Nov. 17 Praying in Hard Times
Is God’s primary goal to make me comfortable or make me strong
(comfort = make strong) - To mend my body or my spirit
To whisk me out of every trial and danger or to walk by my side so I can discover how strong and good He is.
Jeremiah in prison, David in the cave. Not to mention Paul
2 Cor. 11:24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
Or Jesus Luke 22:39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
Gethsemane - what do we learn form Jesus about prayer when things seem hopeless? Paul’s feeling crushed - ready to cave and die - if God didn’t spare...
Could it be that God is trying to do something and we go against it?
Ever hear a Christian say that right after being born again or a breakthrough experience "all hell broke loose?" Lost health, marriage, job friends car keys
Tommy Walker just finished leading worship at a huge Promise Keepers event. Exhausted he goes to his motel room. He flips through the TV channels and stopped briefly at one he had no business lingering on. He shuts off the TV with a prayer "Lord after all you’ve done for me, I’m not going to do this. No TV period" Shortly after he picks up the guitar and words began to flow - That’s why we praise Him, that’s why we sing - that’s why we offer him our everything.
"God bless me - draw nearer to me" and through suffering He gets our full attention
2 Cor. 1:8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us
Tough times come - period
- because wickedness hates righteousness
- because we make mistakes - even if with good intentions
- because God is doing a work in us to make us strong
Rom. 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
JAS. 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
What do you do when times are a trial?
Prayer isn’t preparation for the battle, it is the battle
We pray our best prayers in times of deep brokenness
Dark Night of the Soul - learn to cope to walk in faith - even flourish when warm feelings are withdrawn - no more training wheels or safety net
Trapeze must reach out into the empty space - trust that he will be caught
Just because He needs to get beyond "If I don’t feel Him, He must be gone."
Thy will be done - often we know what it is and the hardest part is submission to it
Put trouble in perspective
Declare God as sovereign - He is in control
Determine to rest all your hopes in Him To cast all your cares on Him
Stay focused - give God full attention in worship - Release your power - reveal your will
Look for the Lord’s hand - Perhaps He guided you there - He will guide you through
Shepherd of Hermes - Let us be careful not to seek mystical experiences, when we should be seeking repentance and conversion Lord make me what I should be. Change me whatever the cost - now stand back in fear and awe and watch God answer. Those words are dangerous words - because God’s love is remorseless. Our salvation and purity is His greatest goal. God will not leave us until He has broken our hearts and our bones - so that He can mend them
Perhaps you wandered there - He is the good shepherd searching for you - Cheer up
Rom. 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There is no cheap grace - no bubble gum spirituality.
God intends to make you into a rock a spiritual redwood
He only withdraws that offer to those who hesitate and balk -
Nothing inspires prayer like adversity - sorrow - humiliation - failure
Stop praying when the answer is shown - God says no
Or when the holy spirit give confidence that the victory is won
What if you know someone who is going through tough times
Tony Campolo story
Luann, Hermes and Allison - In His Steps story
Let’s pray together Problem is that I’m in a hurry but God isn’t
James 1:5-7 need wisdom? Bone healed wrong needs to be rebroken & reset
Prayer retreat for day after thanksgiving.
Come next week filled with blessing - stories of God’s blessing in your life
