Disciples' Prayer Life
Day 1

Why should God answer my prayer? -Give God a reason to answer.

KEY IDEA:
A correct basis for our asking gives God a reason to answer our prayer.

4 REASONS GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS (2 of 4)

ACKNOWLEDGING GOD'S HONOR

Ezra 8:21-23
²¹ There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. ²² I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." ²³ So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

"If Ezra had asked the king for soldiers to protect them on their journey, he would have dishonored God with his distrust or disbelief."

:: Protect God's name (His Honor) by giving FULL trust in what GOD can do.
:: Being a good testimony to the people around us; doing what we believe.

Ezra 8:31-32
³¹ On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way. ³² So we arrived in Jerusalem, where we rested three days.

"God answered Ezra's prayer by providing the people with safe passage to Jerusalem. God answered this prayer because it was offered to protect His reputation as One who protects those who seek Him."


ACKNOWLEDGING GOD'S CHARACTER

(Bold-ed text = Characteristics of God)

MOSES
Numbers 14:17-19
¹⁷ "Now may the Lord's strength be displayed, just as you have declared: ¹⁸ 'The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.' ¹⁹ In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now."


NEHEMIAH
Nehemiah 1:5-6
⁵ Then I said:
"O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, ⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you.

HANNAH
1 Samuel 2:2
² "There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.


QUESTIONS TO KEEP IN MIND:
- Why would God want to grant this request?
- What quality would God demonstrate if He granted that request?


Belle's Prayer Requests:
1. To know God's final confirmation for His Call in my life.
2. To know who he is and to be discerning when the right time is.
3. To know what to do specifically on how God will channel His financial blessings to FCF, my family, and to those who are in financial crisis.
4. To be protected away from any distractions, temptations, and danger that will get me side-tracked in my race.
5. For the people of FCF (children, youth and adults) to be constantly ON FIRE for God and have the passion to serve Him and live for Him.
6. To not live a mediocre lifestyle but to display a character of excellence that shows the character of Christ in the way I live my life.

Immediate Requests:
- For unbelievers to come to know Jesus on Youth Jam.
- For wisdom as I prepare my message for Youth Jam; that I will get to the needs of the students (youth) and have them meet Jesus for the things they worry most in life.

Today's Practical App:
In every verse that I will read from the Word, I will highlight anything that brings honor to God's name; what it tells me about His character that He will answer my prayer. Even just learning 2 ways on how God can answer my prayer, by acknowledging His honor and His character, I can be rest assured that I can truly pray in line with His will. And when I do, I know that He will hear me.

:: Lord, thank you so much for this. I praise You for WHO YOU REALLY ARE. Thank you that You are an awesome, great God who always keeps His promises and His character. You remain the same. You never let me down. Thank you. Please give me the scriptures as I go through this day. I want to know what You want me to do in everything in my life. I entrust everything to You in Jesus' name, amen.