 says, "i say to you that if two of you agree
00:25:16.588 --> 00:25:19.424
On earth concerning anything that they ask,
00:25:19.424 --> 00:25:22.527
It will be done for them by my father in heaven.
00:25:22.527 --> 00:25:25.630
For where two or three are gathered in my name,
00:25:25.630 --> 00:25:28.800
I am there in the midst of them."
00:25:28.800 --> 00:25:31.703
Unprayed prayers, unconfessed sin, unbelieving minds,
00:25:31.703 --> 00:25:35.240
Unrighteous motives, unresolved conflicts,
00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:38.043
Uncompassionate hearts, and unresponsive husbands.
00:25:38.043 --> 00:25:42.113
There you have it,
00:25:42.113 --> 00:25:43.448
Seven things that can be barriers to praying.
00:25:43.448 --> 00:25:46.384
Psalm 86:5 says: "for you, lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
00:25:46.384 --> 00:25:51.189
And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon you."
00:25:51.189 --> 00:25:55.160
We cannot afford to have our prayers hindered
00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:57.796
In days like these.
00:25:57.796 --> 00:25:59.564
We live in treacherous days and we can't let stuff
00:25:59.564 --> 00:26:03.535
Get between us and god.
00:26:03.535 --> 00:26:05.670
We need constant access to the throne of grace,
00:26:05.670 --> 00:26:08.173
And we need to live in the land of answered prayer.
00:26:08.173 --> 00:26:10.875
From the beginning of the bible to its conclusion,
00:26:12.577 --> 00:26:16.481
We see absolute evidence that god answers prayer.
00:26:16.481 --> 00:26:20.452
Things that we think are impossible,
00:26:20.452 --> 00:26:22.253
God does when people pray.
00:26:22.253 --> 00:26:25.056
Prayer has won victories over fire and earth and water.
00:26:25.056 --> 00:26:29.060
Prayer opened the red sea.
00:26:29.060 --> 00:26:31.363
Prayer brought water from the rock and bread from heaven.
00:26:31.363 --> 00:26:35.400
Prayer made the sun stand still.
00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:37.435
Prayer brought fire from the sky on elijah's sacrifice.
00:26:37.435 --> 00:26:41.640
Prayer overthrew armies and healed the sick.
00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:44.943
Prayer raised the dead.
00:26:44.943 --> 00:26:46.811
Prayer has paved the way for the conversion
00:26:46.811 --> 00:26:49.047
Of millions of people.
00:26:49.047 --> 00:26:51.216
When we pray, we align ourselves with the purposes of god
00:26:51.216 --> 00:26:55.220
And tap into the power of the almighty.
00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:58.156
Because we pray, god works through us in ways
00:26:58.156 --> 00:27:01.660
That he wouldn't otherwise.
00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:03.928
God has determined that he will use the prayers of his people
00:27:03.928 --> 00:27:07.732
To accomplish his purposes on this earth.
00:27:07.732 --> 00:27:11.302
If we want all the blessings god has available to us,
00:27:11.302 --> 00:27:15.006
We must pray.
00:27:15.006 --> 00:27:16.641
♪♪♪
00:27:16.641 --> 00:27:22.347
Announcer: thank you for watching "turning point."
00:27:24.382 --> 00:27:26.484
Dr. jeremiah would like to offer you his new book,
00:27:26.484 --> 00:27:29.020
"everything to god in prayer:
00:27:29.020 --> 00:27:30.889
Guided prayers for your deepest needs and biggest dreams,"
00:27:30.889 --> 00:27:33.858
Containing 100 carefully crafted prayers
00:27:33.858 --> 00:27:36.294
For life's challenges and celebrations.
00:27:36.294 --> 00:27:39.097
These guided prayers will help you pray with confidence
00:27:39.097 --> 00:27:41.499
And renewed purpose as dr. jeremiah
00:27:41.499 --> 00:27:43.702
Helps you bring everything to god.
00:27:43.702 --> 00:27:46.504
Request "everything to god in prayer," new from dr. jeremiah,
00:27:46.504 --> 00:27:49.874
With your gift of any amount to "turning point."
00:27:49.874 --> 00:27:52.310
Or receive 2 copies for a gift of $60 or more,
00:27:52.310 --> 00:27:55.647
Perfect for your prayer life
00:27:55.647 --> 00:27:57.115
And a thoughtful gift for loved ones.
00:27:57.115 --> 00:27:59.384
Your deepest needs and biggest dreams deserve the right words.
00:27:59.384 --> 00:28:03.488
Request "everything to god in prayer" by dr. jeremiah
00:28:03.488 --> 00:28:06.691
From "turning point" today.
00:28:06.691 --> 00:28:08.727
♪♪♪
00:28:10.128 --> 00:28:13.865
Announcer: if you have never taken the step to believe in
00:28:13.865 --> 00:28:15.934
Jesus christ as your lord and savior, you can do that today.
00:28:15.934 --> 00:28:20.472
If you will allow us, dr. jeremiah
00:28:20.472 --> 00:28:22.507
Would like to send you two resources that will help you.
00:28:22.507 --> 00:28:25.777
The first is a booklet called "your greatest turning point,"
00:28:25.777 --> 00:28:28.913
Which will help you as you begin your relationship with christ.
00:28:28.913 --> 00:28:32.283
And the second is our monthly devotional magazine,
00:28:32.283 --> 00:28:34.719
"turning points," to give you encouragement
00:28:34.719 --> 00:28:36.921
And inspiration throughout the year.
00:28:36.921 --> 00:28:39.457
These resources are yours completely free
00:28:39.457 --> 00:28:41.793
When you contact "turning point" today.
00:28:41.793 --> 00:28:43.695
Announcer: if you enjoyed today's message,
00:28:47.499 --> 00:28:49.100
Watch the entire "prayer: the great adventure" series
00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:51.302
From dr. david jeremiah on turning point+
00:28:51.302 --> 00:28:54.973
Start streaming this series today along
00:28:54.973 --> 00:28:57.041
With more than 1200 messages
00:28:57.041 --> 00:28:58.610
From dr. jeremiah's 4 decades of broadcast ministry.
00:28:58.610 --> 00:29:02.180
On turning point+,
00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:03.548
You'll find dr. jeremiah's bible-strong teaching,
00:29:03.548 --> 00:29:06.084
Original programming, plus special collections
00:29:06.084 --> 00:29:08.653
And playlists, all on demand and on any screen.
00:29:08.653 --> 00:29:12.257
Visit turningpointplus.org today.
00:29:12.257 --> 00:29:14.259
Announcer: coming up on "turning point."
00:29:16.661 --> 00:29:18.163
Dr. jeremiah: the god who answers this prayer is a good
00:29:19.464 --> 00:29:22.500
And gracious and loving god.
