This study was first taught on August 4, 2010

Topic: The Believer’s Responsibilities (2): Prayer (4)

No audio available for this study.

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Background
Two weeks ago, when we met on the subject of prayer as a Christian’s responsibility, we saw that honest praying, which is praying sincerely in secret, always produces effectual results. We noted that honest praying involves praying in secret more, than in public, as well as shutting out all distractions (including the ‘noise’ of ministry). We also saw that honest praying is pouring out our hearts before God even though He already knows what we want to ask for before we ask.

We observed that when we confront seemingly difficult situations through honest praying (in secret), they are resolved, and men gather (publicly) to celebrate God’s victory in our lives. Thus we said that praying to God in secret, always results in the demonstration and manifestation of the power of God in the life of the one who truly trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ, openly.

We noted that a good rule-of-thumb for every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is not to utter of a word in public (be it in everyday conversation or even prophecy), until he has first uttered words of prayer in secret to God! This, we said will give our utterance power and the demonstration of that power to the glory of God.

We saw that the saints of old who spent quality time in secret, praying to God had astounding results in various manifestations of the power of God in their lives and in the lives of others; and, in their local communities as well as globally. We also said that there are secrets God wants to share with us, which will bring tremendous blessings to the righteous, and salvation to the lost. However, we must first make a practice of praying to God in secret, sincerely, and in the Holy Spirit, before these secrets are released into our hands!

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 6:5- 6
Tonight we want to look at the rewards of honest praying. May the Holy Spirit help us to be inspired to pray everyday and honestly!
In our scripture text the word translated ‘reward’ in the fifth and sixth verses do not mean the same thing. The one in the fifth verse means something that is given here on earth only (wages or salary); while the one in the sixth verse means giving back as payment or recompense (what has been given up or energy used up) in rendering a service. In other words, while the hypocrite gets his wages here on earth, being the applause of men; the honest praying man receives from God just compensation for his sincere prayers in secret both here on earth and in heaven, eternal life.
Matthew 6:5; 23:5-7; 19:29-30; Luke 14:12-14; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Luke 9:28-31; Revelation 1:9-21; Philippians 4:6-7; Acts 4:21-31, 33; 16:25-34; 12:1-17; Matthew 26:41; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Matthew 7:7-8; Acts 9:8-12; 1 Chronicles 4:9-10; Hebrews 5:7; James 5:16b-18.

Conclusion
All prayer has its reward. However, the prayer that issues from a sincere heart and done in secret has not just physical rewards, but permanent and eternal rewards. Hypocritical praying has its rewards in the acknowledgement of men and even in human investiture of titles; but honest praying is rewarded not by men but by God; and it goes beyond the physical on to eternity.

The true rewards of honest praying include among others; divine presence and help; transformation in our lives, information that cannot be gotten any other way; revelation of deep secrets, as well as of future things; confidence in the midst of uncertainty and difficulty; divine deliverance; help against temptation; receiving what is asked for; finding what is being sought after; and open doors, where there seems to be no way.

May the Lord help us to always discharge our responsibility of praying honestly, so that we can have testimonies of the rewards of prayer in our lives!

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