Prayer - Releasing to the Lord
Theme: To show how prayer takes the burden off of us and places it in God's hands.
Text: Matthew 11:28 - 30
Introduction
This past Wednesday I opened the message by sharing my experience that morning. For those of you who were not there let me just share with you a revelation that the Lord reminded me of. As I was praying with some Pastors on Wednesday morning the Lord spoke to me and said, "This is what I want to do to many people. As you pray it removes the burdens from yourself and places them on me." There are many people who carry so much because they are not praying.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. (29) Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. (30) Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Mt 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Pharisees
Matthew 23:15 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.
God’s desire is that we come to Him. Get away with Him and spend some time with Him. Notice this promise that you will recover your life.
How easy it is to pick up and carry the burdens of this world.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
**Notes on this passage also found on the internest in a message "Unforced Rhythms of Grace" author unknown
Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden..." The rules and expectations of religion often weigh a person down. I'm referring to the man-made, self-imposed rules of religion, not the instruction of God's Word. It's the duties of religion (with no grace) that wear people out.
I'll show you how to take a real rest.
Holy Spirit the Comforter
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (Joh 16:7)
“…So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6.
29 Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it.
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
Unforced – not coherced, forced,
Rhythms – systems, routines, part of having grace.
Grace – that which we do not deserve or can earn.
But Jesus said, "I'll show you... Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." Jesus had an unforced relationship with the Father. It wasn't based on duty or rules. He trusted the Father and the Father trusted Him. In the scriptures, we don't really see Jesus stumble (except for His honesty in the Garden of Gethsemane when He asked if the cup could be taken from him). Yet even this is a picture of unforced rhythms of grace.
I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. NKJV “My yoke is easy”
And notice He said, "I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you." Another translation says, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light." It's interesting that He used the word yoke. Dictionaries define it as an animal harness or restrictive burden. Yet He said His "yoke" (what we assumed to be a restrictive burden) is really very easy and light. Jesus was describing our assignment. His yoke is our assignment... what He's given us to do in life.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
MSG 13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.
The yoke of religion can have the same effect. Unforced rhythms of grace only come through a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we yield and depend on Him, that is when we are the strongest. He said, "My grace [My yoke] is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in [your] weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9, paraphrased). When we feel worn out or on the verge of burn out, it's a sure indicator we have either been doing things in our own strength or trying to carry out an assignment God didn't give us. So check yourself: Are you weary and heavy laden? If yes, walk with Jesus and work with Him. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
30 Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Mat 11:28-30)
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2Corinthians 12:9-10
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.” I Samuel 17:44-46
Donna brought us together and we did prayer time with the Lord's prayer:
Luke 11:1 tells us that Jesus was praying in a certain place. His disciples began to watch him. They were learning from example. They saw the importance of prayer in the life of their savior. They saw the priority of prayer. Each and every day they had seen him pray. At night. In the morning. In the evening. In solitude. When he was weak. They saw the importance.
Let me just take time to tell you parents. It is important that your kids see you pray. It is important that they see the importance in your life. They need to see you commune with your God. It will make an impact on their lives.
The disciple were so enthralled with this that they asked Jesus, “Teach us to pray”.
Matthew 6:9 ¶ After this manner therefore pray ye: (Luke 11:2 "when you pray")
9 Our Father-a name of respect and honor.
We are praying to the Father in the name of Jesus. Asking on the petition of Jesus. In prayer there is always a trinity. In prayer there is the including of the Father who answers, the Son who justifies the answer, and the Holy Spirit who has the power.
9b Which art in heaven - Who the one true God is, ruler of heaven and earth
The place recognized as God. It separates our God from all others. For others their God is in the grave. For others their God is a stone statue or in the earth. But our God is the God of heaven and the God of the heavens. Our God is alive and well and sits on the throne involving Himself in the affairs of man. Praise God!
Then next is praise
9c Hallowed by Thy name-Thy name must be reverenced” or “Let all that thou art be revered”
But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel. (Psalms 22:3 AV)
QUOTE “Satan is allergic to praise, so where there is massive triumphant praise, Satan is paralyzed, bound and banished” Paul Billheimer
Praise to “prize God”. We have found something worthy of our reward.
Praise literally becomes the “fruit of our lips” Hebrew 13:15
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Your kingdom come This shows what should be our greatest prayer. Not for the things of this world but for the kingdom of heaven. This is why we read in:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 AV)
Our interests should not be for this world but for his kingdom.
Your will be done, in earth as it is in heaven
Here is one of the most important parts of our prayer. Our prayer is as Jesus in Luke 22:42 “not my will but thine be done”
His will is what is important because he knows all and judges all by what he knows.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Now that we have put the interest of the kingdom first are we allowed to bring our petitions before Him. Yes God cares for us, Yes God loves us but He is always looking out for the best interest of the kingdom of God.
This continues with the thought of God and that he is the giver. The giver of all.
