Sermon Central
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Why Prayer?
Contributed by Chris Mccall on Oct 18, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came . . .
Why Prayer?
Men’s Net Meeting
The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the
hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have
gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came . . .
Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before
temptation comes, and you will always have victory.
R. A. TORREY
1. We are not fighting (praying) against flesh & blood enemies...
If you notice in R.A. Torrey’ statement that our defeat or victory in any situation is determined by whether we fought it in the natural & then prayed or if we fought it in the spiritual & then dealt with it.
Until we can get it through our head that prayer is not optional we are going to continue to see a Yo Yo effect happening in our life.
This is why it is essential to keep the communication line open, free from interference and from Satanic static. Sin interferes with earth-to-heaven communication.
For the soldier of Christ, true prayer should be a way of life, not just a call for help in the heat of battle.
This is made very clear in Scripture:
Romans 12:12: Continuing instant [steadfast] in prayer.
Ephesians 6:18: Praying always . . .
Colossians 4:2: Continue in prayer. . .
1 Thessalonians 5:17: Pray without ceasing.
The Scriptures tell us, The prayer of the upright is his delight
(Proverbs 15:8). Since prayer is our lifeline to God, to not pray is an insult to Him.
Ben Jennings wrote, Every prayerless day is a statement by a helpless individual, I do not need God today. Failing to pray reflects idolatry a trust in substitutes for God. We rely on our money instead of God’s provision. We rest on our own flawed thinking rather than on God’s perfect wisdom. We take charge of our lives rather than trusting God.
Prayerlessness short-circuits the working of God. Neglecting prayer, therefore, is not a weakness; it is a sinful choice.
John Bunyan stated, Prayer is a shield to the soul, a delight to God, and a scourge to Satan.
Someone once said that Satan trembles when he sees the feeblest Christian on his knees.
2. So how can I be effective? Verse 18
God always answers prayer. Sometimes He says yes; sometimes He says no; and sometimes He says, Wait for a minute. And since to the Lord a thousand years is the same as a day (2 Peter 3:8), that could mean a ten year wait for us. (Abraham & others)
So ask in faith, but rest in peace-filled patience.
Surveys show that more than 90 percent of Americans pray daily. No doubt they pray for health, wealth, happiness, etc. They also pray when grandma gets sick, and when grandma doesn’t get better (or dies), many end up disillusioned or bitter. This is because they don¡¯t understand what the Bible says about prayer. It teaches, among other things, that our sin will keep God from even hearing our prayer (Psalm 66:18), and that if we pray with doubt, we will not get an answer (James 1:6,7).
Heres how to be heard:
Pray with faith (Hebrews 11:6).
Pray with clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 24:3,4).
Pray genuine heartfelt prayers, rather than vain repetitions (Matthew 6:7).
Make sure that you are praying to the God revealed in the Scriptures
(Exodus 20:3¨C6)
A. How do you pray with faith?
The Bible says that Abraham ¡°staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform (Romans 4:20,21).
Abraham was a man of great faith in God. Remember, that is not a compliment to Abraham. He merely caught a glimpse of God’s incredible ability, His impeccable integrity, and His wonderful faithfulness to keep every promise He makes. Abraham’s faith gave glory to a faithful God.
So when you pray, don’t say, Oh God, I hope you will supply my needs. Instead, say something like, Father, thank You that You keep every promise You make. Your Word says that You will supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Therefore, I thank You that You will do this thing for my family. I ask this in the wonderful name of Jesus. Amen.
B. How do you get clean hands and a pure heart?
Simply by confessing your sins to God through Jesus Christ, whose blood cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7).
God will not only forgive your every sin, He promises to forget them (Hebrews 8:12).
Based on the sacrifice of the Savior, He will justify you just as if you had never sinned. He will make you pure in His sight, sinless.
