WHY AREN’T MY PRAYERS BEING ANSWERED?” SESSION 1 APRIL 12, 2026

How To Hear The Voice Of God May 24, 2026 Session 2

How To Hear The Voice Of God May 24, 2026 Session 2 The Voice Of God: Our God is a speaking God (Genesis 1) God created with His Word God Blessed (supernaturally empowered and released His affirmation and ability) via His Words! (Genesis 1:26-28) Jesus Personified The Word Of God! John 1:1,14; John 14:9; John 12:49,50 John 6:63: Spirit and Life! The Holy Spirit Speaks The Spirit of Truth speaks through the Word of God! (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21) Jesus Words are spoken by the Holy Spirit! (John 15:26; John 16:13, 14) ✸ The Spirit never contradicts Himself! ✸ The Spirit’s internal witness in His children (Romans 8:16,17) ✸ The “internal receiver” of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:12-16) The ability to “hear ✸ God.” Various Ways the Holy Spirit Speaks to Believers: Internal spiritual impressions (Acts 15:25-28) Spiritual “traffic lights”: Acts 16:6-10 (Internal witness of affirmation, restraint; “Externally open and closed doors”) Major decisions: Covenant unity (peace and agreement); Delays vs. Protection Dreams, Visions: (Acts 2:17,18; Acts 16:9) Not for ongoing direction; must be tested by the written Word, ongoing prayer, spiritual leadership. The “inner atmosphere” of Peace: Colossians 3:15 “acting as an umpire” (see also John 14:27) Other people: listen carefully for the Spirit’s confirmation. Beware of “personal prophecy” becoming your pursuit! (Beware of dependency, hero worship) This is not “Spiritual Fortune Telling”! Right Spiritual leadership and oversight (Hebrews 13:7,17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12) Ongoing, submitted desires of the heart (Psalm 37:4) God has the right to modify and direct the desires of a submitted heart! Filtering the “voices”: The Spirit’s Voice or my own mind? True prophecy in the New Testament Church is described by exhortation, edification, and comfort. (1 Corinthians 14:3) Responses generated: Fear or peace, calm or confidence, confusion or clarity? (1 Corinthians 14:13) Holy Spirit’s warnings bring confident actions. Duration: “off and on” or steady? Revenge or release: “Vengeance is Mine” (Romans 12:19) ✸ Do Not Fear “Mishearing”! Earnestly Seek! (Luke 11:13)

How To Hear The Voice Of God May 17, 2026

The Voice Of God: Our God is a speaking God (Genesis 1) God created with His Word God Blessed (supernaturally empowered and released His affirmation and ability) via His Words! (Genesis 1:26-28) Jesus Personified The Word Of God! John 1:1,14; John 14:9; John 12:49,50 The Holy Spirit Speaks The Spirit of Truth speaks through the Word of God! (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21) Jesus Words are spoken by the Holy Spirit! (John 15:26; John 16:13, 14) ✸ The Spirit never contradicts Himself! Various Ways the Holy Spirit Speaks to Believers: Internal spiritual impressions (Acts 15:25-28) Spiritual “traffic lights”: Acts 16:6-10 (affirmation, restraint, “open and closed doors”) Dreams, Visions: Acts 2:17,18; Acts 16:9) Not for ongoing direction; must be tested by the written Word, ongoing prayer, spiritual leadership. The “inner atmosphere” of Peace: Colossians 3:15 (see also John 14:27) Other people: listen carefully to the Spirit’s confirmation. Beware of “personal prophecy” becoming your pursuit! Right Spiritual leadership and oversight (Hebrews 13; 1 Thessalonians 5:12) Ongoing, submitted desires of the heart (Psalm 37:4)

