God answers every prayer. There is not a prayer that goes unheard and unanswered.

There are four ways God answers prayers. We will look at each of the four ways God answers prayers this week.

When our prayer request is wrong, God’s answer to our prayer request is, “No.”

No – is a legitimate answer to prayer. There is not a single parent on the planet who answers every request just the way their children ask. Could you imagine what a nightmare world it would be if parents answered all their children’s request in the way the children ask?

When we pray for something that is clearly outside God’s will – something that violates God’s commands and God’s word – God answers with a “No.” Could you imagine what a nightmare world it would be if God answered all our prayers just the way we ask for them?

I have met people who ask God to bless their family and marriage…and their extra-marital affair!!!

NO. NO. NO.

If the request is wrong, God​’s answer to ​our prayer​ request ​is a solid “No.” And that’s a good thing.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Pillippians 4:6-7).

“Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36b).

Pray for the Mariners. They need it. The Mariners fans need it.

Pray for the Seahawks. They need it. The Seahawk nation needs it.

Pray for our divided country. We need it.

Pray for renewal. Our world needs it.

There are no “ungodly” prayers. There are no prayers off limits. Let God know what your heart desires. Be 100% honest. It’s not like God doesn’t already know what our hearts are harboring.

When Jesus was praying in Gethsemane before His arrest, He let God know exactly what He wanted. “Take this cup from me.” Save me from suffering. Save me from the brutalization of the cross. Save me from the heartache of rejection and betrayal. Save me from hell.

Jesus wanted to avoid the cross and hell with all His being. Who wouldn’t?

Yet, He ends His prayer with, “Not my will, but what you will.”

Prayer is not about saying and doing right things to trick and manipulate the Creator of all things to do what we want Him to do. Come on. Just look at how silly that sounds.

Prayer is about letting God know what’s on our hearts AND seeking God’s will. Prayer is about aligning our wants and desires with God desires.

So, pray for the Mariners! I want to know what it’s like to root for a World Series winner!

And remember to seek God’s will in our prayers so we can align our wants and desires to what God desires.

That’s how we pray.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

God gives to the church gifts through God’s people to build up the body of Christ – which is the church.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers…”

Whenever you come across lists like this in the Bible, these are not exhaustive lists. The Greeks did not have an “etc.” in their vocabulary, so the way they expressed “etc.” is to put like things together in a list.

Notice, that the purpose of spiritual gifts are for the purpose of building up the body of Christ. It is not for personal gain or personal use. When God gives people spiritual gifts, it is for the building up the church.

So, if you find yourselves content to show up and receive from others, you are missing out. You are missing out on the thrill and the privilege of being used by God for the building up of God’s church, and the church suffers without your gifts. God sent you with your gifts to be used for the building up of His church.

Worse yet, if the pattern of your involvement is to show up without engaging and serving, not only are you missing out, but eventually you will become dissatisfied and disillusioned with church. You will not be getting what you need. BECAUSE YOU WERE GIFTED TO SERVE. And you will be dissatisfied and disillusioned.

You are needed. Your spiritual gifts are needed. We are better and stronger when each of us serve, give, and use our spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ, His church.

Give Pastors James, Brad, or Bill a call and let’s get you serving!