Preparing for the Blessings of Answered Prayer

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Will and Timing

Prayers aligned with God's will are destined to be answered, but recognizing this alignment can be challenging. Zechariah's story reminds us that God's answers may not come when or how we expect. His disbelief when Gabriel announced the fulfillment of his prayer for a son highlights our struggle to trust in God's timing. We are called to have deep trust in God's purpose, even when we remain unaware of how our prayers align with His will. This trust requires patience and faith, knowing that God's answers are perfect in their timing and execution. [02:14]

1 John 5:14-15 (ESV): "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."

Reflection: What is one prayer you have been waiting on God to answer? How can you practice trusting in His timing and will today?

Day 2: The Power of Persistent Prayer

Persistence in prayer is a testament to our faith and relationship with God. The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18 illustrates the importance of not losing heart in prayer. God desires our continued engagement with Him, and sometimes, the delay in answered prayer is a divine invitation to deepen our relationship with Him. This persistence is not about changing God's mind but about aligning our hearts with His and growing in our reliance on Him. [06:02]

Luke 18:1-5 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, "Give me justice against my adversary."'"

Reflection: Is there a prayer you have given up on? How can you renew your commitment to persist in prayer, trusting that God hears you?

Day 3: Readiness for God's Blessings

The shape of answered prayer is determined by our readiness at the time. Zechariah's disbelief led to a temporary inability to speak, showing how our lack of readiness can affect our ability to fully embrace God's blessings. This principle challenges us to prepare our hearts and lives for the answers we seek, ensuring that we are ready to receive and act upon God's blessings when they come. [08:49]

James 1:6-8 (ESV): "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

Reflection: In what ways can you prepare yourself to be ready for God's blessings? What steps can you take today to align your heart and actions with His will?

Day 4: Revisiting and Renewing Old Prayers

We are encouraged to revisit our old prayer lists and persist in prayer, trusting that God hears us. Even if the answer seems delayed, we should remain steadfast in faith, believing that God will fulfill His promises in His perfect timing. Revisiting old prayers can reignite our faith and remind us of God's faithfulness, encouraging us to trust in His continued work in our lives. [10:02]

Psalm 40:1-3 (ESV): "I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure."

Reflection: Look back at your old prayer lists. What prayers have you forgotten or given up on? How can you renew your faith and commitment to these prayers today?

Day 5: Maintaining Faith Amidst Uncertainty

Jesus' question, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" challenges us to maintain our faith and readiness for God's intervention. Our faith should remain strong, even when the timing of answered prayers is uncertain. This faith is not passive but active, requiring us to live in expectation and readiness for God's work in our lives, trusting that His timing is perfect. [18:17]

Hebrews 11:1-2 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation."

Reflection: How can you actively maintain your faith in times of uncertainty? What practices can you incorporate into your daily life to strengthen your trust in God's perfect timing?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound question: Are you ready for answered prayer? We delved into the story of Zechariah from the Gospel of Luke, a man who was not prepared for the fulfillment of his long-forgotten prayer. When the angel Gabriel announced that his prayer for a son had been heard, Zechariah's disbelief was evident. This narrative serves as a reminder that any prayer aligned with God's will is destined to be answered, as affirmed in 1 John 5:14. However, the challenge lies in recognizing when our prayers align with His will, as we often remain unaware of this alignment.

The first principle we discussed is that prayers in accordance with God's will are always answered. Yet, the timing and manner of these answers may not align with our expectations. Zechariah and Elizabeth prayed for a son early in their marriage, but the answer came much later, when they least expected it. This delay underscores the importance of persistence in prayer, as illustrated by the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18. God desires our continued engagement with Him, and sometimes, the delay in answered prayer is a divine invitation to deepen our relationship with Him.

The second principle is that the shape of answered prayer is determined by our readiness at the time. Zechariah's disbelief led to a temporary inability to speak, highlighting how our lack of readiness can affect our ability to fully embrace God's blessings. This principle is further illustrated by the story of a man who prayed for a church but was not ready to participate in its dedication due to personal failings. Similarly, the people of Jerusalem missed recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, despite their prayers for divine intervention.

In conclusion, we are encouraged to revisit our old prayer lists and persist in prayer, trusting that God hears us. Even if the answer seems delayed, we should remain steadfast in faith, believing that God will fulfill His promises in His perfect timing.

Key Takeaways

1. Prayers Aligned with God's Will: Any prayer prayed in accordance with God's will is destined to be answered. However, recognizing when our prayers align with His will can be challenging, as we often remain unaware of this alignment. This calls for a deep trust in God's timing and purpose. [02:14]
2. Persistence in Prayer: The parable of the persistent widow teaches us the importance of not losing heart in prayer. God desires our continued engagement with Him, and sometimes, the delay in answered prayer is a divine invitation to deepen our relationship with Him. [06:02]
3. Readiness for Answered Prayer: The shape of answered prayer is determined by our readiness at the time. Zechariah's disbelief led to a temporary inability to speak, highlighting how our lack of readiness can affect our ability to fully embrace God's blessings. [08:49]
4. Revisiting Old Prayers: We are encouraged to revisit our old prayer lists and persist in prayer, trusting that God hears us. Even if the answer seems delayed, we should remain steadfast in faith, believing that God will fulfill His promises in His perfect timing. [10:02]
5. Faith and God's Timing: Jesus' question, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" challenges us to maintain our faith and readiness for God's intervention. Our faith should remain strong, even when the timing of answered prayers is uncertain. [18:17]
** [18:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Zechariah's Story
[01:10] - Zechariah's Disbelief
[01:54] - Principle of Praying in God's Will
[03:19] - The Two "Ifs" of Prayer
[04:23] - Praying in the Spirit
[05:00] - Zechariah and Elizabeth's Long-Awaited Answer
[06:02] - The Parable of the Persistent Widow
[07:16] - God's Timing and Our Faith
[08:04] - Principle of Readiness for Answered Prayer
[09:47] - Reflecting on Past Prayers
[11:03] - Zechariah's Missed Joy
[12:37] - A Modern-Day Parable
[14:29] - Lessons from Jerusalem's Missed Opportunity
[16:26] - Encouragement to Persist in Prayer
[18:17] - Final Reflections and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Luke 1:13-20
1 John 5:14-15
Luke 18:1-8