00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:24.803
He never gives us anything that he does not give us
00:29:24.803 --> 00:29:27.739
The grace to deal with.
00:29:27.739 --> 00:29:29.507
He never asks us to walk a road that he does not lead us
00:29:29.507 --> 00:29:33.545
And go with us.
00:29:33.545 --> 00:29:35.914
Announcer: stay tuned for another message
00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:37.315
From dr. jeremiah's series, "prayer: the great adventure."
00:29:37.315 --> 00:29:40.985
"prayer, pagans, and pretenders,"
00:29:40.985 --> 00:29:43.121
Here on "turning point."
00:29:43.121 --> 00:29:44.889
♪♪♪
00:29:46.491 --> 00:29:49.294
Dr. jeremiah: we're a pretty self-sufficient people
00:29:49.294 --> 00:29:51.296
But that has caused us to make prayer our last resort
00:29:51.296 --> 00:29:55.066
When we're in trouble.
00:29:55.066 --> 00:29:58.336
We make prayer so difficult.
00:29:58.336 --> 00:30:00.538
Prayer may be mysterious, but it's not complicated.
00:30:00.538 --> 00:30:03.808
It's simple.
00:30:03.808 --> 00:30:05.577
And in this series, i'm going to teach you
00:30:05.577 --> 00:30:08.012
How to transform your prayer life.
00:30:08.012 --> 00:30:13.484
I'm not here to make you feel guilty
00:30:13.484 --> 00:30:15.486
About not praying as much as you should.
00:30:15.486 --> 00:30:17.989
The real issue isn't guilt.
00:30:17.989 --> 00:30:19.858
It's that we're missing out on the great adventure
00:30:19.858 --> 00:30:22.293
God has for us.
00:30:22.293 --> 00:30:25.830
So you want to know why you're not seeing your prayers
00:30:25.830 --> 00:30:28.266
Being answered?
00:30:28.266 --> 00:30:29.601
Well, they're just not specific enough.
00:30:29.601 --> 00:30:32.937
Your prayer should be so specific
00:30:32.937 --> 00:30:34.839
That when god answers it, you recognize it.
00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:37.942
If you want your prayers answered,
00:30:37.942 --> 00:30:40.311
Three things need to be true:
00:30:40.311 --> 00:30:42.513
The request needs to be right, the timing needs to be right,
00:30:42.513 --> 00:30:46.584
And you need to be right.
00:30:46.584 --> 00:30:49.787
Don't pray like an adult.
00:30:49.787 --> 00:30:51.689
Pray like a child.
00:30:51.689 --> 00:30:53.324
Keep it simple, keep it specific, and keep at it.
00:30:53.324 --> 00:30:59.163
God cares about everything in your life,
00:30:59.163 --> 00:31:01.432
Even the little things.
00:31:01.432 --> 00:31:03.167
Nothing is too insignificant to get on your prayer list
00:31:03.167 --> 00:31:06.404
Because god has the capacity to care about every detail
00:31:06.404 --> 00:31:09.374
Of every one of his children, including you.
00:31:09.374 --> 00:31:13.778
What is prayer?
00:31:13.778 --> 00:31:15.380
Prayer is a conversation, prayer is a relationship,
00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:19.651
And prayer is a great adventure.
00:31:19.651 --> 00:31:21.953
Announcer: here is dr. jeremiah with his message,
00:31:25.657 --> 00:31:28.192
"prayer, pagans, and pretenders."
00:31:28.192 --> 00:31:30.762
Dr. jeremiah: the daughter of an atheist
00:31:31.763 --> 00:31:33.431
Once told a friend that she had been raised
00:31:33.431 --> 00:31:35.833
Without any religion.
00:31:35.833 --> 00:31:38.102
"i don't believe in god," she said.
00:31:38.102 --> 00:31:40.738
And then a little wistfully she added, "but the other day
00:31:40.738 --> 00:31:43.408
I came across an old german book that contained a prayer,
00:31:43.408 --> 00:31:47.912
And if the god of that prayer exists,
00:31:47.912 --> 00:31:50.648
Then i think i might be able to believe in him."
00:31:50.648 --> 00:31:54.118
Her friend asked, "what was the prayer?"
00:31:54.118 --> 00:31:57.155
And she replied slowly, "our father who art in heaven."
00:31:57.155 --> 00:32:02.760
The lord's prayer is one of the most powerful evidences
00:32:02.760 --> 00:32:06.531
Of god's existence.
00:32:06.531 --> 00:32:09.167
Such a prayer could not have been conceived
00:32:09.167 --> 00:32:11.903
Unless god was real, unless he had revealed himself
00:32:11.903 --> 00:32:15.907
And made it possible for us to know him.
00:32:15.907 --> 00:32:19.110
This prayer, recorded in matthew 6,
00:32:19.110 --> 00:32:22.113
Is one of many prayers of the lord jesus.
00:32:22.113 --> 00:32:25.116
In fact, we know of at least 20 prayers
00:32:25.116 --> 00:32:29.020
That jesus prayed.
00:32:29.020 --> 00:32:31.356
Luke 3 tells us that jesus prayed at his baptism.
00:32:31.356 --> 00:32:35.159
Later, when crowds began pressing him in capernaum,
00:32:35.159 --> 00:32:39.530
He seemed to be aware of the danger
00:32:39.530 --> 00:32:42.066
Of a misplaced devotion.
00:32:42.066 --> 00:32:43.601
"he arose, and a great while before dawn, he prayed."
00:32:43.601 --> 00:32:47.705
Before selecting his 12 apostles,
00:32:47.705 --> 00:32:50.475
Jesus spent the whole night in prayer.
00:32:50.475 --> 00:32:52.777
Then there is his high priestly prayer,
00:32:52.777 --> 00:32:55.046
Which is recorded in john 17.
00:32:55.046 --> 00:32:57.648
And of course, the prayer in the garden of gethsemane,
00:32:57.648 --> 00:33:00.952
Where he surrendered to the father's will, saying,
00:33:00.952 --> 00:33:03.421
"nevertheless not my will, but thine be done."
00:33:03.421 --> 00:33:07.091
But the most well-known prayer associated with jesus's name
00:33:07.091 --> 00:33:10.828
Is the one we call the lord's prayer.
00:33:10.828 --> 00:33:14.966
Of course, the lord's prayer has also been used
00:33:14.966 --> 00:33:17.902
In some unusual ways.
00:33:17.902 --> 00:33:19.570
I read about a minister who parked his car
00:33:19.570 --> 00:33:22.607
In a no parking zone in a large city.
00:33:22.607 --> 00:33:26.277
Short on time and unable to find a legal space,
00:33:26.277 --> 00:33:29.981
He left a note under the windshield wiper,
00:33:29.981 --> 00:33:32.750
"i have circled this block ten times.
00:33:32.750 --> 00:33:34.886
If i don't park here, i'll miss my appointment.
