part I - What is Prayer (August 4th, 2002)

Generally, each sermon is a part of a series, that deals with applying the Bible to real-life issues.  Don't worry if you've missed part of a series.  Each Sunday will work together with the other sermons, or can stand alone to help you deal with the things life brings each day.

part II - How to Pray (August 18th, 2002)

part III - Seven Prayers of Nehemiah (August 25th, 2002)

Why Should

We Pray

Series

where nobody stands alone

Why Should We Pray? Sermon Series Revelation 5: 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.  Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Sermon Series Overview: Week 1:  What is Prayer Week 2:  How to Pray Week 3:  Where to Pray   Praying in the Spirit (Tongues)   Praying specifically to God (Hebrew names) Week 4:  Effects of Prayer Title:  What is Prayer, part 1 ** Pray I. Scriptural Terms (The New Unger's Bible Dictionary) a. Hebrew (partial list) i. Tepilla, in general, supplication to God (Ps 65:2; 80:4; Isa 1:15; Job 16:17; etc.); also intercession, supplication for another (2 Kings 19:4; Isa 37:4; Jer 7:16; 11:14). ii. Palal, to "judge," and then "to interpose as umpire, mediator" (Gen 20:7; Deut 9:20; 1 Sam 7:5; Job 42:8), with the general sense of prayer (Ps 5:2; 1 Sam 1:26; 2 Sam 7:27; etc.). iii. `Atar, "to burn incense," therefore to pray to God (Job 33:26), the prayers of the righteous being likened to incense (Rev 5:8). iv. Lahash, to "whisper a prayer" uttered in a low voice (Isa 26:16). 1. Lahash is a quiet whispering prayer (like the whispering forms of incantation in 3:3); sorrow renders speechless in the long run; and a consciousness of sin crushes so completely that a man does not dare to address God aloud (cf. 29:4). b. Greek (partial list) i. Deesis, prayer for particular benefits. ii. Proseuche, prayer in general, not restricted as respects its contents. iii. Enteuxis (1 Tim 4:5), confiding access to God. 1. In combination, deesis gives prominence to the expression of personal need; proseuche to the element of devotion; and enteuxis to that of childlike confidence, by representing prayer as the heart's converse with God. iv. Euche, which occurs only once in the NT in the sense of a prayer (James 5:15), but in this noun and its verb, the notion of the vow-of the dedicated thing-is more commonly found than that of prayer. 1. The two other occasions of the word (Acts 18:18; 21:23) bear out this remark (Trench, Synonyms of the N.T., 2:1) II. What is prayer? a. Charles Stanley says in his study guide Practicing Spiritual Discipline i. “There is only one way to develop a deep friendship and that is to spend time with a person, sharing mutual experiences, each of you communicating as fully as possible your ideas, desires, dreams, hopes, and beliefs.” b. Scripture says: i. Psalms 141: 2 1. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. a. Action – Lifting of Hands b. Characteristic – It’s like incense ii. Rev 8:3 1. Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. a. Characteristic – Prayers of the saints are like incense to God (a sweet aroma, pleasant). iii. Rev 5:8 1. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.  Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. a. Characteristic – Prayers of the saints are like incense to God (a sweet aroma, pleasant). iv. Matthew 26: 41 1. Jesus said to His disciples, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.  The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” a. Action – Prayer is a commandment; it is prevention for temptation. v. James 5:16 1. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. a. Characteristic – praying is an effective method of healing and power c. Prayer is a sincere and repentful spirit of consecration, faith and submission to the will of God, for the purpose of amendment, obedience  and a good life. i. Quite simply: 1. Prayer is a holy and concentrated conversation with God. a. KEY – A conversation involves two people talking, it is not one sided. d. Posture of Prayer i. Positions 1. Prayer was generally made standing a. 1 Sam 1:26; Dan 9:20; Matt 6:5; etc. 2. Sometimes, as expressive of deeper devotion, the worshiper knelt a. 1 Kings 8:54; 2 Chron 6:13; Ezra 9:5; Dan 6:10; Luke 22:41; etc. 3. Bowed the head to the ground a. Neh 8:6 ii. Actions 1. In both cases the hands were uplifted and spread toward heaven or in the direction of the Holy of Holies a. 1 Kings 8:22; Neh 8:7; Lam 2:19; 3:41; Ps 28:2; etc. III. What about Answered and Unanswered Petitions? a. Not every petition is granted. i. Job’s demand for answers from God was eclipsed by the awesome privilege of encountering Him (Job 38-41). 1. KEY - Modern believers must also cherish communion with the Father more than their petitions. ii. Jesus, with His soul sorrowful to the point of death, prayed three times that His cup of suffering might pass, but He was nevertheless submissive to God’s will (Matt. 26:38-39, 42, 45). 1. KEY - Both the boldness of the petition to alter God’s will and the submission to this “hard” path of suffering are significant. iii. Paul asked three times for deliverance from his “thorn in the flesh.” God’s answer to Paul directed him to find comfort in God’s sufficient grace. 1. Also God declared that His power is best seen in Paul’s weakness (2 Cor. 12:8-9). 2. KEY - God gave him the problem to hinder his pride. 3. Ironically, Paul claimed that God gave the problem, and yet he called it a messenger of Satan. a. KEY - Paul learned that petitions are sometimes denied in light of an eventual greater good: God’s power displayed in Paul’s humility. b. Faith is a condition for answered petitions i. Mark 11:24 1. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ii. Two extremes must be avoided concerning faith. 1. With Jesus’ example in mind we must not think that faith will always cause our wishes to be granted. 2. Also we must not go through the motions of prayer without faith. a. Believers do not receive what they pray for because they pray from selfish motives (Jas. 4:2-3). b. Prayers are also hindered by corrupted character (Jas. 4:7) or injured relationships (Matt. 5:23-24). IV. Invitation a. Theological Insights i. Prayer makes a difference in what happens 1. Jas. 4:2 2. Our understanding of prayer will correspond to our understanding of God. ii. When God is seen as desiring to bless (Jas. 1:5) and sovereignly free to respond to persons (Jonah 3:9), then prayer will be seen as dialogue with God. 1. God will respond when we faithfully pursue this dialogue. iii. Prayer will lead to a greater communion with God and a greater understanding of His will.