He is the giver of all good gifts.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our deptors
Confession-means to agree with God. He knows but now we show him that we agree with Him. God does not ask us to confess our sins because he needs to know we have sinned, but because he knows that we need to know we have sinned.” It is easy to cover it up and make it excuses for it until we confess it.
The moment we admit that a particular act displeases God, we recognize the responsibility to change it.
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:2 AV)
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: (Psalms 66:18 AV)
“My prayer life will never rise above my personal life in Jesus Christ.”
Some ask, “Should we begin our prayer with confession?” I believe this is up to the individual. When we begin to pray and talk to God I believe our sins are forgiven by him. If we pray right and praise him. But if our sin is bothering us so much that we cannot pray then it is good to begin with confession.
God knows our heart. Not that we don’t have to confess but he knows our heart and knows us better than we know ourselves.
“There can be no healing within until there is first confession without”
“Before you pray for a change in circumstances, you should pray for a change in character” John Allan Lavender
The Psalms are full of words of praise but also full of words of confession
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalms 139:23-24 AV)
Create in me a clean heart, O God; (divine holiness; right relationship with God) and renew a right spirit within me.(divine attitude; right relationship with others) Cast me not away from thy presence;(divine guidance) and take not thy holy spirit from me.(divine unction) (Psalms 51:10-11 AV)
As Priest Hezekiah cleaned out the temple in the Old Testament, so must we take our bodies, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and cleanse it.
12b as we forgive our debtors.
Forgiveness from God is predicated on the fact that we forgive others.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (Matthew 6:14 AV)
And lead us not into temptation,
Does God lead us into temptation? In certain temptations he does. But it is only as a trial. The temptation that is given us to sin is by Satan and God allows us to be a part of it. Any time he could stop but he allows it. So we still must pray for his protection
but deliver us from evil:
God is more of a deliverer. He will deliver us when we call Him. But he waits many times until we show that we want His deliverance. Some say, ”I can’t believe that God allowed this.” I ask, “When did they ask God not to allow it.” For some the only time they acknowledge God is after the fact. If we acknowledge Him before then he will come through.
Instead of waiting to be attacked or tempted by the enemy and praying why don’t we pray early.
Praying today for tomorrow.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
A closing word of praise is what God deserves as we pray. Not a somber mood.
It is a joyful mood of praise. Also a joyful mood of belief.
Belief in a God who can answer prayers. Belief in a God who is greater than all and controls all. All is His. This kingdom is His. All glory is His. All power is His. All glory is His. Not for a season or a time as is the devil but for eternity, for ever and ever and ever.
Then we see the word Amen. Amen means “all true and sure”, “so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled”
It is known as a universal word that seems to transcend all languages. It is used in the Old and New Testament. It is a word of finality. This is why we must use it carefully and only if affirming what we know should be true and we want to stand and not change. This is why I say we must be careful in our use of this word.
The last connection into His presence is prayer - the altar of incense.
Then we are reminded of how much we miss when we don't pray.
James 4:2 b "you have not because you ask not"
John 16:23-26 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. (24) Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (25) "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. (26) In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever you desire, when ye pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. (Mark 11:24 AV)
Why pray?
A. Jesus commanded us to pray Matthew 6:9
Matthew 6:9 ¶ After this manner therefore pray ye: (Luke 11:2 "when you pray")
Matthew 7:7-11 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (8) For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (9) Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? (10) Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? (11) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
B. The scripture commands it.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18 AV)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 AV)
Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17 AV)
It is common thing throughout scripture to pray. Pray is not asked by God it is commanded. Jesus wants to have a communal relation ship with his children.
Prayer Changes things, changes situations around us
It changes people. Elijah prayed and asked God to show his servant a new perspective. In 2 Kings 6:17 we read that God opened his eyes and he saw that “greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world”
It opened the womb of Hannah.
Prayer changes us
It changed Peter as he was praying God give him a vision and changed his whole out look on the ministry.
Jesus and the Temple - House of Prayer
Conclusion
Other elements of Prayer
Call upon the elders of the church
James 5:14-15 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (15) And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Prayer of Confession
James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Prayer Cloth - gotquestions.org
There are several biblical accounts that are the basis for the modern practice of using a prayer cloth to assist the pray-er to receive positive answers to prayer. Matthew 9:20-22 tells the story of a woman who had suffered severe bleeding for twelve years. She managed to touch the hem of Jesus’ cloak, believing this simple contact would heal her. Jesus countered in verse 22, telling her, “…your faith has made you well.” In Matthew 14:34-36, men of Gennesaret had a similar thought. They called all the sick from the area and invited them to touch Jesus’ cloak. All who did were healed. Acts 19:11-12 relates how handkerchiefs that Paul had merely touched were carried to the sick, healing people of diseases and evil spirits.
Prayer Shawl
Matthew 9:20-22 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. (21) For she said to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well." (22) But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour.
