“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:7

“Pray without ceasing – fervent, urgent prayer.” 1st Thessalonians 5:17 

It is very important that we understand the principles in scripture and the preparation that we must do before God can even hear our prayers.

In most of our lives we put a lot of time in to preparing for:

2. A funeral 

3. A social gathering

4. A vacation

5. A romantic dinner

6. Christmas celebration

7. Birthday or anniversary celebration

Our best example is Jesus Christ who is now preparing a place for us in heaven (John 14:2-3).

Preparation is also vital for communion (1st. Corinthians 11: 17-34).

I have never really been a prayer warrior like my beautiful wife Ruth. Partly because of being successful in the business world. 

“Many Christians never prove God’s trustworthiness. Rather, they trust their bank accounts to dictate what they will do for the Lord.” – Loren Cunningham

This was certainly Barry Borthistle who has always loved the Lord dearly, but struggled with words like:

1. Wait

2. Trust

3. Abide

4. Rest

5. Faith

6. Patience

7. Prayers

1. Repentance of sin (1st John 1:5-10). If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me (Psalms 66:18).

2. Forgive your way to freedom. “Your health depends on forgiveness.” – Dr. Karen Swartz, MD. Jesus Christ has an even stronger opinion (Matthew 6:14-15).

3. Psalms 37:1-11: Commands on how to live and blessings if we obey. 

4. For husbands only. Dwell with your wife with understanding and honour because if you do not, your prayers will be hindered (cut off). Remember, your wife was created to be your helpmate which means divine aid (Genesis 2:18).

5. Remember to please the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:28-32) and do not grieve the Holy Spirit because you are the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1st. Corinthians 3:16-17, 1st Corinthians 6:18-20). Because the Holy Spirit lives in you, He intercedes for us directly to Jesus Christ who then intercedes directly to God the Father (Romans 8:26,27,34, Hebrews 7:25-28).

6. You have not because you ask not, or you ask for the wrong reason (James 4:2-3). 

7. Jesus Himself asks us to keep on asking, keep on seeking and keep on knocking (Matthew 7:7-8). All three words are present imperatives which means a continuous or repeated action. 

8. John 15:7 says if (our choice) you abide (dwell) and my words (rhema) abide in you, ask what you will, and it shall be done. 

9. The vital importance of praying when trials come (James 1:2-8) (see teaching on podcast #6).

10. Faith is probably the hardest part of the Christian life. But without faith it is impossible (impotent) to please God. But, if you do, He rewards you (Hebrews 11:6).

11. Always address your prayers directly to the Father and always close your prayers asking in the name of Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:6-15).

12. Close your prayer by applying the blood of Jesus Christ to every situation. Without a doubt the blood of Jesus Christ is the most precious and powerful gift we have – Charles Spurgeon and David Wilkinson

13. Consider taking communion as often as possible. There is healing in communion (New Testament) just as in Passover in the Old Testament. Communion instructions - 1st Corinthians 11: 27-31

14. Always close your prayer time with worship/praise, just as Miriam did after the Red Sea crossing as she led about 2.5 million people in praise, worship and dancing (Exodus 15:19-21). 

1. Hope – Psalms 42:5

2. Waiting – Psalms 27:14

3. Anxiety – 1st Peter 5:7

4. Courage – Deuteronomy 31:6

5. Peace – John 14:27

6. Helplessness – Psalms 34:17

7. Anger – Ephesians 4:26-27

8. Forgiveness – 1st John 1: 5-10

9. Hurt – Psalms 147: 3

10. Weariness – Matthew 7:28

11. Strength – Philippians 4:13

12. Fear – Joshua 1:9

“A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, a great faith will bring heaven to your soul.” – Charles Spurgeon

“Have your heart right with Christ and He will visit you often.” – Charles Spurgeon

1. Faith is a gift given at your time of conversion as is Grace (Romans 12:3). We are given a measure, which is a limited portion. It can be as small as a mustard seed (Matt 17:20). 

2. How important is faith to God? Without faith it is impossible (impotent) to even please God (Hebrews 11:6)

3. How does our faith increase? We must exercise our faith. Read the story of the centurion’s servant in Matthew 8:5-13. 

4. Like Job, Habakkuk not only speaks about trouble, he lived through it. He was a spokesman for God. The Holy Spirit instructed him to write about the trials he experienced as a vision in Habakkuk 2:1-4. Included in the vision is the word salvation in Habakkuk 3:18. Salvation is the Hebrew word from which the name of Jesus is derived in Matthew 1:23 – EMMANUEL (Emmanuel means God with us, a name of Jesus Christ. It’s prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 8:8. The Lord answered Habakkuk’s prayer as He answers us (Habakkuk 2:1-4)

5. More on the vital importance of faith. The book of Habakkuk is the most well preserved of the Old Testament dead sea scrolls. Habakkuk 2:1-4 is only one of two verses in the Old Testament that actually uses the word faith. The other one is in Deuteronomy 32:20. However, in the New Testament, many Old Testament figures like Noah/Abraham/Sarah are mentioned as people of faith Hebrews 11.

Now, this is really important. Habakkuk 2:4 – The just shall live by faith – is quoted 3 times in the New Testament (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:37-39). 

“Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” Hebrews 11:1

We will not survive spiritually if we do not learn to wait (Psalms 130:5-6).

WAIT WITH PATIENCE. “But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

WAIT IN PRAYER. “Out of the depths, I have cried to you Lord. Lord hear my voice.” Psalms 130: 1-2

WAIT ON PURPOSE. My soul waits silently for God, alone. He is my rock and my salvation. He is my defense; I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5-6

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