The Prayer of Faith
K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the power and importance of the prayer of faith, supported by biblical examples and personal testimonies.
K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the power and importance of the prayer of faith, illustrating that God delights in answering those who diligently seek Him. He references Hebrews 11:6 and Matthew 7:7 to affirm that God is eager to respond to our prayers, as demonstrated through biblical figures like Cornelius, Elijah, Daniel, and Jonah. Yohannan shares a personal story of a believer in his village who, despite a failing rice crop, trusted God and experienced a miraculous provision. This sermon encourages believers to have faith in God's promises and to persist in prayer, knowing that God hears and answers.
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God delights in answering the prayer of faith. The last part of Hebrews 11:6 says, "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." In Matthew 7:7 Jesus said, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." John 15:7 says, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." We are given this promise over and over again in Scripture. God answers prayer.
Cornelius, a Gentile, prayed, and God sent Peter to talk to him (see Acts 10:1-2). God is eager to answer our cries for help.
Elijah was a man, weak like all of us (see James 5:17). Yet he prayed that there would be no rain, and for three and a half years there was a drought. Then he prayed for rain, and a storm came.
Daniel prayed, stood firm in his God and saw the victory (see Daniel 9).
From the belly of the fish Jonah prayed, and God heard him (see Jonah 2:1). Hagar prayed. Moses prayed. God answered them. I think also about people that I know. Our own experiences tell us that God really does answer prayer.
Let me tell you a story from the village in which I was born and raised. One par ticular year, the entire rice crop was failing. It was a disastrous year for our community. But there was one believer who really trust ed the Lord. When the rice crops began to fail, he said, "I belong to the Lord. My field belongs to the Lord. I know the entire com munity is facing this problem, but I trust my God to take care of my crops." He fasted and prayed, amazingly, God did a miracle that no one could explain. In the midst of thousands of acres of failing rice fields, his five or ten acres were protected.
Sermon Outline
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I
- God's delight in answering prayer
- Scriptural promises of answered prayer
- Examples of faith in prayer
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II
- The story of Cornelius
- Elijah's prayer for rain
- Daniel's steadfastness in prayer
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III
- Jonah's prayer from the fish
- The power of personal testimonies
- The believer's trust in God's provision
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IV
- The miraculous protection of crops
- Faith amidst community struggles
- The importance of fasting and prayer
Key Quotes
“He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” — K.P. Yohannan
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” — K.P. Yohannan
“I belong to the Lord. My field belongs to the Lord.” — K.P. Yohannan
Application Points
- Trust God in your circumstances, knowing He hears your prayers.
- Engage in fasting and prayer to deepen your faith and reliance on God.
- Share your personal testimonies of answered prayer to encourage others in their faith journey.