He prayed for a long time, but nothing happened. He is perfect and perfection itself. — Exodus 32:14. I want you to see that God is greatly glorified when we continue in prayer over a long period of time. Or to put it simply, in answer to prayer God changes people’s wills. The story is told of a young boy who wanted $100 very badly. 2. What a joke. God has so arranged his world that we have the ability to make significant choices, some good and some bad, which affect the course of history. But God's will is sovereign. So to awaken their will to this kind of vigorous inclination, and pull it out into dynamic action, he puts two God-centered truths in their minds: (1) Jesus Christ is Lord (“by our Lord Jesus Christ”); (2) the Holy Spirit is a Spirit of love (“by the love of the Spirit”). There would seem to be no point in praying for these two things if God could not do them. Now in verse 31 assumes this same view of the world. When the Bible says that God is unchangeable, however, it isn’t saying that God doesn’t change His mind. Follow him. David Platt speaks at the Secret Church event on Friday, April 26, 2019. Robert and his wife, Debbie, have been married 35 years and are blessed with one married daughter, two married sons and six grandchildren. He calls it “striving” in prayer. Do Not Neglect Prayer. Why? And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends. But his danger is not over. And it’s a good thing for the Jewish people that he did. What have you not even considered praying over? Prayer internalizes the burden. Matthew Henry put it like this 300 years ago: As God must be sought unto for the restraining of the ill will of our enemies, so also for the preserving and increasing of the goodwill of our friends; for God has the hearts both of the one and the other in his hands. So your prayers are useless. Prayer is for the glory of God and incentives to prayer are God-centered so that when our hearts are moved by those incentives, it will be clear that we are acting because of the way God is. By prayer we are to influence the wills of professors and writers and entertainers and editors and pastors and elders and missionaries. Paying attention to what the early church prayed for can help keep your prayer life from falling into a rut. God had heard the striving of his people in Rome, and he had acted. Your faith life directly correlates to the quality of your prayer life. What we have seen in verse 30 is that biblical prayer and biblical incentives to prayer imply a radically God-centered universe, and God-centered way of looking at the universe. To say that the only thing that prayer changes is us is kind of an arrogant statement. But there weren’t even ten righteous people in either of those dark, unhappy cities, and God did move in judgment against them. when they had prayed and after they prayed in verse 31 it say's the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. This year let’s use both our instruments to win people over to Christ. He will always be faithful.   Twitter In one sense, prayer doesn’t change things. To make it more personal, “Prayer Changes Me!” At times our situation even remains the same; but we are different. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Five things that happen when we pray: 1. He was saved by the working of the will of secular authorities. Undaunted by the lack of response, he wrote a letter to God presenting his request once again. The reason is this: God’s customary way to move your will is through your mind. And since the Spirit of God is a Spirit of love, you can pray with confidence that he will lovingly fill the saints in Jerusalem with love for Paul so that his ministry is accepted and not resented. Be glad that God is like this. ~ Devotionals Daily. He has always been merciful, He is merciful at this very moment, and He will be that way right into eternity. In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly tells people to follow him. Take the first request — that Paul be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea. When these two things unite, infinite power and overflowing love, nothing can befall you but what God wills for your good. It is often said that “Prayer Changes Things!” We should also add, “Prayer Changes Us!” It is true that your prayers will change things around you but sometimes your prayers change you. But in closing this morning ask yourself if you believe this simple and powerful truth about prayer. We are to act on the knowledge of God-centered incentives. For Christians, two of the most common New Year's resolutions are to spend more time reading the Bible and to spend more time in prayer. So how was Paul saved? Yes, that’s what Scripture says. Prayer Changes Things. Be glad that the Lord of the universe has a Spirit of love. Why not just say, “Pray for me!”? Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. Some of you have wondered, Why do we have prayer meetings? In today’s modern world sometimes it is hard for us to realize the power of prayer. Prayer changes all of the variables at work in any given situation, making possible either a miraculous and instantaneous deliverance or the slow, progressive change and growth necessary for overcoming adversity. Prayers are not only for Christians. Transcript. He watched as an old, haggard woman… But why doesn’t that call ring out in the rest of the New Testament? After his wet-and-wild encounter with the great fish, the runaway prophet did some repenting of his own and set out for Nineveh to deliver the message God had given him: Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!   