HISTORY IS HIS STORY!
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A pastor once asked his church to pray that God would shut down a neighborhood bar. The whole church gathered for an evening prayer meeting, pleading with God to rid the neighborhood of the evils of this bar. A few weeks later, lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground.
Having heard about the church’s prayer crusade, the bar owner promptly sued the church. When the court date finally arrived, the bar owner passionately argued that God struck his bar with lightning because of the church members’ prayers. The pastor backtracked, brushing off the accusations. He admitted the church prayed, but he also affirmed that no one in his congregation really expected anything to happen.
The judge leaned back in his chair, a mix of amusement and perplexity on his face. Finally he spoke: “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Right in front of me is a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and a pastor who doesn’t.”
The truth is some Christian Atheists believe in God, but they don’t believe in prayer.
They might claim to believe prayer works, but their actions say otherwise. Some rarely pray, and when they do, they don’t expect anything to change.
Perhaps that’s you.
Daniel 2:14–23 (NASB95)
14 Then Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon; 15 he said to Arioch, the king’s commander, “For what reason is the decree from the king so urgent?” Then Arioch informed Daniel about the matter. 16 So Daniel went in and requested of the king that he would give him time, in order that he might declare the interpretation to the king. 17 Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, 18 so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; 20 Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. 21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. 22 “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. 23 “To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”
Does God answer prayer? Daniel and his companions example.
Despite being EXILED, in CAPTIVITY, and under UNREASONABLE politics (v. 14; to slay the wise men):
These men responded with RESPECT. (v. 14, 16; discretion and discernment, requested).
11 Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
They remained centered on God’s Holiness in a corrupt world.
14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
b. Daniel shared his prayer request with friends.
i. They prayed together.
ii. They prayed earnestly until the Lord answered.
When someone says, “Will you pray with me, do you?” I mean do you say, “Let’s pray.”
Luis Palau noted that when an evangelist asked how to do better, Billy Graham just started praying. Luis concluded that the evangelist was concerned about the how of ministry. Billy was successful because he focused on the WHO of eternity.
They Lord received Glory in answering the prayer.
i. Jesus reigns over all, regardless of location and politics.
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
ii. Daniel and his friends exalted God, not themselves. (v. 19-20)
In the Bible Background Commentary, political intrigue could be a possible reason why Neb had been so secretive about his dream.
Old Testament 2:1-49: A Troubling Dream
2:5–9. the king’s demand. If the king had forgotten the dream, he would not want to admit it, because forgetting a dream was a bad omen indicating that his god was angry with him. Furthermore, such forgetfulness would logically result in the request that the gods send the dream again. Important dreams were often repeated two or three times (notice that v. 1 suggests more than one dream by the use of the plural). An alternative is that Nebuchadnezzar felt that the dream was so ominous that it could too easily be used as a mechanism for subversion against the throne. Divine utterances had long served the purposes of conspirators and usurpers (see 2 Kings 8:8–15 and comment on 2 Kings 9:6–10). He sought evidence that the interpretation represented the gods’ message rather than human agenda by requiring that the gods reveal the dream to the interpreter.
Everyone wanted to position themselves and Neb had the fear of a coupe.
Daniel and his friends wanted to remain under God who will never be dethroned.
They PROCLAIMED God’s Kingdom, not their power.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
I remember once when Emma was very young. She had made a friend at church and I went to visit the family. I came home with good news. I asked Emma, do you know what happened tonight. She said, “Yes Daddy. Miss Peggy became a Christian.” I had just gotten home so I looked puzzled. She replied maturely and matter of fact, “I prayed for her tonight and God told me she would be saved.”
17 “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
Application for you and me.
When under stress, do you go to the Throne or the phone?
Do you complain or do you turn to the Lord.
Do you share your burdens and joys with others?
This week, a good friend called me. He received word that he’s inline to become Lt. Colonel. He wanted to share good news and pray with me. We all need those we can share our burdens.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
WHAT SHOULD YOU PRAY ABOUT? whatever is on your mind.
Craig Groeschel gave this list in his book, Christian Atheist
When you find out your grandfather has cancer, pray that God would heal him.
If your boss drives you crazy, talk to God about her.
If you have headaches, tell God when it hurts.
If your marriage is in bad shape, ask God to help.
If you are considering replacing an older car, ask God for wisdom.
Before starting on your term paper, pray for direction.
And if you don’t want a puppy, don’t let your kids pray.
But even when you don’t see the results of your prayers around you, you may still sense God’s loving presence
as you grow to know Him. I’ve learned that any genuine communication to God may or may not change what God does, but your prayer will often change your heart or perspective.
Prayer reminds you that you’re not in control and keeps you close to the One who is.
When you pray, remember you talk with the One who has the
Power to bring down governments.
To bring revival.
To bring repentance to the church.
To bring healing to our nation.
19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.