Why Pray?
Series:"Why?"
Opening Illustration: Song and clip from "Jesus take the wheel." This little clip we just heard reveals how prayer is only a breath away. It’s really more natural to pray than not to pray.
Thesis: We need to understand the importance of prayer and the impact of prayer in our lives. The song you heard reflects the importance of prayer and really how natural it is to pray.
Introduction:
When you think of prayer what comes to mind?
The other day I was listening to this song you just heard called "Jesus take the wheel." sung by Carrie Underwood. The story is about a women driving and then the car loses control and she cries out, "Jesus take the wheel." She is spared a horrible accident and thanks the Lord for help and in that moment her prayer changes her. She then tells Jesus to take the wheel of her life. It is a powerful song about the power and the importance of prayer. Let’s listen to the words for a moment.
Lyrics of Jesus, Take the Wheel
(James/Lindsey/Sampson)
She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy with the baby in the backseat
Fifty miles to go and she was running low on faith and gasoline
It’d been a long hard year
She had a lot on her mind and she didn’t pay attention
she was going way too fast
Before she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass
She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn’t even have time to cry
She was sooo scared
She threw her hands up in the air
Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can’t do this on my own
I’m letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I’m on
Jesus take the wheel
It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder
And the car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat sleeping like a rock
And for the first time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said I’m sorry for the way
I’ve been living my life
I know I’ve got to change
So from now on tonight
Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can’t do this on my own
I’m letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I’m on
Ooh, Jesus take the wheel
Ooh, I’m letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I’m on
From this road I’m on
Jesus take the wheel
Ooh, take it, take it from me
Ooh ooh wah ah ooh ooh ooh
I recall a time in my life when I was driving and the truck started sliding sideways on a snowy road in Minneapolis. I was on an entrance ramp with Bear and He and I cried out to Jesus to take the wheel and believe it or not the truck straightened out and spared us a horrible accident. So I can relate to this song and to the natural reaction of prayer in crisis moments.
Have you ever wondered why people in trouble who are not Christian’s pray?
So why do people who are not even Christians pray?
Especially in crisis times?
They cry out in prayer when facing death?
They turn to prayer in the face of natural disasters?
After 911 many were open to prayer even on the street corners of New York.
Most of your secular magazines have done issues dedicated to the prayer, Time, Newsweek and others.
U.S. News and World Report in Dec. of 2004 did a magazine focusing on the power of prayer: Jeffrey L. Shelter wrote in his article,"The Power of Prayer" on pages 52, 53:
"A pierced and tattooed man quietly bows his head at a noisy lunch counter. A child in pink pajamas kneels at her bedside and recites a familiar blessing. A baseball player crosses himself as he steps to the plate on national television. A white-haired woman lights a candle and weeps silently into her handkerchief for her dying husband. A dark-suited minister prays for peace on Earth, and the Congregation in one voice cries out,"Amen." Prayer has become familiar terrain in modern America. It is woven into the daily rhythms of life, its ethos embedded in the public and private experiences of millions. Indeed, a recent Roper poll found that nearly half of all Americans said they pray or meditate every day-far more than those who regularly participate in religious services. Over the centuries, its practitioners have included saints and scoundrels, skeptics and believers, the meek and the mighty-people of every creed and culture and of every station in life who, whether out of pious faith or primal fear, have reached out to a reality greater than themselves. Prayer has been called the native language of the soul and the universal expression of an innate human desire to make contact with the divine.
Why pray? Maybe because prayer was ingrained into us by our creator? Maybe prayer is like breathing you just do it without thinking about it especially when you hit those crisis moments. It just rolls off your tongue and it seems natural to pray to God for help. Maybe prayer is really easier to do than we think.
So I want to come back to my question this morning "Why Pray?" I believe the answer to this question is found in the following acrostic:
P = Power
R = Relationship
A = Answers
Y = You
T.S. - Let’s walk through the 4 aspects of prayer and learn why we need to pray, why we should pray even more and even look at why we do it!
I. P stands for Power
a. The Power of prayer:
i. Ephesians 6:10-20: 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
ii. The first thing our text tells us is we need to be strong in the Lord not in our strength and ability and or knowledge (Verse 10-13).
