September 9th Sabbath Sermon Notes

Prayers

For this week's sermon, I shared what the Bible says about prayers. Below are my sermon notes. I hope you are encouraged by this.

We often hear Mom saying "can you pray for my" (fill in the blank.) It could be she is not feeling well, an injured foot or something else… Often, Elizabeth reminds us to pray before we eat or before we go to bed. But, What is prayer? Why is it important? How much do you pray? Or, better yet, how much should you pray?

Psalm 65:2 NASB O You who hear prayer, To You all men come. KJV O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. It says “all men” or “all flesh.” This means all people can come to God with their prayer and God hears. There is no other resource for people, no other help to answer our prayers except God that hears our prayers. No other being can meet our needs through prayer alone.

Colossians 4:2 says Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Thanking God should always be part of what we do in prayer. We should also do this continually.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Again, this is saying to give thanks to God in all circumstances. And again, it is saying pray “without ceasing.”

But how do we know that God is not only listening, but that He cares and will help? In the second part of James 5:16 it says The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. This is the version that Dagney and I remember because it is NIV (ICOC). NASB says “A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.” ESV says “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” KJV says “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” ALL of these are amazing and encouraging. They all mean that our prayers, if righteous, can and will be effective.

Many people wonder why they don’t have certain things, or other thing don’t happen in their lives that they hope for. James 4:2 says, (NIV) You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. How can we ask God for the things that want? Prayer.

God wants us to come to Him and ask for things because He truly wants us to be joyful. John 16:24 says Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

God does not just want us to be joyful. He also does not want us to be anxious about anything. This is another reason God wants us to pray. Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 11:6 says And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. How do we “draw near to God?” prayer. It is like any relationship. We draw nearer to our spouse, our children, or friends by talking with them. Imagine a relationship where one side desperately wanted the other to talk to them and they never did. How much do you think God wants to bless that person? What about the person that prays to God regularly throughout the day and desires that relationship? The person that wants to please God and seek Him?

2 Chronicles 7:14 shows us that God power is limitless and our prayers to God literally have the potential to change the world! Some people think what can their little prayer do change anything? Some people think their prayer can’t even change their own little world. But again, God is telling us that if we just humble ourselves, ask and pray fervently, He will “heal our land.” The only limit is completely on us. God is limitless. Our asking, our thinking, our praying our expectations are sometimes too limited. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Deuteronomy 4:7 reaffirms this by saying For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? God is once again saying here that if we simply call upon Him (pray), He will be near us. That is how He can heal a land. We need to pray for this.
 
Proverbs 15:8 says The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. Again, this is another example that God wants us to seek Him, to pray to Him. Our prayers are pleasing to Him. In other words, it isn’t a burden for God if we pray to Him asking Him to heal our land and provide for us. It is actually pleasing to Him for us to come to Him through prayer. What then is the opposite? Is it displeasing or sad for God when we don’t pray to Him? Again, think about a relationship where one person simply doesn’t ever talk with the other.
John 16:23 says In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. We are being told again, there is nothing God can not and will not do if we ask. Does this mean we can just say to God we want a fancy new Ferrari and boom, shiny new car is sitting in the driveway? No. Does this mean He doesn’t always answer our prayers? No. God always answers our prayers, but that doesn't mean He'll just give you whatever you ask for. Because He knows what's best for you, He will answer your prayers in His way. We once heard God always answers prayers… Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes it is no, sometimes it is not yet… Matthew 26:39 is possibly the best example of this ever. Jesus himself is praying to God and the scripture says And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Did God take the cup from Jesus? No. God had a plan and He needed to fulfill this plan, despite it being the most extraordinarily painful moment in time for Jesus and God. This was possibly the most painful moment in history for anyone. But, in the end, it was God’s plan and it was the right plan so that we could all be saved and have a relationship with God. Probably no one else could see it at the time, the disciples included. But, in the end, they all understood it as we do today. So, when we don’t get exactly what we pray for, we need to be comforted knowing that God has His best planned for us. We just need to trust and continue to pray that His will be done in our lives. Just as Jesus did.