Two Specific Requirements For Prayer

This would be a great honor if you were Democrat, Republican or independent.

But to see him this could prove to be a very difficult assignment, if not impossible!

• You would have to first get through some of the tightest security in the U.S.

• Even if you did get past them you would have to get past a professional staff that is trained to keep people like you and I from invading the White House

• If you made it to the White House you would have to get past the Chief of Staff who decides who can have a few minutes of the President's time

Illus: Dr. Odell Belger always admired President Ronald Reagan. He always wanted to see him in person. He had that chance when he heard that he was coming to Columbia, S.C. where he lived.

He joined thousands of people that came out to see and hear him. After he gave a heart felt speech, he was pleased to find out that before he left it was announced he was going to be going through a rope line and would shake hands with some of the people there.

Dr, Belger was thrilled at the opportunity to see him and now he wondered if he might get a chance to shake his hand or at least get close enough to get a good look at him.

He immediately rushed to the line and after some effort was able to get on the rope line.

President Reagan came down the rope line shaking hands and greeting hundreds that had gathered at the rope line.

When he came to Dr. Belger for only seconds or more Dr, Belger got a chance to look him in the eyes and shake his hand and the president looked at him for a second and smiled and said to him, “How are you doing young man?” And he said, “Fine Mr. President!”

Dr. Belger said this was a moment he will never forget because for a second he had THE ATTENTION of the most powerful man on this planet.

But there is one honor that far exceeds this honor, and that is being able to have the attention of the God of this universe and being allowed to talk to him.

• We do not have to work our way through a security force

• We do not have work our way though a staff that tries to keep us from getting to Him

• We do not have to talk to THE CHIEF OF STAFF to see if we can have a few minutes of His time

Every day, we have access to talk to this wonderful God that created us and this universe.

Let’s take a few minute to talk about GETTING GOD’S ATTENTION!

How do we GET HIS ATTENTION?

In two ways:

I. THROUGH PRAYER

In James 5:16, we read, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (woman) availeth much.”

Most Christians start the day off in prayer.

Illus: That reminds me of the Christian that prayed: "So far today, God, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper, and haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent. I'm really glad about that. But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed and from then on I'm probably going to need a lot more help.”

Many folks pray every day, and it would surprise you some of the prayers they pray.

Illus: Johnny had been misbehaving and was sent to his room. After a while he emerged and informed his mother that he had thought it over and then said a prayer.

• "Fine", said the pleased mother. "If you ask God to help you not misbehave, He will help you."

• Johnny said, "Oh, I didn't ask Him to help me not misbehave. I asked Him to help you put up with me."

Every day Christians pray all kinds of prayers, but they will be the first to tell you their prayers are seldom answered.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

Illus: Someone said that the height of ignorance is when someone keeps doing the same thing over and over again and wonders why they keep getting the same results.

Illus: That would be like the man that was married to a woman that was not known to be the sharpest knife in the drawer.

• They were watching the 6 O’clock news. They both saw a man jump off a bridge and commit suicide.

• The eleven clock news came on and they saw the same news report and the woman said, “Oh no, he did it again!”

When people keep doing the same thing, they keep getting the same results.

If you are praying and you keep getting the same results that you do not like, maybe it is time you need to consider doing something differently!