1. We do not have the weapons to defeat this spiritual enemy we are warring with.
a. We must use the equipment provided by the Lord to win this war.
i. One of the main weapons is prayer!
ii. A natural sword does not work to defeat a spiritual force because it has no impact but prayer does impact spiritual forces.
iii. Remember we are fighting against spiritual forces of evil and they are not defeated by conventional or natural means. We must use spiritual weapons of warfare made available to us by Jesus Christ.
b. The Bible warns us to make sure we understand who we are fighting. We need to know our enemy and prayer reveals to us how to handle the enemy of our soul and it opens our eyes to the Bible.
i. Good generals will tell you to understand your enemy. You must learn their tactics and their strategies for doing battle.
1. If you have ever seen the story of Patton. You may recall that when Patton¡¦s armor met Rommel’s army he defeated him because Patton had read Rommel’s book on how to fight.
a. Patton yelled out after the defeat, "I read your book Rommel!"
b. He was able to defeat the enemy because he knew his tactics and strategies.
c. We cannot defeat the Devil and his forces with fists, guns or even bombs. We must use the weapon that is most effective against the spirits of evil.
i. That weapon is prayer and I call it the stealth bomber.
1. The enemy cannot see it coming but when it hits him he is knocked for a loop.
2. I believe we need to have more stealth bombers in the army of the Lord.
3. Prayer is the energy force that creates miracles and allows God the opportunity to meet a threat head on with His power.
4. By the way it’s important to note that the stealth planes are first in battle. Is prayer paving the way for you in battle?
d. How important is prayer and it’s accompaniment of Divine power?
i. Listen to Finney’s thoughts on prayer: From his message Power on High:
What do we need to do to secure success in this great work? How can we get it? (Revival that is!)
1. Answer. 1: We need the enduement of power from on high. Christ had previously informed the disciples that without Him they could do nothing. When He gave them the commission to convert the world, He added, "But tarry ye in Jerusalem till ye be endued with power from on high. Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Lo, I send upon you the promise of My Father.This baptism of the Holy Ghost, this thing promised by the Father, this enduement of power from on high, Christ has expressly informed us is the indispensable condition of performing the work which he has set before us."
a. Lesson one we cannot defeat the enemy of our souls with anything but spiritual weapons and the greatest weapon we have is prayer.
2. Answer 2: How shall we get it? Christ expressly promised it to the whole Church, and to every individual whose duty it is to labor for the conversion of the world. He admonished the first disciples not to undertake the work until they had received this enduement of power from on high. Both the promise and the admonition apply equally to all Christians of every age and nation. No one has, at any time, any right to expect success, unless he first secures this enduement of power from on high. The example of the first disciples teaches us how to secure this enduement. They first consecrated themselves to his work, and continued in prayer and supplication until the Holy Ghost fell upon them on the Day of Pentecost, and they received the promised enduement of power from on high. This, then, is the way to get it.
a. So the power comes from pressing through in prayer!
3. Finney notes that the disciples consecrated themselves to God and continued to pray until God answered their prayers.
a. Who was this guy Finney?
i. The following from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Finney
1. Charles Grandison Finney (August 29, 1792 ¡V August 16, 1875) was a Presbyterian and Congregationalist minister who became an important figure in the Second Great Awakening. His influence during this period was enough that he has been called "The Father of Modern Revivalism."
2. Finney was known for his innovations in preaching and religious meetings, such as having women pray in public meetings of mixed gender, development of the "anxious seat" (a place where those considering becoming Christians could come to receive prayer), and public censure of individuals by name in sermons and prayers. He was also known for his use of extemporaneous preaching.
3. In addition to becoming a popular Christian evangelist, Finney was involved with the abolitionist movement and frequently denounced slavery from the pulpit. In 1835, he moved to Ohio where he became a professor and later president of Oberlin College from 1851 to 1866. Oberlin became an early movement to end slavery and was among the first American colleges to co-educate blacks and women with white men.
4. He is also credited for praying to end a drought that had plagued the Ohio region. He reportedly brought an umbrella to the prayer session even though there were no clouds.
5. Charles Grandison Finney is considered America’s greatest past revivalist. Church rolls swelled in the wake of Finney’s revivals. Though it is hard to gather accurate statistics, he is often directly, or indirectly credited with the conversions of around 500,000 people (Christian History magazine).
ii. The Bible showed how the apostles prayed continually until the breakthrough came in the upper room. They labored in prayer like Finney. They struggled in prayer like Finney. They did not give up praying until the Spirit came and moved.
