PRAYER

A.
"O THOU THAT HEAREST PRAYER, UNTO THEE SHALL ALL FLESH
COME." - Ps. 65:2
1.
David had many shortcomings, so do we but he was a man of prayer:
a.
His very life seems to have been an expression of prayer.
b.
Most of his Psalms are prayers - Ps. 4:1; 17:1; Ps. 5:3; 6:9; 35:13;
39:12; 42:8; 54:2; 55:1; 61:1; 64:1; 84:8; 86:6; 102:1; 143:1
2.
He had a regular time for prayer:
a.
"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning
will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." - Ps. 5:3
b.
"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray and cry aloud:
and he shall hear my voice." - Ps. 55:17
3.
Daniel, too, had a set time for his prayer seasons: Dan. 6:10
B.

PRAYER -- WHAT IT IS
1.
The word "prayer" comes from the Hebrew word "lachas", and the Greek
word "proseuche", and signifies "a whisper, a prayer, a request, an expression of
adoration":
2.
There are, as we have seen, different shades of meaning of prayer:
a.
Meditation - Ps. 19:14; 77:12
b.
Intercession - 1 Tim. 2:1
c.
Supplication - Job 8:5; Ps. 6:9; 119:172
3.
The human concept of prayer:
a.
"Prayer is the soul's sincere desire uttered or unexpressed. The
motion of a hidden dire that trembles in the breast." (James Montgomery)
b.
"Prayer is the world in tune, the spirit-voice, a vocal joy, whose
echo is heaven's bliss." (Moors)
c.
Prayer is the medium that connects the mind of man with that of
God.
d.
Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a dear friend.
e.
Prayer is to the soul what breath is to the body, without either there
can be no life.
f.
Prayer is the language all men have in common.
C.

GOD WANTS US TO PRAY

1.
"Call on me, and I will answer thee": Jer. 33:3
a.
"O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come." - Ps.

65:2
b.
"The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out
of all their troubles." - Ps. 34:17
2.
It is a sin not to pray:
a.
"Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? Who eat up my
people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord." - Ps. 53:4
b.
"Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon
the families that call not on thy name." - Jer. 10:25

c.
"I will cut off . . . them that are turned back from the Lord; and
those that have not sought the Lord, not enquired for him." - Zeph. 1:4-6
3.
The Lord Jesus uses a number of effective illustrations to show the
importance of prayer:
a.
The importunate widow - Luke 18:1-8
b.
The man that came to his friend and asked for three loaves of bread
- Luke 11:1-8
c.
The attitude of the father when his son asked for bread - Luke
11:11-13
4.
He gives us an example of the prayer life He lived while on earth:
a.
"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went
out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." - Mark 1:35
b.
"And when he had sent the multitude away, he went up into a
mountain apart to pray." - Matt. 14:23
c.
"And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a
mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." - Luke 6:12
5.
The Bible is full of statements showing that God wants us to pray:
a.
The patriarchs were men of much prayer.
b.
Their altars were markers of the prayer centers in their pilgrimage.
c.
Prophets and apostles were dedicated men of much prayer. Can
we be less?
WITH CHRIST IN THE SCHOOL OF PRAYER
LUKE 11:1-6
A.
"AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT AS HE WAS PRAYING IN A CERTAIN
PLACE, WHEN HE CEASED, ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES SAID UNTO HIM, LORD,
TEACH US TO PRAY, AS JOHN ALSO TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES."
1.
Whatever the shortcomings of the early disciples may have been, the
petition of one of them is indicative of progress with Christ in the school of prayer:
a.
The prayer life of Christ made a definite impression upon them.
b.
It created a desire in their hearts to learn to pray.
2.
The petition indicates further:
a.
That John was a man of prayer.
b.
And that he taught his disciples how to pray.
3.
Best of all, our text shows:
a.
That prayer is an art that must be learned from Christ in the school
of prayer.
b.
For we know not how to pray - Rom. 8:26
B.

JESUS CHRIST, A MAN OF PRAYER

1.
He, who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, was truly a man
of prayer:
a.
To Him prayer was a channel through which a constant flow of
divine power flowed into His life.
b.
So it is with those who follow in His steps; they, too, use the
prayer life as the great arsenal of their spiritual strength.

2.

Let us note, briefly, some of the high points of the prayer life of Christ:
a.
His habit and habitat of prayer (1)
He spent much time in solitude, in prayer to God - Matt.
14:23; Mark 1:35; 6:46; Luke 3:12
(2)
He blended thanksgiving and prayer - Matt. 11:25; Luke
10:21; John 11:41
(3)
He made prayers of intercession for his friends - Luke
22:32; for his enemies - Luke 23:34
(4)
His prayers indicated his complete submission to God Matt. 26:39; Mark 15:34; Luke 22:42; John 12:27
b.
Here is the study on the art of true prayer for all who want to walk
in His steps.
c.
There is still another inspiring and thought provoking side to the
prayer life of the man of prayer (1)
The Lord's prayer at his baptism and its effect - Luke 3:21
(2)
His prayer, preceding the ordination of the apostles; He
prayed all night - Luke 14:22, 23
(3)
His prayer in the garden of Gethsemane before He made
known His passion to His disciples - Luke 9:18-27
(4)
His prayer at his transfiguration - Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8;
Luke 9:28-36
C.

LESSON TO APPROPRIATE IN OUR DAILY LIFE

1.
We, like the Master, must make prayer our first business of the day:
a.
"Early will I seek thee" - Ps. 63:1; 78:34
b.
That is what the Master did.
2.
In this He lived His own teaching:
a.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God" - Matt. 6:33
b.
There is a special blessing in making prayer our first business of
the day (1)
Our body is rested; our mind is clear.
(2)
We are most susceptible to listening to God in prayer "Lord, speak; for thy servant heareth" - 1 Sam. 3:10
3.
Our prayers should always be mixed with prayer and thanksgiving to God:
a.
Too many prayers are mixed with too much selfishness; they have
too little gratitude; that is why they are not heard from in heaven.
b.
There are so many things for which we have good reason to be
thankful for, that our hearts should be full of praise and thanksgiving.
c.
The art of prayer begins with the impelling desire of reverent
thanksgiving to God, the giver of all good gifts.
4.
"Lord teach us to pray":
a.
Help us to better understand the meaning of prayer, what it
includes, and what it should not include.
b.
Give us the grace to use every opportunity to make prayer our first
business of the day.
c.
To not only make our petition to thee, but to live our prayers.

"OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN"

MATTHEW 6:9, 10
A.

FATHER
1.
Indicates relationship:
a.
God is our Father by reason of our creation - Deut. 32:6
b.
He has begotten us with the word of truth - Jas. 1:17, 18
c.
We are sons and daughters through faith in Jesus Christ - 1 John
3:1-3; 5:1-5
d.
We have been adopted into the family of God in the Beloved Eph. 1:5, 6
2.
The word FATHER:
a.
Indicates a heart relationship.
b.
We cry "Abba Father" - Rom. 8:15; Mark 14:36; Gal. 4:6
c.
It indicates paternal care by God - Matt. 6:25-34
d.
It shows that God is a pitying Father to His children - Ps. 106:46
B.

"OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN"

1.
With these opening words of the Lord's prayer we recognize:
a.
That God has a family of which we are a part - Eph. 3:15
b.
Said the good Shepherd, "Other sheep I have" - John 10:15
c.
He treats them all alike - Acts 10:34, 35
2.
We are all members of the same family:
a.
Thus when I come to God in prayer I do not limit my petition to
myself or my immediate family, but include all God's family, members of the church.
b.
I remember my fellowmen - 1 Tim. 2:1-5; Luke 10:24, 33, 37
c.
Think of what the opening words of my petition mean (1)
They exclude all selfishness - Luke 18:10-13
(2)
We are made conscious of God's interest in others; and
reminds us of the meaning of the golden rule, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would
that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matt. 7:12
C.
THE OPENING WORDS OF THE LORD'S PRAYER REVEAL GOD'S
ATTITUDE TOWARD US
1.
This paternal attitude was revealed in the life of the Son of God:
a.
"He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" - John 14:9
b.
"I speak that which I have seen with my Father" - John 8:39
2.
He made known His thoughts toward us:
a.
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord,
thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end." - Jer. 29:11
b.
He cares for you -- "He careth for you" - Matt. 6:30
c.
It reveals His great sympathy for us. "In all their affliction he was
afflicted" - Isa. 63:9; "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that
fear him" - Ps. 103:13
3.
Is this the picture you see on the opening words of the Lord's prayer?

a.
between us and God?
b.
c.
d.

Do they unfold to you the deep and most significant relationship

Can you see the true meaning of God's family and His loving care?
Does it make you hate selfishness as you can by God's grace?
Do you include others in your daily prayer? 1 Tim. 2:1-5
ILLUSTRATIONS
(1)
A mother's love - Isa. 49:15; Jer. 31:20
(2)
Jonah and his attitude toward others - Jonah 4:5-11
(3)
The prodigal's brother - Luke 15:25-32
(4)
A real challenge to us - Matt. 25:34-40; 1 John 4:8, 20
(5)
The deeper meaning of "Our Father" - Mark 10:35-45; 2

Cor. 12:7-9
(6)
When it is really hard to say, "Our Father" - Mark 9:38;
Luke 5:29, 30; 9:52-54; John 4:9
(7)
What Jesus prayed for - John 13:34-35; 17:20-23
"HALLOWED BE THY NAME"
MATTHEW 6:9
A.

THE NAME OF GOD

1.
Stands for His majestic Being:
a.
Angels recognize His majesty - Isa. 6:1-13
b.
He is surrounded by a thick cloud, unapproachable by sinful beings
- 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15, 16
2.
His Name stands for His character:
a.
He is holy, just, and good - Rom. 7:12
b.
His Name reveals His nature - Ex. 34:6, 7
3.
It stands, also, for His relationship and His attitude to men and toward
men:
a.
He is our heavenly Father - Rom. 8:15; Isa. 63:16
b.
We are His children - John 1:10, 11; Rom. 8:14-16; 1 John 3:1-3
c.
He has begotten us in Christ Jesus our Lord unto a lively hope - 1
Pet. 1:3; 1 John 5:18
B.

"HALLOWED BE THY NAME"

1.
Since the Name of God stands for His majesty, His character, and His
glorious works:
a.
We are to reverence or hallow it -- "holy and reverent is his name"
- Ps. 111:9
b.
Angels covered themselves when they mentioned His Name - Isa.
6:1-14
2.
How we hallow the Name of the Lord:
a.
When we do not use His name in vain - Ex. 20:7; Deut. 5:11. How
sad it is to hear persons use the name of the Lord carelessly and with disrespect.
b.
It is a great sin to use God's name in vain or disrespectfully.
c.
That brings reproach upon our claims to be His children - Isa.
29:23; 48:11; 52:5

d.
We hallow the name of our heavenly Father when we obey His
voice and do His holy will - Luke 6:46; Matt. 5:16
e.
Said Jesus, "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things
which I say?" Luke 6:46
f.
Only the doer of the word is blessed, and not the hearers only - Jas.
1:22, 23
C.

