Prayer as a Primary Plan

Scripture

John 4:43–54 NIV

After the two days he left for Galilee. (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there. Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.” Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed. This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.

Introduction

Good morning & welcome

Today’s sermon - Prayer as a Primary Plan

What is prayer, really?

Prayer is spiritual communication between man and God, a two-way relationship in which man should not only talk to God but also listen to Him. Prayer to God is like a child’s conversation with his father. It is natural for a child to ask his father for the things he needs. - Billy Graham

Prayer is the practice of the presence of God.  It is the place where pride is abandoned, hope is lifted, and supplication is made.  Prayer is the place of admitting our need, of adopting humility, and claiming dependence upon God.  Prayer is the needful practice of the Christian.  Prayer is the exercise of faith and hope.  Prayer is the privilege of touching the heart of the Father through the Son of God, Jesus our Lord. - Matt Slick

Prayer is not about informing or persuading God, but about conversing and connecting with Him relationally. It is not about the miracle.

Jesus told the official, “Unless you see signs and wonders you won’t believe.” Our faith is bigger then the miracle.

(Story about missionary and rape)

What is prayer to you?

Skit Guys

https://youtu.be/UmL_GTKU2lE

John’s Gospel

Harmony of the Gospels Sec. 36: Jesus Welcomed in Galilee

The healing of the royal official’s son completes the “Cana cycle” in John’s Gospel, which spans from 2:1 to 4:54 and begins and ends with a “sign” performed by Jesus in Cana of Galilee (2:11; 4:54, Sec. 38). The present “sign” is a rare instance of a long-distance healing performed by Jesus. The story resembles that of the Gentile centurion in Matthew 8:5–13 and Luke 7:2–10, but this is not the same incident.

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 36: John (Second Edition) Healing of the King’s Officer’s Son (4:46–54)

The clue to the Evangelist’s purpose in the narrative, its “sign” value, lies in the threefold reference to the statement of Jesus to the officer: ὁ υἱός σου ζῇ, “Your son lives” (vv 50, 51, 53). The healing of the boy is a sign of the power of Jesus to give life, which in the discourse that follows will be defined as “eternal life” (5:24), and even life from the dead, resurrection life (5:21, 25–26, 28–29). Its appropriateness to the latter aspect is clear in the light of 4:47—the boy was at the point of death. Along with the emphasis on the word of Jesus, the narrative reveals a corresponding progression in the officer’s faith (vv 48, 50, 53). These two features, the authoritative word of the Lord and the faith of the officer, provide “the form by which the final eschatological truth is made known and apprehended” (5:24; so Hoskyns, 262).

Jesus started his ministry in Cana by changing the water to wine

John records “signs” that indicate Jesus is the messiah.

I want to focus on the royal official. There are three things that we can see in this passage:

Perseverance

Earnestness

Boldness

Perseverance in Prayer

The entire Bible is filled with examples of God’s people waiting expectantly for answers to their prayers. The people named in the book of Hebrews prayed and waited in faith, much like many believers around the world today.What are you prayerfully waiting for? Hoping for?

How do we continue to pray when we feel ignored?

Prayer reflects faith and confidence. Not just in the miracle, but in the power and love of God. Prayer is tangible evidence of our intangible faith. It is a covenant act between us and God.

We persevere not because we want to harass God into complying with our demands. We persevere because we trust God and know that the relationship we have with him allows for our humanity. We persevere because we continue in relationship and this requires communication. We persevere because we care deeply and have strong faith.

Earnestness in Prayer

The word “earnest” (sophroneo) comes from a term that literally means “be in one’s right mind.” It has the idea of being under control mentally. This is the believer who thinks through and evaluates what he/she is praying about: filtering the prayer through Scripture and reason. - Jeff Stott

The word “earnestly” here is a compound word in Greek. It has two parts, the first part meaning “out” and the second part meaning “stretched.” It's the idea behind our English word for tension. It's translated in 1 Peter 1:22 as deeply or fervently, and it's used in Luke 22:44 where Jesus prays “in anguish” and “more earnestly” in the Garden of Gethsemane.

It is not about providing a list of demands, but in honestly making our needs known in the context of God. We need to know who we are talking to and make sure the conversation is real.

Boldness in Prayer

Ephesians 3:12 LEB

in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through faith in him.

The word “boldness” in this verse is from the Greek word parresia, \ paˈrēzh(ē)ə \ which describes a frankness of speech that is often viewed as unflinching authority — even in the face of opposition. It presents a picture of unashamed boldness. It also is associated with joy and courage. But in addition, Paul goes on to tell us that we can have “confidence” in Christ as we pray.

The royal official is bold. He has traveled 20 miles or so. At that time it was a very difficult journey. He presents himself to Jesus and makes a bold request. And then repeats it. He has confidence in Jesus’s ability and in Jesus’s willingness to listen.

Conclusion

What are you praying for? What are you afraid to pray for? Are your prayers demands?

We have this ability to approach God with confidence and open our hearts to him. To clarify with him what our needs and wants are. We have the ability, in prayer, to develop a rich relationship with God and experience his presence in our lives in an incredibly powerful way. If we persevere. If we are earnest. If we are bold.

Prayer is such a key piece in our relationship with God. It needs to be our primary plan.