Privilege & Purpose Of Prayer Series

Illustration: D.L. Moody once entered a tavern in order to ask the bartender if his two little girls might attend his Sunday school. He was told that an atheist club met there every Thursday night and the owner of the bar was in no mood to offend them. Moody looked into the face of this man and pleaded with him on behalf of his girls. Finally the man’s heart was touched and he said, “Preacher, I’ll tell you what I’ll do. If you’ll come down here Thursday night and meet with the boys in a joint discussion, and win, you shall have the children. But if not, it’s all off!” “Agreed,” said Moody. Moody went right out and looked up a crippled newsboy who really knew how to pray and said to him, “Tommy, I need you next Thursday night!” When the hour of the meeting arrived, Tommy and the evangelist entered the saloon. It was full of men sitting on whiskey barrels, beer kegs, and even on the bar—eagerly awaiting the coming debate. Moody began by saying, "Gentlemen, its our custom to open our meeting with prayer. Tommy, jump up on that barrel and lead us in prayer.” Tommy began to beseech the Lord for the souls of all present. As the tears began to roll down the little fellow’s cheeks, the more tenderhearted of the men beat a retreat. Finally, even the hardest men present began to leave until there was no one left except the bartender, Moody and the praying boy. Moody turned to the father and said, “I claim your girls for my Sunday school!” The bartender answered, “All right, you win. But it’s a queer way to fight!” And Moody answered, “It’s the way I win many a battle.”

Introduction: In the context of Psalm 55 David relates his troubles during the rebellion of his son Absalom, 1-14, and then he spells out the doom of the wicked, v.15. After feeling downcast and defeated, David remembered the privilege of prayer. Even though David had all the earthly powers, yet he called out to the Lord God in prayer. Too many believers forget the tremendous, glorious privilege that belongs to us as children of God. We have a privilege that is unequaled by any other in the world. Today, I would like to talk to you about the privilege of prayer. Allow me to share with you why prayer is a privilege.

1. ALLOWS access to God (v 16):

A. When we pray, we are addressing the Creator - (Illustration: The false gods - Psalm 15:1-9. Illustration: To whom we are praying - Ephesians 3:20; Isaiah 40:12; Col. 1:16-17.) Praying to Idols.

B. Prayer Brings Us Into His Presence - Heb. 4:16 (Illustration: Ephesians 2:6 - I am in Jesus, when I pray, the Son intercedes and the Father sees me through the filter of His Son and He hears me. This literally allows me access into the throne room of Heaven!)

C. Our Access Is By Royal Invitation - (Illustration: Ancient kings were largely unapproachable - Esther chapter 4; JFK’s children has access to their dad – media pictures were an eye opener to the public) God invites us to come before Him - Psalm 50: 15. Ours is a great privilege!

2. AVAILABLE to all believers (v 17; Proverbs 15: 29):

A. Prayer is not just the activity of the spiritual giant. Prayer is open to all saints, without exception!

B. Many great Bible prayers fell from the lips of the ordinary:

1. Hannah - 1 Samuel 1:1-20

2. The Publican - Luke 18:13

3. The Dying Thief - Luke 23:42

C. Never feel that you have no right to pray! God calls on you to pray, your family needs you to pray, your community needs you to pray, this church needs you to pray! (Illustration: Richard Wumbrand – a persecuted Christian in Russia got his hope and reliance on God only through continual prayer.)

D. Prayer is a privilege that deserves to be exercised!

3. ANTICIPATES God’s answer (Jer 33: 3; Isa 65: 24):

A. Prayer is a privilege because has promised that He will hear and that He will answer!

B. This should give us confidence when we pray - John 14:13-14; 16:23-24. (Illustration: We are not just talking to the air!)

C. God desires to answer our prayers more than we want them answered - Luke 12:32. That is why the prayer of faith is possible - James 4:2-3.

Illustration: Road to Awabi – whether God wanted us to stay on in the middle east or not!

4. ACHIEVES the impossible (Matthew 17: 20—21):

A. The Context! Prayer has the ability to unleash the supernatural in this natural world!

B. Notice: 1. Elijah on Mt. Carmel - 1 Kings 18: 36 – 38 63-word prayer!