Day 5: Effective Prayer: Part 1 | Confidence

Prayers are for answers.

"Call unto Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." Jeremiah 33:3

God hears prayer, His ear is open to the Righteous; Psalm 65:2, Psalm 34:15

If you're helpless it's because you're prayer-less.

"Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you. Whoever asks receives, whoever seeks finds, whoever knocks the door shall be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

If you ask and don't receive, it's because you ask amiss (your motives are wrong); James 4:3

Jesus is our example for prayer. Luke 11:1-13

The Father was Jesus' example. He said, "I can of Myself do nothing". John 5:30 Only IN HIM do we have strength and help.

"Those who look to the Lord are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed." Psalm 34:5

I must approach the prayer altar in confidence. It's not enough to go the Lord in prayer. How you approach the altar will determine the answers you receive.

How do we approach? Boldly. Hebrews 4:16

You cannot approach the altar with a beggar mentality. Bold means to be confident, inner strength, steadfastness and stability based on an assurance that God is going to help you. You come boldly because of what Jesus did and because we know what God's Word says. God is a rewarder. He wants you to come to Him believing that He is God and that He desires to help you.

God is not a wicked Father; He is ever-willing and ready to bless you.

Plead your case boldly because God hears you.

2 Kings 20:1-7; Isaiah 43:25-26; Isaiah 41:21

God willing, ready, and desiring to bless you. Romans 8:32

Do not cast away your confidence which carries a great reward. Hebrews 10:35

Your reward is attached to your confidence in God. Righteousness-consciousness builds your confidence. You have to have righteousness-consciousness instead of sin-consciousness; knowing who you are in Christ. The righteous are bold as a lion; Proverbs 28:1

You are the Righteousness of God in Christ; 2 Corinthians 5:21

3 Things that Build Your Confidence

1) Righteousness-consciousness. Lack of boldness in God disconnects you from the help of God.

2) Confidence can be cultivated through knowledge. Knowledge strengthens the innerman. Proverbs 24:5, Daniel 11:32, I John 5:14-15, 2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Peter 1:2-11

3) The Holy Spirit