Pray or Prey
Notes
Transcript
Welcome
Welcome
Thank you so much for joining us today. We are so glad that you are here. If there is anything, we can do to serve you and your family, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Also, if you are ever in the (Orlando/DC) area, be sure to stop by, we would love to worship with you and your family.
Summary
Summary
We are continuing our Exiles series. If you missed it, please go back and check it out as I believe the message set the tone and context that we will be addressing over the new few weeks. The biggest take away was, we are exiles, which means our citizenship is in heaven.
Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
We can thrive where we are, don't forget where you are from. We are Exiles. We are loyal to the lamb, not the donkey or elephant. Our main scripture for this series is
Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief eunuch not to defile himself.
This entire series is meant to help us Draw the Line. Resist. Depend on God. Have confidence. Last week we talked about being Under the Influence. It is important to be under the influence of the kingdom, because we are protected by the king.
Scripture
Scripture
Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm. The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. Then these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”
So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said to him, “May King Darius live forever. All the administrators of the kingdom—the prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors—have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an edict that, for thirty days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den. Therefore, Your Majesty, establish the edict and sign the document so that, as a law of the Medes and Persians, it is irrevocable and cannot be changed.” So King Darius signed the written edict.
When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Prayer
Prayer
Lord we thank you for your presence. I pray, that you speak to us today. Give us open eyes, open ear, and open heart. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Illustration
Illustration
I recently had the most embarrassing thing happen to me. I was in the store shopping for a case for my new iPhone. As I walked up and down the isle, there was a young lady looking in the same section. With wearing masks, we have to be so intentional with how we show kindness. You have to smile so big it can be seen in your eyes. We exchanged pleasantries and went about our business. I finally found the one I wanted. I grabbed it, analyzed it, pictured my phone in it and decided, this can work. As I was about to walk away, I heard the young lady say, I can’t believe you are doing this to me. Don’t get quiet now! You knew that’s what I wanted and I can’t believe you didn’t consider me. I responded, hey, it’s ok, they have others here. (Is this my Karen moment) She then realized what was going on and said, I am so sorry, I am on the phone with my sister as she moved her hair and pointed to her AirPods. I told her, I am so sorry, I didn’t know you were on the phone, I thought you were talking to me. It quickly got cleared up. I thought it was so funny at how she was having a full conversation with someone wasn’t there. We all know the cellphone guy who has full conversations while in line. I am so self conscious of that stuff but to be able to talk confidently and boldly, knowing you’re being heard, but don’t care about who hears, is pretty cool.
It’s amazing how confident you can be when you know you have a strong connection.
Transition
Transition
I wonder if those words resonate with you the way that they did with me. Many times from the outside it can look like you're talking and no one is listening. But when you know you're connected, you know you're heard. Israel was exiled and many were captive, things didn't look good yet Daniel lived a life of prayer because he knew he was connected to the source.
If I were to ask you hat is the most important part of a relationship, we may have a slightly different response but I'm sure the consensus generally is communication. Why? Communication takes the monologue in your heart and mind and invites others into the conversation. As a Christian there are things that are common references that we make that seem to be understood and implied within the statement. While we are products of grace there are experiential things we do that aide our walk: Prayer, the Word and Worship and community. These are things that strengthen the Christian walk. Worship, I get; the Word I understand but Prayer has always been this concept that people struggle with. I mean how exactly does it work? Is God really listening and processing prayers of billions of people and what's the protocol for answers? Is there a special formula? Do I have to say in Jesus name in order for God to hear it? Why aren't some prayers answered? Do mans prayers really move the hand of God? While I don't think I can answer every question about prayer, I do want to establish a baseline about prayer. A biblical definition of prayer is a conversation with God. It isn't always asking or begging, it's just talking to God. So if prayer is a conversation with God, each instance in the bible where we see people engaging in conversation with God, it's a form of prayer. A type and shadow of prayer. So with this foundation we see people brought requests, concerns, questions, intercession...into the presence of God.
When Daniel was confronted by the resistance he faced, he prayed. When Daniel heard about a law being passed that conflicted with his beliefs, he prayed. I want us to be a community that views prayer as the first response not the last resort. Before you leave a comment on someone’s post, can you have a conversation with God?