1. Finney believed and modeled this truth and his ministry was known to be filled with the power of God.
a. Share a few stories of his revivals.
2. How about you? Do you labor in prayer until there is a breakthrough in your life?
e. Jim Cymbala discusses the importance of prayer in his new book Break Through Prayer:
i. He states, "Everywhere I travel, I keep hearing the defensive teaching that fervent prayer, heartfelt prayer is really overrated and not necessary today. Since God is love, some people reason, we just have to ask once and politely for what we need and everything will turn out fine. No need today for prayer meetings and prolonged times of waiting on the Lord, no answer comes. No, that’s part of an old-fashioned, out-of-date theology that belongs to another era." Well, I have two questions in response to all that: 1. What do these words from the Bible mean? And the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? (Luke 18:6-7) He also notes: If Jesus himself prayed with, loud cries and tears at times, then we can certainly feel free and unashamed to pour out our souls to God." (22). 2. When it comes to de-emphasizing prayer and the prayer meeting in churches across the land, where are the spiritual results that prove we have found a better way?
1. Share his story of the power of prayer.
ii. The reality check for us today is that there is no better way to bring revival than through prayer.
1. Prayer unleashes the power of God and nothing can stand against the power of God!
f. Prayer is essential for Revival because we need the power of God to break through the strongholds which hold revival back.
i. Quote on Prayer from Stories for Preachers: A father was watching his young son try to dislodge a heavy stone. The boy couldn’t budge it. "Are you sure you are using all your strength?" the father asked. "Yes, I am," said the exasperated boy. "No, you are not," the father replied. "You haven’t asked me to help you."
1. Are you having struggles in life? Then pray to your Heavenly Father and He will help you.
2. Do you desire personal revival? Then ask the Father through prayer and humility of heart and He will bless you.
3. Do you want this community revived for God? Then pray for the help of your Heavenly Father because you cannot make it happen.
4. We must petition God for help because we cannot do this by ourselves. But for God to listen we must repent-forgive and pray with a spirit of humility. Then power comes!
ii. Quote on Prayer from Stories for Preachers: The wisest words I ever heard on the subject of patience were from a born-again Christian whose husband was an agnostic. She loved and believed in Jesus; he was in turn derisive and dismissive. A Christian friend gave her this advice: "Don’t talk to your husband about God, talk to God about your husband." --Peggy Noonan
1. Do you have unsaved loved ones in your family then pray to the Father for them and close your mouth at them.
g. If my people will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chr 7:14).
T.S. ¡V Prayer has the element of power in it because the power of prayer comes from the intervention of God into our lives and our circumstances. But prayer is also about our relationship with God and with others too.
II. R stands for relationship
a. Collins notes, "True spirituality penetrates every part of life-our careers, relationships, lifestyles, sexuality, emotions, thinking, hopes, and plans for the future. The spiritual is not an isolated segment of life that can be pushed to one day or one hour of the week and otherwise ignored or accessed whenever we need a spiritual fix. Spirituality is not something we possess, like a book or techniques or a set of rules that we can apply to ourselves to make us spiritual." (Soul Search, page 90).
i. Prayer is not some traditional ritual but words spoken from our heart to God.
ii. Some have defined spirituality as the human response to a mysterious, transcendent Other who for unknown reasons cares enough about us to initiate a relationship with us.Others say spirituality,is the way in which people seek, make, celebrate, and apply meaning to their lives.Mulholand stated,"The spiritual journey is an ongoing experience of being shaped by God toward wholeness." He notes, "It is a move against the grain of our do-it-yourself culture and our powerful need to be in control of our existence." (91)
1. I like this definition of spirituality. Why because it tells me that our relationship with God shapes us, molds us into what He wants us to be. Prayer is a key component of this whole spiritual experience. It is dialoguing with God. It is a relationship with our Creator.
iii. I know spirituality is about having a personal intimate relationship with God. Most of you would agree with this. To be spiritually whole in this life we must practice the presence of God in our daily lives. Practice makes perfect. To practice doing something over and over makes you more proficient in it. Musicians practice to become better at playing their musical instruments. Athletes practice to become better athletes and the same principle applies to Biblical spirituality.
1. Practicing spiritual exercises over and over makes one more spiritual (more God conscious!).
b. When we experience the presence of God through prayer and even praise we encounter the power of God.
i. The steps to experiencing the presence and power of God always begin with prayer and that then presses us toward praise.
