3 Keys To A Powerful Prayer Life

How do we talk to God? (Through prayer). How does God talk to us? (Through his word).

Daniel

Daniel 6:1–7 KJV 1900

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellers, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

Daniel 6:10–11 KJV 1900

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

Daniel’s walk with God led him to incredible favor, which also won him a lot of jealous enemies (vv. 1–4). They knew they could finally get rid of him by making a law that would go against God, knowing Daniel would obey God first and therefore break the law (v. 5). Daniel was known as a man of prayer, so they made a law stating no one could pray to anyone but the king and set the penalty as death by lions (vv. 6–7).

Tonight we are going to look at the 3 keys that I believe Daniel even used to have a powerful successful prayer life!

Explanation:

Take a look at the end of verse 10 it says “as he did aforetime.” What does the word aforetime mean? Does anyone know? Yes! It means “as in times past” or in other words, this was something he did on a regular basis. Daniel had a prayer plan and was sticking to it no matter what anyone else said because it was the right thing to do!

Daniel had a plan and we can see that plan in verse 10. he went to the room at the top of his house opened the windows that were facing Jerusalem and prayed three times a day.

Daniel was prepared! he knew what his plan of attack was and he executed it! Do you have a plan? Do you miss praying sometimes? I’m not talking like a day here and there throughout the year I’m taking like have you missed a week a month? when was the last time before camp you even prayed?

If you have a plan already GREAT JOB! keep it up! But if you dont I want to share a simple plan I use and I think is very effective and an easy way to keep you on track.

Illustration:

A.C.T.S prayer model

A- Adoration: Praise the Lord for the awesome God that he is!

C- Confession: Admit your sins and ask for God’s overflowing forgiveness in your life!

T- Thanksgiving: Thank God for all the wonderful things he has done!

S- Supplication: Bring requests for yourself and for others to God!

Application:

Young people, please don’t forget that this relationship you are building with God is not a one-way street. Prayer is just a part of your walk with God. You need also to be reading your bible which you should also have a reading plan throughout the year. I won’t get into that today but I’m sure Ben has a plan you can use just talk with him!

There is also being faithful to Church and serving in the church! All of these things do not make you a Christian but they help you grow closer to Christ. Just like living with my wife doesn’t make me married (we got married at the altar of your church) but talking with each other, doing things together, spending time together helps us grow closer together.

But just like Daniel, we must have a plan of attack!

Transition;

Not only must it be a concrete pan but it must be…

Explanation:

Notice again the end of verse 10 it says “as he did aforetime.” that means it was something he did on a regular basis. He was consistent in his prayer life!

Hey, I get it, I’ve been there. have a consistent prayer life is hard. To pray and read your bible every day. Here is one trick I’ve learned over the years. if you miss a day God doesn’t hate you so pick it back up the next day! That’s where the C in our ACTS model comes into play.

“Lord I am sorry I missed yesterday please help me get back on track and stay on track”

The amazing thing about God, He wants you to succeed in your Christian life! That looks different for every one of us because he has a special plan for all of us!

It is so important to be consistent in the matter of prayer! But why, why is it so important to stay consistent in my prayer life. because you never know what kind of trial or temptation is going to come your way!

Do you think Daniel would have been used like he was if he didn’t have a strong relationship with God? He wouldn’t have the courage to say no to the King’s meat he wouldn’t have had the courage to face the lion’s den without fear. Do you have that kind of courage? No? maybe you need to work on your prayer life a little bit more!

Illustration:

June 13, 1853

We were now very poor. Not indeed in debt, not even with all the money gone; there was still about sixty dollars [£12] in hand; but there was needed to be bought flour, of which we buy generally ten sacks at a time, four thousand two hundred pounds [300 stones] of oatmeal, four hundred-weight [4 cwt.] of soap. There were many little repairs going on in the house, with a number of workmen employed, besides the regular current expenses of about two hundred and eighty dollars [£70] per week. Over and above all this, on Saturday, the day before yesterday, I found that the heating apparatus needed to be repaired, which would, in all probability, cost one hundred dollars [£25]. It was therefore desirable, humanly speaking, to have five hundred dollars [£100] for these heavy extra expenses.

