Message by Josh Mutter – November 17, 2024
BIG IDEA: There is more to prayer than having our requests answered.
1. Some prayers aren’t answered because they are plain stupid.
2. Some prayers aren’t answered because they contradict other prayers.
3. Some prayers aren’t answered because they would be detrimental to the world and to the lives of others.
4. Some prayers aren’t answered because life is tough.
Matthew 6:34b (NIV) “Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
1 Peter 4:12 (NIV) “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you…as if something strange were happening to you.”
5. Some prayers aren’t answered the way we think they should because our understanding of God is wrong.
Daniel 3:16-18 (NIV) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
6. Some prayers aren’t answered because God will not force someone to do something they don’t want to do.
7. Some prayers aren’t answered yet because they are working gradually.
8. Some prayers aren’t answered because God has something better for us.
9. Some prayers aren’t answered because they are selfishly motivated.
10. Some prayers aren’t answered because God Himself is a greater Answer than the thing we are asking for.
11. Some prayers aren’t answered because God’s will is being directly contradicted by the “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.”
Ephesians 6:11-12 (NLT) Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.
12. Some prayers aren’t answered because we just don’t believe that they will be.
13. Some prayers have not been answered yet!
14. Some prayers aren’t answered because of areas of disobedience in our lives.
Psalm 66:18 (NIV) If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
15. Some prayers aren’t answered because of our disregard for others.
Isaiah 58:6-7,9 (NIV) Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen… Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to cloth them… Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Psalm 13 (NIV) How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
You can listen to the sermon on YouTube here.
You can download discussion questions for this message here: Doubt #7
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