THIS PETITION IN THE LORD'S PRAYER COVERS

1.
Our attitude toward God our Father:
a.
One has reason to fear that we do not take the reverent approach to

Him.
b.
Too many persons use that Holy Name thoughtlessly. Some use it
so carelessly that it dishonors Him.
2.
If angels cover their faces when the name of God is spoken of, and when
they speak softly in His presence, how should we use it in holy reverence and fear!
3.
The name of God is revered:
a.
By those who love and adore Him.
b.
By all who have become partakers of His nature EXAMPLES (1)
"Thy name be magnified" - 2 Sam. 7:26
(2)
"We will sing praises to thy name" - Ps. 9:2; 18:49
(3)
"Blessed be thy glorious name" - Neh. 9:5
(4)
"How excellent is thy name" - Ps. 8:1, 9
4.
If this is the attitude of God's people, we will truly say to our heavenly
Father in heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name!
5.
But the name of God is either magnified or reproached by our words and
deeds:
a.
It is magnified or revered when we live such lives that all who
know us will glorify God in heaven - Matt. 5:16
b.
That was our Lord's deep desire, that His Father might be glorified
in His life and through His ministry - John 17:1
c.
The name of the Lord is dishonored or reproached when we
misrepresent Him before men - Ps. 69:9; 74:18
EXAMPLES (1)
Moses and Aaron became guilty of the sin of disrespect by
the people - Num. 20:12
(2)
Herod, too, was guilty of the same sin - Acts 12:23
(3)
Nebuchadnezzar fell into the same sin - Dan. 4:30, 31
Let us ever be on guard lest we become guilty of the sin of
disrespect for the Holy Name of our Father which is in heaven.
"THY KINGDOM COME"
MATTHEW 6:10
A

THIS PART OF OUR LORD'S PRAYER INDICATES CLEARLY:

1.
That there are two opposing kingdoms:
a.
The kingdom of Satan! He claims that the kingdoms of this world

belong to him because they had been given to him - Luke 4:4-6. Our Lord recognized
this usurpation by Lucifer. Said he, "And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against
himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?" Matt. 12:26. He speaks of Satan as "the
prince of this world" - John 12:31; 16:11
b.
The kingdom of God - "thy kingdom come". It is the realm where
God is king, controlling the affairs of His kingdom - Isa. 52:7; Ps. 22:28. For God is still
governor of the nations - Dan. 2:44; Ps. 22:28. Lucifer came in possession of this
kingdom through lies and falsehood -- beguiling Eve and Adam to sin against their
Maker, making them to believe a lie - Luke 4:1-6; Rom. 6:16; Gen. 3:1-6
B.

NATURE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

1.
Presently it is the kingdom of grace:
a.
It functions within the heart - Luke 17:20, 21; Col. 1:27
b.
This phase of the kingdom of God was set up before the foundation
of the world, but became active after Adam and Eve fell - 1 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 13:8; Gen.
3:15
c.
It is known, also, as the kingdom of grace -- grace reigning in the
heart - Rom. 5:21
2.
All believers are subjects of the kingdom of grace:
a.
Paul teaches this truth - Tit. 2:11; Eph. 2:7, 8; Rom. 5:17-19
b.
The Bible is full of references about this part or phase of God's
kingdom - Gen. 6:8; Jer. 31:2; Ex. 33:12, 16; Zech. 4:8
c.
It is during this part of God's kingdom that we are made ready for
the kingdom of glory - Matt. 1:21; Acts 4:12; John 3:16
3.
The functions of the kingdom of grace are symbolized by:
a.
The seed cast into the ground - Mark 4:26
b.
The grain of mustard seed - Mark 4:31
c.
A leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal Luke 13:21
C.

"THY KINGDOM COME"

1.
This has been the desire of all God's children in all ages:
a.
They were so raptured by God's promise of a kingdom that they
freely confessed that they were pilgrims and strangers - Heb. 11:13
b.
They looked for a city that has a foundation, whose Builder and
Maker is God.
c.
People refused deliverance from suffering and pain because they
looked forward to the kingdom of God - Heb. 11:36-40
2.
Not only have God's children prayed for the kingdom of God to come:
a.
They proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom (1)
Enoch did - Jude 14, 15
(2)
Seth, too, proclaimed the message of the coming kingdom Gen. 4:26
(3)
Noah was a preacher of the righteousness that will be the
rule in God's kingdom - 2 Pet. 2:5
3.
This gospel of the kingdom centers in the person of Jesus Christ:

a.
It is called the gospel of Jesus Christ - Rom. 1:16
b.
He, and He alone, can bring about the consummation of the
kingdom of God - Acts 4:12; Luke 23:42-44
c.
It is He, who teaches us to pray, "thy kingdom come" - Matt. 6:911
d.
When we receive Jesus Christ as our Saviour, He sets up His
throne in our hearts; He reigns in our hearts through the Holy Spirit - Rom. 5:17
e.
To sum it up, the kingdom of God, for which we are praying, is,
actually, the restoration of the first dominion lost through sin - Mi. 4:8
"THY WILL BE DONE"
MATTHEW 6:10
A.

"THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN"

1.
This petition, in the Lord's prayer, is most inclusive:
a.
It governs the moral relationship of men to the Creator and His
creatures.
b.
This will is expressed in the law of the Ten Commandments - Ex.
20:3-17; Rom. 2:17, 18
c.
It encompasses the plan of redemption - Compare 1 Pet. 1:20 with
Eph. 1:4-12
d.
It reaches back into the eternity of God, "Lo, I come: in the
volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is
within my heart." - Ps. 40:7, 8
2.
If this petition is understood and offered in love and holy reverence, God
will be pleased with our prayer:
B.

LET US CONSIDER BRIEFLY, THE IMPLICATION OF THIS PETITION

1.
God's holy will:
a.
Is the supreme law of the universe.
b.
It is the very foundation of the government of God.
2.
This divine law is based upon two eternal principles:
a.
Love to God -- that is the heart of the law of the Ten
Commandments - Matt. 22:34-38
b.
Love to our fellow man is like unto the first commandment - 1
John 4:7-11
3.
These divine principles are summed up in the golden rule, "Therefore all
things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them": Matt.
7:12
4.
The Ten Commandments are, as it were, ten streams having their source in
the two great commandments stated by our Lord in Matt. 22:34-38:
a.
Love to God will lead to obeying God - 1 John 5:4, 5
b.
Love to men will lead to a harmonious relationship with others.
5.
The will of God is fully revealed in the Bible:
a.
2 Tim. 3:15-17
b.
John 5:39; Isa. 34:16

C.

BUT THE HOLY WILL OF GOD IS MOST INCLUSIVE

1.
It covers, as we have stated before, the moral relationship with God and
our fellowmen:
a.
Expressed on the two tables given to Moses - Ex. 20:1-17; Matt.
19:16-21
b.
Emphasized very strongly in the gospel of Jesus Christ - Compare
Matt. 5:17-20 with Heb. 10:15, 16; Rom. 3:31
2.
It includes our attitude toward God's plan to save us from sin:
a.
God will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth - 1 Tim. 2:4
b.
Our sanctification is a part of this divine will - 1 Thess. 4:3, 18
c.
That we shall believe on Him whom God has sent into this world
to save us - John 6:28, 29
3.
God's eternal will is expressed wonderfully in John 3:16:
a.
It reveals God's will toward a lost world - 1 John 2:1-3
b.
It is in this will that we are sanctified - Heb. 10:10
4.
This will, will be the final test as to who will be saved and who will
perish:
a.
Note the words of the Son of God as recorded in Matt. 7:21, 22
b.
The book of Revelation, too, states, in very striking words, the
basis of entering into the holy city - Rev. 22:14
5.
"Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven":
a.
Angels live by the will of God - Ps. 103:20
b.
Lucifer was evicted from his heavenly home because he rebelled
against God's will - Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:12-18
c.
But what about our own personal attitude toward God's will?
(1)
Do we delight in it? Rom. 7:22
(2)
Or are we rebelling against His will? 1 Sam. 15:22, 23
(3)
Is God's will the very source of our life and relationship
with our God? Ps. 40:8
OUR DAILY BREAD
A.

"GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD"

1.
Luke renders this fourth petition in these words, "Give us day by day our
daily bread": Luke 11:3
2.
It is significant that:
a.
Three petitions pertain to God's glory.
b.
Three for man's spiritual necessity.
c.
And this fourth petition pertains to man's bodily needs.
B.

"GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD"

1.
This petition is full of special signification:
a.
In it we express our complete dependence upon our heavenly

Father.
b.
c.

"My God shall supply all your needs" - Phil. 4:19

"These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in

due season." - Ps. 104:27

d.
"For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these
things." - Matt. 6:32
2.
Those who offer this petition:
a.
Put their confidence in the paternal care of their heavenly Father.
b.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." - Ps. 23:1
c.
"I have been young, and now I am old; yet have I not seen the
righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread." - Ps. 37:25
3.
The petition seems to indicate that this is a family prayer:
a.
Was offered at the family altar -- "Give us this day our daily
bread."
b.
This petition is one of the strongest evidences for the importance
of family worship.
c.
"Pour out thy fury . . . upon the families that call not upon thy
name" - Jer. 10:25
4.
How few in this fair land of ours never turn to the Giver of all good gifts,
recognizing that what they think they have comes from him:
a.
Ingratitude is one of the sins of the last days.
b.
That was the sin that sent Sodom and Gomorrah to Hell - Ezek.
16:49, 50
C.

"GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD"

1.
Has a double application:
a.
It has reference, no doubt, to the bread or food to sustain our
physical life.
b.
God created man by placing the necessity of food to sustain his life
- Gen. 1:26-28
2.
But man, so the Bible says, consists of body, soul, and spirit: 2 Thess.
4:23
a.
This points to a dual nature of man, physical and moral or spiritual.
b.
If the physical nature of man needs nourishment, then it is equally
true of the spiritual need.
c.
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God." - Matt. 4:4
3.
When we gather our loved ones around the family altar:
a.
We do, rightly so, place our temporal needs before our heavenly
Father.
b.
But, as God's spiritual children, we include the bread of life in our
petition.
(1)
Christ is that bread which came down from Heaven - John
6:33, 35
(2)
The written word of God is, too, the bread of life - Jer.
15:16; Heb. 4:12, 13
(3)
Paul calls it "meat" - Heb. 5:12
(4)
Our Saviour speaks of the word of God, using the same
expressions - Matt. 24:45

4.

