“How do I Pray About The Problems In My Life?”

Prayer Can Change Your Life  -  Part 3

May 7, 2006.  Pastor Matt

After a problem presents itself, what do you do?

First of all…

If we remain in Him, He already knows all our problems.

John 15:7. 

Philippians 3:7-11

-         Paul was willing to trade everything for the opportunity to know the Lord

-         The price of losing the world is well worth the purchase of Jesus, salvation, and a close relationship with the Lord

o       God loves us (John 3:16)

o       we can have an intimate relationship with Him

o       we can enjoy talking to Him

o       we don’t have to play catch up

Matthew 7:21-23

21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Matthew 25:10-12.

10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.  11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'  12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

-         The Christian life is about having a relationship with God

-         It has always been about that

-         We are not buying a ticket to Heaven, we are making things right between us and God

o       We can only make things right because of what Jesus did

-         Because he already knows everything about us, we can be real with God

-         Talk to him.  Tell him how you really feel.  David did in the Psalms.

-         If we are not close with the Lord, the first thing we need to do is get back in a right relationship with Him.  We need to return to Him. 

-         Being right with our maker is more important than fixing our problems.

Step one:

Ask yourself, “Have I done something wrong to bring this on myself?”

Galatians 6:7-8.

7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

-         There are earthly consequences for the sin in our life. 

o       Financial problems

o       Addictions

o       Marriage relationships

Upon completion of the Temple, Solomon prays…

1 Kings 8:35-36.

35 "When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, 36 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

Paul is explaining his mission given to him directly from Jesus

Acts 26:15-20.

(20) …I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

-         God is not always in the business of getting us out of messes we’ve made.

-         He wants us to repent and then go the other way.

-         God does not promise to snap us out of problems but He does promise to walk with us as we walk out of our messes.

There is not always an easy fix for those of us who make a big mess of our lives!!

However, a few things will not change

-         God always forgives

o       1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us."

-         God always loves you

o       1 John 4:8 tells us that “God is love.”

o       1 Corinthians 13:8 tells us that “Love never fails.”

-         If you believe in Jesus, you know where you are going

o       John 6:47.  I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

Often we can’t fix a problem until we confess our sin and go back and make things right. 

Look back to what you did to cause the problems in the first place, and do what you have to fix what you can. 

Often we can do more to make things right but we don’t because it makes things too uncomfortable, too different. 

Because of this its not that God can’t fix our problems but it has more to do that we keep living in a situation that keeps recreating the same problem. 

EXAMPLE:  Its like saying lord take the mud off me but do it without removing me from the mud pit.

1 Corinthians 10:13. 

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Step Two:

Surrender to his will

1 John 5:14

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Put your heart in neutral. 

Submit to his control.

Be willing to accept his direction no matter what that might look like

We adjust our will to his will

Step Three:

Trust that God is bigger than your problems.

Philippians 4:4-7

Be anxious for nothing……….when a problem presents itself…..

(and your remaining with God, and sin did not cause it)

……………..you have nothing to worry about……

…………..You have the God of the universe on your side.

Prayer: “Lord, this is your problem to fix.  You take control.  Let me know what you want me to do if I’m to be a part of the solution.  By leaving it with you, I will consider it solved.”

Proverbs 3:5-6. 

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

You don't have to figure out your problems all by yourself. 

In fact, our thoughts are not to be leaned on.  Wait on Him to do or show you what to do. 

Because I don’t have a clue what to do………..“If you show me something to do, I’ll do it, otherwise I’m just gonna sit back and watch You do Your thing!”

Ephesians 6:13-14.

13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place

Romans 8:28.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Do we trust who God is or not?

He knows our problems.  We can tell Him what is going on (He already knows) and then we don’t have to worry because we know he is taking care of business.