Pray Boldly Series

HoHum:

My 2 inside dogs are always begging. “I want some of that,” even though when they get it they don’t want it (Like fruit). Even so they still keep asking. Children also ask quickly and boldly. They ask without reservation, without any fear that they will be denied. Might have to tell them they cannot have this because not good. Alex and Andy at any store would do this. When a child requests something that we have and it is good for them and us, we gladly grant their request. Jesus said similar things. Look up and read Matthew 7:7-11. Notice that Jesus chose 2 of the most common, everyday requests a child might make of a father or mother in those days. Mom pulls some warm flatbread from the oven: “I want some of that.” Dad strips a morsel from the meat on the spit: “I want some of that.” What parent would deny a hungry child? Who in their right mind would substitute a stone or a snake and give that to a child? No one. The point Jesus makes is, “How much more?” How much more loving and giving is our heavenly Father? How much more certain is He to answer our requests? How much more gracious and giving and generous is He? How much more willing? Wealthy? Wise?

WBTU:

Look up and read Mark 11:12-14. We find out the results in Mark 11:20-25. Other gospels bring out different aspects of this account but want to focus on prayer here. This seems like a self centered miracle but Jesus uses this to talk about prayer. Bob Hostetler translation says this: “Rabbi! Look at that! The fig tree you cursed is all withered.” “Of course, it is, Peter. Have faith in God! A fig tree is nothing; if you had the faith and the boldness, you could pray for this mount right over there (either Mount Zion or the Mount of Olives, not sure) to be thrown into the sea- some 30 plus miles away- and it would happen! The question is not will a fig tree wither at your word or a mountain move at your command; the question is, will you ask for it in prayer and believe that your Father will do it?” Need to believe enough to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Thesis: Pray with…

For instances:

1. Pray with faith

Read John 14:12-13

Greater than cursing a fig tree and making it wither? Yes, Acts 5 talks about how Peter confronted Ananias and Sapphira and what happened to them? Ananias and Sapphira got together to conspire a plot! To cheat! The church and get ahead. They knew God's power…didn't fear it… tried to cheat the Holy Spirit… Peter prophesied it and they both dropped dead! Hey! God loves a cheerful giver, Give it all you got! He loves to hear you laughing When you're in a an awful spot... So when the odds are up against you And you cannot do a thing... Praise God! To praise Him is a glorious thing!

Greater than healing a paralyzed man? Apparently so because in Acts 3 Peter and John…. Peter and John went to pray; They met a lame man on the way. He asked for alms and held out his palms, And this is what Peter did say: “Silver and gold have I none, But such as I have give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ Of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” Walking and leaping and praising God, Walking and leaping and praising God. “In the name of Jesus Christ Of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

Greater than raising a widow’s son from the dead? Apparently so because Peter raised Dorcas

Ok, but that was for that day. Yes, but we find the early disciples praying for boldness (Acts 4:29). They prayed for prisoners to be released (Acts 12:5). They prayed for the sick to be healed. “Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed” Acts 5:16. And God answered their prayers!

Love the Scriptures that Samuel Logan Brengle mentioned. Go to 2 Kings 13:14-21. Why all the precise directives (east window, shoot, take the arrows, strikes the ground)? Is he playing an ancient version of “Simon says?” How can Elisha assure Jehoash of complete victory (vs. 17) and then only a partial victory (vs. 19). Pray just a few times- pray and faint not (Luke 18).

Go to Matthew 15:21-28. Setting aside the racial slurs, this is how God treats us today. We pray and get no answer. God is silent. The woman would not be denied. She was willing to receive the dogs’ portion. Oh, how her faith triumphed, and Jesus, amazed, said, “Your faith is great! Your request is granted.” Jesus meant to bless her all the time, if her faith would hold out. And so He means to bless us.