God’s Plan for Your Prayers

[music] [music] >> Well, a week ago we looked at how to >> Well, a week ago we looked at how to >> Well, a week ago we looked at how to break free from prayer rut. Getting free break free from prayer rut. Getting free break free from prayer rut. Getting free from what happens so often when we just from what happens so often when we just from what happens so often when we just get stuck in a loop of praying for the get stuck in a loop of praying for the get stuck in a loop of praying for the same daily needs and same stresses over same daily needs and same stresses over same daily needs and same stresses over and over and over again every day. and over and over again every day. and over and over again every day. Today we look at your prayers purposes Today we look at your prayers purposes Today we look at your prayers purposes in God's plan. Your prayers purposes in in God's plan. Your prayers purposes in in God's plan. Your prayers purposes in God's plan. Because it's a question that God's plan. Because it's a question that God's plan. Because it's a question that stops a lot of people right in their stops a lot of people right in their stops a lot of people right in their tracks. If God is truly in control of tracks. If God is truly in control of tracks. If God is truly in control of everything, and he definitely is, everything, and he definitely is, everything, and he definitely is, and if he already knows everything about and if he already knows everything about and if he already knows everything about what is going to happen according to his what is going to happen according to his what is going to happen according to his decree, and he does, decree, and he does, decree, and he does, then why should we ever bother asking then why should we ever bother asking then why should we ever bother asking him for things? him for things? him for things? Doesn't an all-knowing, all-sovereign Doesn't an all-knowing, all-sovereign Doesn't an all-knowing, all-sovereign God render all of our prayers pointless? God render all of our prayers pointless? God render all of our prayers pointless? Today on Ask Pastor John, God's plan for Today on Ask Pastor John, God's plan for Today on Ask Pastor John, God's plan for your prayers. your prayers. your prayers. The question is from an anonymous The question is from an anonymous The question is from an anonymous listener to the podcast. Pastor John, I listener to the podcast. Pastor John, I listener to the podcast. Pastor John, I have a question which, as I read it out, have a question which, as I read it out, have a question which, as I read it out, may seem really basic to you, but it's a may seem really basic to you, but it's a may seem really basic to you, but it's a very new insight for me. In 1 Chronicles very new insight for me. In 1 Chronicles very new insight for me. In 1 Chronicles 29:20, which is coming up soon in our 29:20, which is coming up soon in our 29:20, which is coming up soon in our Bible reading, Bible reading, Bible reading, David offers a hugely important and David offers a hugely important and David offers a hugely important and powerful prayer that acknowledges God's powerful prayer that acknowledges God's powerful prayer that acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty over all things. He absolute sovereignty over all things. He absolute sovereignty over all things. He says, "Yours, oh Lord, is the greatness says, "Yours, oh Lord, is the greatness says, "Yours, oh Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the and the power and the glory and the and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, victory and the majesty, victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in for all that is in the heavens and in for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours."

the earth is yours." the earth is yours." That's verse 11. Very powerful. He just That's verse 11. Very powerful. He just That's verse 11. Very powerful. He just states this fact. David doesn't focus on states this fact. David doesn't focus on states this fact. David doesn't focus on his own achievements or on Israel's his own achievements or on Israel's his own achievements or on Israel's wealth and city. He humbly recognizes wealth and city. He humbly recognizes wealth and city. He humbly recognizes that everything they give has first come that everything they give has first come that everything they give has first come from God's hand. "For all things come from God's hand. "For all things come from God's hand. "For all things come from you, from you, from you, and of your own have we given you." and of your own have we given you." and of your own have we given you." Verse 14. Verse 14. Verse 14. His words overflow with reverence, His words overflow with reverence, His words overflow with reverence, gratitude, and dependence on God. So, gratitude, and dependence on God. So, gratitude, and dependence on God. So, how important is God's sovereignty in how important is God's sovereignty in how important is God's sovereignty in shaping the content of all of our shaping the content of all of our shaping the content of all of our prayers? prayers? prayers? >> In Ezekiel 36: >> In Ezekiel 36: >> In Ezekiel 36: 37, 37, 37, God says to the people of Israel, "Thus God says to the people of Israel, "Thus God says to the people of Israel, "Thus says the Lord God, this also I will be says the Lord God, this also I will be says the Lord God, this also I will be sought by the house of Israel to do for sought by the house of Israel to do for sought by the house of Israel to do for them, them, them, to increase their people like a flock. to increase their people like a flock. to increase their people like a flock. So, the waste will be filled with flocks So, the waste will be filled with flocks So, the waste will be filled with flocks of people, of people, of people, then they will know that I am the Lord. then they will know that I am the Lord. then they will know that I am the Lord. Now, earlier in the chapter, verse 10, Now, earlier in the chapter, verse 10, Now, earlier in the chapter, verse 10, God had promised he would do that. God had promised he would do that. God had promised he would do that. He would multiply the people, he would He would multiply the people, he would He would multiply the people, he would fill the cities with his flocks, his fill the cities with his flocks, his fill the cities with his flocks, his people, people, people, but now in verse 37, he tells them how but now in verse 37, he tells them how but now in verse 37, he tells them how he's going to do it. How he's going to he's going to do it. How he's going to he's going to do it. How he's going to do it.