Why Should We Pray Sermon Series Revelation 5: 8 Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Get three volunteers – that have static How do you get rid of static?  You got to have a game plan – Squirt them with static guard as an illustration. Title: part II – How to Pray ** Pray I. How to revitalize your prayer life a. Approach prayer with the right attitude i. Matthew 6: 5 – 8 ii. BE REAL 1. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.” a. Matthew 6: 5 2. Don’t try to impress other people. 3. Don’t try to impress God. iii. BE RELAXED 1. “But when you pray go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” a. Matthew 6: 6 iv. BE REVEALING 1. “Don’t recite the same prayer over and over as the heathen do, who think prayers are answered only be repeating them again and again.  Remember, your Father knows exactly what you need before you ask Him!” a. Matthew 6: 7 – 8 How are we to pray?  You’ve got to have a game plan.  For example, Joe Dirt had a plan.  His plan did not have the exact results that he wised but he did have a plan on How to become a Moron. II. USE THE MODEL JESUS GAVE US a. “This, then, is HOW you should pray …” i. Matthew 6: 9 – 15 THE SIX PARTS OF PRAYER 1. PRAISE:  I BEGIN BY EXPRESSING MY LOVE TO GOD “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name …” TWO KINDS OF PRAISE • “ADORATION” o Praising God for who he is – His character. •  “THANKSGIVING” o Praising God for what he has done – His deeds. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise.  Be thankful unto him, and bless His name.” Psalms 100: 4 HOW TO PRAISE GOD: 1. As you read your Bible, make a list of God’s character qualities that you discover and then review them when you pray.  (See Prayer Guide 1) Examples: God is patient … Numbers 14: 18 God is merciful … Numbers 14: 18 God is forgiving … Numbers 14: 18 God knows everything … 1 Samuel 2: 2 God is loving … 1 John 4: 8 KEY:  God’s character is the basis for our boldness in making requests in prayer.  God answers the prayers that acknowledge who he is! 2. Remind yourself and affirm the promises God has made that are contained in the meaning of his names.  (See Prayer Guide 2) 3. Make a list of all that you are thankful for and review them when you pray.  (See Prayer Guide 3) 2. PURPOSE:  I COMMIT MYSELF TO GOD’S PURPOSE AND WILL FOR MY LIFE. “Your kingdom come, you will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…” Pray for God’s will to be done … in my family … my church … my ministry … my job … my future … my city … the nation … the world. “Offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him.  This is the true worship that you should offer.” Romans 12: 2 3. PROVISION:  I ASK GOD TO PROVIDE FOR MY NEEDS. “Give us today our daily bread …” What needs can I pray about?  Absolutely every one of them. “God will supply all your needs from his riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.” Philippians 4: 19 “Since God did not spare even His own Son for us but gave Him up for us, won’t he also surely give us everything else?” Romans 8: 32 THE KEY:  Be specific “You do not have … because you don’t ask God!” James 4: 2 Write down your requests, with a promise you are claiming from the Bible, and expect an answer! (See Prayer Guide 4) “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, by pray and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4: 6 4. PARDON:  I ASK GOD TO FORGIVE MY SINS. “Forgive us our debts …” 4 Steps to Repentance 1. Ask the Holy Spirit to Reveal your sin. “Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts.  Find out if there is any evil in me.” Psalms 139: 23 – 24 2. Agree with God that it is sin. “You will never succeed in life if you try to hid your sins.  Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.” Proverbs 28: 13 3. Make Restitution to others when necessary. “When you remember your brother has something against you … go at once to make peace with him, then come back and offer your gift to God.” Matthew 5: 23 – 24 4. In faith, turn from that sin. “But be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” 5. PEOPLE:  I PRAY FOR OTHER PEOPLE. “… as we have also forgiven our debtors.” “Pray much for others; plead for God’s mercy upon them; give thanks for all He is going to do for them.” 1 Timothy 2: 1 If you want to know how to pray for others look at prayers of Paul in these passages:  Ephesians 1: 15 – 19; Colossians 1: 3 – 12; 1 Thessalonians 1: 2 – 3; 2 Thessalonians 1: 11 – 12. Make a prayer list of people you want to pray for.  You might pray for different people on different days of the week.  (See Prayer Guide 5) 6. PROTECTION:  I ASK FOR SPIRITUAL PROTECTION FROM GOD. “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” Believers face a spiritual battle everyday.  Satan wants to defeat you through temptation and fear.  By praying for protection, you will have the confidence to face every situation during the day. “The Spirit who is in you is more powerful than the spirit who is in those who belong to the world.” 1 John 4: 4 Invitation Do you need protection, guidance, direction or help in life?  Then pray for it.

