“PQ - PRAYER QUOTIENT”
Anahuac AG 6/24/2012 Pastor Rand Trotter
INTRODUCTION:
I want to speak to you from my heart this morning. Something I think that every single person who is called “CHRISTIAN” struggles with! It is that struggle brought about by Human Nature, that “ADEMIC” nature that is within each & every single one of us! That will of man that battles the will of God perpetuated by the enemy all around us.
Folk, “PRAYER” is the “KEY!” It is the “KEY” to “EVERY AREA” of your life! In today’s world and society “PRAYER” is the “BASIC of NECESSITIES!” I would go as far as to say that every man or woman who has lost out on their relationship with God first lost out in “PRAYER!”
I would be lying to you if I told you that “PRAYER” is easy! “PRAYER” is not easy but it is most likely the most “VITAL” thing you will do every single day! More than “READING” God’s Word? YES! Even more than “READING” God’s Word! Here’s why! Without “PRAYER” that sustains the “RELATIONSHIP” with God, the Word of God will not have the “NECESSARY PLACE” in your life.
Looking at every major Biblical Character in history whose life was chronicled & used of God, for at least a time, you will find something in common for them all!
If you look back in Biblical History the great men & women of God were all people of “PRAYER!”
“PRAYER” was an actuality that was understood to be a necessity of “LIFE & RELATIONSHIP” with God.
Ruth was a women of “PRAYER!” Hannah was a women of “PRAYER!” Esther was a woman of “PRAYER!”
David was a man of “PRAYER!” Joshua was a man of “PRAYER!” New Testament Heroes such as Paul & Peter were men of “PRAYER!”
One of the greatest men of “PRAYER” I can think of is Daniel! Daniel was so preoccupied with “PRAYER” that nothing stood in the way of his “PRAYER LIFE!”
Have you ever noticed that the people whose “PRAYER LIFE” was important to them were people whom the Lord used is such a mighty profound way!
Please understand this today: YOU CAN BE USED OF GOD IN THE SAME MANNER AS ANY HERO OF FAITH IN THE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT!
IT ALL RESIDES IN YOUR “PRAYER LIFE!”
Your success in God is based solely on your “PRAYER LIFE!” You will not make it as Christians without “PRAYER” as a major part of your life!
THAT IS A IRREFUTABLE FACT!
I struggle with my “PRAYER LIFE” as do many of you!
HOW BIG OR SMALL, HOW POWERFUL OR WEAK, YOUR GOD IS, DEPENDS ON YOUR “PRAYER LIFE!”
How “BIG or small” your God is depends on your “PRAYER LIFE!”
How “STRONG or weak” your God is depends on your “PRAYER LIFE!”
Now, let’s bring it home personally! How “BIG or small, STRONG or weak” “YOU ARE” depends on your “PRAYER LIFE!”
Your “PRAYER LIFE” doesn’t change God it changes your “RELATIONSHIP” with God & your “PERCEPTION” of God because of the direct correlation of “YOUR RELATIONSHIP” with God!
How many of you have seen the before & after pictures of Movie Stars. One starlet whose beauty I’ve been quite impressed had one of those pictures made public! I didn’t even recognize her! But had I been closer in “RELATIONSHIP” with her I would have “KNOWN & PERCEIVED” correctly the truth about her.
That is exactly what “PRAYER” does for us! “PRAYER” puts us in “CLOSE PROXIMITY” with God so that our “KNOWING & PERCEPTION” of Him would be correct!
When your “KNOWLEDGE & PERCEPTION” of God is correct, there is nothing that you can’t ask for & receive of that which is in His will for you! “POWER, VICTORY, HEALING, UNDERSTANDING, WISDOM, DIRECTION...I could go on! Those are all things that God desires for you as His Child!
Romans 12:12
“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulations continuing instant in PRAYER.”
