AMERICA NEEDS PRAYER

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting

Introduction :The Problem With America

Illustration:

For many evenings, my family and I would gather around the television, eagerly awaiting the latest episode of "Hell's Kitchen." We were drawn to the captivating drama as renowned chef Gordon Ramsay ventured into struggling restaurants, poised to whip them into shape. As Ramsay delved into each kitchen, we witnessed scenes of shock and dismay unfold before our eyes.

Picture this: Ramsay swings open the freezer door, only to be met with a swarm of insects, scurrying in every direction. He inspects the grill, and the sight of caked-on grease threatens to ignite at any moment. Then, amidst the chaos, a mouse dashes across the restaurant floor, a chilling symbol of neglect and disregard for cleanliness.

What struck me most was the familiar refrain from the restaurant owners: "I didn't know it was this bad." Yet, if you were to ask the diners or the staff, they could readily recount the issues plaguing the establishment. The signs of decay were evident to everyone except the owner, blinded by their own denial or ignorance.

In a striking parallel, America finds itself in a similar predicament. Like those restaurant owners, many in positions of leadership fail to acknowledge the glaring problems facing our nation. The cracks in our societal foundation are visible to those who inhabit this land – the citizens who witness the injustices, the workers who labor in the trenches, and the families who navigate the complexities of daily life.

Yet, despite the warnings and the cries for change, the echoes of denial persist. It's as if we're living in a nation where the owners refuse to see the bugs in the freezer or the mouse scurrying across the floor.

My friends, this is why prayer is imperative for America. Just as Chef Ramsay brings clarity and accountability to those chaotic kitchens, so too can prayer shed light on the darkness that threatens to engulf our nation. Let us lift our voices in prayer, not as passive observers, but as agents of change, seeking divine intervention and guidance.

But how do we PRAY?

If we could ask jesus any question, what question would you ask?

Think about it for a moment…

The disciples never asked how can we walk on water,

they never asked how can we cast out demons

they never asked how to perform miracles

but they did ask jesus to…

TEACH US TO PRAY

CIT (Text)

Luke 11:1–13 (KJV 1900)

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say,Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Give us day by day our daily bread.

And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.

I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

And I say unto you, 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.

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

WHAT DOES JESUS SAY ABOUT PRAYER? HOW SHOULD WE PRAY? WHY PRAY AT ALL?

1. What does Jesus say about prayer ?

Show Reverence

vs.2 ”Our Father which art in heaven Hallowed be thy name”

Come to God in Humility

Acknowledging the holiness and authority of God

Explanation:

Understanding the significance of addressing God with reverence.

Application:

Matthew 8:1–4 (KJV 1900) When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Read vs2 again: he worshipped him then asked him, He never demanded to be made clean We should come humbly to Christ when we pray asking, NEVER demanding anything

2. HOW SHOULD WE PRAY ?

Location

Lk 11:1. “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place”

Matthew 6:6 (KJV 1900) 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.

Create a Prayer List

Colossians 4:2 (KJV 1900) “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”

Use Scripture as a Guide

1 John 5:14 (KJV 1900) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

Pray with Purpose and Focus

Mark 11:24 (KJV 1900) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Pray for God's Will to be Done

Matthew 6:10 (KJV 1900) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Pray without Ceasing

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV 1900) Pray without ceasing.

Churches can run without prayer. Whole denominations can run without prayer. The question is: Is what they’re doing worth doing if they can do it without prayer?

Ben Patterson

Deepening Your Conversation with God (1991)

Ben Patterson

3. WHY PRAY AT ALL ?

BECAUSE PRAYER WORKED THEN

Acts 12:5 (KJV 1900) 5.) Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 7.)And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

Its like when you would go on a long road trip. You’d open those car doors and all that trash would just fall out, Prayer just cleans out the cobwebs of our mind we just open ourselves up and give it all to Jesus because prayer works

BECAUSE PRAYER WORKS NOW

MANY OF YOU WERE HERE ON SUNDAY, MANY OF YOU SAW JOHN SITTING RIGHT HERE ON THE SECOND ROW.MANY OF YOU KNOW HE WAS IN A TERRIABLE ACCIDENT. HE SHOUNDT BE WALKING, HE SHOUNDENT BE LIVING, BUT MANY OF US WERE THERE AT THE HOSPITAL RIGHT AFTER THE ACCIDENT. WE SAW HIM AND HERED WHAT THE DOCTORS SAID. BUT HE WAS IN CHURCH ON SUNDAY PRAYER WORKS

3. PRAY WILL WORK IN THE FUTURE

I want us to take a moment to reflect on the state of our nation. It's undeniable that we're facing a multitude of challenges – from acts of violence that shock our communities to the moral decay that seems to be infiltrating every aspect of society. We've witnessed tragedies like the shooting of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, the rampant theft from stores, and the heartbreaking trend of mothers taking the lives of their own children.

We've seen families torn apart, fathers abandoning their responsibilities, and churches compromising their values to conform to worldly ideologies. It's disheartening to witness the erosion of the moral fabric that once held our society together.

In the face of these daunting realities, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, to believe that there's nothing we can do to bring about change. It's tempting to lose hope and succumb to despair. But we serve a God who is greater than any challenge we may face.

Tonight, let us prayer – not just as a ritual, but as an act of faith in the power of our Almighty God

Let us lift up

our country,

our schools,

our families,

our churches,

our fellow believers in prayer.

Conclusion

WHAT DOES JESUS SAY ABOUT PRAYER?

show respect in the presence of God

HOW SHOULD WE PRAY?

have a time

have a place

have a list

WHY PRAY AT ALL?

Because it still works

Yesterday

Today

and Forever

Let us pray with fervent faith, believing that God hears our cries and is faithful to answer according to His will. Though the road ahead may seem uncertain, let us hold fast to the promise that our God is able to turn the tide of darkness and bring about a renewal of hope and righteousness in our land.

"Prayer without faith! What sort of prayer is it? It is the prayer of a man who does not believe in God."

- Charles Spurgeon

Let it not be said that we don’t believe in a God, let alone a God that answers prayers

Closing Prayer