1. In times of prayer and meditation we discover and receive divine insights.
2. These divine insights give us wisdom from God. These insights and encounters with the Lord give us wisdom which then propels us into Praise. Praise is using the wisdom and Godly insights received in prayer and reflection.
3. I have discovered over the last few years that those who have a strong prayer life always have a strong appetite for vibrant, reverent praise and worship. Worship is enhanced by our time spent in prayer.
4. The key to true spirituality is found in following formula:
a. No Prayer, No presence, No power of God
b. No Praise, No presence, No power of God
c. No Preaching, No power, No presence of God
d. No Participation, No Power, No presence of God
ii. There is a strong connection between prayer and praise. Prayer gives us wisdom and Praise is putting that wisdom into action. One goes from spiritual insight to spiritual experiences in God’s presence.
1. When we balance these two spiritual disciplines. The more we practice prayer the more meaningful praise and worship becomes. In essence we need to practice entering into the presence of God through the avenues of prayer and praise. It is through these two acts that we experience the presence of God and the Power of God.
iii. Let me show you a real life story of how this practicing the presence of God through Prayer and meditation brought the power of God.
1. The result of prayer lead to wisdom and wisdom gave birth to praise throughout this land because God showed up and changed lives.
a. The story of International House of Prayer in Kansas City.
i. It was founded by Mike Bickle.
ii. This place prays 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
iii. It’s an amazing place to experience.
b. Mike Bickle said, "At one time, I thought that being anointed in ministry would keep a person’s heart encouraged in God. Now I’ve learned this is simply not true! A deeply satisfied soul, a personal sense of meaning and significance and a rich treasure store of divine pleasure can only come through the intimate knowledge of God himself."
i. And they do it at IHOP through prayer and praise.
ii. They also do a lot of teaching on the subjects as well.
c. Today IHOP is experiencing a mighty revival in their school and in their services. Go to there website www.ihop.org to see what God is doing, read the testimonies:
i. Believer in Muslim Country Refreshed by God’s Spirit, 2/4/2010: I’m in a Muslim country without the support of daily fellowship and prayer. The Islamic proclamations are broadcast loudly five times every day from all the mosques. The IHOp - VKC ministry has brought so much strength and new joy to me. I feel encouraged and reminded of when I first fell in love with God’s Spirit. I love o see how He is changing and moving people’s lives. It is such a blessing that you are open to Him, loving Him, and allowing Him to work. The Bride and the Spirit say, "Come!"
ii. Physical Healing: Varicose Veins and Boldness to pray for Others’ Healing, 2/4/2010:Last night you prayed for varicose veins, and my veins stopped hurting and faded. I went to the Dollar Store today, and an older woman was having a hard time walking and her neck hurt. She asked me if I knew a good chiropractor, and I said I knew the Great Physician. I began to pray for her and her neck was healed and she was able to walk better. She was healed of pain from varicose veins. God is awesome. There is not enough room to write all that God is doing in me and through me. God is using me and has helped me to let go and let Him define me.
iii. Miracles on University of San Diego Campus, 2/4/2010: I’m a first-year student at UCSD, and we are seeing more and more miracles break out on campus. Last week, an ankle, leg, and torn ACL were healed. Two weeks ago, a student (not from UCSD but a nearby university) prayed for a woman who was deaf in her left ear, and she was a healed. Just this past Monday, an ankel was healed, a neck was healed, and a lady who had pain in her knee, wrist, shoulder, and finger was healed. Today someone who had shattered her foot had all the pain leave after prayer. There are more testimonies that I can’t fit here, but we’re pressing infor more and so excited for what Jesus is doing. Praise God!
iv. God Moving at University of West Indies, 2/4/2010: I’m a student at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. I was recently introduced to the IHOP¡VKC website, and I believed God that the things I saw on the web-stream would happen in our campus. Earlier today, two people were healed, and other accepted Christ during an evangelism outreach by UCCF, one of the student Christian movements.
v. Deliverance from Addictions to Pornography and Marijuana, 1/30/10: I have been touched by the power of His love. I stayed up all night watching the awakening testimony archives. I have been set free from years of homosexual pornography and an addiction to marijuana. Since I got back to college about a month and a half ago, I have been testifying to as many people as I can; something I could not do before because of shame. I now know that it is God’s goodness and love that leads us to repentance, because we cannot do it by ourselves. I am so grateful to know that God delights in me and He is well pleased with me, His son. Every day that goes by, I feel condemnation lifting more and more, and I don’t feel less than other men; I don’t feel ashamed. Thank You, Jesus!