Look at Daniel with me for a minute! Daniel ranks as one of the most brilliant minds of the ancient world has ever known. He was a Renaissance man of his day both in “PHILOSOPHY & SCIENCE” explaining riddles, solving problems, & no one could dream or interpret dreams like Daniel!
Understand something this morning! The thing that set Daniel apart was not his “IQ” it was his “PQ!” or his “PRAYER QUOTIENT!”
Daniel didn’t just “PRAY” when he needed “PRAYER!” Daniel didn’t just “PRAY” when things were going wrong or having a bad day! Daniel didn’t pick up the phone for “DIAL-A-PRAYER!” He didn’t just start “PRAYING” while in the Lion’s Den! He was already “PRAYING” before the Lion’s Den ever happened!
Daniel was a “MAN OF PRAYER! He “PRAYED” three times a day. “PRAYER” was not just a way of life for him! “PRAYER” was his life and his life was a “LIVING PRAYER!”
Daniel realized and understood that “PRAYER” brings God into the “EQUATION OF LIFE” every time! “YOU” need “GOD” in the “EQUATION OF YOUR LIFE!” all the time!
Folk, your “PRAYER LIFE” may not be as strong as you desire but “INTENSITY OF PRAYER” come with “CONSISTENCY OF PRAYER!” Let “PRAYER” be the first stop in any situation of life you face!
I. “PRAYER” speaks of your “FAITH IN GOD!”
Romans 12:12
“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulations, continuing INSTANT IN PRAYER.”
“PRAYER” should be the first thing you do in the morning & the last thing you do at night as well an numerous times during the day!
Paul says “...continuing INSTANT IN PRAYER!” Paul knew & fully understood the “VITAL NECESSITY” of a “CONSISTENT PRAYER LIFE!”
II. “PRAYER” helps make you and “OVERCOMER!”
James 5:16
“The effectual fervent PRAYER of a righteous man AVAILS MUCH.”
“AVAILS MUCH” indicates “STRENGTH & POWER” to accomplish & stand!
Ephesians. 6:13 says
“Having done all to stand, STAND THEREFORE”
“PRAYER” will help you to “STAND” in the midst of tribulation, trial, turmoil, trouble, sickness, pain, disappointment, sadness, sorrow, even JOY & VICTORY!
“PRAYER” creates and “OVERCOMING ATTITUDE!” Folk, “ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING” with God! “ATTITUDE” is found in HUMILITY, STRENGTH, MERCY, SERVANT-HOOD, LEADERSHIP...ATTITUDE shows your spirit “WHOLLY & TRANSPARENTLY!”
II. “PRAYER” brings you into the “PRESENCE OF GOD!”
Acts 16:25 reads
“And at midnight Paul and Silas PRAYED, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”
SO DID GOD! And upon hearing them God moved “IN THEIR MIDST” even the prisoners & sinners of that jail!
Folk, that last thing the enemy wants is for you to be in the “PRESENCE OF GOD!” For in “HIS PRESENCE” you will find all that you “NEED TO SUCCEED!”
CLOSING:
Folk, here is a thought:
“Prayer has the immediacy the Spirit requires but not always the immediacy the flesh desires!”
God is not limited by your prayer life in any way shape or form! YOU are limited by your prayer life! There’s reason for that! For much of that is based in & on our relationship with God through “PRAYER!” If you need “PRAYER” for anything come down here this morning & let’s “PRAY & BELIEVE” together
PQ - PRAYER QUOTIENT” (Outline)
HOW BIG OR SMALL, HOW POWERFUL OR
WEAK, YOUR GOD IS, DEPENDS ON YOUR
PRAYER LIFE!
Romans 12:12
(1st)“PQ!” (2nd add together) “PRAYER QUOTIENT!”
I. FAITH IN GOD!
Romans 12:12
CONSISTENT PRAYER LIFE!
II. OVERCOMER!
James 5:16
Ephesians 6:13
OVERCOMING ATTITUDE!
ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
III. PRESENCE OF GOD!
Acts 16:25