00:33:34.886 --> 00:33:37.422
Forgive us our trespasses."
00:33:37.422 --> 00:33:41.059
When he returned, he found a parking ticket
00:33:41.059 --> 00:33:43.361
Along with a note from the police officer.
00:33:43.361 --> 00:33:45.997
"i have circled this block for ten years.
00:33:45.997 --> 00:33:49.333
If i don't give you a ticket, i'll lose my job.
00:33:49.333 --> 00:33:51.569
Lead us not into temptation."
00:33:51.569 --> 00:33:55.106
The lord's prayer.
00:33:58.576 --> 00:34:01.379
The lord's prayer appears two times in scripture:
00:34:01.379 --> 00:34:05.216
Matthew 6 and luke 11.
00:34:05.216 --> 00:34:08.419
And in this study, we'll focus on the version
00:34:08.419 --> 00:34:10.822
Recorded in matthew's gospel.
00:34:10.822 --> 00:34:13.357
What a privilege it is to take a few moments today
00:34:13.357 --> 00:34:16.427
To learn from the lord's prayer, not just how to pray,
00:34:16.427 --> 00:34:21.165
But how to live in harmony with the will of god.
00:34:21.165 --> 00:34:23.868
I find it interesting that the disciples
00:34:23.868 --> 00:34:26.137
Never went to jesus and said, "lord, teach us to preach"
00:34:26.137 --> 00:34:30.741
Or "teach us to lead."
00:34:30.741 --> 00:34:32.944
They felt the same need that we feel.
00:34:32.944 --> 00:34:35.546
"lord, teach us to pray."
00:34:35.546 --> 00:34:37.582
The lord's prayer begins
00:34:37.582 --> 00:34:38.916
With some preliminary instructions about prayer.
00:34:38.916 --> 00:34:42.687
Before he gives the prayer in matthew 6,
00:34:42.687 --> 00:34:45.056
He lays out a couple of requirements.
00:34:45.056 --> 00:34:47.792
When jesus said, "after this manner, pray,"
00:34:47.792 --> 00:34:51.095
He first wanted to teach us something important
00:34:51.095 --> 00:34:54.065
About the prayer itself.
00:34:54.065 --> 00:34:56.434
First thing that you learn when you read
00:34:56.434 --> 00:34:58.402
These preliminary instructions is that you should never pray
00:34:58.402 --> 00:35:02.340
Like the hypocrites.
00:35:02.340 --> 00:35:04.041
That's what he says.
00:35:04.041 --> 00:35:06.144
The first warning he gives us is that our prayers
00:35:06.144 --> 00:35:09.347
Must not be hypocritical.
00:35:09.347 --> 00:35:12.083
I think that's so interesting in light of what i've observed
00:35:12.083 --> 00:35:14.385
In many prayer meetings that i've attended.
00:35:14.385 --> 00:35:17.054
He even uses the word "hypocrite" in his teachings.
00:35:17.054 --> 00:35:20.691
Matthew 6:5, "and when you pray, you shall not be
00:35:20.691 --> 00:35:24.562
Like the hypocrites.
00:35:24.562 --> 00:35:26.731
For they love to pray standing in the synagogues
00:35:26.731 --> 00:35:30.034
And on the corners of the streets,
00:35:30.034 --> 00:35:32.203
That they may be seen by men.
00:35:32.203 --> 00:35:33.771
Assuredly, i say to you, they have their reward."
00:35:33.771 --> 00:35:38.543
Hypocrites are more interested in the position than in piety.
00:35:38.543 --> 00:35:43.714
In jesus's day, jewish pharisees were committed to praying
00:35:43.714 --> 00:35:47.885
At set hours: 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock,
00:35:47.885 --> 00:35:52.523
And 12 o'clock.
00:35:52.523 --> 00:35:54.091
Wherever they were when the hour struck,
00:35:54.091 --> 00:35:56.827
They would stop and pray out loud.
00:35:56.827 --> 00:36:00.331
Some of the pharisees even planned their schedules
00:36:00.331 --> 00:36:03.601
To ensure that they were in the most public places
00:36:03.601 --> 00:36:06.304
When it was time to pray.
00:36:06.304 --> 00:36:08.773
At 12 o'clock, they would find themselves
00:36:08.773 --> 00:36:11.275
In the city center, and at just the right moment,
00:36:11.275 --> 00:36:14.278
They would lift their hands and begin praying aloud,
00:36:14.278 --> 00:36:17.682
And the crowd would look on and say, "now,
00:36:17.682 --> 00:36:20.318
That must be a really spiritual person."
00:36:20.318 --> 00:36:24.622
Jesus said, "don't pray like that."
00:36:24.622 --> 00:36:27.525
Hypocritical praying is more concerned with position
00:36:27.525 --> 00:36:30.928
Than with piety, more concerned with the people
00:36:30.928 --> 00:36:33.531
Who are watching than the god you hope is listening.
00:36:33.531 --> 00:36:37.602
This doesn't mean that public praying is wrong.
00:36:37.602 --> 00:36:41.172
Some groups have taken these words of our lord
00:36:41.172 --> 00:36:43.674
And have used them to forbid group praying.
00:36:43.674 --> 00:36:46.310
That's just not what it means.
00:36:46.310 --> 00:36:48.746
After all, the gospels show jesus praying publicly
00:36:48.746 --> 00:36:51.449
On several occasions, and the book of acts,
00:36:51.449 --> 00:36:53.918
Which is the history of the early church,
00:36:53.918 --> 00:36:56.287
Records many examples of believers praying together.
00:36:56.287 --> 00:37:00.291
There is a place for public prayers,
00:37:00.291 --> 00:37:02.426
But they must be genuine, and they must never
00:37:02.426 --> 00:37:04.996
Take the place of our private praying.
00:37:04.996 --> 00:37:09.033
One of the most sobering truths in studying the lord's prayer
00:37:09.033 --> 00:37:11.902
Is this.
00:37:11.902 --> 00:37:13.237
No one can try to impress people
00:37:13.237 --> 00:37:15.840
And at the same time truly connect with god.
00:37:15.840 --> 00:37:19.744
It's not possible.
00:37:19.744 --> 00:37:21.479
Jesus warns us upfront,
00:37:21.479 --> 00:37:23.414
Prayer isn't about impressing others.
00:37:23.414 --> 00:37:25.683
If we pray for recognition, that's the only reward
00:37:25.683 --> 00:37:28.986
We'll ever get.
00:37:28.986 --> 00:37:30.621
Jesus gives a second warning.
00:37:30.621 --> 00:37:32.623
Not only should we avoid praying like hypocrites,
00:37:32.623 --> 00:37:35.726
But we must also avoid praying like the heathen.
00:37:35.726 --> 00:37:38.996
He actually says that.
