Untitled Sermon (40)

There’s a few things from Scripture I’d like for you to keep in mind concerning pleading prayer.

First of all (green arrow) think of the ANATOMY of prayer.

(1.) Believing prayer. It’s a prayer of faith, believing and trusting in the redemption purchased by Jesus and because of Him, you trust that you are heard in heaven all because of Christ.

"Then Jesus told the centurion, “Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that very moment.” ()

It’s believing prayer.

(2.) Think of humility. Approaching God with a true sense of who He is and also of who you are creates a heart that is bowed low before God.

"My hand made all these things, and so they all came into being. This is the Lord’s declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at my word.” ()

"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child [innocent, dependent upon others and humbly accepts what they cannot provide for themselves] —this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” ()

“Thy will be done”, as Christ has taught us to pray()

So, the people of the Lord in humility are to lay themselves and their prayers, and all that they have,

at the foot of their God, to be disposed of by Him as he in his heavenly wisdom seeth best.

(3.) The heat and fervency of prayer. Scripture says that our God is a “consuming fire” () and won’t endure cold prayers.

The heart must be elevated and lifted up to God, as Hannah, her heart spoke to God. “The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.” ().

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 5

The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

(The Second green arrow) The ASPECTS of prayer.

(1.) Love. Love that extends to all mankind, especially a brotherly love towards all the saints.

This ‘love’ has two things build in it, giving and forgiving.

He that desires to receive mercy shall be merciful! "Do everything in love.” ()

(2.) Thankfulness (before we beg for mercy). Oh to be thankful to God for the benefits and blessings received and enjoyed as God’s people, with forgiveness of our old debts!

So spend time thanking the good Lord for His grace and kindness to you.

(The Third green arrow) The AIDS to prayer.

(1.) Perseverance (). Habitual petitionary prayer, in which devotion to God, dependence on God, and desire for the glory of God find equal expression.

“Pray continually,” “pray in the Spirit on all occasions,” says Paul (; ).

Jesus told his disciples the parable of the unjust judge “to show them that they should always pray and not give up” ().

Dear congregation, may each life in this room teach the same lesson!

Constant private conversation with God, asking and adoring, is both a natural expression of a regenerate heart and a needful discipline for a spiritual leader.

Often such a continuous prayer serves to take us nearer to the Lord and ties us more firmly to Him.

De Bruyn, P. J. (1997). Your only comfort: The Heidelberg catechism for mankind today. Potchefstroom: PU vir CHO.

Packer, J. I. (1995). A passion for faithfulness: wisdom from the book of Nehemiah (pp. 45–46). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

(2.) Diligence in the means (how can we ask of God what we’re not willing to labor for?)

Plowing the ground with private time in searching Scripture.

Absorbing God’s Word is the primary road to holiness and to spiritual growth, for the Spirit blesses the reading and searching of God’s Word.

"Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that you may grow up into your salvation,” ()

Packer, J. I. (1995). A passion for faithfulness: wisdom from the book of Nehemiah (p. 45). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

No farmer just prays for his crop w/out going out and plowing and sowing the seed into the ground!

Beeke, J. R. (2008). Living for God’s Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism (pp. 204–205). Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing.

(2.) Diligence in the means (how can we ask of God what we’re not willing to labor for?)

No farmer just prays for his crop w/out going out and plowing and sowing the seed into the ground!

Also, beloved, meditate on Scripture.

Reading offers knowledge, but meditation and study add depth to that knowledge.

(3.) Waiting in Hope - Expectation.

The reason is, because the Lord, who has promised the thing, has not limited the time.

"I waited patiently for the Lord, and he turned to me and heard my cry for help.” () "I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.” ()