Thus we gather from the fourth petition in the Lord's prayer:

a.
That we look to our heavenly Father for all those needs that sustain
our physical and our spiritual nature.
b.
That the nature of the petition places the request at the family altar.
c.
That being true, the family altar becomes the storehouse or center
for our temporal and our spiritual needs.
d.
Dear reader, is this true of your experience at your family altar?
e.
Have you ever given thought to the life-giving importance of the
family altar?
FORGIVING, A CONDITION OF RECEIVING
FORGIVENESS
A.

"FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS" - Matt. 6:12

1.
This petition to our heavenly Father touches upon man's basic difficulty:
a.
To forgive those who may have wronged us.
b.
It constitutes a real test to our claims to be born again.
2.
Our blessed Lord recognizes this difficulty in human relationship:
a.
And He warns us against an unforgiving attitude toward those who
offend against us - Matt. 6:15
b.
"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:
that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." - Mark 11:25
B.
FORGIVENESS BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER DEPENDS UPON OUR
ATTITUDE TOWARD THOSE WHO OFFEND AGAINST US
1.
Even Peter had difficulty to recognize this divine condition to us receiving
forgiveness:
a.
"How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till
seven times?" "Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until
seventy times seven." - Matt. 18:21, 22
b.
It will be helpful to the reader of this outline to note the following
Bible passages which deal with this important subject - Matt. 6:15; 18:35; Mark 11:25,
26; Luke 6:37; 17:3, 4; 2 Cor. 2:7-10
2.
This petition reveals a twofold guilt on our part:
a.
We have sinned against God; we are guilty of the sin of omission.
b.
We are guilty of the sin of commission because we have sinned
against our fellowmen.
3.
It teaches us to compare the wrong others have done toward us with the
wrong we have done against our heavenly Father:
a.
This shows the serious nature of sin; it shows that sin works two
ways -- against God, and against our fellowmen.
b.
How implicated one is in the midst of sinful men and women! Isa.
6:5
4.
A double guilt requires a double forgiveness:
a.
It includes the forgiveness we seek from God.
b.
And the forgiveness we extend to those who have sinned against
us.

c.
Meditate on Mi. 7:18, 19!
d.
Think over the story of the prodigal son, the attitude of his father,
and that of his elder brother - Luke 15:11-32
e.
Bring to mind the words of Isa. 38:17
C.
THIS PETITION CONSTITUTES A REAL CHALLENGE TO US THIS
MORNING
1.
"Forgive us as we forgive":
a.
We ask our heavenly Father to forgive us because we have
forgiven from the heart those who trespass against us.
b.
Unless and until we have settled our account with others, we are
not prepared to come to God and seek forgiveness from Him.
2.
What this petition leads us to:
a.
It teaches us to have a forgiving attitude toward others every
moment of our life -- "seventy times seven."
b.
It makes it impossible for us to hold a grouch against others and
yet be in the proper relationship to God.
c.
When such a relationship exists among the brethren, the world will
know for sure that we are walking with Jesus.
d.
It all adds up to this, "Let this mind be in you which was also in
Christ Jesus."
(1)
He forgave to the end of his last breath - Luke 23:34
(2)
He pleads for sinners at the right hand of God, day in and
day out, moment by moment. That is a part of his work in the heavenly sanctuary - 1
John 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 2:1-5
3.
How weighty and how solemn is this petition, and how needy we are to be
possessed with the forgiving attitude of our loving Saviour:
a.
"Lord teach me how to relate myself to others, so that I may know
how to relate myself to thee."
b.
God will hear this prayer, if it is offered in sincerity and truth.
TEMPTATION
A.

"AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION"

1.
The original and true meaning of the word "temptation" is simply a "trial"
or a "test":
a.
As in the case of Abraham - Gen. 22:1-12
b.
Also in the experience of the children of Israel - Ex. 16:4; 20:20;
Deut. 8:2
2.
The planting of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil into the Garden
of Eden was to test Adam and Eve:
a.
They had been created free moral agents.
b.
And God provided a means for them to assert their loyalty to their
Maker.
B.

"AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION"

1.
Why this petition?

a.
The Bible teaches, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am
tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man."
-Jas. 1:13
b.
That little word "evil" explains the reason for our petition. "And
lead us not into temptation by the evil one to lead us into disobedience."
2.
God may permit his children to be tested:
a.
Permitted Satan to test Job to bring out in Job his unflinging
loyalty to his God - Job 13:15; 1:1-3
b.
This was true, also, of the Son of man - Matt. 4:1-9; Luke 4:1-8
3.
Our petition to our heavenly Father "And lead us not into temptation"
stems from the fact that we realize our personal weakness:
a.
Had Peter realized his weakness, he would have prayed the petition
of our text.
b.
Jesus knew what would happen with Peter, and he foretold him Luke 22:31, 32
4.
Our temptations to evil come from the corruption of our heart:
a.
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust,
and enticed." - Jas. 1:14
b.
That was true in the experience of David - 2 Sam. 11:1-4
c.
And that is true with all who are possessed with a carnal mind Rom. 8:6-8
C.
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER PROVIDED REFUGE AGAINST THE
TEMPTATION OF THE EVIL ONE
1.
Be on guard every waking moment of our life:
a.
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit is
willing, but the flesh is weak." - Matt. 26:41
b.
Said David, "I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house
top." - Ps. 102:7
c.
It is when we are spiritually asleep that the enemy of our soul
steals in on us, takes us captive unto his devices.
2.
Stay close to the Lord of our life, Jesus Christ:
a.
Had Eve stayed close to Adam and not strayed away from him, the
serpent would not have been able to beguile her as he did.
b.
Our Saviour gives us the terms of our safety in John 15:1-11 -"Abide in me."
c.
He is the great secret of the saint's security against temptation Prov. 18:10
3.
This writer knows of four specific places of refuge against temptation to
do evil:
a.
The word of God is our security against Satan. Jesus used it
successfully - Matt. 4:1-9
b.
Prayer, earnest and prevailing prayer, is still another must for the
saints to be safe against temptation - Matt. 26:41
c.
The family altar is a must for the family to be sheltered against
evil. It is at the family altar when we lay all our plans, our needs and our weaknesses

before the Lord, that we actually give them to him.

d.
The fellowship of the saints is a very blessed shelter against
temptation. When we join the saints in the study of the word of God, and in prayer, we
have neither time or desire to do the things that cause men to sin.
4.
Finally, when we pray, "And lead us not into temptation", we declare that
we rely altogether upon the Lord for safekeeping; when we do that we need not have any
fear of being disappointed by the Lord.
DELIVER US FROM EVIL
MATTHEW 6:13
A.

THE SEVENTH PETITION IN THE LORD'S PRAYER

1.
Is an appeal to our heavenly Father to deliver us from evil:
a.
That is an acknowledgement, on our part, that evil plagues us.
b.
And that we are unable to free ourselves from this evil - Jer. 13:23;
Rom. 7:14-24
2.
Meaning of the word "evil":
a.
The Greek word from which the word evil comes is "poneros", and
signifies "the wicked one", as Satan is called. Compare Matt. 13:19 with Mark 4:15;
Luke 8:12
b.
This epithet of the devil comes from ponos labour, sorrow, misery,
because of grudgery which is found in the way of sin - Jas. 1:15
3.
The Bible speaks of:
Evil works - Jas. 3:16
Evil time - Ps. 37:19
Evil heart - Gen. 8:21
Evil ways - 2 Ki. 17:13
Evil doers - 1 Pet. 2:12
Evil men - 2 Tim. 3:13
B.

THERE ARE THREE CATEGORIES OF EVIL

1.
The evil of sin which has its fountainhead in a polluted heart:
a.
Said Jesus, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders,
adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." - Matt. 15:19
b.
Paul enumerates the same sinful pollutions - Gal. 5:19-21
c.
A vivid example of the pollution is our Lord's description of the
heart of a Pharisee - Matt. 23:27
2.
The evil which results from sin:
a.
Why is our life beset with so many evils -- pain, sorrow,
disappointment, and finally death?
b.
Why must people suffer so much and so long?
c.
Does God place these evils upon men? These are questions that
plague many people.
d.
At times the righteous suffer more than the people who make no
profession at all. Why?
e.
The answer is found in the fact that sin is the root cause of all
trouble, deserved or not.

3.

Not all is evil which men mark as evil:

a.
A mother may use the rod to discipline her child, but she does it
because she loves the child.
b.
"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son
whom he receiveth." - Heb. 12:6-11
c.
If such chastisement is received willingly, it will bear rich fruit
unto life.
d.
At times God permits suffering to remove out of our lives the
things that would keep us out of the kingdom of God.
C.

OUR PART IN BEING FREED FROM EVIL

1.
Man was created a free moral agent:
a.
He had it in his power to make his choice between good and evil,
but he chose the evil - Gen. 2:15-17; 3:1-6
b.
There are certain things which we must do ourselves (1)
Christ asked the bystanders at the tomb of Lazarus to roll
away the stone.
(2)
He asked them to loose the one that had been brought back
to life - John 11:39-44
c.
We must want to be set free from the power of evil - "wilt thou be
made whole?" - John 5:6
d.
"If thou canst believe" - Mark 9:23
2.
Christ is ever willing and able to set us completely free, thus answering
our petition "deliver us from evil":
a.
But there are some things which we must do, as we have said
before - Compare Gen. 35:2 with Jer. 4:1; Ezek. 43:9
b.
We have the assurance that our Saviour is able - Matt. 1:21; Eph.
3:20; Phil. 2:12, 13; 4:13
3.
There is great joy in full and final deliverance:
a.
Unspeakable joy will fill the hearts of the redeemed when full and
final deliverance comes to them from all evil - Ps. 126:2
b.
Sorrow, pain, and sighing shall flee away, and eternal joy shall
take hold of all who endure to the end - Isa. 35:10
c.
It is then that the seventh and last petition will receive its final and
complete answer.
THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN
A.
"THE EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN
AVAILETH MUCH" - Jas. 5:16
1.
Prayer, in one form or another, is practiced by the largest number of
people among all religions:
a.
The word "prayer" indicates that man feels his dependence upon a
power outside of himself.
b.
Prayer is a means by which man seeks contact with God.
2.
Prayer does three things for us:
a.
It helps us to make and keep connections with heaven.

b.

It is God's chosen channel to bless us according to the riches of his

glory.
c.
It is the great secret of the divine power so mightily revealed in
those who exercised themselves in the art of prayer.
B.

THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN

1.
A righteous man:
a.
"He that doeth righteousness is righteous" - 1 John 3:7
b.
"If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth
righteousness is born of him" 1 John 2:29
c.
"Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God" - 1 John 3:10
2.
How men become righteous:
a.
All our righteousness is as filthy rags - Isa. 64:6; Rom. 3:10
b.
Christ is our righteousness - 1 Cor. 1:30; Jer. 23:6
c.
It is imputed to him that believeth in Jesus Christ - Rom. 1:17
d.
It is implanted into our lives - 2 Pet. 1:2-7
3.
The prayer of a righteous man is:
a.
Fervent, earnest, and persevering!
EXAMPLES (1)
Jacob prayed earnestly - Gen. 32:24-26
(2)
Our Lord prayed more earnestly - Luke 22:44
(3)
Elijah prayed very earnestly - Jas. 5:17
b.
Effectual! Brings results! That was true in the experience of the
aforementioned persons.
c.
That is true of all god-fearing people, who do God's will.
C.

FORCE OF THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN

1.
Prayer will cleave to God's promises:
a.
It is significant to learn from the Bible one of the secrets of the
effectual prayers of some Bible characters (1)
They were persistent - Mark 10:46-48; Matt. 15:22-28
(2)
They claimed God's promises -- David was one of them
that reminded God of his promises, and he won out.
b.
Do we know the promises of God, and if so, do we bring them to
the Lord's attention?
2.
Prayer influences us:
a.
Some people have the idea that in prayer we influence God, but I
personally believe that prayer influences us.
b.
How many lives have become transformed while they devoted
much effort in earnest prayer!
EXAMPLES (1)
Saul of Tarsus was called harmless by the Lord because he
prayed - Acts 9:11
(2)
The thief on the cross became a changed person while
offering a short prayer - Luke 22:42-44
3.
Prayer changes things:

a.

This is the great incentive for fervent prayer (1)

Prayer affected the person of the Son of God - Luke 9:29
(2)
It affected Paul and Silas and even the prison keeper - Acts

16:25-34
(3)

It turned Israel back to the worship of the true God - 1 Ki.

18:36-39
b.
More and greater things are wrought through prayer than through
any other means known to men - "it availeth much" (1)
It sealed the lions' mouths in the lions' den, and so kept
Daniel safe - Dan. 6:10-28
(2)
It saved the lives of the wise men of Babylon - Dan. 2:17
c.
Volumes have been written to show how wonderfully prayer
changes things.
d.
It has wrought many miracles for me and my family on many
occasions.
e.
Said the Lord through Jeremiah, "Call unto me, and I will answer
thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." - Jer. 33:3
SUCCESSFUL PRAYER
PART I
A.
"IN THE DAY WHEN I CRIED THOU ANSWEREDST ME, AND
STRENGTHENEDST ME WITH STRENGTH IN MY SOUL." - Ps. 138:1-3
1.
Our text reveals that David was a man of prayer:
a.
"O thou that hearest prayer" - Ps. 65:2
b.
"He will regard the prayer of the destitute" - Ps. 102:17
c.
"I give myself unto prayer" - Ps. 109:4
2.
His testimony, in our opening text, must have come after God had
delivered him from the hand of his son Solomon:
a.
His prayer is an expression of gratitude - Ps. 26:7; 50:14
b.
It is noteworthy that most of the Psalms written by David are an
expression of heartfelt gratitude to God - Ps. 107:22
B.

LET US ATTEMPT TO ANALYZE OUR OPENING TEXT

1.
"When I cried":
a.
Earnest prayer, as recorded in the Bible, is often expressed in
words like these, "looking" (Mark 7:34); "waiting" (Ps. 59:9); "calling" (Jer. 33:3);
"seeking" (Ps. 63:1).
b.
"When I cried" (1)
An expression of a sense of urgent and deep need. This is
basically essential for prayer to be successful.
(2)
Sensing our utter dependence upon God is also expressed
in such prayers - Matt. 14:30
2.
Such a cry to God indicates complete confidence in the Lord, that He will
hear our prayer:
a.
Experience shows that God does hear the prayer of His children.
b.
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee" - Jer. 33:3

3.

c.
"When I cried thou answeredst me" - Ps. 138:1-3
This is the unanimous testimony of all men of prayer in all ages:
a.
Volumes have been written in tribute to the prayer life of God's

children.
b.

All this because God loves His people and He delights in hearing

their prayers.
4.
In the day I cried thou answeredst me:
a.
Instant answers to prayer are recorded in the Bible EXAMPLES (1)
Daniel's prayer was answered very swiftly - Dan. 9:20-23
(2)
Peter's prayer was answered quickly - Matt. 14:30, 31
(3)
The prayer of the church, as recorded in Acts 4 was
answered very quickly - Acts 4:31
b.
But there are times when the answer to prayer is delayed.
c.
Such delays are caused by certain obstacles in the lives of the
people; it may be a secret sin in the life of a person - Ps. 66:18
d.
There are times when circumstances in the lives of other people
cause delays to answers of our prayers.
C.

BLESSING OF ANSWERED PRAYER

1.
Strength for the soul:
a.
Soul strength is the very life of God's children.
b.
The Lord does not always remove the pressure from life, but He
gives soul strength to stand up under such pressure EXAMPLES (1)
The Father of our Lord Jesus did not take away the cup
from His Son, but He commissioned an angel to strengthen him - Luke 22:43
(2)
God did not remove the difficulty out of Paul's life, but he
gave him soul strength to glory in weakness - 2 Cor. 12:9
2.
Our manifold need for soul strength:
a.
We need strength to do the will of God at all times - 1 Pet. 5:10
b.
Strength to endure afflictions for the cause of God - 2 Tim. 4:17
c.
Strength to endure unto the end - Eph. 3:20; 1 Cor. 15:57, 58
d.
Strength to love when we are hated; to bless when we are cursed Matt. 5:44
e.
Strength to live a victorious life in this present sinful world - Phil.
4:13
3.
Does your prayer include all these needs?
SUCCESSFUL PRAYER
PART II
A.
"IN THE DAY WHEN I CRIED THOU ANSWEREDST ME, AND
STRENGTHENEDST ME."
1.
By reading the context of our opening text, we note that this prayer is an
expression of thanksgiving:
a.
Offered in humble gratitude for deliverance from his enemies.

b.
In fact, most of the Psalms were an acknowledgement by the
Psalmist of the Lord's care for him against his deadly enemies, who were many.
2.
Our text is, therefore, a joyful retrospect in which he writes of successful
prayer:
B.

THERE ARE THREE HIGH POINTS IN OUR SUBJECT

1.
The Psalmist's prayer:
a.
Earnest prayer is heard in heaven (1)
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much" - Jas. 5:16
(2)
"And I set my face unto the Lord my God, to seek by
prayer and supplication, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes." - Dan. 9:3
b.
It was a prayer offered in childlike simplicity and faith. This is the
key to successful prayer -- offered in faith (1)
The woman that touched the Lord's garment and was
healed instantly - Matt. 9:20-22
(2)
The centurion and his servant - Matt. 8:1-6
2.
God's willingness to hear the prayers of His children:
a.
A study of the word of God shows that our heavenly Father wants
us to pray; He loves it (1)
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee" - Jer. 33:3
(2)
"All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye
shall receive." - Matt. 21:22
(3)
"Men ought always to pray, and not to faint." - Luke 18:1
3.
Answers to prayer is, as all other blessings, conditional:
a.
We must pray in accordance with God's holy will - 1 John 5:14
b.
Our Saviour set us the example - Matt. 26:42; Luke 22:42
C.

NOTE THE SUCCESSFUL ISSUE OF PRAYER

1.
"Thou answeredst me."
a.
God does hear and answer prayer, when it is for our own good and
to the glory of His wonderful name - Ps. 6:8; 18:6; 22:4
b.
He may not answer our prayers in the form we expect EXAMPLES (1)
God healed Naaman the leper, but not as he wanted to be
healed - 2 Ki. 5:9-14
(2)
He told the ten lepers to go and show themselves to the
priest; and it was when they went that they were cleansed - Luke 17:12-14
2.
If our prayers are not answered:
a.
There may be things in our lives that prevent the Lord to hear us EXAMPLES (1)
Note what the Lord says to us through the prophet Isaiah Isa. 59:2 - "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have
hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
(2)
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."
- Ps. 66:18

b.
Satan may have put road blocks between God and us. Since men
are free moral agents, and often determine the outcome of their lives, Satan can influence
their lives to such an extent that God cannot reach them.
c.
But when the channels of our lives are open to the Lord, there will
be instant answers.
d.
It is obvious that our own attitude has a large part in answers to our
prayers.
3.
Lesson for us:
a.
Learn the saints' remedy to their difficulties - "cry unto the Lord".
b.
Soul strength comes through earnest prayer EXAMPLES (1)
Elijah - Jas. 5:17, 18
(2)
Daniel - Dan. 9:10
(3)
Peter - Acts 9:40
(4)
Blind Bartimaeus - Mark 10:46-52
CONDITIONS OF SUCCESSFUL PRAYER
A.

EXPERIENCE SHOWS
1.
That some people's prayers are much more successful than others:
2.
That raises the question - Why?
a.
God is not a respecter of person - Acts 10:34, 35
b.
It must be because of that which is associated with prayer - "Ye
ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss" - Jas. 4:3
B.

CONDITIONS TO SUCCESSFUL PRAYER

1.
We must pray according to the will of God:
a.
That is what Jesus Christ did at all times - Matt. 26:42
b.
That is why God hears us when we pray - "And we know that he
hears us, whatsoever we ask. We know that we have the petitions that we desired of
him . . . if we ask any thing according to his will" - 1 John 5:14, 15
c.
Even the Holy Spirit helps us in our prayer when we pray
according to the will of God - Rom. 8:27
2.
We are heard when we pray in the blessed name of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ:
a.
There is no other name in which to pray - Acts 4:12
b.
"Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it
to you" - John 15:16
c.
The name of Jesus Christ is the key to all the thoughts, words, and
actions of the children of God - "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." - Col. 3:17
3.
We must forgive those who trespassed against us before God will hear our
prayer:
a.
"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:
that your Father also which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." - Mark 11:25, 26; Col.
3:13; Matt. 18:19, 22
b.
"Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest

that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy
way; first be reconciled to thy brother." - Matt. 5:23, 24
4.
Confession of our sins, and also forsaking them is a must before our
prayers are answered:
a.
Daniel did for himself and his people - Dan. 9:4, 8, 20, 23
b.
That is a condition laid down in the Bible - 1 John 1:7-9; Prov.
28:13
5.
Sincerity must mark our prayers:
a.
Compare the attitude of the two men that went up to the temple to
pray - Luke 18:9-14
b.
Think of the warning the Lord gives against hypocrisy - Matt. 6:19
c.
Sincerity marked the prayer of the Psalmist - Ps. 66:18
6.
Childlike faith is a must when we pray:
a.
Without faith it is impossible to please God - Heb. 11:6
b.
"Therefore I say unto you, Whatsoever ye desire, when ye pray,
believe that ye receive them, and ye shall receive them." - Mark 11:24
7.
Perseverance in prayer:
a.
Too many give up too soon, and that is why they are not heard.
b.
Think of blind Bartimaeus - Mark 10:46-48
c.
Or recall the prayer of the mother for her plagued daughter - Matt.
15:22-28
8.
Lean upon the aid of the Holy Spirit in your petition:
a.
For we know not how to pray, as we ought to.
b.
It is He who makes intercession for us - Rom. 8:26
C.

THUS WE SEE SOME OF THE REASONS

1.
Why some people are more successful in their prayer than others:
2.
They meet the eight conditions, as indicated in this outline:
3.
They are right with God and men, and that is why God hears their
petitions:
4.
They have a pure and acceptable motive in their petitions:
5.
When selfishness is behind our prayers, God will not hear our prayers:
6.
Such prayers become sin unto those who offer them: Ps. 109:7
THE POWER OF PRAYER
LUKE 11:1-13
A.

PRAYER
1.
Is not just a repetition of so many words: Matt. 6:5; 11:1; Eccl. 5:2
2.
But a heart to heart communion with God: It is opening the heart to our
heavenly Father, our best friend; also, listening to what He will say to us.
3.
When we come to God in prayer in this spirit, we cannot help but be
affected by this fellowship:
a.
As Moses was - Ex. 34:29, 30
b.
As our blessed Lord was - Luke 9:28, 29

B.

THE POWER OF PRAYER

1.
Someone has said, and very truthfully, "More things are wrought through
prayer than by any other means."
a.
Take a retrospective look into the history of prayer (1)
Israel was victorious so long as the hands of Moses were
stretched upward in prayer - Ex. 17:11, 12
(2)
The scene before the servant of Elisha changed, new vistas
were opened to him, when Elisha prayed. 2 Ki. 6:16, 17
(3)
The law of nature was superseded, and a nation was
converted through the prayer of Elijah - 1 Ki. 18:36-39
b.
The story of prayer is one of power far beyond our minds to
comprehend.
2.
The secret of this power is threefold:
a.
It comes because of our connection with the Lord Jesus Christ John 6:44; 14:13
b.
Prayer connects us with God, the true source of all power in
heaven and in earth.
c.
Nothing is too hard for Him; all things are possible for Him.
3.
Faith, childlike faith, is a third secret of the power of prayer:
a.
Note the words of Christ - Matt. 17:20, 21; 21:22
b.
Faith is the victory that overcometh all obstacles - 1 John 5:4, 5
c.
Prayer changes things (1)
It influenced the Son of God - Luke 9:29
(2)
It transformed Stephen - Acts 7:55
(3)
It will influence your life day by day - Deut. 33:25
(4)
A simple prayer by Elisha did what the army of Israel could
not do - 2 Ki. 6:17, 18
(5)
It caused nature to react in the days of the apostolic church
- Acts 4:31
d.
Prayer has brought visible and instant results for some of God's
people.
(1)
Daniel received a quick and revealing answer - Dan. 9:20
(2)
Blind Bartimaeus received his sight in answer to his
persistent cry for help - Mark 10:47-52
C.

THE LAW OF PRAYER

1.
Prayer is, like all God's blessings, subject to the law of prayer:
a.
It is most effective when it is in accordance with the will of God 1 John 5:14
b.
That is why it is best to include these words in every request we
bring to God, "not as I will, but as thou seest it is best for me."
2.
None of us knows how to pray; our minds do not always comprehend the
end results of our prayers:
a.
Could we see the end from the beginning, we would not make
some of our requests to God because they will not be, if granted, for our own good.
b.
So we must trust the granting of our requests to the wisdom of our

heavenly Father - Rom. 8:26

3.
What is still more important, if that is possible, is:
a.
That we live our prayers; that we act our prayers.
b.
He, who knows all things, knows how we will use the power of
prayer.
c.
Will the power of prayer magnify the Lord or will it be used for
self-exaltation?
d.
Will it be used for the encouragement of others to seek God in
prayer? or shall we neglect our duty to God and our fellowmen?
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS
A.
"AND AS HE PRAYED, THE FASHION OF HIS COUNTENANCE WAS
ALTERED, AND HIS RAIMENT WAS WHITE AND GLISTERING." - Luke 9:29
1.
The Bible is, in a certain sense, comparable to a picture gallery where
paintings or works of art are exhibited:
a.
This is true of our text which shows a portrait of our Lord in the
act of prayer.
b.
The scene is on the mount of transfiguration.
c.
A few disciples and, doubtless, some angels, are the witnesses to
the sublime and unearthly scene.
2.
The scene itself:
a.
Revealed the power of prayer.
b.
It shows that prayer changes things -- "And as he prayed, the
fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering."
c.
By that time he was already a man of sorrow and acquainted with
grief - Isa. 53:3
d.
But prayer brought a change in the body of the Son of man - "his
countenance was altered."
e.
Prayer changes things; not only was that true in the experience of
the Son of God, but we shall show that is true in the life of all God's children.
B.

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS

1.
It did for the Son of God during His earthly ministry:
a.
That was true at our Lord's baptism - Matt. 3:16, 17; Mark 1:10, 11
b.
And that was true on the mount of transfiguration - Luke 9:29;
Matt. 17:5
c.
It was true, also, in Gethsemane when He was in great agony Luke 22:43
d.
It was true after His prayer seasons every morning during His
ministry to the needs of the people - Mark 5:30; Luke 6:19
2.
Let us note, briefly, what prayer did for the Son of God:
a.
It did not take Him out of what was before Him, out of the shadow
of the cross.
b.
But it strengthened Him to bear the cross.
c.
Here is a lesson for us; prayer may not take us away from trials and
suffering, but it will strengthen us to bear all in faith.

3.

Prayer changed things for people under different environments:

a.
Prayer brought deliverance to the daughter of a praying mother -

Matt. 15:22-28
b.
It brought redemption to the thief on the cross - Luke 23:42-44
c.
It brought eyesight to blind Bartimaeus - Mark 10:46-52
d.
It delivered Peter from a watery grave - Matt. 14:30, 31
e.
It altered the relationship between Jacob and his brother Esau Gen. 25:30-34; 27:41; 32:1-29; 33:4
C.

SPECIAL BLESSINGS OF PRAYER

1.
Prayer connects us with the supernatural:
a.
That was true in the experience of Elijah and the children of Israel
- 1 Ki. 18
b.
And that was true in Peter's experience when he caught the fish
that had enough money in his belly to pay his tax and that of his Lord - Matt. 17:27
c.
Moses' mother had a similar experience - Ex. 2:1-10
2.
Childlike and simple faith in God's promises is the great secret of
witnessing the changing or transforming power of prayer:
a.
By it the Red Sea was divided and Israel passed through it,
walking on dry land - Ex. 14:21-31
b.
By it Elisha brought back to life the son of the Shunammite - 2 Ki.
4:32-37
c.
It opened the prison doors to Peter and set him free to preach the
gospel of Christ - Acts 12:5-17
d.
That was true in the experience of Paul and Silas - Acts 16:25-34
e.
Prayer changes things in many different and unexpected ways (1)
The history of the church is witness to this fact. Think of
the Reformation, and how Luther and others were delivered out of the very jaws of death.
(2)
Your humble servant is witness to many such undeserved
and unexpected changes in his unworthy life.
f.
Prayer changes things for him that makes it the secret of his
victorious life.
"PRAY WITHOUT CEASING"
A.

"REJOICE EVERMORE. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING." - 1 Thess. 5:16, 17

1.
Paul's admonition:
a.
To rejoice evermore is a real challenge to a Christian in a world
that is filled with continuous perplexities and hardships.
b.
"In the world ye shall have tribulation" - John 16:33
2.
How can a person be engaged in prayer:
a.
When you must have your mind upon your work?
b.
Does it seem feasible to pray without ceasing?
B.
THE INSPIRED INJUNCTION "PRAY WITHOUT CEASING" STANDS;
EVEN WE ARE UNABLE TO RATIONALIZE HOW THIS CAN BE DONE WHEN
SO MANY OTHER THINGS PRESS UPON OUR MINDS AND HEARTS

1.

There are, as you understand, many different ways of praying:

a.
Praying in the Spirit -- these prayers are inaudible, as in the case of
Hannah - 1 Sam. 1:10-15
b.
Vocal prayer, as in the case of Paul - Acts 20:36
c.
Community prayer, as in the case of the church in the days when
the apostles suffered much persecution - Acts 4:24-31
2.
It is true that we are admonished to pray without ceasing:
a.
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." - Eph. 6:18
b.
"We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
praying always for you." - Col. 1:3
c.
"Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face." 1 Thess. 3:10
3.
The life of a child of God is, rightly called, a life of prayer:
a.
There are great and compelling reasons for this prayer life - Col.
4:2
b.
Satan is constantly after us to trap us in one way or another - 1 Pet.
5:8
c.
Had the disciples been engaged in prayer on that terrible night in
the garden, their story might have been different.
C.

WHAT MUST WE UNDERSTAND BY "PRAY WITHOUT CEASING"?

1.
Prayer keeps us in constant connection with God:
a.
That is a must every moment of our life.
b.
For when our connections with God are disrupted or broken, we
are in a lost condition.
c.
Prayer is the God provided channel through which He supplies us
with strength to walk in the straight and narrow way.
d.
Prayer is God's counsel chamber, and if it is disrupted we lose
contact with that counsel.
e.
Prayer is the great outlet of divine power, and if we neglect it for
one moment we cut ourselves off from this source of power.
2.
This brings us to the final and most important point of our subject:
a.
To pray without ceasing simply means for us to be in the attitude
of prayer.
b.
It means that we keep in tune with heaven; God is able to speak to
us at any moment.
c.
When our mind is stayed upon God, we are in a state of prayer.
3.
But to pray without ceasing implies:
a.
That we live very close to God every waking moment of our life.
b.
The life of Enoch was, without doubt, a life of constant prayer
because he walked with God - Gen. 5:23-25
c.
But how can one walk with God and not commune with Him?
d.
To walk with God means to fellowship with Him; and that means
that we live in the very atmosphere of prayer.
4.
Blessings of a life of constant prayer:

a.
It will keep us on the straight and narrow way - Matt. 7:13
b.
It will shield us against the wiles of the devil - Luke 22:32
c.
It will keep worldliness out of our life; he who is filled with the
Spirit of prayer is secure against the spirit of the world.
d.
It will keep us in constant touch with our heavenly Father, which is
life in itself.
e.
That is what I understand by praying without ceasing.
THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
A.
"OFFER UNTO GOD THANKSGIVING; AND PAY THY VOWS UNTO THE
MOST HIGH." - Ps. 107:14
1.
The prayer of thanksgiving:
a.
What incense was to the sacrifice of thanksgiving, thanksgiving is
to prayer.
b.
"And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the
saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand." - Rev. 8:4
2.
There is a promise to all who mix their prayer with praise and
thanksgiving:
a.
"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me" - Ps. 50:23
b.
That is the major part of the prayers of the angels - Luke 2:13, 14;
Isa. 6
B.

