The Power of Prayer

Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Hebrews 10:19-22 — 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.”