Prayer

I have a sermon this morning that I have entitled simply, Prayer. We know as God's children, prayer is a very serious privilege that has been bestowed upon us. I believe the disciples only asked the Lord to teach them one thing and that was prayer. As we find in Luke 11:1-2, “…Lord, teach us to pray…”.

The question may arise, what is prayer? Some may think that the attempt to define prayer is something that is pretty difficult to do, but it's like anything that God has created, complete knowledge of it may be beyond our understanding, but we still benefit from trying to study it. Much like, for example, the human body is beyond our complete understanding, but we still study it. Just like a simple plant. People today, even though a plant is a simple form of life, people still study them. I don't think anybody has complete knowledge.

What is prayer not? I’d start out with prayer is not a bellhop to get out of trouble. Prayer is not merely a psychological release of our pent up emotions. Prayer is not a stump speech that we want to give to God, demanding or commanding him to give us our whims or our desires. Prayer is not a kind of vehicle to display one's proficient knowledge of the language or one's sufficient knowledge of the Bible, even. Prayer is not just for our desires.

What is a good definition of prayer? Someone has said prayer is a line of communication between God and man. That's a simple definition, but it sounds pretty good. Someone else has said prayer is God's love device to maintain fellowship with man. It could be said that prayer is asking, seeking and knocking. This morning, I'd like to read in the beginning here a number of scriptures to help us get an idea of what prayer is.

Starting with Matthew 7:7-8 where it says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

Now, I'd like for us to take a journey to First Kings 17:1; 18:41-46, then we will go into James. First, I Kings 17:1. “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”

Then I Kings 18:41, “And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 42. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43. And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 44. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not. 45. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. 46. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”—First Kings 18:41-46.

Let's look at James 5:17-18. “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

One more, Luke 18:1-7, “1. And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2. Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3. And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5. Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?”

The way I understand it, the Lord wants us to be individuals that are diligent in prayer. We are not to just ask the Lord or go before the Lord just one time. We are to continue to ask our Lord. We are not just to seek Him one time. We are to continue to seek the face of our Lord. We're not to knock just one time, but the Lord will have us to keep on knocking—be persistent. Now consider the widow's conduct. This widow was one thing, at least. She was persistent. She troubled this wicked judge. This may be an individual who was without a conscience. He did not fear God. Neither did he regard man. He didn't care much about man, but this widow was not deterred because of this judge's conduct. She continued to come before this judge. She didn't give up. What we should gather from this is, unlike the judge, our God is a loving God. He cares about us. Therefore, how much more should we be persistent in our prayers before him?

Consider Elijah's prayer. This was a great man. After praying that there would be no rain, later for the first time when he prayed the first time, no rain came. He didn't quit. He prayed a second time, and again, no rain appeared, but he didn't quit. Then he prayed a third time, and, of course, no rain came at that time. He still did not quit. This man of God prayed the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh time. Then the Lord answered his prayer and there was rain. Many people probably would have given up earlier than Elijah.

Some people would have perhaps given up the very first time and began to think that maybe God does not exist. He did not hear my prayer. Some may give up thinking God don't love me, therefore I'm going to stop praying. Some may conclude that maybe they committed some sin they are unaware of, and therefore, God is not answering their prayer. Some may say or think that they're not good enough, therefore God is not hearing my prayer. We must remember that God is not like man. Peter says. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” That's Acts 10:34-35

Notice God is no respecter of person. In other words, he shows no favoritism. He heard Elijah's prayer and he also will hear our prayers. As long as we are individuals that fear God and as long as we are individuals that work righteousness, our prayers will be heard just like Elijah's prayers were heard many years ago. This means, of course, that we're living for Christ, that we are doing God's will, that we are 100% committed to the Lord. If we want God to hear our prayers, we must constantly keep in mind His will. That's very important.

Notice what we read in First John 5:14-15. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

We must remember that prayer is not an avenue to get whatever we simply desire. There is a poet that has written these words; He says, I ask for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for help that I might do great things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might enjoy all things. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for. Despite myself, my prayers were answered. I am among all things most richly blessed.

The author is unknown. God is out for our best, not necessarily for the things that we desire. Therefore, prayer must be within God's will. Prayer is a great privilege. Before men can fully appreciate what prayer is and what it means, I think we need to know some things about God. First, we must know God. Notice these scriptures.

“Jesus said, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.” John 8:54-55.

Again “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” John 14:6-7

One more, First John 2:13-14. “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one”

Knowledge of God is crucial. It is crucial. It is necessary. The Jews did not know Him at least in an intimate way that should have been revealed in their lives. Knowledge is equal to access. In the general sense, without knowing God, people cannot know how best to approach God. A person may have general ideas about God. The lost may cry for mercy. The lost may cry to know God, but no man can expect God to hear him if he don't want to know God in an intimate way. Personally, I believe, to know God means that first I must know Jesus.

To know Jesus means to know God's will. To know God's will means I know how to pray. The early disciples knew Jesus, and consequently they knew the father. By knowing the father, they could go to him with confidence. They could go to him with confidence because it was according to a proper knowledge. We must get to know God.

What is your concept of God? What is your knowledge of God? Let's consider some things that should mold our concept of who God is. First, God owes His existence to no one. The Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” That's John 1:1-3.

