Four Things About Prayer (Psa. 17:1-2)

Read Psalm 17:1-2.

1.  God hears a just cause.
2.  God hears a sincere person.  The lips and heart match.  He asks for the right thing with the right motive.
3.  God alone answers prayer.
4.  God sees and knows what's going on.  You can trust Him.

Encouragement During Suffering (Gen. 21:17)

Read Genesis 21:17.

What you expect to read is "And God heard her voice."  Yes, He did, but that's not what the verse says.  It says, "And God heard the boy's voice."  (To my knowledge this is the only record of Ishmael's praying.  He probably did pray at other times, since Abraham would've modeled and encouraged that.)

1.  God hears the prayer of the one who suffers.
2.  God hears the prayer of the one who comes alongside the one who suffers.
3.  God not only hears your prayers but He responds to them.  He is full of compassion.

Psalm 3

Read Psalm 3.

In verses one and two David expresses what's happening around him.  He sees and hears the overwhelming hordes.  Now He has a choice to make.  Will he meditate upon their bad news, become intimidated, and attempt things in his own strength?  Will he turn to God? 

David chooses the second.  In the rest of the psalm he challenges a dark statement that got back to him:  "There is no help for him in God."

So David begins talking to God about the situation, about Who God is, and about what God does. Then David takes a nap.  When he wakes, he is reinvigorated.

David reminded himself or was reminded by God that certain things hadn't changed.  God was still the . . .

• Shield, Glory, Lifter (v. 3).
• One who hears and answers prayer (v. 4).
• Sustainer (v. 5).
• Security, Confidence, Remover of fear (v. 6).
• Savior, Deliverer (v. 7).
• Source of blessing (v. 8).

It is okay to tell God what He already knows about you, your situation and those causing it.  Be real.  Cry unto God.  Away with sterile prayers that only sound good!  Give your prayers some umph!  Then rest. Wait for God to change things.  Review what is true and good about God more than you review the misery of your situation.

Whatever It Takes (Jam. 5:16)

Read James 5:16.

Elijah prayed earnestly.  There is an obvious difference between saying prayers and praying earnestly. To pray earnestly is to pray with purpose, passion and surrender.  To pray earnestly is to be 100% set on what you want.  It is the posture of "whatever it takes."

Vep Ellis wrote a song that said this:  "Whatever it takes to draw closer to You, Lord, that's what I'd be willing to do."  Powerful!  Many are willing to do "whatever" unless it severely limits or inconveniences them.  Elijah decided that he was all-in when it came to "whatever it takes."  That's why he prayed earnestly for God to send a drought.

1.  When you get to the point of "whatever it takes", you should be prepared for loss, suffering or inconvenience.  The drought Elijah prayed for affected him too.

2.  When you get to the point of "whatever it takes", you should be prepared for provocation. When God answers your prayer, you will be held responsible for disrupting people's comforts, eliminating status quo.  Get ready for verbal vomit to be spewed your way.  Elijah was called "Troubler of Israel." I can hear the people:  "It's him.  He is the one to blame!  We're in this drought because he thinks he's better than we.  Seize him!"

3.  What will it take to stir you out of spiritual apathy?  The Church fights it because each believer fights it Monday through Saturday.  Perhaps even on Sunday.  Apathy is why many worship times never get off the ground.  Apathy is why no one is getting saved.  It is why many spectate instead of participate during the altar time.  Apathy is why you don't come to prayer meeting.

There are some for whom status quo is not enough and they have been praying, "Lord, whatever it takes!"  It is only a matter of time before God's answer arrives.

Psalm 81

Read Psalm 81.

Asaph begins with a call to worship (81:1-2), followed by instruction regarding a specific ritual (81:3-5).  Then, perhaps unexpectedly, Asaph hears God speak.  Verses 6-16 is a written transcript of what was said.  It reads similar to a prophecy.  The goal is not to scold but to encourage and to invite. There are two invitations: "Tell me" and "Trust me."  Open your mouth and tell God about your need. Trust Him to meet that meet.  Don't become self-sufficient, seeking man-made solutions.  Remember Who God is and all the great things He has done for you.  Believe that He has your best interests in mind.

Praying And Not Losing Heart (Lu. 18:1)

Read Luke 18:1.

1.  There are those who pray yet have lost heart.  They easily slip into formality, knowing better than to not pray, but don't really believe there is any point to it.

2.  There are those who have not lost heart yet do not pray.  They say they believe, yet there is little or no evidence to suggest dependence upon God.  These are optimistic but they don't pray.  When you do not take time to pray -- seriously, reverently, consistently -- you are leaving God out of the situations.

3.  There are those who pray and do not lose heart. To emphasize this dynamic is why Jesus spoke the parable recorded in Luke 18:2-8.

