Note: I used notes from Max Lucado's book Glory Days
Living the Victorious Christian Life
Praying Audacious Prayers
Theme: To live a live that is overcoming and victorious we must learn to pray big, audacious, miraculous prayers.
Text: Joshua 9, 10
Joshua 10:1-8 Now it came to pass when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai and had utterly destroyed it--as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king--and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them, (2) that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. (3) Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, (4) "Come up to me and help me, that we may attack Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel." (5) Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered together and went up, they and all their armies, and camped before Gibeon and made war against it. (6) And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, "Do not forsake your servants; come up to us quickly, save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us." (7) So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. (8) And the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you."
Introduction
Boldness in prayer is an uncomfortable thought for many. We think of speaking softly to God, humbling ourselves before God, or having a chat with God . . . but agonizing before God? Storming heaven with prayers? Pounding on the door of the Most High?
Wrestling with God? Isn’t such prayer irreverent? Presumptuous?”
Even though we have scriptures that say:
“Mat_17:20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
Or Ask, seek and knock
Or even Hebrews 4:15-16 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. (16) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Boldly
G3954 - Original: παῤῥησία - Transliteration: Parrhesia - Phonetic: par-rhay-see'-ah
- Definition:
1. freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech
a. openly, frankly, i.e without concealment
b. without ambiguity or circumlocution
c. without the use of figures and comparisons
2. free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance
3. the deportment by which one becomes conspicuous or secures publicity
- Origin: from G3956 and a derivative of G4483
- TDNT entry: 19:31,8
- Part(s) of speech: Noun Feminine
- Strong's: From G3956 and a derivative of G4483; all out spokenness that is frankness bluntness publicity; by implication assurance: - bold (X -ly -ness -ness of speech) confidence X freely X openly X plainly (-ness).
“Joshua did this, but not before he didn’t. His prayer life teaches us what happens when we don’t pray as much as how to pray”
Joshua meets the Gibeonites
Joshua 9 tells the story right after Ai. There was a group called the Gibeonites who had heard of the conquests of Joshua and the Israelites. They were only a days walk away but when they arrived to meet the Israelites they presented themselves as from a distant land. They had come to be allies with this nation. Their grain sacks, sandals and clothes were worn-out. Even their bread was moldy and dry.
They wanted to be allies. Joshua weighed the options and they all agreed. It was only three days later that they learned that all this was false. So Israel confronted the Gibeonites and learned of their plan. They were afraid of being destroyed.
So what happened how could they have been fooled.
Joshua 9:14 Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.
God’s Fax -God's way of communicating with HIs people Israel
Num 27:21 He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the Lord for him by the judgment of the Urim. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him--all the congregation."
Joshua failed to do this and now he was in an alliance with the enemy. Don’t ever forget that our enemy enters into our camp as well. Often times he is in a disguise.
2 Corinthians 11:14 “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light”
That is why is essential that we learn two lessons from Joshua
Consult God in Everything
Always. Immediately. Quickly. Live with one ear toward heaven. Keep the line open to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing,
Pro 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; (6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct [3] your paths.
This is a Relationship
Psalms 27:8 When You said, "Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."
God will direct our path
Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.
Secondly, Call on God for Great Things
This alliance with Gibeon was not entered into honestly but Joshua honored it. When the five kings of the east came to attack Gibeon Joshua came to their rescue.
This time it was different. This time Joshua was listening to God.
Jos 10:7-9 So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. (8) And the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you." (9) Joshua therefore came upon them suddenly, having marched all night from Gilgal.
God intervened. As Joshua chased the armies God sent down hailstones. The time was short. The day is drawing dark and Joshua stepped forth and prayed an Audacious prayer.
Joshua 10:12-15 Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: "Sun, stand still over Gibeon; And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon." (13) So the sun stood still, And the moon stopped, Till the people had revenge Upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. (14) And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel. (15) Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.
Vs. 14 MSG “God took orders from a human voice”
Maybe God and prayer are all you have too. Like, Joshua you face battles. Five kings bearing down upon you. Discouragement, deception, defeat, destruction, death. They are trying to get you to run.
But remember what I told you at the beginning of this book. We are heirs. We can confidently approach the throne.
As I was preparing this message it is as if God spoke to me and said,” I am pleased when my children pray big audacious prayers. Why? Because it means they know me and trust me. I am pleased because they are praying them for my kingdom. “
In Mark 11:23 Jesus said if you have faith, you can tell mountain to go and jump into the sea.
Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you
Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will get anything you ask for in prayer.
Conclusion
It is time that we started praying big prayers. It is time that we started asking bold things of God. Like Peter who go out of the boat. He asked Jesus, let me come to you on the water. Bold prayers that change the world around us.
