Tag Archives: prayer

Friday Proverb – The Desire of the Righteous

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preaching

As believers, our natural inborn tendency leans towards works of self-indulgence, rather than works of righteousness.  The struggle within us, mirrors the twins  (Esau and Jacob)  wrestling within their mother, Rebekah.  It is a continuous battle between our flesh, and God’s Holy Spirit.  The strength of one over the other, depends entirely on what we feed them.  If we indulge our flesh with worldly fare, the Spirit will become weaker.  These Proverb studies, and other such materials, are intended to feed the Spirit of true believers. 

Proverbs 11:23

 The desire of the righteous is only good:

As born-again Christians, we have the Righteousness of Christ within us.  We Have no righteousness of our own.  The holy righteousness living inside you, desires only good.  If the Holy Spirit is your dominant “twin” you will desire only good.  On the other-hand, if the flesh is the dominant twin, you will desire the opposite of what is good.

For example, when pondering the evil antics of worldly politicians and other leaders, do you sometimes fantasize that a lightening bolt, or some other act of God, would strike them down, and put them out of your misery?  If someone has wronged you – do you long for them to “get what’s coming to them”? 

Beloveds – that kind of attitude is your flesh talking.  The best thing to do is rebuke it, and turn to the Lord in prayer.  Rather than wishing for revenge, or “inexorable justice” on the workers of iniquity, why not pray for them?  Pray for the most evil of them.  Yes, it is true, that some individuals are beyond redemption, but that is not for us to determine.  It is for us to pray, and pray, and pray.

but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

 

The lost have a truly bleak future in eternity.  As the children of God, we should not desire that for anyone.  Though your prayers for the wicked may seem like they go unanswered, it is a fact, that if your heart is right with the Lord, He hears all your prayers, even if you are praying for the worst miscreant in the world.  We should desire their good, and the only good for them, is salvation in Jesus Christ.  It is a terrible, awful, thing – when someone dies in their sins.  And when you pray for that lost soul – make sure you mean it.

1 Timothy 2:1-3

2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour

Please reread verse 2 again – do you see what that says?  It is conditional.  If we don’t pray for those in authority over us – we will have persecution!  Obviously, the Body of Christ has dropped the ball on this one.

sage

For the Lord’s Day – Yes I Know

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  1. Come, ye sinners, lost and hopeless, Jesus’ blood can make you free; For He saved the worst among you, When He saved a wretch like me.
    • Refrain: And I know, yes, I know Jesus’ blood can make the vilest sinner clean, And I know, yes, I know Jesus’ blood can make the vilest sinner clean.
  2. To the faint He giveth power, Through the mountains makes a way; Findeth water in the desert, Turns the night to golden day.
  3. In temptation He is near thee, Holds the pow’rs of hell at bay; Guides you to the path of safety, Gives you grace for every day.
  4. He will keep thee while the ages Roll throughout eternity; Though earth hinders and hell rages, All must work for good to thee.

We only know that the wonderful words and music to this hymn were written by a lady name Anna W. Waterman, in 1920. . .

From a home with one brother and one sister, Charles Waterman’s urge was to see the country. This took him to hitchhiking on the railroad to California. He was influenced by the worldly crowd and gave himself to become an alcoholic. Even as such, he worked his way up to become an engineer on the steam locomotive. He married Anna, who had a Christian background and did what she could to keep the testimony before him. Anna was discouraged at the path her husband followed because it was causing him to miss work on some of his hangovers. So she asked a lady in her town in California to meet with her and help her pray for Charles to be saved. His wild life went on for three or more years and one night he became frightened while under the influence and when he finally arrived at home, he told Anna he wanted to be saved. She immediately called her friend who came over to their home and they led him to the Lord. He begged the Lord for forgiveness and to clean up his life, which the Lord did. The happiness that followed caused Anna to write this song. A book with over 30 other songs was collected and published. They visited in Lodi, Fountain County, Indiana, and at the Baptist Church, later named Waterman Baptist Church. http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/y/e/s/yesiknow.htm