The Timing of God's Provision

1.  God provides just in time (Ac. 12:1-10; esp. v. 6).
2.  God provides at the right time (Rom. 5:6; Eccl. 3:1-8,11).
3.  God provides ahead of time (1 Cor. 2:9).
4.  God provides in spite of time (Mt. 14:15ff - evening / late).
5.  God provides in His time (Gal. 4:4).
6.  God provides outside of time (Jer. 1:5).

Three Questions About Prayer (Mk. 10:35-45)

Read Mark 10:35-45.

1.  Are you able and willing to implement what is required should God favorably answer your request?  Prayer involves responsibility and obedience.

2.  Do you understand what you're asking and what your words mean?  God defines things differently than man does.  Prayer involves clarity.

3.  Have you submitted your request to God?  Oh, you presented it, you made it known.  Have you submitted it to God's sovereignty, though?  Should God shut down or alter your request, would you be okay with that?  Prayer involves submission.

Quote By S. D. Gordon

"Prayer wonderfully clears the vision; steadies the nerves; defines duty; stiffens the purpose; sweetens and strengthens the spirit.  The busier the day for Him, the more surely must the morning appointment be kept . . ."

Gordon, S. D.  Quiet Talks On Prayer.  Old Tappan, NJ:  Fleming H. Revell Co., n.d.  p. 214.

Three Things Needed For Self-Care (Mt. 14:22-23)

Read Matthew 14:22-23.

Three Things Needed For Self-Care:

1. Separation from the crowd (small or large as it might be),  The crowd, on its own, won't separate from you.  You have to separate from the crowd.  Without being rude, you have to send the crowd away.  Remember, Jesus had just fed 5,000 plus.  When others are full, you become empty.  It is your responsibility to get refilled.
2. Seclusion.  Go to a place no one else is present or knows you will frequent.  Make the effort.  Shut out all distractions.  Withdraw.  Enjoy the quiet.  Only turn on your cell phone if you need to make an emergency call.
3. Solitude.  Seclusion has to do with location.  Solitude has to do with you.  Just you, no one else with you.  Some people are scared to be alone with themselves.

Why Prayer Is Effective (2 Kin. 4:25b-37) (Part 7)

First Peter 5:7 > “ . . . casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” By coming to the altar or making a place of prayer where you are, you declare that you believe Jesus cares for you and that His care is enough. 

• He cares for your body, soul, spirit, relationships, finances, future, etc.
• He promises to provide all your needs (Phil. 4:19).

When you pray, that is, talk to Him, be . . .

• Urgent.  Get right down to business. Don't hesitate. Avoid distraction. Speak respectfully, but talk boldly.
• Honest. Don't sugarcoat your need. Tell Jesus how you feel, what you think, how things are affecting you. Speak respectfully, but talk to Jesus as if He doesn't know anything that's happening in your life. Use simple words. You don't have to impress Him.
• Persistent. Don't make this the last time you bring the matter to Jesus. Keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking until Jesus gives you a clear answer.
• Trusting. Believe that God has your best interest in mind and that it is His specialty to accomplish His will for you (Phil. 2:13). Believe in Jesus' amazing track record.

Why Prayer Is Effective (2 Kin. 4:25b-37) (Part 6)

Why would the woman go through all that work to get to Elisha and persuade him to return with her? She knew Elisha was her only hope. Without realizing it, she modeled effective prayer for us.

There is one last question that needs to be answered. Why did Elisha return with her? He returned with the woman because he cared for her. Once Elisha realized that it was the Shunammite woman who was approaching, the first thing out of his mouth was to inquire about her welfare. “When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to Gehazi his servant, 'Behold, there is the Shunammite. Please run now to meet her and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’'” (2 Kin. 4:25b-26a)

Just as Elisha cared for the woman, her husband and her son, so Jesus Christ cares for you.

• Elisha's name means 'God is Savior.' Who is your Savior? Your Savior is (or should be) Jesus. What does Jesus, your Savior, save you from? He saves you from your sin. What is sin? Sin is more than something that happens to you; it is something that you do, whether by commission or omission. Sin is violation of God's laws; sin is missing the mark or falling short (Rom. 3:23).
•  Jesus showed His loving care for you by dying on a cross. 
• He endured the cross because of your sins. 
• He died for you and in place of you (Rom. 5:6-8; 2 Cor. 5:21).
• He took your punishment (death) upon himself.
• You take His righteousness upon yourself.
• In yourself no good thing dwells (Rom. 3:10-12).
• By yourself you cannot please God (Rom. 8:8).
• The cross of Jesus, the demonstration of God's love for you, demands a response.
• “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”¹ (Isaac Watts)
• Response #1 > I will cherish the old rugged cross and gladly take upon myself its demand for total dominion in my life.
• Response #2 > I will reject the old rugged cross and continue to believe that my own good works are enough, even when the Bible says they are not (Eph. 2:8-9).

