Sermon Central
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Praying When You Come To The End Lesson 18 Series
Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Prayer is a relationship with God, and it is talking to God.
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Prayer is a relationship with God.
a. First Relationship. Jesus, I believe You died for me, I want You to come into my life and save me (John 1:12; 3:16; 3:36).
b. Daily Relationship. Lord, lead me today. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want . . . He leadeth me beside the still waters” (Ps. 23:1-2).
c. Restoration Relationship. Forgive me and cleanse me. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).
d. Victorious Relationship. Help me be victorious. “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape” (1 Cor. 10:13).
2. Anticipation Prayer.
a. Lord, I love you and look for Your return. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and . . . but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8).
b. Lord, come soon. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).
3. Call to Prayer.
a. Rumors of War, (Matt. 24:6) “Keep me safe.”
b. Famine, (Matt. 24:7) “Give me this day our daily bread.”
c. Pestilence, (Matt. 24:7) “I will be healthy, protect me from sickness.”
d. Earthquakes and Floods, (Matt 24:7) “Prepare me for them.”
e. Seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils. (1 Tim. 4:1) “Give me spiritual understanding.”
f. Persecution. “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you” (Matt 24:9). That my testimony brings others to Christ.
4. World-Changing Prayers for a deliverer.
a. Moses, the deliverer. “Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me” (Ex. 3:9).
b. Samuel. “And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and . . . wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head” (1 Sam. 1:11).
c. John the Baptist. “Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John” (Luke 1:13).
d. Jesus’ first coming. “The dayspring from on high hath visited us” (Luke 1:78).
5. Preparatory Prayer for His coming.
a. Be warned. “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter” (Matt. 24:20).
b. Be ready. “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thess. 5:4).
c. Be blameless. “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent . . . blameless” (2 Peter 3:14).
d. Be a soul winner. “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11).
6. Intercession for Israel and Jerusalem. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).
a. For your blessing, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:3).
b. For their salvation, “And so all Israel shall be saved” (Rom. 11:26).
Why God Loves Israel
How odd of God to choose the Jews
And use that race to show His grace.
But odder still His plan to see
To use the likes of you and me.
So here’s the truth, it’s not a rumor
Our God does have a sense of humor!
~Harold Willmington
7. Silent Prayer. “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead” (Rev. 1:17).
Why Silent Prayer?
1. Our words are not worthy to talk to God.
2. We don’t know what to say.
3. Gives us time to think and meditate.
4. We communicate our feelings without words.
5. God knows our thoughts (Matt. 6:8).
8. First Prayers in Heaven, i.e., worship prayer.
a. Initial View of four beasts/angels. “They rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (Rev. 4:8). Worship is giving the worthship to God that belongs to Him. (Old Scottish word).
b. Second, worship the Creator. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Rev. 4:11).
c. Third, worship the Redeemer. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5:9).