Hebrews 7:25

 Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

sage

For the Lord’s Day – Whiter than Snow

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https://youtu.be/py1mm5Zrt3I?si=mxbyHtsfiZK67Xd3

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,
Apply Thine own blood and extract every stain;
To get this blest cleansing, I all things forego—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make a complete sacrifice.
I give up myself, and whatever I know,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat,
I wait, blessèd Lord, at Thy crucified feet.
By faith, for my cleansing, I see Thy blood flow,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait,
Come now, and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought Thee, Thou never saidst No,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

The blessing by faith, I receive from above;
O glory! my soul is made perfect in love;
My prayer has prevailed, and this moment I know,
The blood is applied, I am whiter than snow.

Refrain

This hymn was written in 1872 by James Nicholson, who lived in Washington D. C. He was a dedicated Christian and was active in the Wharton Street Methodist Episcopal Church as a Sunday school and evangelistic worker.

The tune was written by Philadelphia musician named William Gustavus Fischer who was a popular song leader for revival meetings. He also composed the tune for “I love to tell the story”.

The hymn is based on Ps51:7 – “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

http://www.hymnpod.com/2009/06/04/whiter-than-snow/

This beautiful hymn tells the salvation story from start to finish.  It contains all three elements of true repentance:

  1. change of mind
  2. change of heart
  3. change of will

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, now is the time to get right with the Lord.  In all sincerity – there is no better time than right now.

https://thevinevigil.com/2014/07/24/repentance-introduction/

Psalm 51:6-8

6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

sage

For the Lord’s Day – Sweet Hour of Prayer

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Click “Watch on Youtube” to hear this lovely hymn!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

Short Name: W. W. Walford
Full Name: Walford, W. W (William W.), 1772-1850
Birth Year: 1772
Death Year: 1850

William W. Walford, a blind preacher of England, is the author of the hymn beginning “Sweet hour of prayer.” This hymn first appeared in print in the New York Observer September 13, 1845. The contributor who furnished the hymn says:

“During my residence at Coleshill, Warwickshire, England, I became acquainted with W. W. Walford, the blind preacher, a man of obscure birth and connections and no education, but of strong mind and most retentive memory. In the pulpit he never failed to select a lesson well adapted to his subject, giving chapter and verse with unerring precision, and scarcely ever misplacing a word in his repetition of the Psalms, every part of the New Testament, the prophecies, and some of the histories, so as to have the reputation of knowing the whole Bible by heart.”

Rev. Thomas Salmon, who was settled as the pastor of the Congregational Church at Coleshill in 1838, remained until 1842, and then removed to the United States, is believed to have been the contributor who says of the hymn: “I rapidly copied the lines with my pencil as he uttered them, and send them for insertion in the Observer if you think them worthy of preservation.”

http://www.hymnary.org/person/Walford_WW

EPHESIANS 6:17-19

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel. . .

For the Lord’s Day – What a Friend We Have in Jesus

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I thought how this week’s studies were all focused on prayer and friendship with God, this seemed like just the right thing.  Praise Him! 

Click “Watch on Youtube” to hear this beloved hymn!

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Joseph Scriven

Joseph M. Scriven

Composer

Joseph Medlicott Scriven, was an Irish poet, best known as the writer of the poem which became the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. wikipedia.org

  • Born: September 10, 1819
  • Died: August 10, 1886

Irish born Joseph M. Scriven (1819-1896) was 25 years old, in love and to be married. The day before his wedding his fiance died in a tragic drowning accident. Heartbroken, Joseph sailed from his homeland to start a new life in Canada. While in Canada working as a teacher, he fell in love again and became engaged to Eliza Roche, a relative of one of his students. Once again, Joseph’s hopes and dreams were shattered when Eliza became ill and died before the wedding could take place.

