Faith and Prayer

How do we respond
When God says YES When God says NO When God says WAIT

We come to God in prayer, because

We believe in God We believe that God listens to our prayers God commands us to pray We believe that God works when we pray God gives us grace even when we dont deserve it

When God says YES

GOD: Yes, I will answer your prayer, but I will do it My way, not your way. We say NO

Exodus 3:10-11
10

So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

When God says YES

We say NO! Why? Because the cost is too great.

Numbers 13:2, 31
2

"Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe, send one of its leaders. 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."

Joshua 3:13
13

And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORDthe Lord of all the earthset foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap."

When God says YES

We say NO! Why? Because the cost is too great. Because we dont want to get our feet wet I have forgotten your faithfulness to me

Luke 17:12-17
12As

he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" 14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked Himand he was a Samaritan. 17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?

Matthew 16:8-10
8Aware

of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

WHEN GOD SAYS WAIT

Why do we have a hard time waiting?

We do not know when the answer is coming We really dont know what we are waiting for

WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE WAITING FOR?

I Samuel 10:8
8

"Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do."

I Samuel 13:7-12
7

Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. 8 He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter.

I Samuel 13:7-12
9

So he said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings." And Saul offered up the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.

I Samuel 13:7-12
11

"What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, 12 I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."

I Samuel 13:13-14
13

"You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.

I Samuel 13:13-14
14

But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."

Matthew 26:38
38 Then

he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

Matthew 26:40-41
40 Then

he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour? 41 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

Matthew 26:43
43 When

he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.

WHEN GOD SAYS WAIT, WE BECOME IMPATIENT.

Psalm 37:7
7

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:9
9

For evil men will be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD will inherit the land.

WHEN GOD SAYS WAIT, WE BECOME IMPATIENT.

.... God says DO NOT FRET.

WHEN GOD SAYS WAIT, WE GRUMBLE.

Psalm 46:10
10

Be still, and know that I am God (NIV) Cease striving and know that I am God (NASB)

10

WHEN GOD SAYS WAIT, WE GRUMBLE.

....God says BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

WHEN GOD SAYS WAIT, WE LOSE HEART AND GIVE UP.

2 Corinthians 4:16
16 Therefore

we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

WHEN GOD SAYS WAIT, WE LOSE HEART AND GIVE UP.

....God says NEVER GIVE UP, DONT LOSE HEART, KEEP ON PRAYING.

Psalm 130:5-6
5

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord. More than those who watch for the morning Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

GOD TELLS US TO WAIT EXPECTANTLY.

...BECAUSE JESUS IS MORE RELIABLE THAN THE SUNRISE.

Waiting expectantly
Is based on knowledge and trust Is based on knowing who God is and trusting on what He is doing Is trusting in His timing, love, and understanding of our situation

 IT IS AMAZING WHEN GOD SAYS YES. IT IS DIFFICULT WHEN GOD SAYS WAIT. IT IS PAINFUL WHEN GOD SAYS NO.

Daniel 3:16-18
16

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

Daniel 3:16-18
17

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

OUR PRAYERS ARE OUTCOME-DEPENDENT.

Romans 8:28
28 And

we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him

And we know that in all things God works

GOD WORKS!!!

Dear God, Your will, Nothing more, Nothing less, Nothing else.

GODS ANSWER WILL NOT LEAD YOU WHERE HIS GRACE CANNOT KEEP YOU.

Dear God, Your will, Nothing more, Nothing less, Nothing else.