Prayer (2)

There are things God will do if we pray, that he would not do if we don’t.

Mark 9:29 ESV

And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Studied many books on ministry, but this is one thing everyone agrees on.

Virtually every one of the pioneers in ministry whom God used to begin movements for Christ emphasized the importance of prayer so much that we would have said, “They waste too much time praying and not enough time doing.”

Martin Luther

David Brainerd

Hudson Taylor

Prayer must not be supplemental to our ministry, it must be foundational.

“If prayer is meager it is because we consider it supplemental, not fundamental. To our Lord it was not a reluctant addendum, but a fundamental necessity.” - J. Oswald Sanders, Effective Prayer, pg. 8)

Prayer is crucial to the Mission of God

“Paul and Barnabas set out on the first missionary journey to the accompaniment of prayer and fasting (Acts 13:2-4). Ever since, the missionary cause has advanced upon its knees. Where prayer has been prevailing, it has prospered. Where prayer has been lukewarm, it has languished.” - J. Oswald Sanders, Effective Prayer, pg. 8)

Prayer is needed for Spiritual Warfare.

Ephesians 6:11–12 ESV

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:18–19 ESV

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

"Satan dreads nothing but prayer…His one concern is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks our wis- dom, but trembles when we pray." - Samuel Chadwick

Hearing from God comes from an intimate relationship with God.

Question: “Which of the following best describes the way you will know God’s voice when He speaks? Check your response.

a. God will give me a miraculous sign. Then I will know God has spoken to me.

b. In an intimate relationship with God, I will come to recognize His voice.

c. When I learn and follow the correct formula, I will hear God speaking.

d. If a verse in the Bible jumps out at me, it must be God’s word for my life.

The relationship is the key to knowing God’s voice, to hearing when God speaks. The correct answer is b. What about a, c, and d? Sometimes in Scripture God gave a miraculous sign to assure the person that the word was from Him. Gideon is an example (see Judg. 6). However, asking God for a sign often indicates unbelief. When the scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus for a miraculous sign, Jesus condemned them as a “evil and adulterous generation” (Matt. 12:38-39). They were so self-centered and sinful they could not recognize when God was in their midst (see Luke 19:41-44).

A formula is not the way to recognize God’s voice either. How many other burning bushes did God use besides the one with Moses? None. God does not want you to become an expert at using a formula. If there was a formula to hearing from God, you would not have to seek God with all your heart. You could mindlessly use the formula and neglect your relationship with God. He wants an intimate love relationship with you. He insists that you depend on Him alone. Hearing God does not depend on a method or a formula but on a relationship.

Some may wonder why answer d is not acceptable. They may ask, can’t I get a word from the Bible? Yes, you can! But only the Holy Spirit can reveal to you which truth of Scripture is a word from God for a particular circumstance in your life. The Holy Spirit must help you understand how a particular verse specifically applies to you. Even if the biblical circumstance is similar to yours, only God can reveal His word for your circumstance.

You also need to be careful about claiming you have a word from God. Claiming to have a word from God is a serious matter. If God has spoken to you, you must continue responding to that word until it comes to pass (even for 25 years, like Abram). If you have not been given a word from God but say you have, you stand in judgment as a false prophet: “You may say to yourself, ‘How can we recognize a message the Lord has not spoken?’ When a prophet speaks in the Lord’s name, and the message does not come true or is not fulfilled, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously” (Deut. 18:21-22). In the Old Testament, the penalty for being a false prophet was death (see Deut. 18:20). That certainly is a serious charge. Do not take a word from God lightly.

God loves you. He wants to have a close personal relationship with you. He wants you to depend on Him when you seek a word from Him. He wants you to learn to hear His voice and know His will. Your relationship with Him is the key to hearing when God speaks.”

Practical Applications:

Commit to pray for an certain amount of time each day. (Suggest the challenge of one hour).

Go back to the ancient Hebrew Prayer rhythm of 3 times a day.

Have a prayer list and document answered prayers.

Pray through the Scriptures.

Pray for the world using information from JP unreached, Operation World, PrayerCast or similar resources.

Consecrate a spot on campus for prayer and organize a prayer movement.