“Why Aren’t My Prayers Being Answered?” Session 3 May 3, 2026

“Why Aren’t My Prayers Being Answered?” Session 3 May 3, 2026 Review: I Do Not Ask; My Motives are Inferior; I Refuse to Forgive; I Regard Iniquity; I Treat my Spouse (wife) Dishonorably; I Abandon the Harvest Prematurely; I Want Relief Above Development. ✸ God IS Answering My Legitimate Prayers …. I Just Don’t See It Yet! It’s OK to ASK! Jesus: Matthew 26:39-42 Paul: 2 Corinthians 12:8,9 Note the absence of an answer before an explanation of what was really happening was given by the Lord! We tend to seek relief over resolution, deliverance over development, consuming over investing! *Paul didn’t stop trusting during the silence. God designed Jesus’ suffering and obedience for His Eternal Glory and Our Blessing and Reward! Suffering for His sake is not wasted …. It’s redemptive and its affects are multiple. In our times of seemingly unanswered prayer, if we still Trust Him, God is working on something FAR greater than our temporary relief or comfort! (See James 1:2-4) Our inner person does not get stronger without resistance! This Thorn was a Season! Some things remain a mystery! Deuteronomy 29:29; seek revelation (Daniel 2:22) “I Have Learned” …. Philippians 4:11, 12, 13 “Thy Will Be Done” …. I surrender my inadequacies to Your Love, Grace, and Sovereign Lordship over my life! When we add “Thy Will Be Done” …. “God will give what we ask for OR what we would have asked if we knew what He Knew.” (Tim Keller)

“Why Aren’t My Prayers Being Answered?” Session 2 April 19, 2026

“Why Aren’t My Prayers Being Answered?” Session 2 April 19, 2026 My Failure to ASK! Unbelief; Fear; False View of Identity; Unresolved Guilt James 1:6, 7 Jesus Directive! ASK! (and keep on asking) Matthew 7:7 James 4:2; Philippians 4:6; Hebrews 4:15, 16 My Motives Are Misaligned: James 4:3 Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where my prayers are “all about me”. “Search me, O God” …. Psalm 139:23 Relief vs. Resolution; Recognition vs. Service; Consumer vs. Investor; Star vs. Servant/Leader; Winner vs. Reconciler; etc. I Have Neglected or Refused to Forgive Mark 11:25, 26; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13 I must be willing to GRANT what I am asking for myself! (Not a feeling, but a decision.) I am “regarding iniquity” …. Psalm 66:18 Regarding: to continue to look, consult, hold onto. Refuse or neglect to deal with …. (i.e., habits, addictions, sexual sin, grudges, etc.) anything that compromises, competes with God’s ownership, Christ’s Lordship.) As a husband, (1 Peter 3:7) dishonoring of my wife. I forfeit my answers by “Pulling the Plug” on the sowing/reaping process! (Galatians 6:7-9) I have failed to submit to God’s Development Plan for His Glory and My Best! Embrace GRACE and its rewards Allow the Lord to redefine my desires and expectations, and timing. (2 Corinthians 12) Trust God’s Motives, Plan and Seasons (Even the devil, who has been legally defeated, can be used by God as an unwilling agent and participant in his own defeat!) Steve Franklin Ministries Birmingham Alabama Covenant Heirs Church Birmingham Alabama

WHY AREN’T MY PRAYERS BEING ANSWERED?” SESSION 1 APRIL 12, 2026

è My Failure to ASK! • Unbelief; Fear; False View of Identity; Unresolved Guilt • James 1:6, 7 • Jesus Directive! ASK! (and keep on asking) Matthew 7:7 • James 4:2; Philippians 4:6; Hebrews 4:15, 16 è My Motives Are Misaligned: James 4:3 • Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where my prayers are “all about me”. • “Search me, O God” …. Psalm 139:23 • Relief vs. Resolution; Recognition vs. Service; Consumer vs. Investor; Star vs. Servant/Leader; Winner vs. Reconciler; etc. è I Have Neglected or Refused to Forgive • Mark 11:25, 26; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13 • I must be willing to GRANT what I am asking for myself! (Not a feeling, but a decision.) ✸ TO BE CONTINUED