do it. do it. Namely, I will be sought Namely, I will be sought Namely, I will be sought to do it. Now, that's that's my literal to do it. Now, that's that's my literal to do it. Now, that's that's my literal translation of the Niph'al form of the translation of the Niph'al form of the translation of the Niph'al form of the Hebrew verb darash, to seek. Uh I I Hebrew verb darash, to seek. Uh I I Hebrew verb darash, to seek. Uh I I think it says in in the ESV, I will let think it says in in the ESV, I will let think it says in in the ESV, I will let my people seek me, or something like my people seek me, or something like my people seek me, or something like that. Which is fine, but but he's he's that. Which is fine, but but he's he's that. Which is fine, but but he's he's telling them, telling them, telling them, "Here's how I'm going to do it. I will "Here's how I'm going to do it. I will "Here's how I'm going to do it. I will be sought by you to do it." be sought by you to do it." be sought by you to do it." That's means I will be prayed to. That's means I will be prayed to. That's means I will be prayed to. This also, I will be sought and I will This also, I will be sought and I will This also, I will be sought and I will be prayed to by the house of Israel to be prayed to by the house of Israel to be prayed to by the house of Israel to do for them. That is one of the do for them. That is one of the do for them. That is one of the instances in the Bible, one of the instances in the Bible, one of the instances in the Bible, one of the clearest, I think, clearest, I think, clearest, I think, of how God's purpose of how God's purpose of how God's purpose to do a thing to do a thing to do a thing and his way of doing it are brought and his way of doing it are brought and his way of doing it are brought together. Namely, together. Namely, together. Namely, he purposes to do a thing, he purposes to do a thing, he purposes to do a thing, and then he aims to do it through our and then he aims to do it through our and then he aims to do it through our prayers. prayers. prayers. I plan to do it, and so I will be sought I plan to do it, and so I will be sought I plan to do it, and so I will be sought by them to do it. I'm going to ordain by them to do it. I'm going to ordain by them to do it. I'm going to ordain the thing, I'm going to ordain the the thing, I'm going to ordain the the thing, I'm going to ordain the prayer that will cause me to do what I prayer that will cause me to do what I prayer that will cause me to do what I have ordained to do. That's the have ordained to do. That's the have ordained to do. That's the fundamental relationship between the fundamental relationship between the fundamental relationship between the sovereignty of God sovereignty of God sovereignty of God and human prayer. God planned something, and human prayer. God planned something, and human prayer. God planned something, and then he ordains what the means will and then he ordains what the means will and then he ordains what the means will be he'll use to bring it about, and one be he'll use to bring it about, and one be he'll use to bring it about, and one of those means of those means of those means is prayer. And you can see it again in is prayer. And you can see it again in is prayer. And you can see it again in Matthew 6, uh verses 7 and 8. When you Matthew 6, uh verses 7 and 8. When you Matthew 6, uh verses 7 and 8. When you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as

pray, do not heap up empty phrases as pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do. the Gentiles do. the Gentiles do. For they think that they will be heard For they think that they will be heard For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like for their many words. Do not be like for their many words. Do not be like them, for your father knows what you them, for your father knows what you them, for your father knows what you need before you ask him. need before you ask him. need before you ask him. Now, I think that means at least at Now, I think that means at least at Now, I think that means at least at least in part that our Father in heaven least in part that our Father in heaven least in part that our Father in heaven knows what's good for us and has a plan knows what's good for us and has a plan knows what's good for us and has a plan to do it through our asking so that our to do it through our asking so that our to do it through our asking so that our asking does not need to be eloquent or asking does not need to be eloquent or asking does not need to be eloquent or long-winded as if we need to twist his long-winded as if we need to twist his long-winded as if we need to twist his arm to do what he as a good father aims arm to do what he as a good father aims arm to do what he as a good father aims to do for us. to do for us. to do for us. But, But, But, let's not make the mistake of drawing let's not make the mistake of drawing let's not make the mistake of drawing the false conclusion. People think it's the false conclusion. People think it's the false conclusion. People think it's a logical conclusion. It's not It's not a logical conclusion. It's not It's not a logical conclusion. It's not It's not a logical conclusion. It's false logic. a logical conclusion. It's false logic. a logical conclusion. It's false logic. Namely, that God, because he's sovereign Namely, that God, because he's sovereign Namely, that God, because he's sovereign and things are going to happen and things are going to happen and things are going to happen uh the way he intended, because they're uh the way he intended, because they're uh the way he intended, because they're going to do that, you don't need to going to do that, you don't need to going to do that, you don't need to pray. It's pointless to pray. That's pray. It's pointless to pray. That's pray. It's pointless to pray. That's false, ungodly, unbiblical logic.

