Short Sermon: When God Answers Prayers

I am truly delighted to be here with you today to explore a topic that is central to our Christian journey—prayer. Prayer is a divine channel through which we communicate with our Heavenly Father, and it is a privilege we should cherish.

“Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend.” – Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 93. This implies a level of intimacy and transparency that goes beyond mere ritualistic practices.

Prayer is not just a ritual but a heartfelt conversation with our Creator. Prayer is more than a religious duty; it is the language of relationship with our Heavenly Father. In a relationship, communication is vital, and prayer is our way of communing with God.

Unlike a ritual, which can become mechanical and void of personal connection, heartfelt prayer involves sincerity and authenticity. It’s about laying bare our true selves before God, sharing our joys, concerns, and struggles.

Look at Jesus’ prayer life; it was marked by deep communion with the Father. Jesus withdrew to solitary places to pray (Luke 5:16), demonstrating the need for a private, personal connection with God. Matthew 6:6 (NIV) underscores this: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.”

In 1 Samuel 1, we find the story of Hannah pouring out her soul to God in prayer. It wasn’t a rote recitation, but a heartfelt conversation where she expressed her deep longings. God heard her cry and blessed her with a son, Samuel.

Heartfelt prayer involves engaging our emotions. It’s not about reciting words mechanically but expressing our feelings, desires, and even our doubts and fears to God.

Psalm 62:8 (NIV) encourages us to “pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

God desires an intimate connection with His children through prayer.

Conditions for Answered Payer

Prayer is a two-way street. It’s not just about presenting our requests; it’s also about listening to God’s voice. God speaks to us through His Word, impressions, and the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 3:20 (NIV) captures this interactive aspect of prayer: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

A. Faith and Trust:

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV): “And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

B. Alignment with God’s Will:

1 John 5:14 (NIV): “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

The Different Forms of God’s Answers

A. Yes:

1. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
2. God sometimes answers our prayers with a resounding “yes.”

B. No:

1. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NIV): “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2. God’s “no” may be a loving redirection towards something better.

C. Wait:

1. Psalm 27:14 (NIV): “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
2. Patience is a virtue; God’s timing is always perfect.

Luke 18:1 (NIV): “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”

Romans 8:26 (NIV): “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” The Holy Spirit aids us in expressing our deepest needs and desires to God.

Just as open and honest communication deepens human relationships, heartfelt prayer deepens our relationship with God. It fosters a sense of closeness and trust. – James 4:8 (NIV) encourages us to “come near to God, and he will come near to you.”

Heartfelt prayer is transformative. As we pour out our hearts, we allow God to work in us, shaping us into the image of Christ.

Romans 12:2 (NIV) captures this transformative aspect: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

A heartfelt prayer is a sacred conversation where the human heart connects with the divine. It transcends ritual, inviting us into a deep and personal relationship with our Creator. As we approach God with authenticity and openness, we position ourselves to experience the transformative power of His presence in our lives. May our prayers be marked not by routine, but by the genuine expression of our hearts to the One who listens and cares for us deeply.

Let us remember that our God is a God who answers prayers. Whether it’s a “yes,” a “no,” or a “wait,” His responses are based on His infinite wisdom and love for us. Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, trusting that our Father hears and responds according to His perfect will. May our faith be strengthened, and our prayer lives be deepened as we walk hand in hand with the One who delights in hearing the voices of His children.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

AY Program Idea: Pliable

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Proverbs 4:25.

A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next. – COL 332

“The Pilgrim’s Progress” is a classic Christian allegory written by John Bunyan in the 17th century. It follows the journey of a character named Christian as he embarks on a pilgrimage towards the Celestial City, symbolizing the Christian life. The allegory explores various trials, temptations, and victories that Christians may face on their spiritual journey.

In Pilgrim’s Progress there is a character called Pliable.

The word “pliable” is an adjective that describes something that is easily bent, flexible, or adaptable. It can refer to physical objects or, more commonly, to abstract qualities such as a person’s character, attitudes, or opinions. When used to describe a person, it suggests a willingness to be influenced or shaped by external factors. Overall, “pliable” conveys a sense of suppleness, readiness to change, or the ability to be molded or adjusted easily.

Sis. Ellen White says that the youth, should shun this character. Those represented by it are very accommodating, but they are as a reed shaken by the wind. They possess no will power.