Who will cherish the old rugged cross of Jesus right now?

• Who will ask Jesus for forgiveness from sin?
• Who will surrender his or her will, pleasure, and future to God's plan and purposes?

1Watts, Isaac. “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross.” Hymns of Glorious Praise. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 1969. Hymn #88. Second half of verse 4.

(Tomorrow's post:  part 2 of the conclusion.)

Why Prayer Is Effective (2 Kin. 4:25b-37) (Part 5)

4. EFFECTIVE PRAYER REQUIRES TRUST.

“So he entered and shut the door behind them both” (2 Kin. 4:33).

Elisha shut the door to keep out both Gehazi and the woman. I don't know about you, but being shut out makes me feel frustrated, disqualified or unwanted!

When Elisha shut the door, the woman had no strategy left but to trust.

• She had to trust that Elisha had her best interest, and her son's welfare, in mind.
• She had to trust that Elisha knew what he was doing.
• She had to trust that Elisha would respect her son's body while he “did his thing.”
• She had to trust that her being shut out and feeling left out didn't mean Elisha was cruel or was trying to send a message.

From where did the woman's trust in Elisha come? Her trust came from relationship. Her husband and she entertained and hosted Elisha in their home (2 Kin. 4:8- 10). She received spiritual ministry from Elisha at the new moon and on each Sabbath (2 Kin. 4:28). Today we would say that she attended the weekly and special services and got to know her pastor.

It is one thing to tell God what's on your mind; it is another to believe that He hears, He cares and He is in the process of answering.

• Psa. 9:10 > “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
• Psa. 37:5 > “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it.”

(Tomorrow's post: part 1 of the conclusion.)

Why Prayer Is Effective (2 Kin. 4:25b-37) (Part 4)

3. EFFECTIVE PRAYER REQUIRES PERSISTENCE.

“I will not leave you” (2 Kin. 4:30).

The woman decided that she would stay with Elisha until he did something about her situation. How quickly she could have given up! Elisha sent Gehazi (2 Kin. 4:29, 31) but she wasn't satisfied with that. (I wonder if she knew that the errand would be unsuccessful?) She refused to believe that Gehazi's report was the final answer. She reserved the final word for Elisha.

How persistent are you in prayer? Are you of the one-and-done variety? (You mention the request once and leave it in God's hands.) I don't want to discourage you from trusting God in prayer; rather, I want you to realize that God's sovereignty is not an excuse for man's laziness. Prayer is hard work! Your flesh doesn't like to pray!

Mt. 7:8 > “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” In the Greek, there is the “present of duration.” That means that the verbs suggest action that is happening right now and will remain ongoing.

“For everyone who asks (and keeps on asking) receives, and he who seeks (and keeps on seeking) finds, and to him who knocks (and keeps on knocking) it will be opened.”

You don't continue asking because you think God doesn't hear or doesn't want to answer; you continue asking because persistence is something Jesus taught (Lu. 18:1-8).

(Tomorrow's post:  Effective prayer requires trust.)

Why Prayer Is Effective (2 Kin. 4:25b-37) (Part 3)

2. EFFECTIVE PRAYER REQUIRES HONESTY.

“Did I ask for a son from my lord? Did I not say, 'Do not deceive me?'” (2 Kin. 4:28).

Honesty in prayer requires three things.

• It requires directness.  Get right to the point and don't beat around the bush.
• It requires simplicity. Don't complicate your request with non-essentials. In the seventies we sang a chorus that stated, “Jesus on the main line – tell Him what you want.” Yes, tell Him reverently, but tell Him honestly. Let Him hear your heart's cry.
• It requires vulnerability. Mention the emotion, concern and pain that goes with the request. Admit that you have a need and that you are troubled by it. “ . . . her soul is troubled within her . . .” (2 Kin. 4:27). See also Hannah (1 Sam. 1:13-16).

I'm so glad that we don't have to put on an act when we come before God! We can come just as we are.

“Just as I am, tho' tossed about
With many a conflict,many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!”¹

1Elliott, Charlotte. “Just As I Am.” Hymns of Glorious Praise. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 1969. Hymn #221. Verse 3. 

(Tomorrow's post:  Effective prayer requires persistence.)