THE PRAYER OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

1.
Comes from grateful hearts:
a.
Heartfelt gratitude to God for His mercies is the very foundation of
the prayer of thanksgiving.
b.
One is awed with the spirit of praise and thanksgiving of the
Psalmist - Ps. 145; 146; 147; 148; 149
c.
Could God have made a memorial of our inner urge to praise Him
for all His mercies to us?
2.
Must be spontaneous to be accepted by the Lord:
a.
When the heart is filled with gratitude, praise to God will be as
easy as breathing for those who love the Lord.
b.
Ingratitude is a mark of the ungodly, and God is very displeased
with them.
3.
Our prayers should always begin with praise and thanksgiving:
a.
"Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion." - Ps. 65:1
b.
"Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honor
of his name: make his praise glorious. O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice
of his praise heard." - Ps. 66:1
c.
"Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honor all day
long." - Ps. 71:8
C.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING TO GOD ARE

1.
An expression of love and adoration of the children of God:
a.
"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises

unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy
faithfulness every night." - Ps. 92:1
b.
"O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to
the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a
joyful noise unto him with Psalms. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel
before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and
the sheep of his hand." - Ps. 95:1-7
2.
When our prayers are motivated with praise and thanksgiving to our
heavenly Father:
a.
They will be a pleasure for us, and not a recurring burden.
b.
"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of
joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." - Ps. 16:11
c.
Let us, therefore, count our many, many blessings before we bow
our knees before the Lord our God.
d.
If we do that, praise and thanksgiving will flow freely from our
hearts and over our lips.
e.
This writer is convinced that true Bible Christianity is marked by
the spirit of inner gratitude.
f.
When that is true, our experience will be one of renewed vitality
and spiritual vigor.
g.
To me, personally, that is the very foundation of prayer.
h.
How sad the picture, when we look into the prayer life of the
church!
i.
How few among us show evidence of the spirit of thanksgiving!
j.
Let us heed the admonition of our opening text and let the praises
of our God ring forth hearts and lips.
PRAYER FOR LIGHT AND TRUTH
A.
"O SEND OUT THY LIGHT AND THY TRUTH: LET THEM LEAD ME; LET
THEM BRING ME UNTO THY HOLY HILL, AND TO THY TABERNACLES."
1.
This prayer is most revealing of the attitude of the suppliant:
a.
He knew that his knowledge of light and truth was limited - Prov.
4:18; 1 Cor. 13:9-12; John 16:12, 13
b.
That God has more light for him - Prov. 4:18; John 16:12, 13
2.
How different is the attitude of so many professed and nominal Christians:
a.
Say they, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of
nothing" - Rev. 3:17
b.
"And the vision of all is become . . . as the words of a book that is
sealed" - Isa. 29:11
c.
They are too engrossed with the cares of this world, that they have
neither interest or time to pray for more light. - Mi. 2:12
B.
OUR OPENING TEXT BRINGS TO LIGHT THREE GREAT FACTS ABOUT
LIGHT AND TRUTH
1.
Light and truth do not come to us all at once:
a.
God knows our limitations, and treats us accordingly - John 16:12

b.
We are not capable, nor are we ready and open, to receive all light
God may have for us - 1 Cor. 13:9-12
c.
Environment and habits slow down our ability and our willingness
to receive new light.
d.
Prejudice is still another factor we cannot ignore - Matt. 13:54-58
2.
Light and truth are carried by God's chosen human instruments:
a.
Angels could do a wonderful job; but they cannot do it as
effectively as dedicated men can.
b.
Paul's experience on his way to Damascus illustrates this point Acts 9:6
c.
The experience of Cornelius gives added light on this point - Acts
10:5, 28
d.
The Ethiopian has the same experience - Acts 8:26-39
e.
It is God's plan to send light and truth through consecrated human
beings - Acts 1:8
3.
The grand purpose of light and truth:
a.
"That they may lead me."
b.
This petition is in direct opposition to the ways of many professed
Christians (1)
They look to wise and able men to guide them - Hos. 10:12,
13; Isa. 29:13
(2)
Paul predicted that such would be the attitude of many in
the last days - 2 Tim. 4:1-6
c.
Said the Lord of them, "O my people, they which lead thee cause
thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths" - Isa. 3:12
d.
We are warned not to place our trust in the wisdom of men - Jer.
17:5
e.
The grand and soul-saving purpose of light and truth is, as our
opening text says (1)
"Let them bring me to thy holy hill." That is the goal of all
who profess Christianity.
(2)
The kingdom of heaven should be our first and greatest
concern - Matt. 6:33
(3)
"And unto thy tabernacles." Said Jesus to the disciples,
"Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me . . . I go to prepare
a place for you" - John 14:1-3. The tabernacles of the Lord are the goal of every child of
God and properly so - Ps. 15:1-6; 23:1-6
C.

WHY THIS PRAYER APPEALS TO MY OWN HEART

1.
I want to be in the kingdom of God:
a.
To be in the coming kingdom is my greatest ambition, and I pray
that nothing in this world will keep me out of it.
b.
I realize that the only way for me to get to the kingdom are light
and truth.
c.
Light and more light is what this sinful world needs today - Isa.
60:1-3

d.
The Bible, all of it, is the great light which will, if accepted, dispel
gloom and darkness - Ps. 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:16-20
2.
But it is not enough for me to pray for light and truth:
a.
I must appropriate them to get any blessing out of them - Jas. 1:22
b.
I must walk in them to be accepted - 1 John 1:7-9
THE PRAYER OF THE AGED
A.
"CAST ME NOT OFF IN THE TIME OF OLD AGE; FORSAKE ME NOT
WHEN MY STRENGTH FAILETH." - Ps. 71:9
1.
This beautiful prayer was written by David in his old age, and it may be
called the aged disciple portion:
2.
In verses 1, 2, and 3, he expresses a deep desire for deliverance from his
enemies and for close fellowship with God:
3.
In verse 9 he is cognizant of old age, and the loss of some of his physical
strength:
4.
He is very anxious for God to continue to be with him:
B.

OLD AGE
1.
A survey of the span of human existence shows that not too many people
reach what we call old age:
2.
Old age is, in most instances, a period of weakness:
a.
The eyesight begins to fail.
b.
Other members of the body show decline in many ways - Eccl.
12:1-7
3.
A beautiful description of old age is found in Ps. 90:9, 10:
a.
"For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our
years as a tale that is told."
b.
"The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by
reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is
soon cut off, and we fly away."
4.
We see old age, not only in the rest homes or hospitals, but in nature itself:
a.
The oak, of which it is said that three centuries ago came to
maturity, has often been seen in a heap of decaying wood.
b.
When the arms and the hands tremble, the knees and the legs totter,
when food can scarcely be masticated because the teeth fail and people have to turn to
baby food, that is a sign of old age.
c.
For many people that means pain and suffering, a time of solitude
and desertion; they are strangers in a world they used to be a part of.
5.
Old age is a period of great and peculiar solemnity:
a.
Such are the evenings of life when life becomes more uncertain
and the light is dimmer.
b.
It is the result of the inevitable law of balances - Eccl. 12:1-7
C.

BUT LET US MEDITATE UPON THE PRAYER ITSELF

1.
"Cast me not off, forsake me not."
a.
That indicates that if we ever need the loving care and affections of

the Lord, it is when we are old.

b.
That is the period when we are less attractive to men.
c.
In loneliness we need God's companionship.
d.
In sickness and in pain we need His ever present help to ease the
pain and relieve our suffering.
e.
In sorrow we need His comfort - Hab. 3:17
2.
What a blessed assurance is found in God's wonderful promises:
a.
The Lord admonishes the younger to honor and respect the aged,
"Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear
God: I am the Lord." - Lev. 19:32
b.
"The beauty of old men is the gray head." - Prov. 19:29
3.
The Lord promises us that He will care for us when we are old: Ps. 71:18;
Isa. 46:4; 66:12
4.
The fact that Jesus has promised to be with us, even unto the end of the
ages, is great assurance that he will be with us when we grow old and insecure in body
and mind:
5.
How wonderful it is to turn to a loving heavenly Father, who knows our
frame, and commit our lives into His hand, even in the days when old age is marked upon
every member of our body!
6.
For He who was with us in the days of our youth, who has supplied us
with vigor and strength is still the same even when we are old, let us trust him.
ANSWERS TO OUR PRAYERS
A.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR ALL WHO SEEK THE LORD IN PRAYER

1.
Heavenly assurance:
a.
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee" - Jer. 33:3
b.
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways; then will I hear
from heaven" - 2 Chron. 7:14
c.
"Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou
shalt glorify me." - Ps. 50:15
2.
Humble acknowledgement by the saints:
a.
"In thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God." - Ps.
38:15
b.
"O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come." - Ps.
65:2
B.

EXAMPLES OF ANSWERS TO PRAYER

1.
Old Testament witnesses:
a.
Abraham - Gen. 15
b.
Lot - Gen. 19:20, 21
c.
Abraham's servant - Gen. 24:12-21
d.
Isaac - Gen. 25:21
e.
Jacob - Gen. 32
f.
Moses - Ex. 14:15, 16; 15:25; 17:4-6; Num. 11:11-17
g.
Israel - Ex. 2:23-25; 14:10

2.

