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Prayer Changes Things
Contributed by Larry Horn on Nov 3, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: This sermon helps us understand that if we live for God, Prayer is an effective way to overcome.
God is Still on the Throne and Prayer Changes Things
In today’s modern world sometimes it is hard for us to realize the power of prayer.
Man has accomplished so much that often we look for solutions to life’s problems in the natural world before even seeking God.
I am here tonight with a simple message, “ God is still on the throne and Prayer changes things”.
2 Kings 20:1-6
20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 20:2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, 20:3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 20:4 And it came to pass, before Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 20:5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. 20:6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
God is still on the throne and prayer changes things!
Tonight let us examine three things in Hezekiah’s life that made his prayer life effective.
Hezekiah walked before God in truth and with a perfect heart.
Hezekiah served God with his whole heart
Hezekiah, prayed! He asked God to intervene in His Life
Hezekiah walked before God
What does it mean to walk before God? If we hope to have a prayer life that truly makes a difference we need to understand what it means to walk before God.
Romans 8:1 ” There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Eph 4:1, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” Tells us to walk worthy of our calling.
Eph 5:2, “ And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.
1 John 2:6, “ He who abides in Him ought himself to walk as He walked “
Hezekiah served God with his whole heart
Let’s look at what it means to serve God with our whole heart.
1. It means to serve Him with love, Deut 6:5, “ And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. “
2. It mean to serve Him in obedience, Psalm 119:34, “ Give me understanding and I shall keep your law: indeed I shall observe it with my whole heart.”
3. It means to serve Him with trust, Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”
4. Jesus sums this concept up in Matt 22:37, “ Jesus said unto him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your mind.”
What He is saying is, we must sell out 100%!
Hezekiah, prayed! He asked God to intervene in His Life
If you really want God to act on our behalf, if you are really tired of sin, if you really need help, then you need to ask God!
Jer 29:13, “29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
John, 14:14, “ If you ask anything in my name I will do it. “
John 15:7, “ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
Closing:
If you want to experience a Prayer life that changes things, then come forward tonight in obedience and ask God for a closer walk!
Let us chose tonight to draw closer to God and experience the Power of God in our lives!