Why Prayer Is Effective (2 Kin. 4:25b-37) (Part 2)

1. EFFECTIVE PRAYER REQUIRES URGENCY.  
“ . . . she caught hold of his feet” (2 Kin. 4:27).

When you read that the woman “caught hold of his feet”, what comes to mind? Perhaps your mind goes directly to the subject of humility. It's easy to get there. The woman got on her knees, bowed low, and put her hands on Elisha's feet. That sure looks like a picture of humility!

While you aren't wrong to say that her foot-grabbing involves humility, realize that that is not what she meant to portray. Back in that day, when someone bowed down and grabbed another person's feet, that action was taken to add urgency and intensity to a request. Today, we put it this way: There is praying and then there is praying.

I don't want to suggest that you should be melodramatic when you pray. However, do you make it clear to God that you really want what you're asking?

(Tomorrow's post:  Effective prayer requires honesty.)

Why Prayer Is Effective (2 Kin. 4:25b-37) (Part 1)

Introduction:

As you find 2 Kings chapter 4 in your Bible, what comes to mind when I say the words “effective prayer”? Some might think, “I pray, but I wouldn't say I pray effectively.” Others might recall James 5:16, where it says, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

In the next two verses James tells us about a man named Elijah.

James 5:17-18 > “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.”

Is it hard for you believe that you can pray effectively? Most wouldn't dare to put themselves in the same category as Elijah. It isn't that we don't pray; it's that we don't think our prayers accomplish much when we do pray.

Today's verses from 2 Kings chapter 4 reveal four things that are necessary in order to pray

effectively.  The climax of the story is when Elisha, who is God's spokesman and representative, raises a boy from the dead. Now that's effective praying!

(Tomorrow's post:  Effective prayer requires urgency.)

Worship And Obey (Jn. 9:31)

God hears the one who worships and obeys Him.  If you think God isn't answering or even listening, here are some questions to ask.

1. Are you a worshiper of God (as revealed in the Bible)? Notice that I didn't ask if you attend the worship service.
2. Do you know God's will and are you doing it?  Read Jn. 13:17; Psa. 143:10.
3. If you don't know God's will, are you seeking it?  Read Jer. 29:13.
4. If you don't know how to seek God's will, are you taking steps to learn?

Challenges & Conversations (1/26/16)

The past two Sundays, we've enjoyed God's presence in an unusual way.  I say "unusual" not because the altar time was weird or unruly but because it is rare.  Regretfully, times such as these have been rare.  God has given us a "taste" of what every Sunday can be like!  I've gleaned some things I want to share with you.  These aren't new revelations, just "old" truths that need dusting off.

• You shouldn't rush the altar time.  God is not in a hurry.  While there might be an initial urgency to respond, there is no benefit in rushing things after that.  High-impact altar ministry is a slow-cook experience, not a high-heat gas grill charring.  Don't be afraid to "simmer" in His presence.
• The Holy Spirit moves whenever and wherever the name of Jesus is exalted.  If you want a more powerful altar experience, drop the "selfish songs."  Talk about Jesus. Sing about Jesus. Testify about Jesus  Shout the name of Jesus!  Celebrate the name of Jesus. 
• Don't be afraid of silence.  It doesn't mean God is done.  You might be uncomfortable, but this is an opportune time to reflect and anticipate.  During a time of silence, people begin to leave. You know what happens next?  Another "wave" of God's presence begins!  During any silence, God gets to talk to you.  It isn't fair to ask God to speak to you and then disengage during the time He is most likely to do that.
• Don't allow times of refreshing at the altar to replace the preaching of God's Word.  The last two Sundays, the altar time happened before the sermon.  That's okay, but I could feel a subtle "pressure" when I looked at the clock and it showed 11:40 A.M.  People had enjoyed a great time in God's presence, but they were aware the hour was getting late.  I preached as if it were only 11:15.  The Bible must always be elevated above experience.
• What "kills" an altar time isn't silence but non-participation.  When it is clear that people are sitting there doing nothing -- not praying, not meditating, not worshiping, not even waiting -- just the deer-in-the-headlights-what's-next look -- it is time to transition.  You do not want to keep pressing them and risk leaving a bad taste.

When You Don't Know How To Pray (Lu. 11:1)

"It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples'" (Lu. 11:1, NASB).

When you don't know how to pray (or don't think you know how) . . .

1.  Acknowledge it.  Don't pretend.  All that happens, otherwise, is that you embarrass yourself.  There is a strength in honesty.

2.  Ask Jesus to teach you.  Jesus knows your ignorance and loves you still.  He delights to answer honest inquiries.  His Holy Spirit, available to you, is called Teacher and Helper.

3.  Rely upon the Holy Spirit.  For those baptized in the Holy Spirit, He will pray through you (Rom. 8:26).

4. Don't give up on prayer itself.  Ignorance entices you to silence and withdrawal.  Much of prayer is learned by praying.