Although one can only imagine the turmoil within this young man, history tells us that his faith in God sustained him. Soon after Eliza’s death Joseph joined the Plymouth Brethren and began preaching for a Baptist church. He never married, but spent the remainder of his life giving all his time, money and even the clothes off his own back to help the less fortunate and to spread the love and compassion of Jesus wherever he went.

Around the same time that Eliza died, Joseph received word from Ireland that his mother was ill. He could not go to be with her, so he wrote a letter of comfort and enclosed one of his poems entitled What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Many years later a friend was sitting with Joseph, as he was very ill. During this visit, the friend was very impressed when he ran across his poems, including What a Friend We Have in Jesus. As a result of this visit, almost 30 years after his letter of comfort to his mother, Joseph’s poems were published in a book called Hymns and Other Verses. Soon thereafter, noted musician Charles C. Converse (1834-1918) put music to one of those poems: What a Friend We Have in Jesus.  http://hishymnhistory.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-friend-we-have-in-jesus.html

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

For the Lord’s Day – Cleanse Me (Search Me, O God)

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In keeping with the theme of yesterday’s Bible study on sanctification, this hymn came as the perfect enhancement. 

Search me, O God,
And know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior,
Know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be
Some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin
And set me free.

I praise Thee, Lord,
For cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word,
And make me pure within.
Fill me with fire
Where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire
To magnify Thy Name.

Lord, take my life,
And make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart
With Thy great love divine.
Take all my will,
My passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord
In me abide.

O Holy Ghost,
Revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival,
Start the work in me.
Thy Word declares
Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now,
O Lord, I humbly plead.

    James Edwin Orr (January 15, 1912 – April 22, 1987)[1] was a Baptist Christian minister, hymn-writer, professor, author[2] and promoter of Church revival and renewal

He was a professor in the School of World Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary where he taught courses in the history of missions to career missionaries.

James Edwin Orr was born in 1912. His education includes earned doctorates from universities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, including the Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford University and the Ed. D. from U.C.L.A. in 1971.

In his many travels, Dr. Orr has visited a hundred and fifty countries, including the Soviet Union, and has been in two-thirds of the world’s six hundred major cities.

Despite these numerous life-long accomplishments, J. Edwin Orr will no doubt be best remembered as author of a simple, revival hymn text—“Cleanse Me.”

Dr. Orr recalls that he wrote the Cleanse Me text, in 1936, during an intense movement of the Holy Spirit at the Easter, revival convention in Ngaruawahia, New Zealand—

For some time prior to this Easter campaign, an attitude of unusual expectancy had been prevalent among these people. Prayer meetings spread throughout the city with much fervency, and intercession led to wide-spread confession and reconciliation among the believers. Great numbers of unconverted students professed faith in Christ. The next night was given over to exultant testimony, with singing such as one expects in heaven.

The revival news soon spread throughout all of New Zealand. Dr. Orr reports that as he was leaving New Zealand, four Aborigine girls approached and sang for him a beautiful Maori Song of Farewell.

Mr. Orr was so impressed with the beauty of this Polynesian melody that soon afterward he wrote new verses to the tune on the back of an envelope. The text was based on the familiar words of Scripture found in Psalm 139:23-24:

       Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Further campaigns by Dr. Orr throughout Australia in the 1930s and later in nearly all of the English-speaking world, soon popularized this prayer hymn everywhere.  http://www.tanbible.com/tol_sng/sng_cleanseme.htm

PSALM 139:23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

For the Lord’s Day – Rock of Ages

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Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
[originally When my eye-strings break in death]
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

rock_of_ages

Augustus Montague Toplady (1740 to 1778), was an unusual child. His father died when he was very young and so he was raised by his mother who adored and spoiled him. He was not very well liked by his peers or his relatives, partly because they did not relate to his extreme intelligence, and partly because he was sickly and neurotic.