Website, Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers. Paul had said, “I urge you to strive in prayer by the Lord Jesus Christ.” Now we see even more clearly that Jesus is the Lord. Jesus said in John 14:13, “And whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” The aim of prayer is that the Father be glorified through Jesus. Not in forty days, and not in forty years. Follow Robert Morris on: We’re on a mission to change that. 7,780 views. So Paul urges the Roman Christians 1,300 miles from Jerusalem to ask God not to let that happen. At times our situation even remains the same; but we are different. Privacy Policy | Term and Conditions. Let’s work to change people’s minds with truth and people’s wills with prayer. I begin today by asking two questions about prayer from verse 30 before turning today to verse 31. That God is going to do whatever God is going to do, so why pray? So self-doubt should not make us wonder whether prayer can change things. By prayer God calls us to join him in shaping history. You’re running into a brick wall a thousand miles thick, and you’ll never move it. When we pray, God’s powerful hand begin to bring change, something great and unsearchable things happen in the spiritual realm specially in the hearts of men, in our hearts. Sermon: Prayer Changes Things. Title: PRAYER THAT CHANGES THINGS. He is the bestselling author of eleven books including The Blessed Life, From Dream to Destiny, The God I Never Knew and The Blessed Church. And Paul was spared. One day they were having a conversation about prayer. The amount of transforming good you can do by prayer is incalculable. What have you quit praying about? So the more people there are praying for something, and thus depending on God for mercy and power, the more people will give him thanks and glorify him when the answer comes. By prayer we are to influence the wills of our friends and our enemies. Most of the religions use prayers or contemplation. GET IT NOW Provided by Ministry Pass. You can’t change God’s mind, because God can’t change. James McLeod James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (James 5:16). God is in the main business in the world of magnifying the worth of his Son and the power of his Spirit and the glory of his own name. Prayer exists for the glory of God. In the book of Malachi, He declares: For I am the Lord, I do not change. Why is it not God’s usual way to just tell us to do things without giving us incentives like this to do them? Since it began in 2000, the church has grown to more than 36,000 active members. Stand in awe of the Lordship of God and his Son Jesus. Another translation puts it even more starkly: So the Lord changed His mind about the terrible disaster He had threatened to bring on His people. The assumption behind the answer to both of these questions is that the divine purpose of prayer is to magnify the greatness of God. But Abraham learned that he could reason with God in prayer — and make a difference. It implies that God is not sovereign enough to decide that prayer can be used as a vehicle to influence his decisions. Prayer does not change things which have no connection with the salvation of souls. When these two things unite, infinite power and overflowing love, nothing can befall you but what God wills for your good. Please consider this request from John Piper and become a monthly partner by December 31. In Exodus 32:9-10, we read that God was on the knife edge of destroying the whole nation and starting over again with Moses. Jesus Over Everything Week 5 — Changing Your Heart. The point is that prayer changes people’s wills. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. God does not change, will not change, and cannot change. God influenced the wills of someone to inform the commander, the will of the commander, and the will of the mob. So I will say more then about the results of the sovereignty of God and human accountability. Finally, don’t neglect the amazing influence you have in the world for good through prayer. Why gather in St. Paul tonight in a larger group? The Lord, the God of the universe, relented from a course of action that He had planned? Prayer Changes Things A Sermon on Matthew 7:7-11 The story is told of a young boy who wanted $100 very badly. Moses knew this as well. So when God changed His mind, the prophet couldn’t contain his disgust. God had said it would happen, but it didn’t happen. The "life" referred to is eternal life. God doesn’t change, because if He could change, He could get better. By prayer we are to influence the wills of presidents and kings and senators and governors and mayors (1 Timothy 2:1–2). Nineveh remained as a city for possibly one hundred fifty years. How did God answer that? Did it happen? Why does Paul give the Roman Christians incentives to pray for him instead of just telling them to pray? One means God has given us to do this is prayer—asking him to act. Like a child before the Father (Luke 18:17), upon coming to faith in Christ, we realize not only that we have needs, but that the Lord is the best and only provider for our needs.For this reason, we quickly and willingly go to the Lord in prayer, laying all our cares before Him, knowing that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). You’re pushing against Mount Everest, but you’ll never make it sway. I knew very well that You are a compassionate God, and that if these people repented that You would change Your mind too! He is who He is. The second question from verse 30 is this: why do the prayers of the Roman Christians promise more help than if Paul simply prayed alone for his two requests? — NLT, emphasis mine. So not only did God influence the will of the boy to be in the right place at the right time and to have the courage to go tell Paul, but he also influenced the will of the centurion to take the boy to the commander and influenced the will of the commander to take the boy seriously and then to make a plan for Paul’s escape. He is author of. So we don’t read anything about the church rejecting Paul or his ministry. (Romans 15:30–31). If we want a steady heart in an unsteady world, among unsteady people, during unsteady days, we need to be upheld by God. And count on him to help you in your longings to see people change. He is featured on the weekly television program, The Blessed Life, and serves as Chairman of the Board of The King’s University. But He can’t get better, because He is already the best. SUBJECT: Worship TITLE:To Pray Effectively PROPOSITION: To understand how to pray we must understand the Character, Circumstance, Content, and Consequences of prayer. The point I see is very simple and far-reaching in its implications. We see this in 2 Corinthians 1:10b–11: And [God] will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed upon us through the prayers of many. He prayed for a long time, but nothing happened. In chapter 23 Paul