3.

h.
And a host of others, too many to enumerate.
New Testament witnesses:
a.
Blind Bartimaeus - Mark 10:46-48
b.
The thief on the cross - Luke 23:42-44
c.
A heartbroken mother - Matt. 15:22-28
d.
The centurion - Matt. 8
e.
Cornelius - Acts 10:31
f.
The church - Acts 4:24-31
g.
And a host of other god-fearing persons, too many to mention.
Characteristics of the prayers that are answered:
a.
Individual prayers - Jas. 5:13
b.
United prayers - Jas. 5:14; Acts 4:24-26
c.
Believing prayers - Jas. 5:15
d.
Intercessory prayers - Jas. 5:16
e.
Definite prayer - Jas. 5:17
f.
Fervent prayer - Jas. 5:17

C.
SEVEN BASIC THINGS ABOUT PRAYER WHICH ARE A MUST FOR GOD
TO ANSWER THEM
1.
They must be in season and punctual:
a.
Have regularity in our prayer seasons -- Daniel had, and so did
David - Dan. 6:19; Ps. 55:17
b.
The hour of prayer, whether in the early morning, at noon, or in the
evening, should be guarded - Acts 3:1; 10:1-9
2.
They must be sincere and wholehearted:
a.
Halfhearted prayer has no promise. But when we call on the name
of the Lord with all our heart, God will hear us. - Eph. 6:18, 19
3.
Our supplications:
a.
Must include all the saints - Eph. 6:18, 19
b.
Rulers and all men of authority - 1 Tim. 2:1-5
4.
We must persevere in our supplication:
a.
Abraham did - Gen. 18
b.
Jacob did - Gen. 32:24-28
c.
A mother, praying for her daughter, did - Matt. 15:22-28
d.
Blind Bartimaeus did - Mark 10:46-48
5.
Do it all in childlike faith:
6.
When we consider these facts, there comes to our minds the petition of the
disciples, "Lord, teach us how to pray":
a.
Even the most experienced among us has much to learn about the
art of successful prayer.
b.
Even Paul, who was a man of prayer, included himself when he
wrote, "for we know not what we should pray for as we ought" - Rom. 8:26
c.
The school of prayer never ends so long as we are in this present
world.
7.
But this is certain, that we shall gain practical knowledge about prayer as
we exercise our prerogative of prayer.

IS PRAYER PROFITABLE?
A.
"WHAT IS THE ALMIGHTY, THAT WE SHOULD SERVE HIM? AND
WHAT PROFIT SHOULD WE HAVE, IF WE PRAY UNTO HIM? - Job 21:15
1.
Questions are raised for several reasons:
a.
To attract attention.
b.
To cause one to consider.
c.
And questions seek answers.
2.
Two important questions are a part of our text:
a.
"What is the Almighty, that we should serve him?"
b.
"And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?"
B.

WE ARE LIVING IN AN AGE OF THE PROFIT SYSTEM

1.
Our very life is geared to the profit system:
a.
The value of the dollar dictates our ability to be frugal and enjoy
prosperity.
b.
Wages and the profit system go hand in hand today.
2.
Is prayer profitable?
a.
They who raised this question to begin with, as indicated in our
text, say, "no, prayer does not profit him that exercises in it."
b.
They have that attitude because they are totally ignorant of the
blessings of prayer.
3.
I can think of seven specific blessings by which men of prayer profit:
a.
Prayer connects them with the very Source of all life.
b.
Says the Psalmist, "For with thee is the fountain of life" - Ps. 36:9
c.
"For in him we live, and move, and have our being" - Acts 17:28
d.
Prayer changes things, as nothing else can: It saved Peter from
drowning - Matt. 14:30, 31; it brought eyesight to the blind man - Mark 10:46-48; it
brought back a boy from the dead - 2 Ki. 4:35; it gave the thief on the cross the hope of
eternal life - Luke 23:42-44
e.
It brought the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples Acts 2
f.
God has promised to answer prayer - Jer. 33:3
g.
It has been proven over and over to be profitable.
C.

WHY PRAY?
1.
Because God wants us to pray:
a.
"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that man ought
always to pray, and not faint." - Luke 18:1
b.
"Pray without ceasing" - 1 Thess. 5:17
c.
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." - Phil. 4:6
d.
"I exhort therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men." - 1 Tim. 2:1
2.
Because prayer is the best way out of all our troubles, the best cure for all
our worries and anxious cares:

a.
Who has not experienced the blessing of prayer when a load of
burdens fell off from the one engaged in earnest prayer - 1 Pet. 5:7
b.
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest." - Matt. 11:28
3.
Because answered prayers are the irrefutable argument for Bible
Christianity:
a.
"One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see" - John
9:25
b.
That was Elijah's great argument that brought Israel back to God 1 Ki. 18:36-39
c.
That convinced Pharaoh that the God of the Israelites was the true
God.
4.
Because prayer is the reasonable thing to do:
a.
It is a sin not to pray.
b.
They who partake of food without saying grace sin against God Job 9:14; 15:4; 21:14
c.
Think of what God says about the prayerless - Ps. 53:4; Isa. 64:7
d.
I would not know how to live without prayer.
e.
Those who neglect prayer sin against God and against themselves Jer. 10:25
THE CRY OF THE PERISHING
A.

"LORD SAVE US: WE PERISH" - Matt. 8:25

1.
Our Lord's many engagements during the day made Him tired and sleepy.
He had gone down into the lower part of a small ship and slept:
2.
A storm came and threatened the ship as well as the lives of the disciples:
a.
At least they were fearful of losing their lives.
b.
They became impatient with the Master, sleeping amidst danger.
3.
They cried unto him, "Lord save us: we perish":
B.

MAN IS, BY NATURE, IN A PERISHING CONDITION

1.
This is evident from the express declaration of the word of God:
a.
"All we like sheep have gone astray" - Isa. 53:6
b.
The scriptures have concluded all under sin - Gal. 3:22; Rom. 3:19,

23
2.

This is evident from his true condition:

a.
"The whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint. From the sole
of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and
putrifying sores: they have not closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with
ointment." - Isa. 1:5, 6
b.
Paul states the same truth in slightly different words - Rom. 3:9-22
c.
The end of such a state is death - Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:15
3.
A sinner is not able either to change his condition, or to blot out his
transgression:
a.
That is what the Lord says through the prophet Jeremiah - Jer.
13:23

b.
Paul affirms this by stating his own experience, "O wretched man
that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Rom 7:24
c.
He saw how the victorious Romans would tie the dead bodies of
their fallen comrades to their prisoners and, according to ancient customs in war, the
prisoners had to carry these bodies until they were completely decomposed.
d.
He saw in their cruel treatment of the prisoners a simile of the
condition of a sinner and the contagion of sin.
4.
The cry of the perishing: "Lord save us":
a.
That cry is the gateway unto salvation.
b.
It reveals to the perishing their true condition (1)
That is the first step for sinners to take to be saved - Luke
15:17
(2)
It reveals their heart's desire to be saved - Matt. 14:30
c.
It indicates that they look to Christ to be saved - Ps. 121:1-6
(1)
He and He alone can save the perishing - Acts 4:12; John
8:36
(2)
He is always ready to save sinners - Jer. 33:3
C.

OUR TEXT BRINGS TO OUR MIND A THREEFOLD LESSON

1.
That by nature we all are lost and perishing sinners, without any
exception:
a.
There is absolutely no difference between one sinner and the other
- Rom. 3:9
b.
It is sin in the heart that makes all of us wretched, blind unfit for
heaven, even if our names are on the books of the church - Rev. 3:14-17
2.
That the hope of the perishing is found:
a.
In realizing his lost condition; the sooner the better for him - Luke
18:13
3.
But that is not enough! It is a good beginning, but he must go beyond this
step. "I must come to the Saviour and confess my lost condition":
EXAMPLES a.
The thief on the cross - Luke 23:42-45
b.
The prodigal son - Luke 15:11-32
c.
Mary Magdalene - a great sinner - Mark 16:9
(1)
Our Saviour is ever ready, yea, waiting for the perishing to
make their condition known to Him.
(2)
He is able to save to the uttermost all that come to Him for
help - Heb. 7:25
(3)
He invites us to come to Him in these words, "Come unto
me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Matt. 11:28
(4)
He will never turn any sincere person away from Himself Jer. 33:3
(5)
Prayer is the key to the entrance to the kingdom of heaven;
let us use it to the fullest.
"THOU GOD SEEST ME"

A.
"AND SHE CALLED THE NAME OF THE LORD THAT SPAKE UNTO HER,
THOU GOD SEEST ME: FOR SHE SAID, HAVE I ALSO LOOKED AFTER HIM
THAT SEETH ME?" Gen. 16:1-6
1.
The story of the flight of Hagar is full of pathos:
a.
Trouble in the home of Abraham.
b.
Sarah's severity caused Hagar to flee Abraham's home.
2.
The Lord knew that the difficulties were not one-sided:
a.
Sarah's original suggestion backfired; it was not according to God's
plan; it was unwise.
b.
The marriage of Abraham to Hagar did not have the Lord's
approval.
c.
So, in pity for all concerned, He persuaded Hagar to return to her
mistress and be in submission - Gen. 16:9-16
B.

"THOU GOD SEEST ME"

1.
This is an acknowledgement on our part that we are not hidden from God:
a.
"Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I
saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou?" - John 1:48
b.
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole
earth" - 2 Chron. 16:9
2.
This knowledge by us is:
a.
Reassuring to the godly - Gen. 22:12
b.
Awe-inspiring to the ungodly - Gen. 6:1-19; 19:1-22; Rev. 6:14-17
3.
He will make a careful record of what He sees in us, good or bad; and He
will deal with us accordingly:
a.
Remember Sodom and Gomorrah - Gen. 19:1-25
b.
Do not forget the fall of ancient Babylon - Dan. 5:1-28
c.
Let us not forget what the Lord sees and records of our own lives 2 Cor. 5:10
d.
Here is food for prayerful meditation, and for a full realization that
God sees us.
C.
OUR KNOWLEDGE THAT GOD SEES US AND WHAT WE DO OUGHT TO
BE MOST INSTRUCTIVE
1.
It ought to cause us to resist the temptation to sin against God:
a.
That was the secret of Joseph when he refused the temptation of
Potiphar's wife - Gen. 39:9
b.
That is what David forgot when he committed a crime against one
of his soldiers - 2 Sam. 11:2-5
c.
That is what Ananias and his wife forgot when they attempted to
lie to Peter - Acts 5:1-11
2.
The words of our text are most encouraging:
a.
In the time of adversity - Rev. 2:8-11
b.
In the time of sorrow - Isa. 63:9
c.
When we bow our knees in prayer, God sees us and hears our
humble prayer.

3.
Such knowledge gives us boldness to come to the throne of grace with
hope and courage: Heb. 4:16
4.
It gives us courage to stand for the right in the face of seeming
overwhelming opposition:
EXAMPLES a.
The three Hebrew men - Dan. 3:15-30
b.
The apostles - Acts 4:19; 5:29
5.
It reassures us that we are not alone in the battle with Satan and his agents:
Matt. 28:18-20
6.
The knowledge that God sees us shows:
a.
That He is interested in us.
b.
We have many life examples of God's interest in His children (1)
He saw David when he took care of his father's sheep Acts 13:22
(2)
He saw Saul on the way to Damascus - Acts 9:1-11
c.
It is the loving Saviour who has His eyes upon His children to
guide them, to shield them, and to save them.
THE PRAYER OF PRAISE
A.

