The Position Of Prayer

2 CHR 6:12-21 - THE POSITION OF PRAYER IN YOUR LIFE

INTRODUCTION:

PRAYER, IS THE METHOD OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE INNER MAN AND THE RISEN SAVIOUR. PRAYER GIVES HEAVENLY ACCESS TO EARTHLY CREATION. PRAYER REVEALS THE TRAIL TO THE CROSS FOR A SINFUL MAN, AND SHINES A GREAT LIGHT OF SALVATION TO ALL THE WORLD, FROM THE EMPTY TOMB OF OUR SAVIOUR.

PRAYER REQUIRES THE NATURAL MAN TO SPEAK THE REQUESTS AND PETITONS OF THE INNER MAN. THAT IS THE REASON IT IS SO HARD FOR PEOPLE TO PRAY. BECAUSE THE NATURAL MAN MINDS THE THINGS OF THE NATURAL MAN.

PRAYER IS THE COMMUNION AND FELLOWSHIP IN THE SPIRIT BETWEEN MAN AND GOD. THE MORE WE PRAY THE MORE WE MIND THE SPIRITUAL THINGS. THE LESS WE PRAY THE MORE WE MIND THE NATURAL THINGS. THERE IS ALWAYS EMNITY BETWEEN THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT AND THAT IS WHY VERY FEW CHRISTIANS HAVE A HEALTHY PRAYER LIFE. WE TEND TO MIND THE TEMPORAL OR NATURAL THINGS, RATHER THAN THE SPIRITUAL.

YOU HAVE TO FORCE YOURSELF TO PRAY OR YOU WILL NEVER PRAY. MOST OF THE TIME WE ARE SPIRITUALLY ANEMIC BECAUSE WE ARE OBESE WITH CARNALITY. WE WONDER WHY WE ARE NOT RECEIVING ANSWERS TO PRAYERS WE HAVE NEVER PRAYED. WE HAVE A LOT OF PRAYER REQUESTS, BUT VERY FEW PRAYER MEETINGS. GOD IS NOT LOOKING FOR YOUR PRAYER REQUEST, GOD IS LISTENING FOR YOUR PRAYER.

WE ALL HAVE THE SAME FUNDAMENTAL BATTLE IN OUR FLESH. WHETHER IT IS TO EXERCISE PROPERLY OR TO EAT THE THINGS THAT ARE HEALTHY FOR US. WE WANT TO GIVE THE REQUEST AND LET SOMEONE ELSE DO THE WORK. WE ALL LOOK FOR THE QUICK FIX TO OUR UNDER WEIGHT PRAYER LIFE AND OUR OVER WEIGHT CARNALITY PROBLEM.

WE WANT THE FAT BUSTER PILL, A RICHARD SIMMONS’ MOVING AND GROVING VIDEO, OR A LOSE 30 POUNDS IN 30 DAYS DIET PLAN. BUT THE LOVE HANDLES OF CARNALITY JUST KEEP GROWING BECAUSE WE TALK ABOUT PRAYING, WE GIVE OUR PRAYER REQUESTS, WE JUST DON’T WANT TO PRAY. . WHAT POSITION DOES PRAYER HAVE IN YOUR LIFE?

SOLOMON POSITIONED HIMSELF TO SEEK THE LORD THERE ARE FIVE POSITIONS I WANT US TO SEE THIS MORNING IN THESE SCRIPTURES.

V12-13 - THE POSITION OF MAN

a-Solomon was a king but his history was filled with imperfections

b-Solomon was a king but not only did he come to the altar, he led the way

c-Solomon was a king but was public with his submission

d-Solomon was a king but had to look to heaven for his answers

V14-15 - THE POSITION OF GOD

V14 a-Solomon recognizes God in both Heaven and Earth

b-Solomon recognizes that God keeps Covenant and shows Mercy

c-Solomon recognizes that man walks before God from the heart

V15 a-Solomon recognizes that God had promised and kept His promise

b-Solomon recognizes that God had fulfilled that which he had spoken

c-Solomon recognizes that God completed His Promise today

V16-17 - THE POSITION OF THE WORD

V16 a-Solomon asked for God to continue to do that which He had promised

b-Solomon asked that God continue to not let His promise fail

c-Solomon asked that God help His Children to take heed to the way of God

V17 a-Solomon asked for God’s Word to be verified

V18-20 - THE POSITION OF THE PRAYER

V18 a-Solomon asked will God dwell with men on earth

b-Solomon said all of heaven could not hold God

c-Solomon said how much less the house that I built

V19 a-Solomon said listen to my prayer

b-Solomon said hearken to the cry and my prayer that I pray before thee

V20 a-Solomon asked God to look both day and night upon this house

b-Solomon reminded God that He had placed His Name in this house

c-Solomon asked God to hearken unto the prayer prayed in this house

V21 - THE POSITION OF THE ANSWER

a-Solomon asked God to hear the supplications of individuals and nations

b-Solomon asked God to hear from Heaven and when He hears to forgive.

CONCLUSION:

Early African converts had a separate spot in the thicket where they would pour their heart out in prayer to God. They prayed so much that they wore paths to the spot where they prayed. If somebody began to be negligent in prayer, others would kindly remind him, "Brother, the grass grows on your path."

Today in the Word, June 29, 1992

DOES THE GRASS GROW ON YOUR PRAYER PATH? WE ALL NEED TO ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER TO PRAY AND SEEK THE LORD. THERE ARE NO OTHER MEANS OF COMMUNION AND COMMUNICATION WITH THE LORD THAN BY PRAYER. IF YOU WILL POSITION PRAYER IN YOUR LIFE, GOD WILL POSITION BLESSINGS IN YOUR PATH.