false, ungodly, unbiblical logic. false, ungodly, unbiblical logic. That's not the way it works. It's not That's not the way it works. It's not That's not the way it works. It's not always the case because God often plans always the case because God often plans always the case because God often plans that the human means are not decreed that the human means are not decreed that the human means are not decreed and so neither is the result decreed. and so neither is the result decreed. and so neither is the result decreed. As soon as you realize that outcomes and As soon as you realize that outcomes and As soon as you realize that outcomes and means to those outcomes are both in the means to those outcomes are both in the means to those outcomes are both in the mind of God, then you won't fall prey to mind of God, then you won't fall prey to mind of God, then you won't fall prey to that false logic of saying, "Well, since that false logic of saying, "Well, since that false logic of saying, "Well, since God is sovereign, it doesn't matter God is sovereign, it doesn't matter God is sovereign, it doesn't matter whether we pray or not." whether we pray or not." whether we pray or not." In fact, James chapter 4 makes sure that In fact, James chapter 4 makes sure that In fact, James chapter 4 makes sure that we don't make that mistake. He's saying, we don't make that mistake. He's saying, we don't make that mistake. He's saying, "If the Lord will" Later on, I mean, in "If the Lord will" Later on, I mean, in "If the Lord will" Later on, I mean, in verse 50, he says, "If the Lord wills, verse 50, he says, "If the Lord wills, verse 50, he says, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." So, we will live and do this or that." So, we will live and do this or that." So, he's clearly a total believer in the he's clearly a total believer in the he's clearly a total believer in the sovereignty of God. sovereignty of God. sovereignty of God. Meticulous sovereignty. "If the Lord Meticulous sovereignty. "If the Lord Meticulous sovereignty. "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that. wills, we will live and do this or that. wills, we will live and do this or that. That's sovereignty and providence. But That's sovereignty and providence. But That's sovereignty and providence. But in verse two, he says this, "You desire in verse two, he says this, "You desire in verse two, he says this, "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You and do not have, so you murder. You and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight covet and cannot obtain, so you fight covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you and quarrel. You do not have because you and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask."

do not ask." do not ask." You do not have because you do not ask? You do not have because you do not ask? You do not have because you do not ask? Wow. Wow. Wow. Could the value of prayer Could the value of prayer Could the value of prayer be elevated any more highly be elevated any more highly be elevated any more highly than for an inspired biblical spokesman than for an inspired biblical spokesman than for an inspired biblical spokesman to say, "The reason you don't have is to say, "The reason you don't have is to say, "The reason you don't have is cuz you didn't ask." cuz you didn't ask." cuz you didn't ask." Things Things Things don't happen don't happen don't happen because we don't ask for them to happen. because we don't ask for them to happen. because we don't ask for them to happen. That's true. That's true. That's true. That does not mean That does not mean That does not mean that everything you ask that everything you ask that everything you ask happens. happens. happens. We're not God. We're not God. We're not God. He's a good father. Fathers He's a good father. Fathers He's a good father. Fathers good fathers don't do that. They don't good fathers don't do that. They don't good fathers don't do that. They don't give everything to their children that give everything to their children that give everything to their children that they ask for. they ask for. they ask for. He gives good things. If we ask for He gives good things. If we ask for He gives good things. If we ask for bread, he doesn't give us a stone. bread, he doesn't give us a stone. bread, he doesn't give us a stone. If we ask for a fish, he doesn't give us If we ask for a fish, he doesn't give us If we ask for a fish, he doesn't give us a snake. a snake. a snake. What does he give? What does he give? What does he give? Jesus says he gives good things. Good Jesus says he gives good things. Good Jesus says he gives good things. Good things to those who ask. things to those who ask. things to those who ask. Like every good father does, only much Like every good father does, only much Like every good father does, only much more. If a child asks for something more. If a child asks for something more. If a child asks for something harmful, a good father gives him harmful, a good father gives him harmful, a good father gives him something beneficial.

