Sermon Tone Analysis

A poll conducted by LifeWay Research found that many of us are very picky about who we will pray for.

For instance, the poll revealed that we typically pray for …

Family and friends 82 percent of the time

Our own problems and difficulties 74 percent of the time

Our enemies 37 percent of the time

Government leaders 12 percent of the time.

Strangely enough, 36 percent of survey participants said they typically pray for financial prosperity, 21 pray to win the lottery, and 13 percent typically pray for their favorite sports team to win.

Today when we pray what will we say?

In other words when we pray what is it that we pray for?

Do you remember that what we are thankful for betrays what is really in our hearts?

Here is something else… Do you know that what we pray for does also betray what is in our hearts?

Take a moment and really think about what you pray for.

Is it in line with what Christ tells us to pray for?

Is it in line with what the Apostle Paul prays for?

Taking time to study the prayers of Paul the apostle brings a convicting and sobering reality.

Last week we looked at the foundations of our prayers, today we will look at the petitions of our prayers.

A poll conducted by LifeWay Research found that many of us are very picky about who we will pray for.

For instance, the poll revealed that we typically pray for …

Family and friends 82 percent of the timeOur own problems and difficulties 74 percent of the timeOur enemies 37 percent of the timeGovernment leaders 12 percent of the time.

Strangely enough, 36 percent of survey participants said they typically pray for financial prosperity, 21 pray to win the lottery, and 13 percent typically pray for their favorite sports team to win.

The grass withers the flower fades but the word of our God stands forever.

Worthy Petitions

The Goal of His Prayer

According to Grace

The first thing we will look at is 2 of the petitions of Paul with the foundations of his thanksgiving for love, faith, and perseverance.

The second point of exploration will be the 2 ultimates ends for what Paul petitions.

Finally, we will see how all of this is founded and dependent on that wonderful thing called grace upon grace.

Thesis: Though sin and the pattern of this world cause us to become confused with prayer and what it is supposed to do to us, it is the light of the Word of God that will teach us and remind us of what it is to to come to the Lord in supplication and make our requests known to the King of kings on the throne of grace.

I. Worthy Petitions

- What should we be praying for?

A. We looked at what we should have in mind as we pray.

Paul says it in this passage.

With this in mind.

A heart of thanksgiving for faith, love, and perseverance.

Thankful for spiritual growth in the people.

What are thankful for tells all what it is we really value.

So with this in mind we pray … pray what?

Paul shows us his worthy petitions.

If we are grateful for the most important things, and determined to live with our eternal destiny uppermost in mind, what kinds of things will we pray for?

B. Petition 1.

That God will make us worthy of the calling.

Before we get too far I should explain a common misunderstanding of this scripture.

This does not mean that God will make us good enough for us to be worthy to be saved.

Paul definitely does not mean that.

Was he not persecuting and killing the church when the Lord called him?

He is not praying that God will somehow become worthy to be called by God.

C. Since these Thessalonians are Christians, they have already been called, and now Paul prays that they might live up to that calling.

What does this mean?

That means these believers must grow in all the things that please God and are in line with His law.

Grow in Christ.

Carson, D. A.. Praying with Paul (p. 34).

Baker Publishing Group.

Kindle Edition.