Bishop Alexis A. Thomas continued his series, entitled "God Will..." Today's sermon was "God Will Answer Prayer!" He used Philippians 4:6-7 as his reference scriptures.
Philippians chapter 4 is a call to Christian steadfastness. Verse 1 begins by commanding us to "Stand Fast". The Message Translation says, "Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God." No matter what happens, we have to keep on keeping on! Bishop encouraged us to be like palm trees...bend but don't break! I know, it can seem impossible. Just watching the daily news is enough to bring you down with all the airplane crashes, wars, illnesses, and all kinds of sinfulness. Not to mention our own problems, issues, and struggles. In verses 6 and 7, the Apostle Paul explained what will be necessary for us to stand fast in any circumstance."Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." - Philippians 4:6-7 (Message)
Don't Worry! Pray! It seems so simple, so why aren't we doing it? 1 Peter 5:7 says,
"Since God cares for you, let Him carry all your burdens and worries." (Voice)
Bishop told us a story about a man with many problems. He was telling a friend about the "professional worrier" he'd hired. He explained that he no longer has to worry about anything because the worrier does it for him. The friend asked, "How much do you have to pay him?" The man said, "$50,000." The friend was amazed and asked, "How will you ever pay him $50,000?" The man said, "I don't have to worry about it, that's his job!" In the same way, God has commanded us to cast our cares and worries over on him and he will care for us! Mark 11:24 says, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (King James Version)
Why don't we pray? Good Question! We don't pray because we don't believe it works! If we truly believed that God hears us and answers every prayer we would be more consistent in prayer. Part of the hesitation could be we underestimate what God can do. Bishop told a story about preparing a presentation for a local businessman. He created a wonderful presentation and was excited to present it and request funding from the individual. After the presentation, the gentleman threw the documents back at Bishop. He told him it was a good presentation, but it revealed that Bishop had no idea what the businessman was capable of. Are you limiting God? Are you doing without because you fail to ask? Bishop encouraged us to "Elevate Your ASK!" James 4:2 says, "You don’t have the things you want, because you don’t pray for them." (God's Word Translation) God is the King! He owns it all! Psalm 24:1 says, "The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants too."
God will answer prayer, but only the prayer that is prayed!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
P.S. - During the week I stay encouraged by listening to many audio teachings. Andrew Wommack has great collections about practical subjects. The following links go right along with this sermon.
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