A Telegram Prayer Series

Psalm 12 A Telegram Prayer

I. The Cause of the Prayer - 1 Help, Lord

The Source of Our Help - Divine Help

The Sense of Our Help - Direct Help

The Size of Our Help - Distinct Help - God alone can intervene & save II. The Concern of the Prayer -

• The Decline of the Godly - 1 for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. A Time of Decline, of Discouragement, of Defeat, of Death. "The godly man ceaseth," or is "exterminated"

• The Declarations of the Guilty - "They speak vanity"

Their Front - 2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour:

Their Flattery - with flattering lips

Their Falsehood - and with a double heart do they speak

III. The Characteristics of the Prayer

A. It was short - Help, Lord

B. It was simple - in a telegram—every word costs money.

The message must be short and simple.

C. It was sincere - for the godly man ceaseth;

D. It was sufficient - Like Peter ("Lord, save me") it was the cry of a drowning man. IV. The Consequences of the Prayer

"Help" can be translated "save." same word as in 5: "I will save him."

As a consequence of crying "Help" (save me), He was made safe. 5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

i. The Cause - For the oppression of the poor

ii. The Call - For the sighing of the needy

iii. The Consequence - now will I arise, saith the Lord

iv. The Cure - I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.