The Missionaries Prayer
Notes
Transcript
A tale is told about a small town that had historically been “dry,” but then a local businessman decided to build a tavern. A group of Christians from a local church were concerned and planned an all-night prayer meeting to ask God to intervene. It just so happened that shortly thereafter lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground. The owner of the bar sued the church, claiming that the prayers of the congregation were responsible, but the church hired a lawyer to argue in court that they were not responsible. The presiding judge, after his initial review of the case, stated that “no matter how this case comes out, one thing is clear. The tavern owner believes in prayer and the Christians do not.” (Why Christians Sin, J. K. Johnston, Discovery House, 1992, p. 129).
Jonah 2 English Standard Version (ESV)
Jonah's Prayer
2 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying,
“I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. 3 For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. 4 Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ 5 The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head 6 at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. 7 When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. 8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
The Shallow Prayer – Mercedes Benz
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
The Shallow Prayer honors yourself - ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
The Shallow Prayer isn’t Kingdom focused
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
The Shallow Prayer wants it all not just enough
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
The shallow prayer doesn’t see their faults only others
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
The Shallow prayer is only concerned with bad or good for me
The One-sided Prayer – Frasier
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
The One-Sided Prayer ignores God –
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
The One-Sided Prayer thinks they are in control
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
The One-Sided Prayer focuses on wants not needs
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
The One-Sided prayer wants forgiveness but doesn’t offer it
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
The One-Sided prayer justifies evil
Checkmark on Gods list - mamaw
The Missionary’s s Prayer – Indy
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
The Missionary’s prayer – Is a two-way conversation and it honors or glorifies God
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying,
“I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
The Missionary’s Prayer – Acknowledges God as being in control of their life
3 For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. 4 Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
The Missionary’s Prayer focuses on needs not wants
’ 5 The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head 6 at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. 7 When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
The Missionary’s Prayer loves – forgiveness comes from love not justice, vindication, or wrath
8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
The Missionary’s prayer leads to righteousness
10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
Prayer life often times truly shows the heart of the person!