The Privilege Of Prayer

THE PRIVILEGE OF PRAYER

Heb. 10:19

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: BRAGGING OF PERFECTION

1. One denomination believes you can “pray through” to perfection. One member of this group went to see a Christian neighbor. He struck up the subject of the believer's perfection.

2. The neighbor said, "Can you point to a single perfect man or woman in the Bible?" "Yes! In Luke 1:6 it says that Elizabeth and Zacharias “walked in all the commands and ordinances of the Lord blameless."

3. "Then you consider yourself a believer like Zacharias?" said the neighbor. "Yes, I do," said the perfectionist. "Ah," replied the neighbor, "I thought you might be. If you read a few verses later in that chapter you’ll find that Zacharias was struck dumb for his unbelief!" [Anonymous]

B. THESIS

1. Privilege is defined as “a special, unearned advantage, favor, right, or benefit granted to a person; especially, a rare or fortunate opportunity.”

2. PRAYER IS A PRIVILEGE. It’s an unspeakable honor that we should be allowed to have access to the God of the Universe.

I. EXAMPLES OF ROYALTY NOT BEING ACCESSIBLE

A. KINGS/QUEENS OF ENGLAND

1. The only people who can get audiences with the King/Queen are diplomats from other nations; political leaders, religious and military leaders, and people who have won prestigious cultural prizes, get audiences. That’s it.

2. If you were invited to visit with the King of England, there are many protocols to be observed. You must approach & withdraw from the royal presence in a specific manner. You must know how and where to sit; how to address the King; what kinds of things you can say and what you can’t say.

3. No hugging the Monarch, don’t sit if they’re standing; don’t show up casual; do bring a gift; don’t speak unless spoken to; if walking, don’t lag behind; don’t begin eating unless they’ve started eating; don’t slurp your tea; all British subjects must bow or curtsy.

B. KING XERXES & ESTHER

1. King Xerxes of Persia held court in his royal palace in Susa (in modern day Iran). According to Esther 4:11, no one could enter his royal throne room without prior invitation; to do so was death, unless he extended his gold scepter – which he did for his wife Esther, in 5:2.

2. The LESSON? The few who hold great power DO NOT ALLOW ACCESS to themselves by average people! Only those of similar power or fame come into their sphere.

C. OUR GOD IS A GREAT KING

1. If earthly kings are shown such deference, how much more does the Creator of the Universe deserve honor above these petty kings? Our God is a Great King (Ps. 47:2; 95:3; Mal. 1:14); the King of Kings! He deserves higher honor than any human.

2. YET, amazingly, He makes Himself available to the lowest, the least, the nobodies, who are but dust. He requires no protocols but sincerity, humility, and respect. He has a heart of love toward all that He has made and eagerly reaches out to us in reconciliation! What an amazing God! He doesn’t need us. There’s nothing we can contribute to Him. He doesn’t NEED our worship. Yet His heart of love extends to us!

II. THE CONTRADICTION OF PRAYER

WE SHOULDN’T BE ABLE TO PRAY TO GOD. WHY?

A. BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS – THE HOLY GOD

1. Sin (moral evil) is opposed to God and His government. Sin is a poison that contaminates all that is holy. God doesn’t allow sin into His presence.

2. “For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil [person] dwells with You” Ps. 5:4, Amp. “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing” Hab. 1:13.

3. Even the most holy of God’s angels – the seraphs – cover their faces and feet as they cry “Holy, Holy, Holy.” The Hebrew word "holy" means “separate.” God is unlike us and is separated from all taint of evil.

B. BUT GOD DOES LISTEN TO OUR PRAYERS

1. Because He’s loving & merciful and longs for our restoration, He WILL hear prayers of repentance & forgive our sins. But all God’s grace is based on Jesus’ sacrifice for us!

2. Twice God the Father said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17; 17:5). Since Jesus is the only genetic Son of God, the Father loves Him and has given Him all things (John 3:35; 5:20).

3. Jesus lived a sinless life and died as the substitute for the human race, atoning for our sins. He purchased eternal life for all who trust in Him. All who are “in Christ” share the Father’s favor for Him and are heirs with Him in all His inheritance.

4. Jesus is the great door of grace that has been opened to the human race. When Jesus died, the veil of the Temple – representing the separation between God and mankind – was torn from top to bottom, by God. This signifies the removing of that separation in Christ. In Him Paradise is restored! So Jesus’ sacrifice for us has opened the way even into the Holy of Holies.