THE COMMUNION OF PRAYER (1)
December 14, 2003 AM
Sermon Outline
MK 1:32-35
INTRO: There are so many Biblical examples of people in prayer. And in the course of this series of lessons on the subject of prayer we will mention many of them. However, as I begin this series of lessons, it seems to me that we should recognize that Jesus epitomizes prayer in a persons life. For Jesus the communion of prayer was His lifeline with the Father. In our lesson text we see Him rising a great while before day to go to a quiet, solitary place to pray. Before the busy activities of a demanding day crowded into His life, He takes time to pray. His day began with the communion of prayer. May I share with you some reminders about prayer ... reminders which might refresh our own view of prayer.
I. THE PROMISE OF PRAYER ... GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS
A. 1 Jno 5:14,15 - ...this is the confidence that we have in him...
1. Ps 145:18,19 - this may be the place we should begin our study
2. do we have this confidence? or do we doubt?
3. over and again, the Bible assures that God hears & answers prayers
B. One of our problems? not giving God the room to answer
1. our mind set virtually requires Him to answer exactly as we ask
2. but that is not the promise of God - He answers, but He answers in ways best for the petitioner (according to his will)
3. Mt 26:39 - Jesus prayed for a very specific thing - but He gave God room to answer properly - if it be possible ... as thou wilt
II. THE POWER OF PRAYER ... THINGS HAPPEN
A. Jas 5:16b - ...fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much
1. why would inspiration say such a thing if it was not true?
2. true, we do not know the how of Gods answering - it will likely be along lines of natural processes over which He reigns (there are no doubt things in nature of which we are ignorant, too)
3. prayer will change things ... and, often, it changes us!
B. Prayers power is limited, however, by unbelief
1. prayers is dead when we do not believe in its power
2. Mk 9:23,24 - could this mans plea to Jesus just as well be ours?
3. note Mt 13:58 - let us not limit Gods power!
III. THE PERSEVERANCE OF PRAYER ... YOU MUST NOT STOP PRAYING
A. Lk 18:1-5 - ...men ought always to pray, and not to faint...
1. oh well, whats the use... - and prayers stop
2. spiritual maturity is keeping on even when it seems it is futile to go on
3. this woman continued pleading her case because she believed in it!
B. Could our prayers be too casual, too shallow, too infrequent?
1. this womans interest in prayer was very intense
2. there were no trite expressions, no doubts of efficacy of prayer
3. Col 4:2 - Continue in prayer...
IV. THE POINTEDNESS, PERTINENCE OF PRAYER - BE SPECIFIC
A. Acts 12:5,12 - ...prayer was made without ceasing ... for him
1. what was the subject of their prayers? they were gathered together...
2. about inflation? about weather? about crops? about grades? - now, these things may be pointed, relevant, pertinent at certain times
3. but these saints prayed about a right then grave concern for Peter
B. Our prayers, public and private, need this pointedness
1. our sick folks need to be named - situations on our minds should be mentioned freely, frequently
2. prayers become a form - formulaized - I fear they become rituals
3. prayers power, in a very large measure, depends on its pointedness, pertinence ... its importance to right now
CLOSE: Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray? If we want to grow in spiritual strength, if we want to see great things accomplished, if we want to feel and be nearer to God, I suggest we must renew and revitalize our view, our practice, our joy in the communion of prayer.
Cecil A. Hutson
14 December 2003