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Sermon #5751

The Power of Prayer

A Sermon on Hebrews 10:19-22

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Scripture

Hebrews 10:19-22 ESV KJV
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw …

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Sermon Description

Why is prayer difficult? Why do we need instruction to pray? In this sermon on prayer from Hebrews 10:19-22 titled, “The Power of Prayer,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers these questions and explains how to pray to God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that the uncertainty of the basis of Christian faith affects prayer and that Christian prayer is difficult because of three reasons: prayer is going into the presence of God, we have an accusing conscience, and our bodies are polluted with sin. Regarding the basis of the Christian faith, he says that without true doctrine you cannot pray. One must know the only way to pray is through the new and living way provided at the cross. Regarding the three reasons why prayer is difficult, we must pray with boldness by realizing that it was God himself who died on the cross for us. We must deal with an accusing conscience by realizing that we are sinners but those sins have already received punishment and were laid against the lamb of God. We must deal with pollutions by fighting sin through the new nature that is received through Christ. Finally, we must deal with the devil by remembering that Christ died for our sins. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by saying “go to him in full assurance of faith and he will hear you.”

Sermon Breakdown

  1. Prayer means going into the presence of God. This is an immense privilege but also brings difficulties.
  2. The first difficulty is realizing we are going before the holy, eternal God. This can make us feel unworthy and like prayer is impossible.
  3. The second difficulty is our accusing conscience which reminds us of our sins and unworthiness. This can make us feel we have no right to approach God.
  4. The third difficulty is the pollution of sin in our lives and hearts. We are unclean and unfit to be in God's presence.
  5. Prayer is not easy or simple. We need God's help and instruction to pray as we should.
  6. We can pray with confidence and boldness only through Jesus and his sacrifice. He has opened the way into God's presence for us.
  7. Jesus' sacrifice has provided the foundation for our access to God. His incarnation, death, and resurrection have made the way.
  8. Jesus' sacrifice has consecrated a new and living way for us to approach God. It is not the old way of animal sacrifices that never cleansed sin.
  9. We can pray with a true heart, honesty and sincerity before God. We do not need to hide anything from him.
  10. Jesus' sacrifice has answered the accusations of our conscience by paying for our sins. Our sins have received their punishment in him.
  11. We can receive a new nature through the new birth so we can become fit for God's presence. We can have clean and renewed hearts.
  12. We can overcome the devil's accusations by relying on Jesus' sacrifice and the word of God. Jesus has defeated the devil.
  13. Doctrine and truth are essential for prayer. Without them we cannot truly pray or resist the devil.
  14. We must continue to pray without ceasing, holding fast to our faith. Then we will have victory and power in prayer.

Itinerant Preaching

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.