Sermon # 39 - Right Kind Of Prayers Series

We read in Jonah 4:3, “Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” (ESV)

As we continue to study about Jonah, there are numerous lessons we have picked up already from the events that transpired in his life. The people of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, and God relented from destroying them as He had warned. Jonah was so upset with God for His compassionate stance that he prayed to God to take his life. The reason for this prayer was that Jonah felt disgraced that God had not punished the people of Nineveh as He had proclaimed to the people. God had sent Jonah to preach a message of judgment and punishment, but now the Lord had withheld His anger, and this seemed unbearable for Jonah as he felt dishonored. If we look deep into Jonah’s response, he wanted his way, and was not willing to have it any other way. Jonah was not willing to wait on the Lord to understand what the will of God was, but was hasty to ask God to take his life. If I were to rephrase Jonah’s prayer, he was saying to God, I want to rule in this matter, and I am not willing to submit to your Lordship.

There are many who have the same attitude that Jonah had. They are stubborn, and want to have their own way, and will not agree for anything else. No wonder then that for such people, when things don’t go their way, they opt to end their lives. So many people today, pray erroneously, with wrong motives then wonder why their prayers are not answered. If ever you have said such things like Jonah, and wished that your life would end, do repent of it. Submit to God and ask Him to help you live the life that He has gifted you well, and thereby to fulfill His purposes for your life.

So many people are in much confusion because instead of considering God’s Kingdom or His rule, they are more concerned about their own rule and their desires. When motives are not right there will be no answers to prayers, and no blessing received either.

The right kind of prayers

If you are wondering as to what is the right kind of prayers to pray, let us look at some portions from scripture.

The prayer Jesus taught

Jesus taught this prayer in Matthew 6:10, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (ESV)

The disciples of Jesus watched Him pray for many long hours, and this then motivated them to ask Jesus to teach them to pray appropriately. Jesus told them to pray that the Kingdom of God would be established on earth, and that the will of God would be accomplished on earth as it was being done in heaven.

There is a close relationship between the Kingdom of God and prayer. The right kind of prayers are those that focus on the will of God being fulfilled here on the earth. Every time we go to God in prayer we need to bring this to our mind that God’s will is of utmost importance.

Jesus’ prayer of surrender

Not only did Jesus teach His disciples to pray this way, but He modeled this for them in His life.

We read in Mark 14:36,"Father," he prayed, "my Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want." (GNB)

When Jesus lived here on the earth, He was submissive to God the Father in all aspects, and He was a true example of how men were meant to live here on earth. In this above mentioned prayer, Jesus acknowledged that God the Father had complete authority and was God over all. Therefore, Jesus submitted His petition to God the Father in total submission to His will and authority.

Often times when we go to God in prayer, we want God to listen to us, and do as we say. We are not to give counsel to God, but must be willing to commit every request to God to permit His will to be done in our lives.

The Kingdom of God is at hand

The first message that Jesus preached when He commenced His ministry is recorded in Mark 1:15, "The right time has come," he said, "and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!" (GNB)

The first thing Jesus reminded them was that the right time had come. This was the time that the people of Israel were awaiting for many long years, the coming of God’s kingdom. For one to prevail into this kingdom, the first prerequisite is that one should repent and turn away from their sins, and believe the good news.