Every youth needs to cultivate decision. A divided state of the will is a snare, and will be the ruin of many youth. Be firm, else you will be left with your house, or character, built upon a sandy foundation….

Manifest decision at any cost…. Those who would walk in the path cast up for the chosen of the Lord, must not be swayed in the matters of conscience by men who have often been zealous for the wrong. They must show moral independence, and must not be afraid to be singular.…

Many are changed by every current. They wait to hear what someone else thinks, and his opinion is accepted as altogether true. If they would lean wholly upon God, they would grow strong in His strength; but they do not say to the Lord, I cannot make any decision until I know Thy will.

Their natural inclination is to allow another to be conscience for them; and they speak after he has spoken, saying what he says, and acting as he acts. When these persons are placed in circumstances where they must think and act for themselves, they dare not express any decided opinion. Yet often, like Aaron, they have much ability.

Group Discussion Questions/Activity:

• How does the analogy of God as the Potter and us as the clay resonate with you personally?
• In what ways have you experienced God shaping and molding your life?
• Share an experience where your faith was tested, and you had to trust God’s plan despite not understanding it fully.
• How can a strong foundation of faith contribute to a more pliable heart?
• Discuss specific instances in Joseph’s life where he demonstrated a pliable heart. How can we apply these lessons in our own challenges?
• How can trusting God in adversity lead to positive outcomes in the long run?
• Share practical steps from her writings that can help cultivate a moldable heart.
• In what ways can we practically demonstrate Christ’s love through our interactions with others?
• How does humility play a role in having a pliable heart in service to others?
• Discuss common challenges or resistance to being pliable in our faith journey.
• Share strategies on how the group can support each other in overcoming these challenges.
• What daily habits or spiritual disciplines can help us maintain a pliable heart toward Christ?
• How can we encourage one another to stay pliable amidst the distractions and pressures of the world?
• How can accountability within our youth group contribute to our individual and collective spiritual growth?
• Share personal goals for spiritual development and invite accountability partners.
• Discuss specific scenarios where it might be challenging to remain pliable to Christ in a secular environment. How can we navigate such situations?
• How can our youth group be a support system for one another in these circumstances?
• Discuss practical ways to deepen our prayer life and enhance our surrender to Christ.

Conclusion/Highlights:

We must free ourselves from the customs and bondage of society, that when the principles of our faith are at stake, we shall not hesitate to show our colors, even though we are called singular for so doing. Keep the conscience tender, that you may hear the faintest whisper of the voice that spoke as never man spoke.

Who should we be “pliable” to?

Imagine the potter’s hands shaping the clay — a beautiful metaphor for God molding our hearts. God compares Himself to a potter molding His people. We are the clay, and God, the master Potter, seeks to mold us into vessels of honor.

Jeremiah 18:6 (NIV) – “He said, ‘Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?’ declares the Lord. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.'”

Embracing Pliability through Faith

Let all who would wear the yoke of Christ show an inflexible purpose to do right because it is right. Keep the eye fixed on Jesus, inquiring at every step, Is this the way of the Lord? The Lord will not leave any one who does this, to become the sport of Satan’s temptation….

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Faith is the foundation of our pliability. Trusting God’s plan, even when we don’t fully comprehend it, allows His hands to shape us.

Genesis 50:20 (NIV) – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

The story of Joseph’s life is a lesson of a pliable heart in the face of adversity. His unwavering faith allowed God to turn trials into triumphs.

“The Great Controversy” by Sis. Ellen White, emphasizes the importance of yielding to God’s guidance during turbulent times. The book Counsels on Health, encourages pliability in adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV) – “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.”

Christ’s humility exemplifies the ultimate pliability. Serving others with love and humility reflects the moldable heart of Jesus.

In a world often resistant to change, God calls us to be pliable, allowing His hands to shape our character. Do not imitate men. Study your Bibles, and imitate Christ. Let’s emulate Christ’s humility and Joseph’s resilience, trusting that God’s plan far surpasses our understanding. May our prayer be: “Mold me, Lord, for I am clay in Your hands.”

Heavenly Father, we surrender ourselves to Your hands, acknowledging that You are the Potter and we are the clay. Mold us into vessels of honor, pliable and ready to fulfill Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Reference: Our High Calling – Page 341