Three Keys to Answered Prayer
Psalm 143:11–12
The first reason is: “for the sake of Thy name.” We pray to the Lord in the name of Jesus and for the sake of that name, God answers. That’s the first reason.
The second reason is: “in Thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.” We are not appealing to God on the basis of our righteousness but on the basis of His righteousness, received by faith through Jesus.
And the third reason is: “in Thy lovingkindness cut off my enemies.” That word translatedlovingkindness really means, “God’s covenant-keeping faithfulness.” So God will keep His covenant in His faithfulness. Even at times when we may feel unfaithful and unworthy, God’s covenant-keeping faithfulness never changes.
So there are three reasons: for the sake of His name, for the sake of His righteousness and because He’s faithful to keep His covenant. Don’t let the enemy beat you down, don’t let him get you on the ground of your righteousness because that will not support you. But come to God on that basis: the name, the righteousness, the covenant-keeping faithfulness of the Lord.
To listen to Derek's original audio on our website click here.
Psalm 143:11–12
For the sake of Thy name, O Lord, revive me. In Thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble. And in Thy lovingkindness cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant. NASB
That inspired prayer of the psalmist gives us three beautiful reasons for believing that God will answer our prayer. Three reasons that are independent of some particular situation or circumstance or any emotion that we may feel.The first reason is: “for the sake of Thy name.” We pray to the Lord in the name of Jesus and for the sake of that name, God answers. That’s the first reason.
The second reason is: “in Thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.” We are not appealing to God on the basis of our righteousness but on the basis of His righteousness, received by faith through Jesus.
And the third reason is: “in Thy lovingkindness cut off my enemies.” That word translatedlovingkindness really means, “God’s covenant-keeping faithfulness.” So God will keep His covenant in His faithfulness. Even at times when we may feel unfaithful and unworthy, God’s covenant-keeping faithfulness never changes.
So there are three reasons: for the sake of His name, for the sake of His righteousness and because He’s faithful to keep His covenant. Don’t let the enemy beat you down, don’t let him get you on the ground of your righteousness because that will not support you. But come to God on that basis: the name, the righteousness, the covenant-keeping faithfulness of the Lord.
—Derek Prince
To listen to Derek's original audio on our website click here.