the Lord Hears Those Who Call upon Him (Psalm 145:18-19)
Introduction:
1. In vs.18 David mentioned a special blessing available to the Lord's people -- "calling upon the Lord." a. The Lord is near those who call upon Him. b. Those who call upon the Lord must do so "in truth." 2. In our lesson we are concentrating on the assurance David gave in vs.19 -- "the Lord hears those who call upon Him." Discussion: I. LET US FIRST EXAMINE SEVERAL GENERAL PRINCIPLES RELATING TO CALLING UPON THE LORD THROUGH PRAYER
A. (1 Timothy 2:1) Various ways of calling upon the Lord include "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks." B. God's people are repeatedly instructed to call upon Him through prayer. 1. Ephesians 6:18 2. Philippians 4:6 3. Colossians 4:2 4. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 II. THE BIBLE STATES MANY TIMES THAT GOD ANSWERS THE PRAYERS OF THOSE WHO CALL UPON HIM
A. See: 1. Matthew 7:7-11 2. James 5:16b. B. We must keep in mind that God's response to prayer: 1. may be positive (James 5:17-18) 2. may be negative (Matthew 26:39, 42, 44) 3. may be different than requested (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). III. THE BIBLE TEACHES US HOW TO CALL UPON THE LORD THROUGH PRAYER "IN TRUTH"
A. We must pray "sincerely" (Matthew 6:5-6, 7-8). B. We must pray "in faith" (Matthew 21:22). C. We must pray "persistently" (Luke 18:1-8). D. We must pray "in humility" (Luke 18:9-14). E. We must pray "in the name of Christ" (John 16:23). F. We must pray "with proper motives" (James 4:3). G. We must pray "fervently" (James 5:16b). H. We must pray "with our lives in good standing with God" (1 Peter 3:12). I. We must pray "while doing the Lord's will" (1 John 3:22). J. We must pray "according to God's will" (1 John 5:14-15). Conclusion:
1. We can certainly be confident that God hears and answers when His people call upon Him through prayer. 2. Let us: a. remember that God answers prayer in various ways b. meet the conditions for our prayers to be acceptable to God. 3. Let us be encouraged by the examples set by Bible characters who were devoted to prayer, including: a. Jesus b. Daniel c. Nehemiah d. the apostles.
