Hope Christian Church
Message Notes
Sermon notes from 2-4-24
Locations & Times
Hope Christian Church
9273 Coach Stop Rd, Columbia, IL 62236, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
When God doesn’t answer our prayers, the first thing we should do is examine ourselves.
There may be unconfessed, unrepentant sin in our life.
There may be unconfessed, unrepentant sin in our life.
There may be an unforgiving spirit toward another causing a blockage.
Sometimes prayer isn’t answered because of alienation between spouses.
There may be a lack of faith in our prayers.
Maybe our prayer isn’t answered because we’re asking for the wrong thing.
Sometimes we ask in the wrong timing.
Sometimes prayer isn’t answered because we ask with the wrong motive
Sometimes prayer isn’t answered because we ask with the wrong motive
Sometimes prayer isn’t answered because we lack intensity.
But not all unanswered prayer is our fault.
Maybe He’s not answering because it isn’t in our best interest in the long run.
Perhaps our prayers would not be in the best interest of someone else.
Frank concluded his prayer by saying…
"And, Lord, if I sounded grumpy earlier today it was because I couldn't see far enough ahead." -Frank
When God doesn’t answer your prayer, try to look further ahead and keep trusting.
Maybe He’s not answering because it isn’t in our best interest in the long run.
Perhaps our prayers would not be in the best interest of someone else.
Frank concluded his prayer by saying…
"And, Lord, if I sounded grumpy earlier today it was because I couldn't see far enough ahead." -Frank
When God doesn’t answer your prayer, try to look further ahead and keep trusting.
Life Group Questions for 2-4-24
OPEN:
Have you ever worked hard toward something and did not get to see the finished project?
DIG:
Read Lamentations 3:44
"You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through." Lamentations 3:44
1. Have you experienced what is being described in this scripture? Share with the group about the experience. What was the situation? What did you do? What was the end result? Are you still in the midst of it?
2. Read Deuteronomy 3:23-28
At that time I pleaded with the LORD24 “Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?25 Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon.”26 But because of you the LORD was angry with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the LORD said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter.27 Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan.28 But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.”
Have someone describe in your own words what's happened and why Moses prayed this and God's response.
3. What do we learn about God from this interaction between God and Moses?
4. What are your thoughts about God's response to Moses in vss 26-27? Does it seem harsh to you?
5. Do you think God's people learned anything from seeing this happen with Moses? What do you think they learned? What was impressed upon them as a result of God's decision.
6. In the message we discussed many possible reasons why prayer may not be answered....read the list below....
-There may be unconfessed, unrepentant sin in our life.
-There may be an unforgiving spirit toward another causing a blockage.
-Sometimes prayer isn’t answered because of alienation between spouses.
-There may be a lack of faith in our prayers.
-Maybe our prayer isn’t answered because we’re asking for the wrong thing.
-Sometimes we ask in the wrong timing.
-Sometimes prayer isn’t answered because we ask with the wrong motive
-Sometimes prayer isn’t answered because we lack intensity.
-Maybe He’s not answering because it isn’t in our best interest in the long run.
-Perhaps our prayers would not be in the best interest of someone else.
After reading the above list....which, if any really made you think? Are there any that you haven't considered? Which ones?
7. During the message we used an illustration about a kid named Frank wanting to go fishing with his father. (If you were remember the story, have someone share with the others in the group) When Frank was asked to pray for dinner...
"Frank concluded his prayer by saying…
"And, Lord, if I sounded grumpy earlier today it was because I couldn't see far enough ahead."
In your group...respond to the story.
REFLECT:
How has the reality of unanswered prayer affected your relationship with God?
Have you ever felt God’s silence/absence in seasons of your life and faith? How did you respond?
OPEN:
Have you ever worked hard toward something and did not get to see the finished project?
DIG:
Read Lamentations 3:44
"You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through." Lamentations 3:44
1. Have you experienced what is being described in this scripture? Share with the group about the experience. What was the situation? What did you do? What was the end result? Are you still in the midst of it?
2. Read Deuteronomy 3:23-28
At that time I pleaded with the LORD24 “Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?25 Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon.”26 But because of you the LORD was angry with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the LORD said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter.27 Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan.28 But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.”
Have someone describe in your own words what's happened and why Moses prayed this and God's response.
3. What do we learn about God from this interaction between God and Moses?
4. What are your thoughts about God's response to Moses in vss 26-27? Does it seem harsh to you?
5. Do you think God's people learned anything from seeing this happen with Moses? What do you think they learned? What was impressed upon them as a result of God's decision.
6. In the message we discussed many possible reasons why prayer may not be answered....read the list below....
-There may be unconfessed, unrepentant sin in our life.
-There may be an unforgiving spirit toward another causing a blockage.
-Sometimes prayer isn’t answered because of alienation between spouses.
-There may be a lack of faith in our prayers.
-Maybe our prayer isn’t answered because we’re asking for the wrong thing.
-Sometimes we ask in the wrong timing.
-Sometimes prayer isn’t answered because we ask with the wrong motive
-Sometimes prayer isn’t answered because we lack intensity.
-Maybe He’s not answering because it isn’t in our best interest in the long run.
-Perhaps our prayers would not be in the best interest of someone else.
After reading the above list....which, if any really made you think? Are there any that you haven't considered? Which ones?
7. During the message we used an illustration about a kid named Frank wanting to go fishing with his father. (If you were remember the story, have someone share with the others in the group) When Frank was asked to pray for dinner...
"Frank concluded his prayer by saying…
"And, Lord, if I sounded grumpy earlier today it was because I couldn't see far enough ahead."
In your group...respond to the story.
REFLECT:
How has the reality of unanswered prayer affected your relationship with God?
Have you ever felt God’s silence/absence in seasons of your life and faith? How did you respond?