00:37:38.996 --> 00:37:40.631
"and when you pray," verse 7, "do not use vain repetitions
00:37:40.631 --> 00:37:45.236
As the heathen do.
00:37:45.236 --> 00:37:47.505
For they think that they will be heard
00:37:47.505 --> 00:37:49.440
For their many words."
00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:52.143
You might ask, "do the heathen pray?"
00:37:52.143 --> 00:37:55.212
Oh yes.
00:37:55.212 --> 00:37:56.580
And jesus describes one of their key mistakes,
00:37:56.580 --> 00:37:59.583
Vain repetition.
00:37:59.583 --> 00:38:01.952
This is the idea that we must repeat
00:38:01.952 --> 00:38:03.921
The same words over and over, almost like a spiritual mantra,
00:38:03.921 --> 00:38:09.060
To get god's attention.
00:38:09.060 --> 00:38:10.961
And if we're honest, even as bible-believing christians,
00:38:10.961 --> 00:38:15.533
We can sometimes fall into this habit.
00:38:15.533 --> 00:38:19.103
Jesus warns us not to approach god
00:38:19.103 --> 00:38:21.972
With rote prayers, but with real prayers,
00:38:21.972 --> 00:38:25.409
Prayers that come from relationship,
00:38:25.409 --> 00:38:27.445
Not from routine.
00:38:27.445 --> 00:38:29.280
It's striking that before giving the lord's prayer,
00:38:29.280 --> 00:38:31.782
One of the most frequently repeated prayers in history,
00:38:31.782 --> 00:38:35.219
Jesus specifically warns against vain repetition.
00:38:35.219 --> 00:38:40.324
In luke's account of the pharisees
00:38:40.324 --> 00:38:42.059
And the tax collector, there's an intriguing phrase.
00:38:42.059 --> 00:38:45.963
"the pharisee stood and prayed with himself."
00:38:45.963 --> 00:38:51.702
Think about that.
00:38:51.702 --> 00:38:53.037
Have you ever heard someone pray with themselves?
00:38:53.037 --> 00:38:56.507
Maybe god is just listening in as a secondary thought.
00:38:56.507 --> 00:38:59.910
Jesus warns us that prayer must not be like that.
00:38:59.910 --> 00:39:04.482
In some cultures, people write their prayers
00:39:04.482 --> 00:39:06.917
On paper and place them in prayer wheels,
00:39:06.917 --> 00:39:10.721
Believing that each turn of the wheel
00:39:10.721 --> 00:39:12.757
Offers the prayer up to heaven.
00:39:12.757 --> 00:39:14.859
The more spins, the more prayers.
00:39:14.859 --> 00:39:17.862
That's vain repetition.
00:39:17.862 --> 00:39:20.364
You see, prayer is all about god wanting our hearts.
00:39:20.364 --> 00:39:24.101
That's why jesus gives these warnings.
00:39:24.101 --> 00:39:26.804
Don't pray like the hypocrites.
00:39:26.804 --> 00:39:28.606
Don't pray like the heathen.
00:39:28.606 --> 00:39:30.474
That's what the scripture says.
00:39:30.474 --> 00:39:32.643
Now, notice the pattern for prayer.
00:39:32.643 --> 00:39:35.513
When you begin to study its meaning,
00:39:35.513 --> 00:39:37.381
You discover some profound theology.
00:39:37.381 --> 00:39:40.418
Look carefully at the prayer and notice the emphasis
00:39:40.418 --> 00:39:43.421
On god in the first three petitions.
00:39:43.421 --> 00:39:47.224
"thy name, thy kingdom, thy will."
00:39:47.224 --> 00:39:52.663
Then observe the second half of the prayer,
00:39:52.663 --> 00:39:54.698
Which highlights the poverty of man.
00:39:54.698 --> 00:39:57.501
Let me rephrase it so you see the contrast.
00:39:57.501 --> 00:40:00.237
"us, give us daily bread.
00:40:00.237 --> 00:40:02.907
Us, forgive us our debts.
00:40:02.907 --> 00:40:05.409
Us, lead us not into temptation.
00:40:05.409 --> 00:40:07.878
Us, deliver us from evil."
00:40:07.878 --> 00:40:10.915
The first part of the prayer is thy, thy, thy,
00:40:10.915 --> 00:40:13.684
The second part of the prayer is us, us, us.
00:40:13.684 --> 00:40:16.720
God has all the glory, all the power, all the majesty.
00:40:16.720 --> 00:40:19.924
We, on the other hand, have all the needs,
00:40:19.924 --> 00:40:23.260
All the wants, and all the poverty.
00:40:23.260 --> 00:40:25.830
Isn't it a privilege to come to a prayer
00:40:25.830 --> 00:40:29.400
Where you can say, "lord, i'm empty,
00:40:29.400 --> 00:40:31.502
But, o god, you're full.
00:40:31.502 --> 00:40:33.637
You are my source.
00:40:33.637 --> 00:40:34.972
You are the one i come to."
00:40:34.972 --> 00:40:40.077
Samuel zwemer once wrote, "every possible desire
00:40:40.077 --> 00:40:43.547
Of the praying heart is here.
00:40:43.547 --> 00:40:46.083
This prayer contains a whole world
00:40:46.083 --> 00:40:48.452
Of spiritual requirements, and it combines
00:40:48.452 --> 00:40:51.622
In simple language every divine promise,
00:40:51.622 --> 00:40:55.326
Every human sorrow and want, and every christian aspiration
00:40:55.326 --> 00:41:00.197
For the good of others.
00:41:00.197 --> 00:41:01.799
This prayer is everything we need
00:41:01.799 --> 00:41:04.635
For a life of prayer."
00:41:04.635 --> 00:41:06.470
For a season, i used the lord's prayer
00:41:06.470 --> 00:41:09.507
As the outline for my prayer every day.
00:41:09.507 --> 00:41:13.244
Let me show you how it works, why it's a powerful way to pray.
00:41:13.244 --> 00:41:18.449
The prayer begins, first of all, with praise.
00:41:18.449 --> 00:41:21.452
"our father in heaven, hallowed be your name."
00:41:21.452 --> 00:41:26.090
The bible tells us to enter into his presence
00:41:26.090 --> 00:41:29.493
With thanksgiving.
00:41:29.493 --> 00:41:31.462
Jesus said, "hallowed be thy name."
00:41:31.462 --> 00:41:33.130
That means we begin by honoring, worshipping,
00:41:33.130 --> 00:41:35.866
And praising god.
00:41:35.866 --> 00:41:38.035
How easy it is to rush into god's presence
00:41:38.035 --> 00:41:41.505
With a long list of needs.
00:41:41.505 --> 00:41:43.974
We start asking before we have even acknowledged
00:41:43.974 --> 00:41:46.443
Who he is.
00:41:46.443 --> 00:41:47.978
But god invites us to begin with praise.
