Sermon Tone Analysis

Invite: Luke 18

Luke 18:1-7 “1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?”

Look at that last verse again

Luke 18:7 “7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?”

The reason why many fail in the battle is because they wait until the hour of battle.

The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came.

R. A. TORREY*

1. Prayer Humbles the Person Who Prays

2. Prayer Keeps Our Needs Before God

Humble prayer pierces the heavens, disarms the anger of God, obtains his mercies, and makes the snares of the evil one of no avail.

THOMAS À KEMPIS*

3. Prayer Seeks a Divine Response

A little before I went to bed, my soul was harassed, in a sad and very unusual manner, with doubts and fears and unbelief.

I was in spiritual darkness, even darkness that might be felt.…

My heavenly Pilot disappeared; I seemed to have quite lost my hold on the rock of ages; I sunk in the deep mire; and the waves and storms went over me.

Yet, at last, in prayer, I was enabled, I do not know how, to throw myself, absolutely and at large, on God, at all events, and for better for worse: yet without comfort, and almost without hope.

AUGUSTUS M. TOPLADY*

4. Prayer Strengthens the Person Who Prays

The Christian on his knees sees more than the philosopher on tiptoe.

DWIGHT L. MOODY*

What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use—men of prayer, men mighty in prayer.

The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men.

He does not come on machinery, but on men.

He does not anoint plans, but men—men of prayer.

E. M. BOUNDS*

175 Sermon Outlines (93.

The Power of Prayer)