Controversy followed Toplady throughout his short 38 years of life, but he did not let that stop him. At a very young age he showed a keen interest in developing a relationship with God. By age 12 he was preaching sermons, and at age 14 he began writing hymns. He was ordained as an Anglican priest at the age of 22. Although some thought him to be arrogant and obstinate, excerpts from his writings verify that he was a devoted and humble follower of Christ.

an excerpt from his personal journal, at age 27:
O, my Lord let not my ministry be approved only, or tend to be no more than conciliating the esteem and affections of my people to Thy unworthy messenger; but to do the work of Thy grace upon their hearts: call in Thy chosen; seal and edify Thy regenerate; and command Thy everlasting blessing upon their souls! Save me from self-opinion, and from self-seeking; and may they cease from man, and look solely upon Thee. (faithclipart.com)

1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.

3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

4 In His hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is His also.

5 The sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land.

6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. Psalm 95: 1-6

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the Stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the Head of the corner, 8 And a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 1 Peter 2: 6-8

I Need Thee Every Hour

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As I sit hear alone, I am overwlemed with this song. Truly, I need Him every hour. A short story about the author as you listen but please don’t miss the words.

Annie Hawks wrote:
“One day as a young wife and mo­ther of 37 years of age, I was bu­sy with my reg­u­lar house­hold tasks. Sud­den­ly, I be­came so filled with the sense of near­ness to the Mast­er that, won­der­ing how one could live with­out Him, ei­ther in joy or pain, these words, “I Need Thee Ev­e­ry Hour,” were ush­ered in­to my mind, the thought at once tak­ing full pos­sess­ion of me.”

After writ­ing the lyr­ics, Hawks gave them to her pas­tor, Ro­bert Low­ry, who add­ed the tune and re­frain. The hymn was first pub­lished at the Na­tion­al Bap­tist Sun­day School Con­ven­tion in Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio, in No­vem­ber 1872. Some years lat­er, af­ter the death of her hus­band, Hawks wrote:

“I did not un­der­stand at first why this hymn had touched the great throb­bing heart of hu­man­i­ty. It was not un­til long af­ter, when the sha­dow fell over my way, the sha­dow of a great loss, that I un­der­stood some­thing of the com­fort­ing pow­er in the words which I had been per­mit­ted to give out to others in my hour of sweet se­ren­i­ty and peace.”

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord No tender voice  like Thine can peace afford

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby Temptations lose  their power When Thou art nigh

I need thee, oh, I need thee, every hour I need Thee I need  thee, I need thee, I need Thee every hour

I need Thee every hour in joy or pain Come quickly and abide  or life is in vain I need Thee, oh, I need Thee, every hour I need Thee I  need Thee, I need Thee, I need Thee every hour I need Thee, I need Thee, I  need Thee every hour

Oh, bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee Oh, bless me  now, my Savior, I come to Thee I need Thee every hour, teach me Thy will And Thy rich promises in me fulfill

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee Oh I need Thee every hour I  need Thee, I need Thee, I need Thee every hour I need Thee, I need Thee, I  need Thee every hour

Oh, bless me now, my Savior, I come to  Thee

How to Witness for Him – #6 – Giving the Invitation

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Revelation 22:17

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

SUGGESTIONS FOR GIVING THE INVITATION:

  After sharing  God’s Plan of Salvation, invite the person to whom you are witnessing, to accept, by faith,   the Lord Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior.   You can ask them to kneel with you, but no pressure!  If you just get down on your knees, it is likely that they will follow – but it is not necessary.  If you are on an airplane, or in a foxhole, kneeling is not going to happen.  You lead the way! 

While you are kneeling, or other posture of reverence, out loud, pray that the Lord will convict him of his sinfulness, and bring him to a state of repentance.  If he does not follow you, then arise and make another appointment to meet with him again.  If he does follow you to his knees, ask the Lord to save him now.  You will need to lead him – like a baby.  Yes – even coach- if need be.  Just be sure, that however you do it, that he/she acknowledges the complete Gospel.  Be sure he:

  1. Admits God loves him
  2. Admits Christ died bearing his sins
  3. Thanks the Lord for convicting him
  4. Admits that he is a sinner
  5. Admits that he is dead in sins
  6. Admits that he cannot save himself
  7. Cries out to the Lord to save him

 Please don’t be preoccupied with the “sinner’s prayer.”  Let the Holy Spirit lead you, as you lead the lost one to his Savior.  The prayer should flow from the heart – not a prescribed formula from an “expert.”