00:41:47.978 --> 00:41:51.315
Take the names of god, open the psalms,
00:41:51.315 --> 00:41:54.051
Find words that exalt him.
00:41:54.051 --> 00:41:56.387
Here's why this matters.
00:41:56.387 --> 00:41:58.122
If you start your prayer focused on your needs,
00:41:58.122 --> 00:42:01.425
You may not have confidence in your prayers.
00:42:01.425 --> 00:42:04.428
But if you begin by seeing god as he is, high and lifted up,
00:42:04.428 --> 00:42:10.334
Full of power and majesty, you know that your prayers
00:42:10.334 --> 00:42:14.038
Are being offered to someone who can hear you
00:42:14.038 --> 00:42:16.907
And answer you and help you.
00:42:16.907 --> 00:42:19.977
Make god big in your prayers.
00:42:19.977 --> 00:42:22.680
Begin with praise.
00:42:22.680 --> 00:42:24.214
"our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name."
00:42:24.214 --> 00:42:29.887
And then, after praise comes priorities.
00:42:29.887 --> 00:42:37.461
"your kingdom come.
00:42:37.461 --> 00:42:39.830
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
00:42:39.830 --> 00:42:44.702
What would happen if god's will were done on earth
00:42:44.702 --> 00:42:48.639
As it is in heaven?
00:42:48.639 --> 00:42:50.441
In heaven, his will is done perfectly and completely.
00:42:50.441 --> 00:42:54.311
This is where we surrender.
00:42:54.311 --> 00:42:55.646
We lay our priorities before him and align them with his.
00:42:55.646 --> 00:43:00.050
I remind myself almost every day of my priorities.
00:43:00.050 --> 00:43:03.854
I want to give them to you.
00:43:03.854 --> 00:43:05.189
Here's what they are.
00:43:05.189 --> 00:43:06.757
And if you know anything about me
00:43:06.757 --> 00:43:08.626
And have watched what's happened here
00:43:08.626 --> 00:43:09.960
Over the years, you probably will see that
00:43:09.960 --> 00:43:12.029
These priorities are what have guided my life.
00:43:12.029 --> 00:43:15.332
First of all, i am a person before god.
00:43:15.332 --> 00:43:19.269
I must take care of that relationship.
00:43:19.269 --> 00:43:23.340
Secondly, i'm a partner to my wife.
00:43:23.340 --> 00:43:27.911
She's the most important person on this earth to me.
00:43:27.911 --> 00:43:31.849
Only god gets ahead of donna.
00:43:31.849 --> 00:43:34.084
Thirdly, i'm a parent with my children.
00:43:34.084 --> 00:43:37.087
I need to tell you that when you do what i do
00:43:37.087 --> 00:43:39.490
And what some of you guys do who have responsible positions
00:43:39.490 --> 00:43:43.394
That demand a lot of your time and attention,
00:43:43.394 --> 00:43:46.030
If you're not careful, you can sacrifice your children
00:43:46.030 --> 00:43:50.034
On the altar of your success, and it is a very poor choice
00:43:50.034 --> 00:43:54.471
If you do that.
00:43:54.471 --> 00:43:56.707
When i was first beginning to be a pastor
00:43:56.707 --> 00:43:59.543
Back in fort wayne, i was trying to build the church.
00:43:59.543 --> 00:44:03.247
I had started there with seven families.
00:44:03.247 --> 00:44:05.582
One of my favorite sayings to everybody was, "sure,
00:44:05.582 --> 00:44:07.618
I gotta work every day and every night.
00:44:07.618 --> 00:44:09.153
I'm the gross national product, don't you know that?
00:44:09.153 --> 00:44:11.388
There's nobody but me.
00:44:11.388 --> 00:44:12.723
If i don't do it, nobody's gonna do it."
00:44:12.723 --> 00:44:14.758
So i worked many hours.
00:44:14.758 --> 00:44:17.061
I would get up early and study, make appointments with people,
00:44:17.061 --> 00:44:20.364
And i would eat supper and then immediately leave
00:44:20.364 --> 00:44:22.499
And go visit, and i visited every night.
00:44:22.499 --> 00:44:24.935
In many ways, it was a wonderful time.
00:44:24.935 --> 00:44:26.804
I led many people to jesus christ,
00:44:26.804 --> 00:44:28.839
And the church grew, but in that particular time,
00:44:28.839 --> 00:44:31.875
I was out of sync with god.
00:44:31.875 --> 00:44:34.745
I would come home, and after we would eat,
00:44:34.745 --> 00:44:36.513
My wife would say to me,
00:44:36.513 --> 00:44:39.049
"are you gonna be gone again tonight?"
00:44:39.049 --> 00:44:40.951
And then i would give her
00:44:40.951 --> 00:44:42.286
My little gross national product speech
00:44:42.286 --> 00:44:44.888
And tell her if i didn't go, there was nobody else to go.
00:44:44.888 --> 00:44:47.224
And if i didn't go, this church would never grow.
00:44:47.224 --> 00:44:49.393
And she would say okay, but she had two little children
00:44:49.393 --> 00:44:53.831
That she had fought with all day long,
00:44:53.831 --> 00:44:55.399
And she was hoping for a little help at night.
00:44:55.399 --> 00:44:58.769
This went on until it got out of control,
00:44:58.769 --> 00:45:00.771
And one day, i don't know if your wife has ever said this
00:45:00.771 --> 00:45:03.240
To you, but donna said to me, "honey, we need to talk."
00:45:03.240 --> 00:45:07.811
Yikes.
00:45:07.811 --> 00:45:09.446
Yikes.
00:45:10.214 --> 00:45:13.150
And so, we sat down in the kitchen,
00:45:13.150 --> 00:45:16.954
And she gave me this speech.
00:45:16.954 --> 00:45:18.288
I'll never forget it.
00:45:18.288 --> 00:45:20.390
She said, "i don't know what to do."
00:45:20.390 --> 00:45:24.261
She said, "i love you, i love this church,
00:45:24.261 --> 00:45:26.964
And i love these children, but i can't do this by myself.
00:45:26.964 --> 00:45:31.769
And i feel so awkward saying anything to you about it
00:45:31.769 --> 00:45:36.406
Because i feel like i'm getting in between you
00:45:36.406 --> 00:45:38.776
And what you think god wants you to do.
00:45:38.776 --> 00:45:41.311
So i finally figured out what to do, and here it is.
00:45:41.311 --> 00:45:44.581
I am never gonna say anything to you again
00:45:44.581 --> 00:45:47.584
About how you spend your time.
00:45:47.584 --> 00:45:49.820
I'm going to let you and god figure that out."
00:45:49.820 --> 00:45:54.091
And it broke my heart.
00:45:54.091 --> 00:45:56.126
That's part of this list of priorities.
