3 more aspects of Prayer
Notes
Transcript
Review: we learned about
position
prevailing or persistence, and purity from Exodus 30
Daniel 6:3
Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm.
Extraordinary spirit was on him
What makes Daniel this guy?
We will learn from this trial what makes Daniel Daniel,
Daniel had a place of prayer.
Daniel 6:10
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
1 Kings 8:30
Hear the petition of your servant
and your people Israel,
which they pray toward this place.
May you hear in your dwelling place in heaven.
May you hear and forgive.
He prayed in his upper room - this was private prayer, made with no intention to impress others
Mark 1:35
Preaching in Galilee
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying.
Luke 22:39
The Prayer in the Garden
He went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.
Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
understand although Daniel Had a place of Prayer. Prayer should no be confined to or restricted to one a certain place. That prayer just takes place there.
2. Position of prayer.
Last week we had Position but that position was in the since of Before and between God of who we are praying for,
Todays position is what position we take in praying.
He knelt down.
7 positions of praying
(1) Lying prostrate (Deut 9:18)
Deuteronomy 9:18
I fell down like the first time in the presence of the LORD for forty days and forty nights; I did not eat food or drink water because of all the sin you committed, doing what was evil in the LORD’s sight and angering him.
131 times: 'Laying face down or prostrate' in relation to prayer or speaking with God.
This includes many times that the word prostrate is not used but the person is on their face or laying down etc.
(2) Sitting (1 Kgs 19:4)
1 Kings 19:4
but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! LORD, take my life, for I’m no better than my fathers.”
(3) Bowing (Ps 72:11)
Psalms 72:11
Let all kings bow in homage to him,
all nations serve him.
(4) Standing (Mk 11:25)
Mark 11:25
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing.”
(5) Kneeling (Eph 3:14)
For this reason I kneel before the Father
· He knelt down on his knees, praying just as Jesus did, (Luke 22:41), as Stephen (Acts 7:60), as Peter (Acts 9:40), as Paul and other leaders in the church (Acts 20:36), and as Luke (Acts 21:5). “Kneeling is a begging posture and we must all come to God as beggars.” (Heslop)
(6) Lifting Hands (1 Tim 2:8)
1 Timothy 2:8 “Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.”
Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.
(7) Walking (2 Kings 4:35)
2 Kings 4:35
Elisha got up, went into the house, and paced back and forth. Then he went up and bent down over him again. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.
3. Practice of Prayer
We need to pray and pray a lot.
a. Priority for prayer
3x he prayed that day.
Daniel 6:10
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
· He prayed three times that day, knowing that though a little prayer is good, much prayer is far better. We also remember that Daniel was one of three governors over an empire - yet still had time to pray. “That does not tell you how often he prayed, but how often he was in the posture of prayer. Doubtless he prayed 300 times a day if necessary-his heart was always having commerce with the skies; but thrice a day he prayed formally.” (Spurgeon)
John piper says This must mean that prayer is more important than life. Daniel would rather pray than save his life. Not praying was a worse prospect to Daniel than being eaten by lions. That is a radical commitment to prayer. Just think of it. Can you say with Daniel:“ You will have to take my life before you take my prayer”?
Psalms 55:16-17
But I call to God,
and the LORD will save me.
I complain and groan morning, noon, and night,
and he hears my voice
Takes 21 days to form a habit and one day to break.
Mark 14:38
Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
If Jesus who was God's son need to seek the father how much more do we.
