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!
2. Abraham for Sodom - Gen. 18: 23 - 32
3. Moses for Israel - Exodus 32: 1 – 14
4. Jonah in the belly of the fish – Jonah 2
5. Jesus for the Multitude - John 6: 11
6. The Thief for His Own Soul - Luke 23: 39 - 43
7. Peter freed from prison and at the astonishment of all the believers was preaching at church the following day – Acts 12.
C. How many of us are living "impossible" lives tonight because of the supernatural power of prayer?
D. Never say God cannot do it! Prayer is a privilege because it has the ability to achieve the impossible! - James 5:15
Illustration: Elderly Hindu couple in Oman – man developed tumor in his belly – prayer healed.
5. ADVANCES the Kingdom of God (2 Thessalonians 3: 1):
A. Our prayers can be effective in places where we cannot go physically. (Illustration: Prayer in Ohio intervenes in India! Now people around the world are interceding for the US.)
B. This is why prayer warriors are needed and why they are essential! [Illustration: Matthew 6: 5-6. True power lies not in the preacher, the church, etc. The real power source is those who know how to use the prayer closet!]
C. Prayer opens door, hinders evil, touches the sick, and convicts the sinner. Prayer works! Our need is for more people to PRAY! (Illustration: Paul was a prayer warrior! Romans 1:9; Romans 15: 30. He believed in the power and the potential of prayer.) [Illustration: Literally everything we do must be bathed in a sea of prayer!]
Illustration: Praying for people who are our colleagues (our bosses, subordinates etc.) Experience of praying for Muslims and non-Christians around us in Oman. A breakthrough in prayer.
D. Being useful in His kingdom makes prayer a great privilege!
6. ADVERTISES God’s Greatness (1 Kings 18:1-39; James 5: 17):
A. Illustration: The Context - when Elijah prayed and God answered, the people glorified the Lord. Prayer advertises His greatness as few other things can!
B. How?
1. Prayer Declares His Grace - He allows sinners access.
2. Prayer Declares His Goodness - He is willing to hear and answer.
3. Prayer Declares His Greatness - Prayer says, "He is worthy to be bowed down before." Romans 14:11.
4. Prayer Declares His Glory - It is through the avenue of prayer that God reveals Himself, His purposes and His ways to man. Prayer unleashes the power of Almighty God on the earth! (Illustration: Matthew 18: 19)
5. Prayer of Daniel before being thrown in the ‘Lions Den’ brought glory to God as he was protected.
6. Prayer says, "I can’t, but I know One who can!"
C. Prayer is a privilege because it gives us an opportunity to exalt our Heavenly Father! By their simple willingness to place their faith in God, the saints honor Him!
Conclusion: It is the privilege of every believer to go in prayer to our God. There was a time evangelism was closed in the biggest democracy in the world – India. Believers around the world had been praying for doors to open. Even people like Billy Graham’s entry to India was banned due to the power evangelism God exhibited through him. Couple of years ago, India opened her doors. Evangelists, preachers, healers etc flooded the place. Swarms of people attended their meetings and conversion was rampant. Who was / is Great in all this? God was Glorified in all this. Couple of days ago I was talking to people back in India and they told me that they have again been deprived of that privilege. Even Christian TV beams have been blocked and no one has access to any kind of Christian programs. What do we do? We have the PRIVILEGE to PRAY and also a great PURPOSE TO PRAY. What are we sitting around for? Time for every Christian to get into the business of PRAYING!
Even though David had all the earthly powers, yet he called out to the Lord God in prayer. How much more should we?