vi. Physical Healing: Accident Victim’s Elbow and Shoulder, 1/30/10:Healing for shoulders was called out tonight, and the Lord has restored my elbow and is restoring my shoulder. It has lengthened 5-7 inches. I was in a horrific auto accident in 2007. I was missing a shoulder bone. I have been feeling pressure and a pulling sensation there. We are also believing for my legs to grow out. They are both amputated at the knee because of the accident. Praise God! He is restoring me!
vii. Church Revival and Deliverance from Pornography, 1/30/10: On January 4 I started watching the IHOP¡VKC prayer room and found out about the awakening. My dad showed me the webstream, and at first I thought, "These people are just not my cup of tea." I said, "Seriously, Dad, it’s an internet feed. God is not here." I started watching, and I was captivated by what was going on. Two hours flew by, and that day the Lord delivered me from pornography. The Lord has changed my desires. Now, every chance I have, I watch the web-stream. The Lord not only touched me but my church; we are constantly praying with you, and many lives have been changed. God is reviving our church as well.
viii. Believers Touched in Hungary, 1/30/10: Your service is a very big blessing to us. When we pray in the morning and in the evening, we pray with you. We are a Hungarian congregation. God bless your services! Please pray for us!
ix. Colorado State University Dorm Experiences Holy Spirit, 1/23/10: After watching the revival, we had a girls’ Bible study on Tuesday in a dorm room at Colorado State University, Pueblo (CSU). We began praying for revival on our campus, for the community college that I attend (PCC), and for each other. The Holy Spirit fell heavily in the dorm room and manifest His joy amongst us. We started to prophesy over each other and the city. The Holy Spirit’s presence has been strongly amongst us all week, with much ministry among believers, one to another, with deliverance and prophecy.
c. The following quote from http://www.allaboutprayer.org/why-pray-faq.htm:
i. Prayer not only establishes a relationship with God, it is vital to maintaining our relationship with Him. To illustrate, two friends who are in constant communion learn about each other, do things together, and share problems with each other. Thus, the key element of prayer is that it establishes a relationship with God.
1. Abraham experienced this in Genesis 18:16-33.
ii. This relationship is also evidenced in the life of Jesus.
1. He constantly went before God in prayer to determine God’s will and direction, resist temptation, ask for courage, discover what His Father in heaven would do, offer thanksgiving, pray for others, etc. Matthew 26:36-39 and Mark 14:34-41 describe Jesus being very distressed about His crucifixion. He brings this matter to His Father, seeking His will.
d. We need to learn to pray like Jesus did and the IHOP campus has!
i. Scripture verse - Matthew 26:36-39: 36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
1. Jesus himself knew the pressure of stress and the feelings of being overwhelmed. But he was able to come through the stress test and get the victory because of his relationship with the Father.
2. Reference the Movie Clip: The Passion of The Christ when Jesus is in the garden struggling with the decision to do the Lord’s will or to say no to God’s will. It was a very stressful time in Jesus’ life and is portrayed for us in the movie based off of Scripture!
a. If you recall this moment from the movie you may recall the following lessons from Jesus on how he dealt with His stressful life situation and notice the effects stress had on Him!
i. Did you notice his turmoil and anguished look?
ii. Did you see the blood seeping out of his skin because of his stress?
iii. Did you see him collapse from the pressure and pass out momentarily?
iv. Who was there to make the stress worse?
1. The enemy loves to make us see the worst part of our stressors.
2. He loves to get us more overwhelmed.
3. He enjoys tormenting us in our stressful moments.
v. Did you notice what Jesus did to get through this horrible ordeal?
1. He found a place of solitude.
2. He got away from the crowds of people and even his work.
3. He made the time to get alone with God!
4. He prayed to "Abba."
5. He asked for the Father’s help.
6. He sought clarity about the situation.
vi. He focused on the problem in the presence of His Father.
vii. He looked to comfort from his friends!
1. It was not there! But he looked for it! He asked for their help in prayer! Instead they just slept!
viii. He prayed again to "Abba."
1. Notice he did not just pray once but he went and did it again!
ix. He asked for "Abba’s" help again!
x. He asked for a different direction but Abba said no this is the only way so surrender your will to mine.
