One of the best ways of having confidence in prayer to God is to claim His promises. Do you know what His promises about prayer are?
When thinking about promises, we need to know if the person making the promise is faithful to His Word. What does God say about His promises?
God Keeps His Promises
2 Peter 3:9 NIV “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
God is so good that not only does He keep His promises, but He is patient with us in accepting them. He wants everyone to come to Him.
God is Faithful
Hebrews 10:23 NIV “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
This chapter in Hebrews is talking about our faith persevering. We can exercise our faith because God who makes these promises is faithful to His Word. Have you experienced His faithfulness? Of course you have, when you accepted His salvation. Has He been faithful to His Word?
The Purpose of His Promises
2 Peter 1:4 NIV “ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
God has given us promises so we can be equipped to do His will and bring glory to His Name. We are able to participate in God’s nature through His promises. Isn’t that wonderful?
The giver of promises in God’s Word is faithful. Look at the testimony of Christians in the Bible. Was God faithful? What about your life?
So now we know God is faithful, not slack in His promises and know His purpose in them. Let’s look now at God’s promises about prayer.
These are listed according to the conditions of the promises.
- Are your seeking Him?
- Are you asking in His Will?
- Are you living in obedience?
- Do you have unconfessed sin?
- Are you asking in Jesus’ Name?
- Are you anxious?
- Do you really believe?
- Are you praying for others?
Are your seeking Him?
Promise
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.“
This is God’s promise to you, seek Him with all your heart and you will find Him.
Promise:
Matthew 7:7-11 NIV “‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!'”
This is from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is talking to Christians. The promise here is if we ask for help in doing His will and fulfilling His purpose, we will find it. The door will be open.
If we as humans want to give our children good gifts, how much more than a perfect God. After all, He gave us His Son to die in our place.
Are you asking in His Will?
Promise
1 John 5:14 NIV “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
We all have moments when we ask God things that we’re not sure of. Sometimes it’s hard to tell. Others, we are just hoping it’s ok.
Anything that is in God’s Word, that He says is wrong. Don’t ask it. Is it something that you know is questionable? When you pray, ask Him if it’s His will. If you are unsure, tell Him and say you want what is in His will. Leave it in His hands.
Are you living in obedience?
Promise
1 John 3:21-22 NIV “ Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.“
The focus of every Christian life should be living in obedience to Jesus Christ. That’s how we show our love to Him.
John 14:15 NIV “If you love me, keep my commands.”
Do you have unconfessed sin?
Promise
1 John 1:9 NIV “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.“
The Lord knows when we sin, He just wants us to admit we’ve sinned. It shows a repentant heart, one that wants to be in His will.
The added benefit to this promise is that when we confess our known sin, all sin is forgiven.
Are you asking in Jesus’ Name?
Promise
John 16:23-24 NIV “ In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
Jesus is talking to the disciples. They will no longer have access to Him in a physical manner. After His death, burial and resurrection, their approach to Him will be different. They now will ask God the Father in Jesus’s Name.
The same is true for us today. Jesus Christ is our mediator between us and God. Our prayers will be answer through Him.
Are you anxious?
Promise
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This promise helps us overcome our anxieties. We are free to go to God with everything. When we humble ourselves to Him, give Him our anxiety, we receive a peace that is beyond anything we know. This peace will guard our hearts and minds against anxiety.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking your problems are too small for God. Nothing is too small or unimportant to Him. He wants us to have an open dialogue with Him.
Do you really believe
Promise
Mark 11:24 NIV “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
This is a conditional prayer like a lot of these promises, meaning there is a condition. The condition here is believing.
When you go to God in prayer, do you really believe He is listening? Are you thinking He’s too busy?
Make sure your heart is in your request. Prayer is serious business. Put it to good use.
Are you praying for others?
Promise
James 5:16 NIV “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Petition is a big part of prayer. In our love for others, we want to share God’s love and provision for them. Many people have been healed because others have prayed for them. Our prayers are not the healing but we see in this verse, they can be powerful and effective.
Conclusion
We receive power in our lives through prayer. Knowing God’s promises makes it an even better experience.
Prayer is an open conversation with the God of the Universe. The more we talk, the stronger we become. Without prayer, we are weak Christians.
These promises give us insight into who God is. He is a loving, powerful and a personal God, but He is deserving of honor. This honor is enhanced by listening to what He says and obeying it.
Try reading these promises before prayer. It will give you joy to please God.
If you have any questions, please comment. -Jackie
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