Text: James 4:1—2

Topic: How to pray victoriously

Introduction:

• We all desperately need to learn how to pray.
• Our failures are all prayer failures.
• There are three aspects to the idea of victorious prayer.

The presumption of unoffered prayer.

• We try to get what we think we need by using our own strength.
• Illustration: Boy didn't use all his strength to move a huge stone.
• Illustration: Boy stole a sour orange when by asking he would have had more good oranges than he could carry.
• Prayerlessness is sin, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Luke 18:1.
• By not praying we miss out on all the good things God has for us.
• Illustration: John Bunyan's quote about the relationship of prayer to sin.
• There is no substitute for prayer.

The problem of unacceptable prayer.

• James 4:3
• God is not going to underwrite our selfish motives by answering such prayers.
• Illustration: A husband would not finance his wife's affair.
• God supplies all our legitimate needs, but never our selfish desires.

The principle of undeniable prayer.

• How can we pray so that our lives are linked with the omnipotence of God?
• James gives five principles of undeniable prayer.
• • Sensitivity to the Spirit, James 4:5.
  • Submission to the Father, James 4:6
  • Standing against the Devil, James 4:7
  • Separation from the world, James 4:8
  • Seriousness in our purpose, James 4:9

Conclusion:

• James 5:16b