Make Sure That God is Hearing Your Prayers -- Zac Poonen -- July 27, 2022
https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/make-sure-that-god-is-hearing-your-prayers River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that for God to hear our prayers, we must ensure there is no sin or wrong attitude in our hearts. The speaker emphasizes that harboring wickedness, wishing evil on others, or being critical breaks the connection with God. Furthermore, before presenting our prayers, we must reconcile with any person we have offended, as this is a necessary condition for acceptable prayer.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Prayer is like speaking on a phoneJust as you make sure a phone connection is active before speaking, you must ensure God is listening when you pray.
What prevents God from answering?God hears those who talk to Him consistently, starting from the moment they wake up in the morning.
Sin in the heart blocks prayerAccording to Psalm 66, if you regard sin or hold critical, evil thoughts about anyone in your heart, the Lord will not hear you.Psalm 66:18
Do not pray while harboring wickednessPraying with unconfessed sin or wrong attitudes is a waste of time because God is not listening; instead, confess and cleanse it immediately.
Reconciliation with others is the second conditionJust like offering a gift at the altar, if you have hurt a family member or neighbor, you must seek reconciliation before God accepts your prayer.
Guarding your speech and keeping communication clearBe extremely careful with your words so you do not hurt people, ensuring your spiritual connection with God remains uninterrupted.
Adding faith to a clear connectionFaith means believing that when your spiritual line is clear of sin, God definitely picks up and listens to every prayer.
The power of a righteous person's prayerA righteous person has nothing between them and God, and their prayers can accomplish a tremendous amount, much like Elijah's prayer.James 5:16