00:45:56.126 --> 00:45:58.729
Once again, i'm a person before god,
00:45:58.729 --> 00:46:02.032
I'm a partner to my wife, and i'm a parent to my children.
00:46:02.032 --> 00:46:06.804
And then i'm a pastor to the church.
00:46:06.804 --> 00:46:09.706
And i remember telling the church one sunday,
00:46:09.706 --> 00:46:11.809
"you guys are number four."
00:46:11.809 --> 00:46:15.312
And i had many of them write me little notes and say, "pastor,
00:46:15.312 --> 00:46:18.715
Don't ever change that,
00:46:18.715 --> 00:46:20.284
Because if we're not number four,
00:46:20.284 --> 00:46:21.685
You've got nothing to give us."
00:46:21.685 --> 00:46:24.054
Because this is god's priorities.
00:46:24.054 --> 00:46:26.790
And so, "thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven."
00:46:26.790 --> 00:46:30.861
What would happen if you prayed,
00:46:30.861 --> 00:46:32.462
"lord, let your will be done in my relationships with you
00:46:32.462 --> 00:46:36.133
And my spouse and my children
00:46:36.133 --> 00:46:38.335
And my calling."
00:46:38.335 --> 00:46:39.670
This is the place in the prayer to submit
00:46:39.670 --> 00:46:42.072
Every part of your life to him.
00:46:42.072 --> 00:46:44.775
First, praise, "hallowed be thy name,"
00:46:44.775 --> 00:46:48.212
And then priorities, "thy kingdom come
00:46:48.212 --> 00:46:51.381
On earth as it is in heaven."
00:46:51.381 --> 00:46:53.817
So after praise and after priorities
00:46:53.817 --> 00:46:56.653
Comes provision.
00:46:56.653 --> 00:46:58.322
Isn't it interesting that it's number three
00:46:58.322 --> 00:47:00.123
In the prayer list, but it's number one
00:47:00.123 --> 00:47:02.392
On our practice list, because we always want
00:47:02.392 --> 00:47:04.928
What god has and we don't have up front.
00:47:04.928 --> 00:47:07.731
And we jump in at that, and we don't praise him.
00:47:07.731 --> 00:47:09.833
We don't ask him about our priorities,
00:47:09.833 --> 00:47:12.703
And we ask him for what we need.
00:47:12.703 --> 00:47:14.938
Matthew 6:11, "give us this day our daily bread."
00:47:14.938 --> 00:47:20.611
How many of you have needs?
00:47:20.611 --> 00:47:24.081
Some may say, "are we talking about physical bread
00:47:24.081 --> 00:47:26.850
Or spiritual bread?" and the answer is both.
00:47:26.850 --> 00:47:29.786
God desires to meet our needs, but notice the order.
00:47:29.786 --> 00:47:33.290
First, we focus on who he is,
00:47:33.290 --> 00:47:36.159
Then we align our lives with his will,
00:47:36.159 --> 00:47:39.196
And then we bring our needs before him.
00:47:39.196 --> 00:47:42.332
Number four, personal relationships.
00:47:42.332 --> 00:47:46.236
"and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
00:47:46.236 --> 00:47:51.275
Interestingly enough, if you study this prayer,
00:47:51.275 --> 00:47:53.443
You will discover this is the only part of the prayer
00:47:53.443 --> 00:47:55.679
That jesus repeats.
00:47:55.679 --> 00:47:57.748
In matthew 6:15, at the end of the prayer, he says,
00:47:57.748 --> 00:48:00.717
"if you do not forgive men their trespasses,
00:48:00.717 --> 00:48:03.186
Neither will your father forgive your trespasses."
00:48:03.186 --> 00:48:06.723
Is there someone in your life you haven't forgiven?
00:48:06.723 --> 00:48:09.960
Jesus teaches us to pray, "lord, forgive me in the same way
00:48:09.960 --> 00:48:14.197
That i forgive others."
00:48:14.197 --> 00:48:16.400
That's a sobering thought.
00:48:16.400 --> 00:48:18.936
Life is full of relational challenges.
00:48:18.936 --> 00:48:21.338
Every one of us in this room has them.
00:48:21.338 --> 00:48:23.974
Friendships, family, work relationships,
00:48:23.974 --> 00:48:26.343
Every day there's something to bring before god in prayer
00:48:26.343 --> 00:48:29.413
In the relationship factor.
00:48:29.413 --> 00:48:31.815
And then we pray for protection.
00:48:31.815 --> 00:48:36.787
"and do not lead us into temptation,
00:48:36.787 --> 00:48:38.922
But deliver us from the evil one."
00:48:38.922 --> 00:48:42.859
Walking through life today
00:48:42.859 --> 00:48:44.194
Is like walking through a minefield.
00:48:44.194 --> 00:48:46.964
It's worse now than it's ever been
00:48:46.964 --> 00:48:48.465
In my lifetime.
00:48:48.465 --> 00:48:49.933
I say that honestly before all of you
00:48:49.933 --> 00:48:52.135
Who are christians here, because i know most of you are.
00:48:52.135 --> 00:48:54.905
It's more difficult to be a christian now
00:48:54.905 --> 00:48:56.740
Than it's ever been.
00:48:56.740 --> 00:48:58.208
There are more things against us than have ever been
00:48:58.208 --> 00:49:01.011
Against us before.
00:49:01.011 --> 00:49:02.980
And we keep looking and waiting for it to change,
00:49:02.980 --> 00:49:05.682
And when it changes, it gets worse.
00:49:05.682 --> 00:49:08.452
And to be courageous enough to stand up in some settings
00:49:08.452 --> 00:49:12.022
And admit that you are a follower of jesus christ
00:49:12.022 --> 00:49:14.992
Puts your acceptability with that community in jeopardy.
00:49:14.992 --> 00:49:20.330
But here's what we pray every morning.
00:49:20.330 --> 00:49:22.933
"do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us
00:49:22.933 --> 00:49:26.570
From the evil one."
00:49:26.570 --> 00:49:28.105
We never know what temptation or challenge is ahead.
00:49:28.105 --> 00:49:31.508
That is why we need to pray for god's guidance
00:49:31.508 --> 00:49:34.277
And protection.
00:49:34.277 --> 00:49:35.612
So it's praise, priorities, provision,
00:49:35.612 --> 00:49:39.216
Personal relationships, protection.
00:49:39.216 --> 00:49:41.585
And guess where you end up?
00:49:41.585 --> 00:49:43.453
Right back where you started.
00:49:43.453 --> 00:49:45.856
"for yours is the kingdom and the power
00:49:45.856 --> 00:49:49.292
And the glory forever.
00:49:49.292 --> 00:49:50.627
Amen."
00:49:50.627 --> 00:49:51.962
God's prayer is framed in praise.