When you finish leading him through prayer, stand up, and ask him – “Did you by faith accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?”  If he says yes, confirm it  – “Upon the authority of God’s Word you are now a child of God.”  Give thanks and praise to God!

Romans 10:13

 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Study of Prayer – #6 – Does God Answer All Prayer?

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Our Bible is filled with answered prayers from beginning to end.  We are commanded to pray, and God has promised to answer:

JEREMIAH 33:3

3 Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

IN THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURE, THERE ARE TWO REQUIREMENTS FOR ANSWERED PRAYER. 

JOHN 15:7

7 If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Firstly,  we are to abide in Him – that is – to continue in Him: remaining in His perfect will at all cost. 

ROMANS 12:1-2

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Secondly, His Words are to abide in us, becoming a vital part of our lives.  We are to be filled with – and guided by – His Words. 

COLOSSIANS 3:16-17

16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

IF YOU MEET THE TWO REQUIREMENTS – YOUR PRAYERS WILL BE ANSWERED

1. Sometimes – the answer is immediate.  Peter walked on water to go to Jesus, and as he began to sink, he prayed, “Lord, save me.”  The answer was immediate. 

MATTHEW 14:22-31

22 And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.

23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone.

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.

29 And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

2. Sometimes – the answer is delayed.  ANY delay is according to His perfect will. 

ROMANS 8:28

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

A good example of delayed answer to prayer is the resurrection of Lazarus.  Mary and Martha sent for Jesus because Lazarus was sick – and Jesus delayed His visit until Lazarus was dead and in the tomb for four days.   Then He raised him from the dead.  The answer was delayed – not denied. 

3. Sometimes – the answer is no.  When God answers with a “no,”  He always accompanies that “no” answer with peace and grace – if you will receive it!   

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

4.  Sometimes – the answer is different than what we expected!   Pray for patience – and God sends you tribulation. 

ROMANS 5:3

humility 2

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience. . .

God answers all of our prayers – not according to our wishes – but according to His perfect will. 

This concludes The Study of Prayer.    Coming up next – A thorough study of faith.

Study of Prayer – #5 – Hindrances to Prayer

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Unanswered prayer is something that every believer encounters in some respect.  But is it really unanswered – or something else?  When prayers go unanswered – we must examine ourselves in the light of God’s Word.  After thorough examination, we are likely to find something that is not pleasing to the Lord.  The solution is to confess it, earnestly believing God for forgiveness that our prayers may be answered. 

1 JOHN 1:9

 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 THE FIVE HINDRANCES TO PRAYER FOUND IN SCRIPTURE:

1. An unharmonious relationship between husband and wife will hinder prayer. 

1 PETER 3:1-7

3 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the Word, they also may without the Word be won by the conversation of the wives;

2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

2. Selfishness will hinder prayer. 

JAMES 4:3

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

3. An unforgiving spirit will hinder prayer.  So many Christians go without answers to prayer because they have sinned against others, or have been wronged themselves, and have failed to humble themselves and seek reconciliation.   

MATTHEW 5:22-24

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

4. Unbelief will hinder prayer. 

JAMES 1:6-7

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

HEBREWS 11:6

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

5. Known sin in the heart will hinder prayer.

ISAIAH 59:1-2

59 Behold, the Lord‘s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.

PSALM 66:18

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

When we pray, we must go to God in all humility –    asking  Him to reveal anything in our lives that is not pleasing to Him.  Then judge it, confess it, calling it by name!  And then – forsake it.  Pray in simplicity and earnestness, believing: and then God will hear and answer.  

