Sermon Central
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Prayer Of Agur Series
Contributed by Dixon Olu. David on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Daily, we all ask for one thing or the other from God. Yes, we are free to ask because He said we should ask. Dear Pilgrim on earth, were for God to come to you as He did to Solomon, and that you should ask whatever you want! It behoves you, and the rest
And the beloved people of God, Israel too:
But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked. You grew fat, thick, and satisfied. Then he forsook God who made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. Deut. 32:15 (MKJV)
Should God mourn over the called-out ones of today? Have we not replaced Him with His gifts? Have we not gone the way of Jeshurun? Blessed be Agur, God’s witness to our generation.
Above all, the concerns put together become one: the glory of Jehovah God.
Did Agur complain in his prayer? Rather, he has coached us not to in ours.
Was his prayer complex? He taught us a simple prayer that is spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually balanced. Oh his civility! Many have lost every sense of politeness in praying to God. Yes, God is our father. Must we then shout at Him? Shouting is different from crying. And that’s what we often do. Crying comes from the heart; shouting comes from the head. And since IT IS STRICTLY HEART MATTERS THAT MATTER, therefore, pray from your heart.
What a cachet in prayer! And a classic for us all! All in the prayer of Agur the son of Jakeh!
Just as Brother Agur brought himself into reckoning through his prayer life, so can all of us, if only we assess our spiritual life constantly and take appropriate actions. Check your life always with these seven spiritual level’s determinants or revealers (Teaching on these is outside the scope of this sermon. Watch out for my other works on the title: “Measure Your Life” by PETS (Publishing) Ltd):
• What you say, that is, your WORDS
• What you read, that is, your WORTH
• What you pray about, that is, your WANTS
• What you spend on, that is, your WEALTH
• Who you move with, that is, your WORLD
• What moves you, that is, your WORRIES
• Where your strength lies, that is, your WINGS
For Agur, his wants were not in the two requests; his wants are revealed through the motives behind his requests: that he might not lose God nor let God down. God was the centre-piece. Thanks be to God that Brother Agur has not copyrighted the prayer. So all of us can and should pray:
GOD, I'M ASKING FOR TWO THINGS BEFORE I DIE; DON'T REFUSE ME-- BANISH LIES FROM MY LIPS AND LIARS FROM MY PRESENCE. GIVE ME ENOUGH FOOD TO LIVE ON, NEITHER TOO MUCH NOR TOO LITTLE.
IF I'M TOO FULL, I MIGHT GET INDEPENDENT, SAYING, 'GOD? WHO NEEDS HIM?' IF I'M POOR, I MIGHT STEAL AND DISHONOUR THE NAME OF MY GOD. AMEN.
(This piece formed part of my book “Strictly Heart Matters – A Biblical Diagnosis,” published 2009).