Why Should We Pray Week 1 – What is Prayer Week 2 – How to Pray Week 3 – Where to Pray and the Effects of Prayer Title:  Seven Prayers of Nehemiah Today we will focus on three of the seven prayers. ** Pray I. Summary a. Hanani – cool black voice b. Nehemiah – regular voice c. Sanballat – Mexican or like Apu from Simpsons d. Story i. First Prayer 1. Hanani comes and tells Nehemiah that the walls of his “hood” are falling. 2. Nehemiah prays to God confessing sin and asking for help from king. ii. Second prayer 1. He is talking to the king 2. He prays that the Lord will help him in convincing the king to let him leave iii. Third prayer 1. Sanballat is throwing insults at the builders of the wall 2. Nehemiah prays that God will throw their insults back to them. iv. Fourth prayer 1. Sanballat and others threaten like they are going to attack the builders 2. Nehemiah prays for God’s providence and has guards to stand and watch. v. Fifth prayer 1. Sanballat sends letters threatening the builders 2. Nehemiah prays for strength vi. Sixth prayer 1. The opposers of the Jews are planning evil things toward them. 2. Nehemiah prays that God will deal with these evil plans vii. Seventh prayer 1. Nehemiah prays that God will remember the good that has come about in his life and the situation II. First Prayer (1: 1 – 11) a. Situation i. Hanani came from Judah to tell Nehemiah that Jerusalem’s walls were being destroyed. ii. The future of Nehemiah’s hometown is in a state of ruin b. Content of Prayer (verses 5 – 11) i. 5 – Praises God for loving His people. ii. 6a – He asks God to hear his prayer iii. 6b, 7 – Intercedes for the Israelites about sins committed. iv. 11b – Asks for success with his approach to the king. c. Where did he pray i. Physically 1. 4 – He was in a state of mourning and fasting. ii. Direction 1. 5 – He was focusing his attention on God and not himself. d. Effects of his prayer i. This prayer includes God on the situation in Nehemiah’s life. ii. There were aspects that were out of Nehemiah’s control, so he placed the aspects in God’s hands. 1. Nehemiah didn’t just sit by and watch, he still was very proactive in God’s providence. III. Second Prayer (2: 1 – 6) a. Situation i. Nehemiah goes to the Persian king, Artaxerxes, and he asks Nehemiah what was troubling him. b. Prayer (verse 4b) IV. Third Prayer (4: 4, 5) a. Situation i. 4: 1 – 3 – Sanballat and Tobiah the Ammonite heard that Nehemiah and others were rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. 1. They ridiculed the Jews while they were working. 2. Sanballat was govenor of Samaria. b. Prayer (4: 4, 5) i. Nehemiah acknowledges to God that others despise them. ii. He asks God to turn their insults against them. c. Where does he pray? i. The insults were directly against Nehemiah and the Jews, but he doesn’t ask himself to deliver justice he directs his petition for justice from God. 1. Nehemiah does not turn their insults against them, but he asks God to do it for him. a. Isaiah 34: 8 i. For the Lord has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause. b. Isaiah 50: 6 – 7 i. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.  Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. d. Effects of the prayer i. … they have thrown insults in the face of the builders, the workers of God; therefore insulting God himself. 1. Nehemiah finishes his prayer by stressing that when you mess with one of God’s deliverers/workers/children then you mess with God. Play Remember the Titans clip – who’s your daddy – this is your team.  We are a team 2. Christian life is a lot like the mofia a. When you mess with one of the children you mess with da father. b. Mark 9: 37 i. Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. V. Fourth Prayer a. 4: 9 VI. Fifth Prayer (6: 9) a. Situation (6: 1 – 8) i. Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and others saw that the wall was rebuilt, so they tried to lure Nehemiah to a meeting to harm him. ii. Nehemiah replied that he could not meet them due to the tremendous work, when in all actuality he knew they were trying to harm him. iii. Sanballat sent a letter to Nehemiah accusing him that he was trying to lead a Jewish revolt. iv. Nehemiah told him that he was out of his mind for such accusations were false. b. Prayer i. Sanballat had sent the letters and accusations to worry Nehemiah and the workers; therefore tiring them out. ii. Nehemiah prays 1. Streghthen us during these times of threats. c. Where is he praying? i. Physically 1. in a time of weariness and pressure ii. Spiritually 1. Toward God and not himself for strength d. Effectiveness of prayer i. Nehemiah was strengthened. ii. 6: 10, 11 1. Why should Nehemiah run away? a. 1 + God is a majority. 2. He also realizes that these men were not of God. iii. 6: 15 – 19 1. Nehemiah was not thrown off of his task and he saw the wall to completion. a. His exhaustion, stress, and pressure didn’t detour him from his work. 2. Sometimes we are so easily detoured from God. a. The smallest problem can pull our focus from God, then our lives seem to spiral down. VII. Sixth Prayer (13: 29) VIII. Seventh Prayer (5: 19; 13: 14, 22, 31) IX. Effectiveness of Prayer a. PRAYER b. Effectiveness. c. Prayer has power over everything. Why? i. God can intelligently act in any part of the universe or human history. Although some people think prayer is a waste of time, the Bible declares that "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16). d. Prayer meets inner needs. i. One who prays will receive freedom from fear (Ps 118:5-6), strength of soul (Ps 138:3), guidance and satisfaction (Isa 58:9-11), wisdom and understanding (Dan 9:20-27), deliverance from harm (Joel 2:32), reward (Matt 6:6), good gifts (Luke 11:13), fullness of joy (John 16:23-24), peace (Phil 4:6-8), and freedom from anxiety (1 Peter 5:7). e. Is prayer effective only in the inner lives of those who pray? No, prayer can make a difference in the lives of others. i. Biblical writers believed prayer for others could result in greater wisdom and power (Eph 1:18-19); inward strength, knowledge of Christ's love, filling with God's fullness (Eph 3:16-19); discernment, approval of what is excellent, filling with the fruits of righteousness (Phil 1:9-11); knowledge of God's will, spiritual understanding, a life pleasing to God, fruitfulness, endurance, patience, joy (Col 1:9-12); a quiet, peaceable life (1 Tim 2:1-2); love for one another and all people, holiness before God (1 Thess 3:10-13); comfort and establishment in every good word and work (2 Thess 2:16-17); love for God, steadfastness in Christ (2 Thess 3:5); the sharing of one's faith, promotion of the knowledge of all that is good (Philem 6); and equipment for every good work that is pleasing to God (Heb 13:20-21). f. Some people who think prayer can affect others question the ability of God to change His usual patterns in the physical world. But some prayers in the Bible changed nature and physical bodies. g. Jabez prayed for enlarged borders and protection from harm (1 Chron 4:10). Other people in the Bible prayed for deliverance from trouble (Ps 34:15-22), deliverance from both poverty and riches (Prov 30:7-9), deliverance from the belly of a great fish (Jonah 2:7-10), daily bread (Matt 6:11), preservation and sanctification of spirit, soul, and body (1 Thess 5:23), the healing of the sick (James 5:14-15), and the ending of the rain and its beginning again (James 5:17-18).difference in how God acts in the world! X. Invitation a. There is power in prayer i. When the disciples prayed, the building around them shook (Acts 4:31) and an earthquake opened the doors of their prison (Acts 16:25-26). Our prayers do make a difference in how God acts in the world! b. Matt 7:7-8 i. 7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. ii. Whatever your heart wills for then you will have it if you ask God for it. iii. Key – is that you must have the heart of God and know him. c. How can you have the heart of God and have everything granted to you? i. Rom 10:9 1. that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; a. You must form a relationship with Jesus, by asking him to forgive your sins through prayer. 2. Why must we ask Jesus? a. Acts 4:12 i. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."