Observation Questions:

What was Zechariah's initial reaction when the angel Gabriel told him his prayer had been heard? How did this reaction affect him? [01:10]
According to 1 John 5:14-15, what assurance do we have when we pray according to God's will?
In the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), what was the widow's approach to seeking justice, and how did the judge eventually respond?
How does the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth illustrate the principle of persistence in prayer? [05:00]

Interpretation Questions:

How does Zechariah's disbelief in the angel's message reflect our own struggles with faith when prayers seem delayed? [01:10]
What does the parable of the persistent widow teach us about God's desire for us to continue in prayer, even when answers are not immediate? [06:02]
How can the concept of "readiness" for answered prayer, as seen in Zechariah's story, influence our approach to prayer and expectation of God's timing? [08:49]
In what ways does revisiting old prayer lists help us maintain faith and trust in God's promises, even when answers seem delayed? [10:02]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt your prayers were not being answered. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now in light of Zechariah's story? [01:10]
Identify a prayer you have given up on. What steps can you take to revisit and persist in that prayer, trusting in God's timing? [10:02]
How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God through persistent prayer, as illustrated by the persistent widow? What practical steps can you take this week? [06:02]
Consider a situation where you might not be ready for an answered prayer. What changes can you make in your life to prepare yourself for God's blessings? [08:49]
How can you discern when your prayers align with God's will, and what role does faith play in this process? [02:14]
Reflect on Jesus' question, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" How can you ensure that your faith remains strong, even when the timing of answered prayers is uncertain? [18:17]
Think of a specific prayer request you have. How can you actively engage with God about this request, ensuring that your heart is open and ready for His answer? [09:47]

Sermon Clips

"Any prayer that is prayed in the will of God will be answered. Proof 1 John 5:14 when John said if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. Now when you think of the language he hears us and the angel Gabriel said your prayer has been heard." [00:19:44]

"And the truth is you might pray in the will of God and not know it. Well, that's what happened to Zechariah and Elizabeth. They didn't know it, but God heard their prayer. Now in 1 John 5:14 and 15, you have two ifs. The first is if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." [00:31:12]

"Well, I think I know. I think I know why. It's because God likes our company, and the truth is if when we pray we know we've been heard, we might just say, well, thanks a lot, Lord, goodbye until next time. And I think one of the reasons that God doesn't answer our prayer is because he wants us to spend time with him." [00:54:24]

"Jesus gave a parable and the purpose was that everybody should pray and not lose heart, not give up. And so he gave this parable of the persistent widow and it's always given and we always read it and think, well, God really wants me to keep on praying. Now this parable reads by itself." [00:59:36]

"The shape answered prayer takes is determined by our readiness at the time. Here's the thing, even though we don't keep believing, it will not abort the answered prayer. You see, here's what happened. We are told Zechariah did not believe the word from the angel. In fact, the angel Gabriel says, Zechariah, before I go back to heaven, I've got an unpleasant duty to perform." [01:21:36]

"Now, principle number one, any prayer that is prayed in the will of God will be answered. But now come to the second principle, the shape answered prayer takes is determined by our readiness at the time. Here's the thing, even though we don't keep believing, it will not abort the answered prayer." [01:19:59]

"I want you to think back things you have asked for, maybe a year ago, maybe 20 years ago, and you decided after a while God's not going to answer that prayer and you tear up the prayer list. I'll tell you why I gave you this message. I believe there's somebody you have given up that God is going to answer your prayers." [01:37:36]

"His prayer was answered, but the shape it took was determined by his readiness at the time. Do you know this happened again and again in the Gospel of Luke? You see this kind of story take, for example, when Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem and said your day has come and he wept and he said all the things that belong to your peace." [01:43:04]

"God answered their prayer, but they missed entirely. And this is the thing, any prayer prayed to the will of God will be answered. The shape it takes is determined by our readiness at the time. I would urge you look back at your old prayer list. You prayed for healing, you prayed for the salvation of loved ones, you prayed for revival." [01:50:23]

"Here's the thing, God cares about you. Any prayer prayed in the will of God will be answered. The shape it takes is determined by our readiness at the time. This is a serious sermon, but I hope it's an encouraging one. Go back to that old prayer list and just don't give up. Believe until God says no with the answer." [01:46:00]

"Jesus said don't stop, just keep on praying because until God says an undoubted no, consider the answer might be yes. Well, in the case of Zechariah and Elizabeth, they tore up that prayer request a long time ago, and now God steps in, your prayer has been heard, your prayer has been heard and Zechariah doesn't believe it." [01:41:12]

"Maybe you've prayed for a better job, maybe you've prayed for a rise in pay. We could go on, you've prayed for things and you just gave up. I never will forget I was preaching in Jerusalem at the garden tomb. I think there were 1500 people there. When I finished preaching, a couple came up to me and said do you recognize us?" [01:56:56]

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