1. Jesus yielded to Abba’s direction and plan and received strength from Heaven to press on.
xi. He even got renewed enough to stamp on the enemies head so as to cause him stress.
T.S. - When we develop our relationship with the Lord and we get to know His voice then something happens to us we start to receive the answers to our prayers.
III. A = Answers
a. Prayer brings answers to our situations and questions in life.
i. Quote from http://www.allaboutprayer.org/why-pray-faq.htm:
1. Prayer is seeking direction from God. In Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus talks about asking, seeking, and knocking, "For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks." Jesus encourages us to ask God for things. "If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him?"
a. The key here is we must ask - we do this through prayer.
2. The Apostles reflected Jesus’ attitude toward prayer and encouraged and commended prayer in their writings. In Philippians 4:6, Paul tells believers to pray for everything with thanksgiving. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul writes, "Keep on praying." Prayer, for Paul, is the ultimate lifeline for the believer to God. James 1:5-7 says, "If you need wisdom -- if you want to know what God wants you to do -- ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord."
a. The Bible encourages us to pray because this is where those questions get answered.
b. The following 2 points are taken directly from www.gotquestions.org: Why pray?
i. Another reason to pray is that God intends prayer to be the means of obtaining His solutions in a number of situations. We pray in preparation for major decisions (Luke 6:12-13); to overcome demonic barriers (Matthew 17:14-21); to gather workers for the spiritual harvest (Luke 10:2); to gain strength to overcome temptation (Matthew 26:41); and to obtain the means of strengthening others spiritually (Ephesians 6:18-19).
ii. We come to God with our specific requests, and we have God’s promise that our prayers are not in vain, even if we do not receive specifically what we asked for (Matthew 6:6; Romans 8:26-27). He has promised that when we ask for things that are in accordance with His will, He will give us what we ask for (1 John 5:14-15). Sometimes He delays His answers according to His wisdom and for our benefit. In these situations, we are to be diligent and persistent in prayer (Matthew 7:7; Luke 18:1-8). Prayer should not be seen as our means of getting God to do our will on earth, but rather as a means of getting God’s will done on earth. God’s wisdom far exceeds our own. For situations in which we do not know God’s will specifically, prayer is a means of discerning His will.
iii. We need to pray because when you do God will answer and it will change your life.
c. Video Clip: Julie Dudzik’s Testimony of being healed of cancer.
i. Philippians 4:6, 7: 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
ii. Romans 12:12:12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
iii. Proverbs 15:8: The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
T.S. - Prayer brings power, develops our relationship with God and brings answers to our questions. Prayer will impact people personally and intimately. Prayer is given to us by God - it’s for you and me.
IV. Y = You
a. You can pray. It’s only a breath away. It’s natural. It’s built into your gene’s. It has power. It develops your relationship with God and even others. It brings answers to you.
b. Does God hear your prayers? Absolutely!
i. There is an Old Testament example we need to look at today. There is one act that two kings of Israel did to usher in God’s presence. They prayed to God and the Word tells us that God heard there prayers. See 1 Chronicles 7:12, "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices." Then compare with 2 Chronicles 30: "But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone 19who sets his heart on seeking God, the LORD, the God of his fathers, even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary." 20And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people. Also note what it says in verse 27The priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, his holy dwelling place. Hezekiah knew that for revival to come to the nation there had to be someone praying for the people and for the country. Hezekiah knew at the age of 25 that prayer was mandatory for revival in his nation’s life and in his own life.
c. In our texts above the Lord tells Solomon,"I have heard your prayer."
i. Why would God not have heard his prayer (2 Chronicles 7:17-22)?
1. If he would have been in idol worship.
2. If he would have walked away from God.
3. If he would have turned his back on God.
4. If he would have disregarded the commands of the Lord.
a. This section of Scripture reveals to us that God can choose to not listen to our prayers if we are in the wrong position with Him.
b. This reveals the importance of making sure our hearts are in the right position before God.
i. Remember our relationship to God is vital for prayer to work.
d. What are some other hindrances to prayer?
i. Broken relationships
1. Notice this verse can our prayers be hindered if our relationships are not right with others? 1 Peter 3:7: 7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
ii. Wickedness in a person’s life
1. Proverbs 15:29: 29The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
2. Wickedness is defined as: Webster’s states, "morally bad or wrong."
3. 1 Peter 3:12: 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
iii. Sin of murder- and evil deeds
1. Isaiah 1:15-17: 15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; 16wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17learn to do right!
