Jeffrey Johnson's sermon reflects on the challenges and reassurances of prayer, especially for those straying from their faith. He begins by sharing a personal anecdote about his father's preaching style, which often included a substantial devotion prior to the main sermon, leading to a feeling of surprise when the actual sermon began. Johnson then connects this to his own practice of preaching and the revelation he received one morning while reading the Bible. This revelation was particularly pertinent to his and his wife's feelings of discouragement, as they had been praying for people they care about who were falling into sin and felt as if their prayers were not being heard.
Johnson then turns to 1 John 5:14-15 to affirm that God does hear prayers, especially those in accordance with His will. He emphasizes four key points: the confidence we can have in approaching God, the assurance that God hears our prayers, the struggle in feeling heard, and the certainty that God will respond to prayers for those who have not committed the "sin unto death." He reassures the congregation that every true Christian will return to God and that prayers are a vital part of God's mechanism for bringing wayward individuals back to faith.
The sermon is an encouragement to persist in prayer, even when it feels like prayers are not being answered. It is a message of hope and assurance in the power and effectiveness of prayer, rooted in Biblical promises and Johnson's personal reflections on faith and doubt.
