Pray, Then, In This Way - 3: The Effective Prayer Of The Righteous - Santosh Poonen - July 27, 2014
http://rlcfchurch.org/pray-then-in-this-way River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The core message is that effective prayer must originate from God's breath, making it a communion with Him rather than merely expressing human need. To ensure prayers are answered, one must seek God's guidance first, rather than being driven solely by desperation or need. True prayer requires forsaking outward displays of piety and instead yielding to the Holy Spirit's prompting.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is prayer?Prayer is defined as spiritual communion with God that originates from His breath flowing through His Spirit in us and back to Him.Matthew 6:5–14
Let God breathe into your prayersThe secret to having prayers answered is ensuring they begin with God rather than being driven merely by our carnal needs or despair.
Forsaking empty pretensesLike the Pharisees carrying heavy dolls under their shirts to look spiritual, people often carry burdens of prayer that lack the life of the Holy Spirit.
The mark of humilityGod leaves among His people a humble and lowly remnant who take refuge in the name of the Lord rather than relying on themselves or worldly allies.Zephaniah 3:12
What hinders the prayer cycle?Unrighteousness in our lives breaks the prayer cycle, preventing God's answers from reaching us and our prayers from ascending.
The effective prayer of a righteous personJames teaches that the effective prayer of a righteous person accomplishes much, and this effectiveness is directly determined by the righteousness of our relationships.James 5:16
Repenting of ignorance in relationshipsGod overlooks times of past ignorance, but now calls us to repent and set our relationships right, such as husbands living with their wives in an understanding way.Acts 17:30
Leave your offering and be reconciledJesus instructs that if someone has something against you, you must leave your offering at the altar and go first be reconciled to your brother.
The supreme emphasis on forgivenessJesus emphasized forgiveness three times in connection with the Lord's Prayer, warning that unforgiveness results in God withholding forgiveness from us.Matthew 6:12
Guarding your heart against rejoicing over an enemy's fallProverbs warns against rejoicing when an enemy stumbles or being grieved when they are blessed, which tests whether we have truly forgiven from the heart.Proverbs 24:17–18
Praying in secretJesus modeled slipping away to pray in secret rather than making a public show of piety, connecting deeply with the Father in the wilderness.
Seeing earthly problems from a heavenly perspectiveWhen we address our Father in heaven, earthly problems that feel massive to us shrink down when viewed from His eternal, infinite perspective.
Jesus' example of godly fearJesus offered up prayers with loud crying and tears and was heard because of His godly fear, serving as our ultimate example in prayer.