iv. Un-forgiveness
1. Jesus said in Mark 11: 24-25: 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
a. Jesus reveals that un-forgiveness can be a hindrance to prayer and even our own forgiveness from God. So it is imperative that we forgive others so that are prayers are not hindered.
v. Living in sin when you know better
1. Jonah 2: 7-10: 7When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. 8Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. 9But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD. 10And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
2. Share the story from Breakthrough prayer about Jim Cymbala being led by the Holy Spirit to not pray for someone at the altar.
e. In our story of King Hezekiah we see God’s word stating, 2 Chronicles 30:18b - 20But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone 19who sets his heart on seeking God the LORD, the God of his father’s even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary." 20And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people.
i. God heard Hezekiah’s prayer WHY?
1. Because he did right in his eyes!
2. Because he repented of sin!
3. Because he rededicated himself back to God!
4. Because he followed God’s commands!
5. Because he trusted God!
6. Because he fixed the temple!
7. Because he cleaned out the temple!
8. Because he offered sacrifices up to God!
9. Because he tithed!
10. Because he gave offerings to the work of the Lord!
11. Because he prayed with a righteous heart!
f. Jim Cymbala stated this about unlocking God’s blessing from his book Break Through Prayer:
i. According to Scripture, God’s blessing can rest on both men and women, because with God there is no gender bias. His blessing can rest on a family, a child, or even unborn offspring. It can prosper a local church in such measure that an entire city or region will feel the effect of God’s favor on that congregation. God’s blessing can rest on the labor of our hands, our personal finances, or our physical well-being. In fact, Moses told the Israelites that, the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do (Deut. 15:18). Think of the vast potential we have if we live under the blessing of God! He adds, "But then again, the blessing of God does not automatically rest on every person, family, or church. Some of us live out our years under a closed heaven. Because God doesn’t smile on our lives, nothing seems to work as we struggle on year after year. This can be true even for those who have professed faith in Jesus as Savior. Likewise, Christian churches can live outside God’s favor, becoming like the congregation at Laodicea that Christ warned us about; So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth.(Rev. 3:16). Doesn’t exactly sound as if God’s blessings were overflowing in that church. (Break Through Prayer, page 16).
Conclusion:
Why pray?
Because when we prayer we unlock a divine power.
Because when we pray we develop our relationship with God.
Because when we pray we receive answers to our questions and miracles happen.
Because when we pray it impacts us. You and I are changed!
Prayer is the missing ingredient of the church today. I am convinced of it. Therefore we must commit to praying for revival in our hearts so that it affects the hearts of this church, this city, this county, this state and this nation.
P = power
R = relationship
A = answers
Y = you
Here is a letter I received a couple years ago with a call to pray for our nation so that we can experience a revival.
Dear Christian Friend,
Thank you for visiting The Capitol Hill Prayer Alert Foundation Website.
If you are a Bible-believing Christian who takes prayer seriously, you are needed on the front lines in the war for our nation’s soul.
You know that ungodly forces are out to destroy America. They hate the Gospel and America’s Christian heritage. They want to remove the Biblical foundations from American law and government, the very moral roots that made ours a free nation & a light among the nations.
a. Do you want your children to INHERIT an officially God-less nation?
b. Are you GRIEVED that 45 million (now 50 million) American babies have been murdered by "legal" abortion?
c. Are you HORRIFIED that the very sex crimes that provoked God to destroy ancient Sodom are now special, protected rights in America?
d. Do you WEEP over a worldly, divided & largely ineffective American Church?
e. Are you OUTRAGED that our Courts are determined to strip us of true religious liberty?f. Do you know in your heart that America’s ONLY HOPE is sweeping, God-given Revival & a Biblical Reformation - ushered in by prayer?
Since 1991 The Capitol Hill Prayer Alert has served to network Christians who know that the war for America’s soul can only be won with aggressive, focused, heartfelt PRAYER!
By uniting with likeminded believers to pray strategically over key national initiatives & legislation, the effectiveness of all of our prayers will be multiplied (see Mt 18:19-20).
Thanks & God bless you,
President: The Capitol Hill Prayer Alert Foundation
So let’s Pray!
