Conceiving the Truth Part 5
The Essence and Purpose of Prayer
Sunday, October 15, 2023
I. Conceiving the Truth
A. Fellowship with God
1. (ref. 1 Pet. 1:23 AMP) God’s Word is incorruptible Seed that contains His life, essence and DNA.
a. Seed must be conceived to produce fruit.
b. Conception requires intimacy and fertilization.
2. (1 Cor. 1:9) “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Our most important calling as believers is fellowship with Jesus.
3. Fellowship (intimacy) with God includes (1) hearing God, (2) meditating His Word, (3) prayer, (4) worship, and (5) praise.
a. (ref. Rom. 10:17) Hearing God – spiritual conception produces faith.
b. (ref. Josh. 1:8) meditating God’s word brings prosperity and success.
B The Essence and Power of Prayer (Matt. 7:7-11)
1. Prayer is relational communication with God that gives earthly access to heavens provision.
a. (Matt. 6:9) The essence of prayer is to establish and maintain intimate relationship with the Father.
~The best way to understand this fellowship is by understanding loving family relationships. (Husband/wife, parent/child)
~Communication is daily, consistent and fits into your normal day.
~At times it’s appropriate and even necessary to isolate yourselves alone for times of intimacy.
~Not all times are spectacular or sensational.
~There are times of joy, sadness and correction.
~(John 15:13-15 TPT)
b. (Matt. 6:10) The purpose of prayer is to bring God’s will from heaven to earth.
~Prayer is necessary because God’s will is not automatic in the earth. God needs man’s consent and cooperation in prayer and faith to intervene in man’s life outside of judgment.
~(Gen. 1:26; Ps. 115:15-16; Mark 6:5-6)
C. Hindrances to Effective Prayer
(ref. Jas. 5:16) “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
1.(Matt. 6:5-8)
a. (v5) Wrong motives in prayer
~(Jas. 4:1-3 NLT) 3 C’s – coveting, competing and comparing.
-Envy, jealousy and strife
b.(v6) personal, private, intimate time with God
c.(v7) vain repetition and much speaking
~(Rom. 12:12; 1 Thess. 5:16-18) living in God’s presence by continual prayer.
d. (v8) Prayer is not informing an uninformed God of your problems; He already knows your problems and the solutions.
~(2 Pet. 1:2-4 AMP)
[Pastor Lee Stokes ]