But I had no human prospect whatever of getting even two hundred cents [100 pence]—much less five hundred dollars [£100]. In addition to this, today was Monday when generally the income is little. But in walking to the Orphan House this morning, and praying as I went, I particularly told the Lord in prayer, and on this day, though Monday, He could send me much. And thus it was, I received this morning fifteen hundred dollars [£301] for the Lord’s service, as might be most needed. The joy which I had cannot be described. I walked up and down in my room for a long time, tears of joy and gratitude to the Lord raining plentifully over my cheeks, praising and magnifying the Lord for His goodness, and surrendering myself afresh, with all my heart, to Him for His blessed service. I scarcely ever felt more the kindness of the Lord helping me.

Application:

This is one of the many stories of the life of Missionary George Muller. You see young people, God blesses people who are faithful and consistent in their walk with him!

George Muller was consistent

Daniel was consistent

Ben is consistent

you Pastor is consistent

Use these stories as an example to you and when you feel like quitting don’t!

Transition:

We see that we need a concrete plan and we need to be consistent with that plan but we also need to…

The Commitment to be consistent with a plan will only bring God’s assistant

Explanation:

Notice the first part of verse 10 it says “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house”

He didn’t (kar) care. He didn’t care what everyone else was doing. He didn’t care to be popular or accepted he just wanted to please God and bring joy to his heavenly Father. Now watch this! Are you ready? Why did he have such a hunger and desire to please God? Remember our lesson yesterday? Because he was pure before his God! COME ON MAN!!! DO YOU SEE HOW ALL THIS WORKS TOGETHER!!! O man God is good!!

Daniel was committed to his God and decided he was going to be consistent with his concrete plan to worship his God!

When we can catch this concept God opens his power to us, young people!!!

Illustration:

The things in your house work because of electricity. Electricity is an invisible power that gives you visible privileges. It turns the lights on, turns the TV on, turns the toaster on, and turns the oven on; all that stuff is working in your house because you’ve got one invisible power shooting through there called electricity. But none of those things work even though they have access to electricity until you flip on a switch. You’ve got to make a connection before the stuff that’s there works.

Application:

Brother Trent, what does that mean? I’m glad you asked!

You are the Xbox, the electricity is Gods power, the switch is prayer! Are you following me? The Xbox only receives electricity when the switch is turned on!

Do you want to receive the power of God? Then PRAY!!

Brother Trent, is it really that simple? Yeah man!!!

Get a concrete plan, be consistent to that plan, and commit that no matter what your gonna do it! That the 3 keys to a powerful prayer life!

Daniel was empowered by his pursuit of God through a consistent prayer life.

Do you know why Daniel wasn’t even tempted to eat the King’s meat or pray to an earthly king? He literally risked his life several times when he resisted what his captors wanted him to do. Why would he do that?

Because he had the power of God on his side! But how did he get that courage, that power, that zeal to stand up for what was right? He got is from being on his knees every day begging God for it!

Young people, I don’t know if your understanding what I’m telling you! THERE IS POWER IN PRAYER! The kind of power that gives you unheard-of courage to face the simplest temptations all the way up to staring you captor in the face and saying I stand for God not man and I will do what’s right even in the face of death!

I said THERE IS POWER IN PRAYER!

I want every head bowed and every eye closed for just a moment.

Let me ask you something “Did God speak to you through this message and the story of Daniel?” Let me ask you another question “Are you 100% sure if you died right now you would go to heaven?”

This is what I would like each one of you to do use your chair there as an alter and take just a few moments and talk with God. Tell him you want to be bold like daniel and have a commitment to be consistent in your concrete prayer plan! go ahead and take just a few moments and if you don’t know if you are saved and wat to know for sure heaven will be your home I want you to go talk to one of the adults right now. Don’t let another moment pass by without knowing Christ as your Savior.

3 Keys To A Powerful Prayer Life

Introduction:

1. A Concrete Plan

2. Being Consistent In The Plan

3. Be Committed To The Plan

Conclusion:

Invitation: