Who God Hears

[0:00] A Pastor's Reflections, Who God Hears. Genesis 19.29 And it came to pass when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in which Lot dwelt.

[0:19] 1 Samuel 7.8 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistine.

[0:30] 1 Peter 3.12 Are some people's prayers more accessible to God than others?

[0:48] Does God have favorites when he decides whose prayers he will answer? On the face of things, it can appear as if there are those special prayer warriors whose prayers God seems especially keen to answer.

[1:02] Jeremiah 15.1 Then said the Lord unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be changed toward this people.

[1:15] In Genesis 19, Lot has just been rescued from the coming destruction of Sodom and the surrounding cities. The scripture is quick to point out to us that the result of Lot's deliverance was because of a previous conversation that God had with Abraham in chapter 18.

[1:32] Does that mean that Abraham's prayers were particularly potent? Did he have a special formula that always got his prayers answered? We all know that Abraham was God's favorite, right?

[1:46] Wrong. Psalm 66.18-20 Proverbs 15.29 Notice a theme?

[2:13] God's ears are open, and his answer is at the ready for the prayer of his righteous people. However, sin and iniquity can clog up the pathway of our prayers to God.

[2:25] Does that mean that God will not listen to me if I sin? No. It's not so much that he won't hear because he isn't listening. It's that he won't hear because we won't be praying.

[2:36] A person regarding iniquity in their heart is not usually making prayer a big priority in their life. Peter gives us this idea when he paints for us the picture of husbands who are unwilling to treat their wives in a godly manner.

[2:52] A husband who cannot honor his wife will find it difficult to honor his God. A man with that type of character will also find himself a little backwards in his prayer life.

[3:04] 1 Peter 3.7 So how do I get on God's answer list when I pray?

[3:17] By praying on the basis of relationship. Matthew 6.7-9 But when you pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

[3:31] Be not you therefore like unto them. For your father knows what things you have need of before you ask him. After this manner therefore pray you. Our father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

[3:44] Abraham knew who his God was and he also knew his God through relationship with him. His relationship with God wasn't just because God saved him or God blessed him.

[3:55] But because of who God was. Abraham took the time to know and understand his God. And it's the same for us. In Christ we relate to God no longer as just our creator or as just our source of blessing.

[4:10] But now as our father. And it is on the basis of that relationship that we then pray. John 15.9 As the father has loved me, so have I loved you.

[4:24] Continue you in my love. John 17.9-21 I pray for them. I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine.

[4:35] That they all may be one as thou father art in me, and I in thee. That they also may be one in us. So how do I pray as a child with his father?

[4:48] In humility and openness. With a willingness to listen and be corrected. Not desiring him to make all of my dreams come true. But recognizing that as the father, he is the one who knows what is best for me.

[5:02] God loves you and desires to answer all of your prayers. As a loving father, his ears attune to even the slightest cry from one of his children. Don't let sin or pride clog up the pathway of your prayers to God.

[5:16] And if you do find yourself in a place of unanswered prayer, remember, your best course of action is to go to your father and ask for his help. He loves to be asked, and he loves to answer.

[5:31] Matthew 7.11 How much more shall your father, which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him? Father, what an amazing father you are.

[5:43] You have cared for every one of our needs. And then on top of that, you have allowed us to relate to you in the same relationship that Jesus has with you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.

[5:55] If there's anything clogging up my prayer pathway, I ask you to bring your gentle hand of correction. Amen.