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Study of Prayer – #4 – Where to Pray

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Anyone who reads the Book of Acts can see the remarkable change in the prayer life of the disciples after the resurrection of Jesus.  It is noted again after Pentecost.  Please consider: Before the death of Jesus, the disciples slept while Jesus prayed  in the Garden.  Matt. 26:36-46

BUT AFTER HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION –

1. They assembled in the Upper Room, waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit.  And they prayed!  We should always pray when assembled with other believers. 

ACTS 1:13-14

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.

2. They prayed as they went from house to house. 

ACTS 2:42-47

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

3. They prayed in the church when Peter was in prison. 

ACTS 12:5

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

4. Paul and Silas prayed (and sang) while they were in prison.  Here, we see Christians praying in the presence of unbelievers – but not for the purpose of being heard of them!  Never pray to please others who may be present – pray only to please God.  

ACTS 16:25

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

5. The most important place to pray?  Anywhere you can be alone with God! 

MATTHEW 6:6

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

6. We are instructed to pray in all places and at all times. 

1 TIMOTHY 2:8

8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

What joy it is indeed, to be able to talk with God, any time, any place and under any conditions or circumstances – and know that He will hear and answer!  

second coming

Coming up next – hindrances to prayer. 

Study of Prayer – #3 – How to Pray

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Is there a way to pray that will cause God to listen?  Are the rote prayers of the Anglicans and Roman Catholics actually heard by God?  Let’s find out! 

AFTER THIS MANNER THEREFORE PRAY YE:

Our Lord gave this prayer as a model, after one of His disciples asked Him – “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.”

MATTHEW 6:9-13

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

1. We are to pray to “Our Father which is in heaven,” because He is all-wise, all-loving and all-powerful.  And we are instructed to pray in the name of Jesus. . .

JOHN 14:13-14

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.

. . . depending on the mediative influence of the Holy Spirit.

ROMANS 8:26-27

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

2. We are to pray for the coming of the Kingdom.  Please note that this occurs after the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth.

MATTHEW 25:31-46

31 When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:

32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink?

38 When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee?

39 Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.

41 Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not.

44 Then shall they also answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee?

45 Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

4. We are to pray for daily necessities.

5. We are to pray for forgiveness, and practice forgiving others.

6. We are to pray for the leading of the LORD, and deliverance from evil.

7. We are to pray in faith.

HEBREWS 11:5-8

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

The model prayer given to us by The LORD is brief, to the point, and NOT repetitious!   It is the “prayer perfect.”  It is not to be recited by rote – it is an ideal example of what should flow from the believer’s heart when communing with His Creator.  

AFTER THIS MANNER THEREFORE PRAY YE:

Please, please – do not use this as a rote prayer!  It is to be done – “after this manner,” not recited! 

sparrows

Next up in the study series – Where to pray.

Study of Prayer – #2 – Why Pray?

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As we move through this study series, the answer to the title question will be obvious to most believers.  Yet, we can delve into the “why” a little deeper.  And we should delve as deep as we can if we are past the milk stage and ready for solid meat.  Immature Christians will not want to know that much about it – their lives are consumed with worldly cares.  If you consider yourself a more mature believer – come along into the “deep things of God.”

Luke 18:1 

And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint

1. We pray because Jesus said to.  “Men ought always to pray.”  That is not a suggestion – it is an imperative.  We are commanded to pray –

Matthew 26:41

 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

2. We pray because it is the only way to get things from God. 

James 4:2

 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3. We pray because prayer will deliver us out of all our troubles.

Psalm 34:6

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

4. We pray because there is joy in prayer.

John 16:24

 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

5. We pray because prayer can unlock the treasure chest of God’s wisdom.

James 1:5

 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6. We pray because prayer is a channel of power. 

Jeremiah 33:3

 Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

7. We pray, because it is a sin NOT to pray. 

1 Samuel 12:23

 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

8. We pray because sinners can be saved when they pray in faith.

Romans 10:13-14

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

9. We pray because Jesus Christ, while here in the flesh, prayed often to the Father –  how much more should we in our sinful flesh, “pray without ceasing?” 

