AI-assisted analysis for orientation; read the source transcript or listen to the sermon to evaluate the interpretation.
The sermon presents prayer as a divinely appointed means of communion with God and a powerful instrument because God has promised to hear and answer. Effective prayer is described as definite, earnest, persistent, focused, and expectant, while formal, hurried, and unbelieving prayer is strongly rebuked. Christians are called to repent of prayerlessness and exercise prayer for themselves, others, the church, and the city. Sinners are invited to bring their guilt and longing for salvation to God, pleading the mercy secured by Christ’s blood and turning from sin.
Theological center: Prayer prevails because God is faithful to His promises, hears His people, and grants mercy through the shed blood of Christ.
Applications: Pray with definite requests · Persist in earnest prayer · Trust God to answer prayer · Reform public and private prayer
Primary texts: Mark 11:24 · Psalms 147:3
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24 THIS verse has something to do with the faith of miracles, but I think it has far more reference to the miracle of faith. We shall at any rate, this morning, consider it in that light. I believe that this text is the inheritance not only of the apostles, but of all those who walk in the faith of the apostles, believing in the promises of the Lord Jesus Christ. The advice which Christ gave to the twelve and to His immediate followers is repeated to us in God’s Word this morning. May we have grace constantly to obey it. “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” How many persons there are who complain that they do not enjoy prayer. They do not neglect it, for they dare not, but they would neglect it if they dared, so far are they from finding any pleasure therein. And have we not to lament that sometimes the chariot wheels are taken off, and we drive right heavily when we are in supplication? We spend the time allotted, but we rise from our knees unrefreshed, like a man who has lain upon his bed, but has not slept so as to really recover his strength. When the time comes round again conscience drives us to our knees, but there is no sweet fellowship with God. There is no telling out of our wants to Him in the firm conviction that He will supply them. After having gone again through a certain round of customary utterances, we rise from our knees perhaps more troubled in conscience and more distressed in mind than we were before. There are many Christians, I think, who have to complain of this—that they pray not so much because it is a blessed thing to be allowed to draw near to God, as because they must pray, because it is their duty, because they feel that if they did not, they would lose one of the sure evidences of their being Christians. Brethren, I do not condemn you, but at the same time, if I may be the means of lifting you up this morning from so low a state of grace into a higher and more healthy atmosphere, my soul shall be exceeding glad. If I can show you a more excellent way, if from this time forth you may come to look at prayer as your element, as one of the most delightful exercises of your life, if you shall come to esteem it more than your necessary food, and to value it as one of heaven’s best luxuries, surely I shall have answered a great end, and you shall have to thank God for a great blessing. Give me then your attention while I beg you first,…