00:49:51.962 --> 00:49:55.399
We start with worship, we end with worship,
00:49:55.399 --> 00:49:57.734
And in between we bring our needs to god.
00:49:57.734 --> 00:50:01.671
Some of you may be thinking,
00:50:01.671 --> 00:50:03.140
"pastor, i've been praying the lord's prayer for years.
00:50:03.140 --> 00:50:05.509
I'm glad you're teaching on it.
00:50:05.509 --> 00:50:06.910
It's about time.
00:50:06.910 --> 00:50:08.678
But here's my question: is it really your prayer?
00:50:08.678 --> 00:50:12.816
Can i say, 'our father,' if i live as if i am in control?
00:50:12.816 --> 00:50:17.854
Can i say, 'thy will be done,'
00:50:17.854 --> 00:50:19.423
If i only care about my own plans?
00:50:19.423 --> 00:50:21.358
Can i say, 'give us this day our daily bread,'
00:50:21.358 --> 00:50:24.795
If i ignore the needs of other people?
00:50:24.795 --> 00:50:28.065
Can i say, 'forgive us our debts,'
00:50:28.065 --> 00:50:29.766
If i refuse to forgive others?
00:50:29.766 --> 00:50:32.836
Can i say, 'lord, lead us not into temptation,'
00:50:32.836 --> 00:50:35.305
If i willingly walk into sin?
00:50:35.305 --> 00:50:38.075
Can i say, 'thine is the kingdom,'
00:50:38.075 --> 00:50:39.709
If i refuse to surrender to his rule?"
00:50:39.709 --> 00:50:43.313
Don't claim this prayer just because you memorized it.
00:50:43.313 --> 00:50:46.917
Claim it and let it change the way you live.
00:50:46.917 --> 00:50:50.821
During world war ii, a young soldier lay dying
00:50:50.821 --> 00:50:55.358
In a hospital.
00:50:55.358 --> 00:50:57.094
A chaplain came to pray with him,
00:50:57.094 --> 00:50:58.995
And something in his heart told him
00:50:58.995 --> 00:51:01.064
To pray the lord's prayer.
00:51:01.064 --> 00:51:03.433
When he finished, the soldier's eyes
00:51:03.433 --> 00:51:05.902
Filled with tears, he whispered, "my mother used to
00:51:05.902 --> 00:51:08.238
Pray that prayer with me.
00:51:08.238 --> 00:51:09.873
Oh, how good it is to hear it again."
00:51:09.873 --> 00:51:12.609
The next day, the chaplain returned,
00:51:12.609 --> 00:51:14.377
And the bed was empty.
00:51:14.377 --> 00:51:16.079
The young soldier had passed away.
00:51:16.079 --> 00:51:18.748
A nurse told him, "just an hour after you left,
00:51:18.748 --> 00:51:22.452
He was still praying out loud, and his last words were,
00:51:22.452 --> 00:51:25.489
"my father, my father.
00:51:25.489 --> 00:51:26.990
Yes, mother, he's my father, because i've accepted him.
00:51:26.990 --> 00:51:31.027
I'm coming home."
00:51:31.027 --> 00:51:32.662
My friends, you cannot say, "our father,"
00:51:32.662 --> 00:51:34.431
Unless he is truly your father.
00:51:34.431 --> 00:51:37.234
You only get into god's family if you accept god's son,
00:51:37.234 --> 00:51:40.337
Jesus christ.
00:51:40.337 --> 00:51:41.838
You must be born again.
00:51:41.838 --> 00:51:43.773
You've never trusted christ as your savior,
00:51:43.773 --> 00:51:46.710
This prayer doesn't belong to you yet.
00:51:46.710 --> 00:51:49.279
You have to start by putting christ
00:51:49.279 --> 00:51:51.214
On the throne of your life.
00:51:51.214 --> 00:51:53.316
But here's the good news.
00:51:53.316 --> 00:51:55.051
No matter who you are or what you've done,
00:51:55.051 --> 00:51:58.121
God extends an invitation to you.
00:51:58.121 --> 00:52:00.357
If you receive christ, he will become your lord
00:52:00.357 --> 00:52:05.829
And god will become your father.
00:52:05.829 --> 00:52:07.864
And then with confidence you can pray,
00:52:07.864 --> 00:52:11.001
"my father in heaven."
00:52:11.001 --> 00:52:12.936
For those who are already believers,
00:52:12.936 --> 00:52:14.838
Let this prayer remind you of god's desire
00:52:14.838 --> 00:52:18.108
For daily fellowship with you, not with high-sounding words,
00:52:18.108 --> 00:52:23.480
Not with vain repetitions, but with the simplicity
00:52:23.480 --> 00:52:27.317
Of a child speaking to his father.
00:52:27.317 --> 00:52:31.121
I once heard a story about a pastor
00:52:31.121 --> 00:52:33.456
Who visited a dying man in the hospital.
00:52:33.456 --> 00:52:36.326
The man had been struggling to pray
00:52:36.326 --> 00:52:38.562
Until someone told him, "just put a chair
00:52:38.562 --> 00:52:41.865
Beside your bed and imagine god is there
00:52:41.865 --> 00:52:45.068
And just talk with him."
00:52:45.068 --> 00:52:46.803
Pastor later returned and found out
00:52:46.803 --> 00:52:48.872
That the man had passed away, and he went into the room
00:52:48.872 --> 00:52:51.508
Where the man was and found him
00:52:51.508 --> 00:52:54.044
With his head resting on the chair
00:52:54.044 --> 00:52:57.347
Where he had been talking with god.
00:52:57.347 --> 00:53:00.750
That is what prayer is.
00:53:00.750 --> 00:53:03.186
It's a conversation.
00:53:03.186 --> 00:53:04.521
It's a relationship to a father in heaven
00:53:04.521 --> 00:53:07.924
Who listens.
00:53:07.924 --> 00:53:10.393
So open your heart and speak to him,
00:53:10.393 --> 00:53:14.297
And let the lord's prayer give you an outline.
00:53:14.297 --> 00:53:17.467
It's good to memorize the lord's prayer,
00:53:17.467 --> 00:53:19.769
And we often recite it in church,
00:53:19.769 --> 00:53:23.106
But that's not the purpose of the lord's teaching.
00:53:23.106 --> 00:53:27.077
He taught us the lord's prayer to give us an outline
00:53:27.077 --> 00:53:30.981
So we would know how to organize our prayers.
00:53:30.981 --> 00:53:35.385
And i find that many christians who have been christians
00:53:35.385 --> 00:53:38.121
For many years have never thought about that,
00:53:38.121 --> 00:53:40.890
Have never thought even about a prayer
00:53:40.890 --> 00:53:42.359
Being organized.
00:53:42.359 --> 00:53:43.994
If we don't organize our prayers and plan them a little bit,
00:53:43.994 --> 00:53:47.030
They just become sort of a mumbling
00:53:47.030 --> 00:53:50.700
In some ways.