1 Thessalonians 5:17

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 Pray without ceasing.

There it is – the most important reason why we pray.  If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to pray – it behooves us to be as like Him as we can possibly be. 

Study of Prayer – #1 – What is Prayer?

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In the beautiful communion we have with The LORD, called “prayer,” something deeply intimate occurs between the believer and his Maker.  Prayer is asking and receiving; it is talking on a one to One basis with the Sovereign Creator of the universe.  When we pray – we make our requests known  unto Him in faith. 

MATTHEW 7:7

 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

On the surface, the above verse is very simple.  But is it simple?  No.  Therein lies the danger.  On the surface, the Scripture is very simple, so simple in fact, that we are in danger of not recognizing Its immensity.  The LORD instructs (it is an imperative statement or command) believers to ask, then seek, and then knock. 

ASK – SEEK – KNOCK – THESE THREE WORDS COVER THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF PRAYER

Prayer is asking and receiving.  When you know the will of God regarding a need, spiritual or material, you can ask and receive.   This is prayer according to the revealed will of God. 

1 JOHN 5:14-15

14 And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:
15 And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.

Prayer is seeking and finding.  When you do not know the will of God regarding a need, material or spiritual, then you are to seek His will regarding this need until you find it!  This is prayer for the unrevealed will of God in a specific need. 

COLOSSIANS 3:1

 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 

JEREMIAH 29:12-13

12 Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.  

Prayer is knocking and opening.  When you know the will of God, yet find a closed door, you are to knock, and keep on knocking until God opens the door.  This is tenacious prayer – prayer for mountain moving faith.  Knocking prayer continues and perseveres until the impossible becomes the possible.  This is miracle-working prayer. 

MATTHEW 17:14-21

14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to Him a certain man, kneeling down to Him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to Thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to Me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

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All things are possible when you ask, seek, knock . . .

Study of Prayer – Introduction

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Question – What is as old as man, as universal as religion, and as instinctive as breathing? 

Prayer!

GENESIS 4:26

AND TO SETH, TO HIM ALSO THERE WAS BORN A SON; AND HE CALLED HIS NAME ENOS: THEN BEGAN MEN TO CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD.

Prayer is practiced in some form by all of mankind from all faiths.  It emerges from the heart expressing a need – a need greater than man’s ability to negotiate.  Prayer is an acknowledgement of a being higher than himself.

It may be surprising to some, that even though prayers are plenteous – most people don’t know how to pray.  Keep this thought in your mind as we progress through this study – there are only two kinds of prayer. 

In the Parable of the Pharisee and the publican – the LORD teaches us the two different kinds of prayer.

pharisee and the publican

LUKE 18:9-14

9 And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Both men – the Pharisee and the publican – went to the same place, at the same time, for the same purpose – PRAYER!

  1. The Pharisee prayed in his religious pride, expecting God to answer because he believed himself to be worthy.  He gave the LORD a litany of  his exemplary qualities:  his own goodness, he was so much better than others, his good works. “I fast, I give.”  This type of prayer does not reach God.  This is self-righteous prayer. 
  2. The publican, however, presents a much different prayer.  He comes before the LORD in great humility.  He is deeply aware of his sinfulness.  He demonstrates his unworthiness, confessing himself a sinner and begging for mercy.  This kind of prayer does reach God.  This is righteous prayer. 

Praying is a privilege.  In fact it is a rare privilege – because when done in humility as in the case of the publican – it brings you into close fellowship with God;  wherein  you admit your need for Him, and your utter dependence on Him.  And if you think about that from a purely practical standpoint – how is it that mere frail humans can commune with the omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, Godhead on such a personal level?  It is beyond comprehension – that is what it is.  If thinking about that does not humble you . . .

As this was only the introduction, we hope you come back for a deep, six part study on prayer, installed twice weekly.   We hope that it will bless you and enrich your prayer life, as well as strengthen your ministry to your families and others.