something beneficial. something beneficial. I think there are two basic things that I think there are two basic things that I think there are two basic things that we can say in answer to this question uh we can say in answer to this question uh we can say in answer to this question uh that the sovereignty of God does to our that the sovereignty of God does to our that the sovereignty of God does to our prayers. Number one, prayers. Number one, prayers. Number one, it provides a tone and conviction it provides a tone and conviction it provides a tone and conviction of submissiveness and reverence and of submissiveness and reverence and of submissiveness and reverence and worship. And two, it provides a deep worship. And two, it provides a deep worship. And two, it provides a deep confidence that nothing is too hard for confidence that nothing is too hard for confidence that nothing is too hard for the Lord, so nothing can stop him from the Lord, so nothing can stop him from the Lord, so nothing can stop him from answering our prayers answering our prayers answering our prayers when he sets himself to do it. You can when he sets himself to do it. You can when he sets himself to do it. You can see the first effect of sovereignty in see the first effect of sovereignty in see the first effect of sovereignty in the prayer of the church in Acts 4 the prayer of the church in Acts 4 the prayer of the church in Acts 4 24 to 33 24 to 33 24 to 33 it starts like this, "Sovereign Lord it starts like this, "Sovereign Lord it starts like this, "Sovereign Lord who made heaven and earth and the sea who made heaven and earth and the sea who made heaven and earth and the sea and everything in them." And then it and everything in them." And then it and everything in them." And then it goes on, quotes Psalm 2 goes on, quotes Psalm 2 goes on, quotes Psalm 2 about the futility of the nations raging about the futility of the nations raging about the futility of the nations raging against the sovereign God against the sovereign God against the sovereign God and then it goes on to testify to God's and then it goes on to testify to God's and then it goes on to testify to God's predestining pilot and Herod and the predestining pilot and Herod and the predestining pilot and Herod and the Jews and the Gentiles in the killing of Jews and the Gentiles in the killing of Jews and the Gentiles in the killing of Jesus. So it's just an amazing prayer.

Jesus. So it's just an amazing prayer. Jesus. So it's just an amazing prayer. Only after all of that Only after all of that Only after all of that acclamation of God's sovereign rule acclamation of God's sovereign rule acclamation of God's sovereign rule over the world does the prayer finally over the world does the prayer finally over the world does the prayer finally in verse 29 get to a request. in verse 29 get to a request. in verse 29 get to a request. "And now Lord, look upon their threats "And now Lord, look upon their threats "And now Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to speak your and grant to your servants to speak your and grant to your servants to speak your word with all word with all word with all boldness." boldness." boldness." That's an amazing way to pray. That's an amazing way to pray. That's an amazing way to pray. And it's all shaped And it's all shaped And it's all shaped by the sovereignty of God. by the sovereignty of God. by the sovereignty of God. More than half of the prayer is simply More than half of the prayer is simply More than half of the prayer is simply exalting exalting exalting before God in the absolute rule of God before God in the absolute rule of God before God in the absolute rule of God over his enemies. over his enemies. over his enemies. So that's the first effect of the So that's the first effect of the So that's the first effect of the sovereignty of God on prayer. It gives a sovereignty of God on prayer. It gives a sovereignty of God on prayer. It gives a tone of submissive reverence and worship tone of submissive reverence and worship tone of submissive reverence and worship and exaltation in God. and exaltation in God. and exaltation in God. The other effect of the sovereignty of The other effect of the sovereignty of The other effect of the sovereignty of God on prayer is to give us a strong God on prayer is to give us a strong God on prayer is to give us a strong confidence confidence confidence that nothing is too hard for the Lord. that nothing is too hard for the Lord. that nothing is too hard for the Lord. Job says in Job 42:2 Job says in Job 42:2 Job says in Job 42:2 "I know that you can do all things, Lord "I know that you can do all things, Lord "I know that you can do all things, Lord and no purpose of yours can be and no purpose of yours can be and no purpose of yours can be thwarted."