00:53:50.700 --> 00:53:52.702
We pray about our children, we pray about our needs,
00:53:52.702 --> 00:53:56.906
We pray about our relationships,
00:53:56.906 --> 00:53:59.743
And most of all, we praise god for his goodness.
00:53:59.743 --> 00:54:04.114
Somewhere along the way, all of this will be tested
00:54:04.114 --> 00:54:06.783
In your life.
00:54:06.783 --> 00:54:08.451
I used to say that, knowing it would be true,
00:54:08.451 --> 00:54:10.420
Until it happened to me.
00:54:10.420 --> 00:54:13.023
It's been tested in my life.
00:54:13.023 --> 00:54:15.725
And i'm here to tell you that the god
00:54:15.725 --> 00:54:19.029
Who answers this prayer is a good and gracious
00:54:19.029 --> 00:54:22.132
And loving god.
00:54:22.132 --> 00:54:23.667
He never gives us anything that he does not give us
00:54:23.667 --> 00:54:26.503
The grace to deal with.
00:54:26.503 --> 00:54:28.405
He never asks us to walk a road that he does not lead us
00:54:28.405 --> 00:54:32.542
And go with us.
00:54:32.542 --> 00:54:34.377
When i first became a pastor, i went to the church
00:54:34.377 --> 00:54:37.180
Where i was going to start with a bunch of families,
00:54:37.180 --> 00:54:40.984
And someone had put a sign up on the door
00:54:40.984 --> 00:54:43.353
In our kitchen.
00:54:43.353 --> 00:54:45.121
I'll never forget this sign.
00:54:45.121 --> 00:54:46.589
It stayed with me all my life.
00:54:46.589 --> 00:54:48.024
It went like this.
00:54:48.024 --> 00:54:49.359
"god's commandments are god's enablements."
00:54:49.359 --> 00:54:53.163
The sign was simply to encourage me
00:54:53.163 --> 00:54:55.198
That if god had commanded me to come there and be the pastor,
00:54:55.198 --> 00:54:59.069
God was obligated to give me what i needed to do it.
00:54:59.069 --> 00:55:03.506
God will never ask you to go through anything
00:55:03.506 --> 00:55:05.809
That he won't equip you for.
00:55:05.809 --> 00:55:07.410
He just doesn't do that.
00:55:07.410 --> 00:55:11.648
And the lord's prayer-- the lord's prayer
00:55:11.648 --> 00:55:14.551
Is a reminder of that truth.
00:55:14.551 --> 00:55:17.020
He is your father.
00:55:17.020 --> 00:55:18.621
You are his children.
00:55:18.621 --> 00:55:20.523
I am his child, sons and daughters
00:55:20.523 --> 00:55:23.426
Of almighty god.
00:55:23.426 --> 00:55:25.328
And there's not anything he won't do for you
00:55:25.328 --> 00:55:27.397
If you just pray.
00:55:27.397 --> 00:55:30.100
Pray.
00:55:30.100 --> 00:55:31.468
The father's prayer is a good place to start.
00:55:31.468 --> 00:55:35.105
♪♪♪
00:55:35.105 --> 00:55:42.145
Announcer: thank you for watching "turning point."
00:55:42.212 --> 00:55:44.347
Dr. jeremiah would like to offer you his new book,
00:55:44.347 --> 00:55:46.783
"everything to god in prayer: guided prayers
00:55:46.783 --> 00:55:49.352
For your deepest needs & biggest dreams,"
00:55:49.352 --> 00:55:51.654
Containing 100 carefully crafted prayers
00:55:51.654 --> 00:55:54.057
For life's challenges and celebrations.
00:55:54.057 --> 00:55:56.860
These guided prayers will help you pray
00:55:56.860 --> 00:55:58.361
With confidence and renewed purpose
00:55:58.361 --> 00:56:00.630
As dr. jeremiah helps you bring everything to god.
00:56:00.630 --> 00:56:04.234
Request "everything to god in prayer,"
00:56:04.234 --> 00:56:06.169
New from dr. jeremiah, with your gift of any amount
00:56:06.169 --> 00:56:08.705
To "turning point."
00:56:08.705 --> 00:56:10.039
Or receive two copies for a gift of $60 or more,
00:56:10.039 --> 00:56:13.343
Perfect for your prayer life and a thoughtful gift
00:56:13.343 --> 00:56:15.912
For loved ones.
00:56:15.912 --> 00:56:17.247
Your deepest needs and biggest dreams
00:56:17.247 --> 00:56:19.315
Deserve the right words.
00:56:19.315 --> 00:56:21.251
Request "everything to god in prayer," by dr. jeremiah,
00:56:21.251 --> 00:56:24.454
From "turning point" today.
00:56:24.454 --> 00:56:26.489
♪♪♪
00:56:27.457 --> 00:56:31.361
Announcer: if you have never taken the step
00:56:31.361 --> 00:56:32.762
To believe in jesus christ as your lord and savior,
00:56:32.762 --> 00:56:35.665
You can do that today.
00:56:35.665 --> 00:56:37.967
If you will allow us, dr. jeremiah
00:56:37.967 --> 00:56:39.969
Would like to send you two resources
00:56:39.969 --> 00:56:41.905
That will help you.
00:56:41.905 --> 00:56:43.273
The first is a booklet called "your greatest turning point,"
00:56:43.273 --> 00:56:46.309
Which will help you as you begin your relationship
00:56:46.309 --> 00:56:48.445
With christ.
00:56:48.445 --> 00:56:49.779
And the second is our monthly devotional magazine,
00:56:49.779 --> 00:56:52.148
"turning points," to give you encouragement
00:56:52.148 --> 00:56:54.417
And inspiration throughout the year.
00:56:54.417 --> 00:56:56.920
These resources are yours completely free
00:56:56.920 --> 00:56:59.255
When you contact "turning point" today.
00:56:59.255 --> 00:57:01.891
Announcer: next time on "turning point."
00:57:04.761 --> 00:57:06.396
Dr. jeremiah: there is a sanctuary in your prayer time
00:57:07.564 --> 00:57:10.533
With the lord that takes you away from every pressure
00:57:10.533 --> 00:57:13.736
And burden in this world, and for a short time,
00:57:13.736 --> 00:57:15.972
You can understand "sweet hour of prayer."
00:57:15.972 --> 00:57:20.176
Announcer: thank you for being with us today.
00:57:20.243 --> 00:57:21.945
Join dr. jeremiah next time for his message
00:57:21.945 --> 00:57:24.814
"a life-changing prayer," here on "turning point."
00:57:24.814 --> 00:57:24.814

David Jeremiah - Why Don’t My Prayers Get Answered?

September 7, 2025 | 58:20

Closed captions

Share