Pray With Confidence Because God Hears You
Mack Tomlinson teaches that believers can pray with bold confidence because God always hears their prayers according to His will.
This sermon emphasizes the power and importance of prayer within the church community, focusing on the confidence believers have in God's attentive ear and His willingness to answer prayers according to His will. It highlights the assurance that God hears every prayer, the significance of individual prayers to God, and the need for believers to pray with boldness and specificity, knowing that God is listening. The sermon also provides practical guidance on how to conduct effective prayer meetings within the church, encouraging brevity, clarity, and unity in prayer.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Confidence We Have in Prayer
- God hears every prayer of a believer
- Confidence is based on God's promise in 1 John 5
- We may not know how God answers, but He always listens
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II. The Importance of Bold and Specific Prayer
- Pray aloud so others can hear and agree
- Pray briefly to allow others time to pray
- Bring one specific need or burden before God
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III. God Sees and Hears Our Cries
- God is attentive to the cries of His people (Exodus 3)
- Our prayers are important and noticed by God
- We have an audience of One who loves us
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IV. Approaching God’s Throne with Confidence
- Jesus is our merciful and faithful high priest
- We can obtain grace and mercy in time of need
- Prayer is an invitation from our loving Father
Key Quotes
“This is the confidence that we have in Him that if we ask anything according to His will, He is hearing us.” — Mack Tomlinson
“The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers.” — Mack Tomlinson
“We have an audience of one. We're not praying, thinking of others, what they're going to think about our praying.” — Mack Tomlinson
Application Points
- Pray with the assurance that God hears you and cares about your needs.
- Be bold and specific in your prayers, especially in corporate settings, so others can join in agreement.
- Approach God’s throne with confidence, knowing Jesus intercedes for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gives believers confidence in prayer?
Believers have confidence because God promises to hear every prayer offered according to His will, as stated in 1 John 5.
How should we pray in a corporate prayer meeting?
Pray aloud, briefly, and specifically, so others can hear, agree, and have time to pray as well.
Does God always answer prayers the way we want?
No, God hears every prayer but answers according to His wisdom and will, which may differ from our expectations.
Why is it important to pray with boldness?
Boldness in prayer reflects our assurance that God is listening and that we are addressing a loving Father who invites us to come confidently.
What role does Jesus play in our confidence to pray?
Jesus is our merciful and faithful high priest who enables us to approach God's throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and help.