thwarted." thwarted." And when the disciples were dismayed And when the disciples were dismayed And when the disciples were dismayed that Jesus that Jesus that Jesus uh said the rich can't get into heaven uh said the rich can't get into heaven uh said the rich can't get into heaven or at least it's it's hard for the rich or at least it's it's hard for the rich or at least it's it's hard for the rich to get into the kingdom of heaven to get into the kingdom of heaven to get into the kingdom of heaven uh they they were just blown away and uh they they were just blown away and uh they they were just blown away and they said, "Well, then who can be they said, "Well, then who can be they said, "Well, then who can be saved?" saved?" saved?" And Jesus And Jesus And Jesus responded responded responded with man, this is impossible. with man, this is impossible. with man, this is impossible. Namely, to save people. Namely, to save people. Namely, to save people. But with God But with God But with God all things are possible. That's our all things are possible. That's our all things are possible. That's our confidence in prayer for people who who confidence in prayer for people who who confidence in prayer for people who who look impossible to save. In fact, Paul look impossible to save. In fact, Paul look impossible to save. In fact, Paul said that the hardness of the Jews in said that the hardness of the Jews in said that the hardness of the Jews in his day was owing to God's sovereign his day was owing to God's sovereign his day was owing to God's sovereign decree. decree. decree. Romans 11:8 Romans 11:8 Romans 11:8 But he prayed for them But he prayed for them But he prayed for them anyway. Romans 10:1, Brothers, my anyway. Romans 10:1, Brothers, my anyway. Romans 10:1, Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for heart's desire and prayer to God for heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. them is that they may be saved. them is that they may be saved. So, I would encourage all of us So, I would encourage all of us So, I would encourage all of us to pray without ceasing to pray without ceasing to pray without ceasing for the things that seem to be for the things that seem to be for the things that seem to be impossible impossible impossible because they're not impossible because they're not impossible because they're not impossible for God because God is sovereign.

for God because God is sovereign. for God because God is sovereign. The sovereignty of God is the great The sovereignty of God is the great The sovereignty of God is the great ground ground ground of our hope for answered prayer. of our hope for answered prayer. of our hope for answered prayer. >> Yeah, as soon as you realize that the >> Yeah, as soon as you realize that the >> Yeah, as soon as you realize that the outcomes and the means to those outcomes outcomes and the means to those outcomes outcomes and the means to those outcomes are both in the mind of God, then you are both in the mind of God, then you are both in the mind of God, then you won't fall prey to that false logic that won't fall prey to that false logic that won't fall prey to that false logic that assumes since God is sovereign, it assumes since God is sovereign, it assumes since God is sovereign, it doesn't matter whether we pray or not. doesn't matter whether we pray or not. doesn't matter whether we pray or not. No. No. No. He purposes to do a thing and then he He purposes to do a thing and then he He purposes to do a thing and then he aims to do it through our prayers. Such aims to do it through our prayers. Such aims to do it through our prayers. Such a great word, Pastor John. Thank you. a great word, Pastor John. Thank you. a great word, Pastor John. Thank you. God's absolute sovereignty doesn't God's absolute sovereignty doesn't God's absolute sovereignty doesn't cancel out our prayers or our deeds or cancel out our prayers or our deeds or cancel out our prayers or our deeds or any of the means that God intends to use any of the means that God intends to use any of the means that God intends to use to bring about his sovereign ends. He to bring about his sovereign ends. He to bring about his sovereign ends. He means to use the means of my prayers, means to use the means of my prayers, means to use the means of my prayers, your prayers. He's going to use them. He your prayers. He's going to use them. He your prayers. He's going to use them. He intends to use them. He planned to use intends to use them. He planned to use intends to use them. He planned to use them. Such a beautiful plan that brings them. Such a beautiful plan that brings them. Such a beautiful plan that brings dignity to all of our spiritual lives. dignity to all of our spiritual lives. dignity to all of our spiritual lives. Everything that we do in our spiritual Everything that we do in our spiritual Everything that we do in our spiritual lives lives lives is given is given is given new value new value new value by what you shared with us today, Pastor by what you shared with us today, Pastor by what you shared with us today, Pastor John. Thank you. John. Thank you. John. Thank you. And thanks for joining us today. If you And thanks for joining us today. If you And thanks for joining us today. If you have a question to ask Pastor John, find have a question to ask Pastor John, find have a question to ask Pastor John, find a link to email us and and our complete a link to email us and and our complete a link to email us and and our complete episode archive at the same place, episode archive at the same place, episode archive at the same place, askpastorjohn.com.

askpastorjohn.com. askpastorjohn.com. 2,270 2,270 2,270 APJ episodes now all archived and fully APJ episodes now all archived and fully APJ episodes now all archived and fully transcribed for you to search and browse transcribed for you to search and browse transcribed for you to search and browse and find your way through. and find your way through. and find your way through. I am Tony Reinke. Pastor John and I will I am Tony Reinke. Pastor John and I will I am Tony Reinke. Pastor John and I will see you back here on Monday. Thanks for see you back here on Monday. Thanks for see you back here on Monday. Thanks for listening.