God owes His existence to no one. There is no beginning for God. The Bible says all things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. I think that's pretty clear. Everything made was made by God the father, or you could say God the son. It was made by the God head therefore He wasn't made by anyone. We should be mindful of this. God is accountable to no one. There's no one higher than God. There's no one that we can appeal to above God. God answers to no one… You know what? Everyone answers to God. Every person, you and I, and every person on this planet answers to God, but God answers to no one.

Next God has no need to depend upon anyone. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty”. Revelation 1:8.

In life, man is born depending upon others, and he dies depending upon others. A child depends upon his parents. In essence, he depends upon God indirectly. An adult depends upon others in life. Ultimately he depends upon God as well to even help sustain him. God has never needed others. God created the earth. He did it alone. He did not need an aid or someone to help him in making the earth. He did not have helpers. Unlike man, God has no parents. God is the beginning. God has no end. There's no death for God. Everything starts with God, and everything shall end with God.

Next, God has learned from no one.

“I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.” Proverbs 8:12.

That's wisdom speaking.
Then Proverbs 8:22-30 says, “22. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26. While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28. When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29. When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30. Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;”
A couple more, Isaiah 40:13. “Who hath directed the spirit of the Lord, or being his counseller hath taught him?”

Then First Corinthians 2:16, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

Everybody has to sit at the feet of another. One can argue that Adam had sat at the feet of his creator, God. Every person has to learn from someone else, even those who would be considered geniuses among us. They have to learn from someone else. No one is so smart that they do not need someone else in their lives for them to learn.

Think about it. God knew all. He learned from no one… no one at all. From the beginning, He possessed wisdom. Before all His works of old, God possessed wisdom. He did not need a counselor. He did not need a teacher. He did not need someone to give Him directions. God did not have to go to the equivalent of Home Depot to get instructions on how to create the mountains or the deep. He did not need such help.

Next, with God, nothing is impossible. “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” – Mark 10:27. With God, all things, all things are possible.

Just to consider what we know that God has created is mind boggling. Think about the heavens, the space, and how it is expanding, expanding at a rate, as I understand it, faster than the speed of light. We would never be able to view or touch the end of the heavens or the space.
He's the creator of the earth, the skies that we gaze upon, the land that we walk upon, the mountains that sometimes we try to climb, the waters that we love to find ourselves within, and all the creatures that we have discovered, and not to mention those that we haven't discovered that God has created. Since nothing is impossible, you know God, if he so chose, he still can make new creatures. That's how nothing is impossible with God. He created all that we know and understand and beyond that.

God is everywhere. The Bible says in Psalms 139:7-12, “7. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8. If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10. Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”

Next, God is everywhere. He is in the heavens, beyond our reach. He is also in the depths of the ocean, in the middle of the ocean, places that we have not placed our feet upon. We can say God is there. God is throughout the earth, and we cannot run from him, we cannot hide from him, and we cannot escape His presence. That is very significant.

Next, God is all knowing. Again in Psalms 139:1-4 says, “1. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.”

God knows all about us. There's nothing about us that He does not know. God has searched me, and He knows me. God also has searched you, and He knows you. God has searched me. He understands my thoughts from afar off. God also knows your thoughts from afar off. He's acquainted with all my ways, good and bad. He is also acquainted with all your ways, whether they're good or bad.

Before a word is on my tongue, before I say a word, he knows it before I utter it. It’s the same for you. Before a word is on your tongue, He knows it all too well. Having this knowledge should impact how we view God, first of all, and also how we pray to God.

The things mentioned does not cover all that there is to know about God. There's obviously much more about God for us to understand. As God's children, we have the privilege that very few people truly have. Yes, there are hundreds or millions probably that pray daily. How many are praying according to biblical knowledge? How many, even among God's people are praying according to biblical knowledge? Unfortunately, I think we can say that probably not everybody's praying according to biblical knowledge.

A spiritual growing congregation is a praying congregation. Numbers are not always a true representation of spiritual growth. It's a congregation that looks to Christ for His guidance, looks to Christ for its strength. It's a congregation with courage to face sin when they see it. It's a congregation that has Christian character and is willing to deal with difficult problems without strife among God's people. All this starts with knowing God today.

How is your prayer life? One thing is for sure, if we're living in sin, we don't have an effective prayer life. One's prayer just goes no further than the ceiling. If one is living in sin. Sin is something that hinders prayer. It stops our prayers if we're ignoring sin in our lives. God is ignoring our prayers. Until you are willing to confess, repent, turn from your sins, your prayers will go unanswered. They will go unanswered. Basically, you're wasting your time. That's something to think about. You're wasting your time if you're in sin and you're praying to God and you never obeyed the gospel. Your prayers only reach the ceiling.

Your sins hinder your prayers from being answered. Unless you are willing to know God in an intimate way by obeying the gospel, your prayers will continue to be unanswered.

“Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.” John 9:31

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil”. First Peter 3:12

If we choose to do evil, we need to understand that the Lord face is against us. He is not for us.

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” That's Acts 10:34-35.

Another scripture says, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24

If you're here today and you have never obeyed the gospel, you need to know that you are in sin and you need your sins to be removed. The only way to have your sins removed is by obeying the gospel.

The gospel says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:16

We also need to repent of our sins and to confess our sins and then be baptized for the remission or the forgiveness of our sins. If we choose to do that, the Lord will add us to His church, the body, as we find in Acts chapter 2.

If you are a member of the church and you have not been faithful, or you stand in need of prayer for any reason, we encourage you to come forward as we to sing this song of invitation. Thank you.