MONDAY 29TH MAY 2017

TOPIC: HOW TO GET YOUR PRAYERS ANSWERED (2)
TEXT: Isaiah 58:6, 9 “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness,
to undo the heavy burdens, Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say Here I am. If thou….”

2) Are you self-sabotaging your prayers? God told the Israelites the reason they weren’t getting answers to their prayers was because they were engaged in finger-pointing and criticism (vs. 9-10). Have you been guilty of that? It’s just as important to glorify God through the words you speak when you’re not praying, as when you are. The Bible says there’s a direct link between having a critical, careless tongue, and not getting your prayers answered. How you treat others will determine how God treats you.
God lays it squarely on the line: ‘Stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly … share your food with the hungry and those who are helpless, poor, and destitute…..If you do these things, God will shed his own glorious light upon you. He will heal you; your godliness will lead you forward, goodness will be a shield before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then, when you call, the Lord will answer……All you need to do is to stop oppressing the weak and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumours! Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too’ (Isaiah 58:6-11 TLB). That means the answer to your prayers is contingent upon two things: your attitudes and actions towards others.

MEDITATION: Ephesians 6:7-8

BIBLE STUDY
Deut.2; Ps. 83&84; Isaiah 30; Jude 1