is in jail and some of his enemies form a conspiracy to ambush him when he is transferred to Caesarea. One microscopic dust speck of a human being on one little dust speck of a planet in the vast universe called on the eternal Creator of all to change His mind about the destiny of a nation. I pray that the Lord will influence your wills to believe it! FaithGateway is brought to you by HarperCollins Christian Publishing and is dedicated to helping you grow and share your faith. And now the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. That is, he typically draws the will into action by displaying truth to the mind. By prayer God calls us to join him in shaping history. Come join the conversation on our blog. When the postal authorities received...read more One common heresy (“open theism”) is that God doesn’t know the future and only responds to it like a chess player. Series: Meet The Savior Who Was A Servant Sermon: Time For A Change Mark 10:46-52 Pastor Ricky Powell March 14, 2010 Introduction: An old man from the mountains took a trip to the big city. A more profound reason to wonder whether our prayers make a difference is the biblical emphasis on God's greatness and the power of his will. Because Moses prayed. Why would He do that? Second, the commander willed to take it seriously and came to see. Excerpted with permission from Why Keep Praying When You Don’t See Results by Robert Morris, copyright Robert Morris. Text: James 5:13-20. Verse 30: “And all the city was aroused, and the people rushed together; and taking hold of Paul, they dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.” Mob violence is not easy to restrain. You’re running into a brick wall a thousand miles thick, and you’ll never move it. Dr. Arthur Caliandro, long-time pastor of Marble Collegiate Church, had a therapist on his church staff. It is saying that God doesn’t change His character. God cannot and will not change His character. This brings us to the very point where we are in our study of providence in the BITC on Wednesday nights. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. And the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. The text is Acts 2:42. He hated the people of Nineveh (for many logical and understandable reasons) and wanted very much to see such a vile place wiped off the world map. Trust him. (Tell your neighbor, Prayer Changes Things) Our Scripture says in verse 24 "They lifted up their voice to God with one accord" i.e. Prayer Changes Things (1 of 2) Mark Baker Philippians 4:6 Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7. and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Prayer propels us into action. Let’s see how it works by going to the book of Acts and watching God answer this prayer. It deepens our ownership of the burden and our partnership with God. Why have prayer chains and prayer groups? The threatened judgment didn’t fall, and that nearly drove Jonah crazy. Let’s see this from the text. A sermon preached on Sunday morning May 16, 2010 At the Bakers Creek Baptist church by James Carl Jones pastor. Christians are unavoidably out of step with this world. For the first time in his life he found himself standing outside an elevator. In both cases, the wills of people are involved and the answer to the prayer is going to involve God changing those wills — in the one case so that the ill-will of unbelievers is restrained, and in the other case so that the goodwill of believers is assured. These sermons were hand picked to help you prepare one or many sermons on this topic. It is why I preach and write books — to stir you up with truth about God, so that when you act, God will get the glory. Acts 21:17–20 gives the answer: And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. The therapist told him that prayer was the most therapeutic behavior for a human being. — Malachi 3:6. It just doesn’t work. In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Now, what about the believers? This is why we read the Bible. You can’t change God’s mind, because God can’t change. Have you ever heard that demonic whisper that your prayers don’t matter? We can be confident that prayer does change things—including our own hearts. We want to hear from you about changing God’s mind as we reason with Him in prayer. The Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love and joy and that is what Paul met with in the church of Jerusalem. Because the people of Nineveh changed their minds about the way they had been living, and God changed His mind about destroying them. First, someone willed to run and tell the commander there was a riot. Paul had said, “I urge you by the love of the Spirit to strive in prayer.” Think what it must have meant for Paul as he came toward Jerusalem to have Christian groups “receive him gladly.” “The brethren received him gladly.” Oh how precious is the love of the Spirit when it flows to us from other believers. No, it wasn’t. So we learn that God is immutable and will never, ever change His character. Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints. It is often said that “Prayer changes things!” We should also add, “Prayer changes us!” It is true that your prayers will change things around you but sometimes your prayers change you. He has always been and will always be compassionate. They take an oath not to eat until he is dead. Sermon on Prayer Changes Things – How to Pray Effectively – Kevin Cauley gives a definition of prayer, shows where to pray, and shows what to pray for. He said, in essence, to the Lord, I knew this would happen! We do not think the same or act the same because we serve a different Master. Don't pray unless you want to change. Since Jesus is Lord, you may pray with confidence that he has the right and authority and power to restrain the disobedient in Judea. How did they respond to Paul in answer to the other prayer in Romans 15:31, that his ministry be acceptable to the saints? Undaunted by the lack of response, he wrote a letter to God presenting his request once again. Then switching to God’s changelessness, he will say, You think you can change things through prayer? SERMONS ON PRAYER. But He can and will change His mind when His people pray. 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