Observations
Observations
Get alone with God
Get alone with God
Daniel receives notification that he can't talk to God for the next 30 days. That sounds odd but let me translate that in common language. You ever had a job that seemed to be contrary to your faith. You ask off on Wednesday's and Sundays and you feel like you always face resistance or challenges? Daniel goes home. He doesn't go to the bar, the club or his ladies house. He goes home. A place where he can talk with God before he deals with man. Sometimes it's hard to hear God when there's a live studio audience in your ears. I've learned that private prayer equals public power.
But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Private prayer equals public power. Prayer is the place where information turns into revelation. My mom was given a death sentence but prayer revealed the will of God.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Daniel went home to pray. I wonder if the reason why things aren't good at home is because we haven't brought God into our homes? There is no place like home. When you tap the home button on the iPhone you can see your most recent conversations. I wander who would pop up if we were to tap the home button to our soul. If God isn’t first, maybe you need to call Him right now.
Aroma of Prayer - Prayer is Powerful
Aroma of Prayer - Prayer is Powerful
The bible tells us in multiple places that prayer omits a fragrance.
The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up in the presence of God from the angel’s hand.
May my prayer be set before you as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering.
Aromas can be overpowering. You ever smell someone without even seeing them? Axe body spray or Old Spice. Or go into a department store with the people at the counter that overwhelm your senses with a million different smells. What about those stores that you can smell without even going in them? Did you know that smell is directly connected to memory? My family and I are house shopping and every house we go into has the best aroma. It’s meant to smell warm and cozy. They want you to feel at home. When we spend time in the presence of God in prayer, we walk away with the fragrance of Jesus...peace, joy, love, patience!
For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
This is why the enemy hates when we pray because the aroma reminds him of his defeat. Jesus was anointed before He died, best believe He left an aroma everywhere He went.
Then Mary took a pound of perfume, pure and expensive nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped his feet with her hair. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
You're still anointed! Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?!? The aroma of grace can penetrate the stench of brokenness.
Point
Point
Pray About It
Pray About It
Prayer Provides Perspective
Daniel opened the window and prayed toward Jerusalem. This wasn't superstition, this was keeping the perspective of faith. Though he was captive, though everyone around him was pagans and unbelievers, his prayers gave him perspective of peace. Jerusalem means foundation of peace. Three times a day, Daniel got a fresh perspective of peace. You know I've learned that answered prayers aren't about the most peaceful path, it's often having peace during the painful journey. Prayer helps elevate your perspective so that you can see peace. However we don't have to pray in a specific direction, we just look to Jesus and experience peace.
Prayer Helps to Keep your eyes on Jesus!
Prayer Helps to Keep your eyes on Jesus!
keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Closing
Closing
Lions Roar
Lions Roar
The king had immense respect for Daniel. When he hears about the situation, he is grieved, but his hands are tied. Daniel is escorted to the lions den. These are the moments where you decide, I can pray to God or be prey to the enemy. Daniel finds himself eye to eye with a predator. In the death chamber where the stench of decayed flesh and bones while the sticky blood of previous victims provide grip for his feet.
At the first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he reached the den, he cried out in anguish to Daniel. “Daniel, servant of the living God,” the king said, “has your God, whom you continually serve, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Then Daniel spoke with the king: “May the king live forever.
When giving an account, Daniel states that God sent an angel to shut the lions mouth. Angels are messengers of God. So God sent His Word to shut the predators mouth. Jesus is the word of God that Was sent to shut the mouth of the predators in your life. Jesus said satan is LIKE a roaring lion. Lions often roar to mark their territory. Let me tell you about a true lion. The bible says He was victorious! His roar still echoes through eternity and populates heaven. IT. IS. FINISHED.
Alter
Alter
I issue a decree that in all my royal dominion, people must tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For he is the living God, and he endures forever; his kingdom will never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end. He rescues and delivers; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for he has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
When I think about headphones, AirPods etc. the biggest benefit is it allows you to live a handsfree life. You can take your hands off of the wheel. Prayer helps us take our hands off of the situation so that we can focus on the destination. The bible tells us that Darius made another decree after Daniel survived the lion. The decree said that the God of Daniel was God and should be worshipped. Confession leads to conversion. He then elevated Daniel and he was treated with favor. The ones that put you in the den, will put you in the palace when you take your hands off and focus on the destination. Prayer prepares you for the den, favor puts you in the palace.
Prayer Scriptures
Prayer Scriptures
and my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
pray constantly,