"PRAISE WAITETH FOR THEE, O GOD, IN ZION" - Ps. 65:1

1.
Our prayer life is not complete until and unless it includes the prayer of

praise:
a.
All prayers border on human selfishness unless they include the
prayer of thanksgiving and praise.
b.
This becomes very clear to the thoughtful student of the Bible
when one analyzes the substance of most prayers.
2.
The Bible is full of instances when praise was the very life of the prayers
of God's servants:
a.
Of the Son of God it is written, "I will declare thy name unto my
brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee . . . My praise shall be of thee
in the great congregation." - Ps. 22:22, 23
b.
"Rejoice in the Lord, O ye saints of his: for praise is comely for
the upright." - Ps. 33:1
c.
"My tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all
day long." - Ps. 35:28
d.
"I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and
praise, with the multitude that kept holy day." - Ps. 42:4
B.

THE PRAYER OF PRAISE

1.
What it is:
a.
It is not an outburst of human emotions, as some would have us
believe, although there are sanctified emotions connected with praise.
b.
Praise is the sincere expression of our recognition of the
benevolence of God.
c.
It is the outflow of heartfelt gratitude to God for His goodness to
us.

d.
Praise is the result of our intelligent appraisal of what is manifest
of the goodness of our God.
2.
When we consider the prayer of praise in the light of these facts:
a.
We will recognize the reasonableness of the prayer of praise.
b.
We will make it a part of our prayers all day long, regardless of our
environment or circumstances that lead to prayer.
C.

SOUND MOTIVES FOR THE PRAYER OF PRAISE

1.
The goodness of the Lord is a wonderful motive for filling our heart with

praise:
a.
"Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall
praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live" - Ps. 63:3, 4
b.
"My tongue shall speak of the righteousness and of thy praise all
the day long." - Ps. 35:28
c.
"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me." - Ps. 50:23
2.
Our appreciation of all the benefits received from God is still another good
motive for the prayer of praise:
a.
"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his
holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all
thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies." - Ps. 103:1-4
b.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath
blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." - Eph. 1:3
3.
Praise and thanksgiving is one of the very elements of our spiritual nature:
a.
Angels and all heavenly beings live and move in the atmosphere of
praise (1)
Think of the vision of Isaiah - Isa. 6:1-9
(2)
Think of the scene near Bethlehem when the Son of God
was born - Luke 2:13, 14
b.
The Psalmist urges all creation to praise the Lord - Ps. 148:3-9
c.
The chorus of praise is heard from the redeemed standing on
Mount Zion - Compare Rev. 4:8 with chapters 5:9, 10-14; 7:10; 11:16; 14:2; 15:3; 19:1,
3-7
4.
The prayer of praise is indicative of:
a.
Our love and affections for God.
b.
Our ability to rationalize the benefits we receive daily from the
Lord.
c.
The spirit of gratitude controlling our lives.
5.
When praise is absent, discontent takes over and darkness rules.
"THOU RESTRAINEST PRAYER"
A.
"YES, THOU CASTEST OFF FEAR, AND RESTRAINEST PRAYER BEFORE
GOD." - Job 15:4
1.
This was the charge made by Eliphaz against Job:
a.
It was based upon Job's misfortune and their applied reasons for

his misfortune.
2.

b.
They blamed Job for his trials.
Job, on the other hand, sought to deny Eliphaz's charges:
a.
He pointed out to him that he had lived uprightly - Job 1:1-3
b.
He blamed his trials to other causes beyond his knowledge.

B.
"YES, THOU CASTEST OFF FEAR, AND RESTRAINEST PRAYER BEFORE
GOD"
1.
Meaning of the word "restrainest":
a.
This word comes from the Hebrew word "gara" and signifies "to
diminish", "to reduce", "to hold back", "to draw back".
b.
Albert Barns, the noted commentator, defines the word
"restrainest" to signify "to shave off, like a beard; to cut off, to take away, to detract."
2.
How prayer is restrained:
a.
We know so little about prayer that this may be the root of our
restraining prayer - Rom. 8:26
b.
We restrain prayer by preventing its efficacy. If prayer had its
heaven designed way, it would be very effective - Jas. 5:17, 18
c.
To restrain prayer means to be remiss in using this heavenly
privilege to make and keep connections with heaven.
d.
David and Daniel had their devotions morning, noon, and night Ps. 55:17; Dan. 6:10
e.
It means that we relegate prayer to the things that are of less
importance to us - Matt. 6:33
f.
We restrain prayer by being unprepared when we do pray.
g.
We restrain prayer by an unbelieving heart.
h.
Our inconsistent life is still another means by which we restrain
our prayer - Ps. 66:18
i.
Finally, we restrain prayer when we expect too little through
prayer - Matt. 15:28
C.

SOME REASONS FOR RESTRAINING PRAYER

1.
Presence of secret sins:
a.
Sin is, in itself, a barrier to the efficacy of prayer - Josh. 7:6-12
b.
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." - Ps.

66:18
2.

A broken relation is another barrier to answered prayer:

a.
"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that he cannot save;
neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you and your
God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." - Isa. 59:1
b.
That was the case of King Saul - 1 Sam. 28:6
3.
Removal of grounds for supplication in prayer is still another reason for
unanswered prayers:
a.
"I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." Rev. 3:17
b.
"And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for

many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." - Luke 12:19
4.
Effect of restraining prayer:
a.
It is impossible to evaluate the effects of restraining prayer. A
prayerless life is beyond my comprehension.
b.
I can think of five specific effects of restraining prayer (1)
Losing out on the blessings prayer brings to all who have
free access to God in prayer. The measure of these blessings is stated by Paul in Eph.
3:18-21
(2)
Indifference or coldness is a sad effect of neglect of prayer.
When we fail to use prayer as we ought to, we grow cold and indifferent to God, His
word, His people, and His cause.
(3)
Worldliness is another effect of restraining prayer. Think,
if you please, of the charges Paul makes against professed religionists - 2 Tim. 3:1-9
(4)
Blindness is another effect - 2 Pet. 1:9
(5)
Spiritual death is the final effect, too serious to
contemplate.
PRIVATE DEVOTIONS
A.
"BUT THOU, WHEN THOU PRAYEST, ENTER INTO THY CLOSET, AND
WHEN THOU HAST SHUT THY DOOR, PRAY TO THY FATHER WHICH IS IN
SECRET" - Matt. 6:6
1.
It is impossible to state with exactness what the Lord means by "thy
closet":
a.
It may be any place of privacy, such as your bedroom, your pantry,
or even your storage room.
b.
Any place that is conducive to a measure of privacy is acceptable.
2.
It simply refers to a place:
a.
Where you are alone with God, undisturbed, unseen, unmolested,
in a secluded place, away from the ears and cares of others.
b.
Our Saviour withdrew from the busy thoroughfares of the cities to
a quiet and lonely, well secluded place in a mountain to commune with God - Matt.
14:23; Mark 6:46; Luke 6:12
B.

WHY THE PRAYER CLOSET?

1.
There are a number of good reasons for the prayer closet:
a.
Privacy is one good reason. A place where we feel free to open
our heart and life to our heavenly father with childlike frankness, crying Abba Father! Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6
b.
Things confidential. There are burdens, problems, which no other
mortal, not even our loved ones, could understand; these we must bring to our heavenly
Father, who can and will keep them secret.
2.
Our Lord understands this need and He suggests a means for it -- the
prayer closet:
a.
When He says, "enter into thy closet"
b.
It implies, of course, that you are not there.
c.
But that you habitually go there for the purpose of secret prayer.

d.
You shut the door behind you; that means that all else is shut out,
and you are shut in with the Lord; you with Him, and He with you.
e.
What a wonderful condescension on the part of God, to seclude
Himself with a poor mortal, like I am, and commune with me!
C.

PREPARATION FOR OUR PRIVATE DEVOTIONS

1.
One does not enter such a private prayer closet without some preparation;
a consideration of that private audience with the King of kings, and Lord of lords:
a.
But we must keep in mind that we are not meeting with the
Sovereign of the universe, but with our heavenly Father, who loves us!
b.
Let it be a prayer, not of a subject to a great King, though that be
true, but to our heavenly Father, who loves to commune with His children.
2.
Make sure that you unburden your heart, bringing to your Father things
that you feel He and He alone should know and solve for you:
a.
Keep in mind that you are not alone; the Holy Spirit is there too, to
aid you in your petition - Rom. 8:26
b.
Also, that you have an advocate with your heavenly Father, Jesus
Christ our Lord, who will plead His own righteousness when you appear before God.
3.
There are, as we all know, two sides to prayer:
a.
Man's part. We are invited to come to God in prayer, tell Him
what is upon our hearts, and He will listen to every word we say.
b.
But there is another part to prayer which we too often forget -GOD'S PART.
(1)
When you see your physician, you do not do all the talking,
you expect to listen to your physician too. So when you have opened your heart to God,
it is only right that you open your ear to what the Lord has to say to you.
(2)
"Open thou mine ear" is a good part of an acceptable
prayer.
(3)
Listening to God in prayer is as important as to speak to
God, and it may be more important.
(4)
Have you ever heard the Lord speak to you in the quiet of
the night, or in the prayer closet?
(5)
Did you do what He wanted you to do?
(6)
Oh how we need to have grace to listen to God even more
than speak to Him!
SECRET PRAYER
A.
"BUT WHEN THOU PRAYEST, ENTER INTO THY CLOSET, AND WHEN
THOU HAST SHUT THY DOOR, PRAY TO THY FATHER WHICH IS IN SECRET;
AND THY FATHER WHICH SEETH IN SECRET SHALL REWARD THEE
OPENLY." -Matt. 6:6
1.
The words of our Lord are full of divine signification:
a.
They indicate, plainly, that there are some things in life which no
one but God understands.
b.
That such things should be revealed to God alone.
2.
That brings to our attention the place of secret prayer in our prayer life:

a.
b.

I fear that this truth is emphasized too little, and understood less.
It should receive prayerful consideration by God's people.

B.

SECRET PRAYER
1.
Was practiced by our Lord during His earthly ministry:
a.
"And when he had sent the multitude away, he went up into a
mountain apart to pray; and when the evening was come, he was there alone." - Matt.
14:23
b.
"When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take
him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone." John 6:15
2.
Secret prayer has its place in our prayer life:
a.
There are problems or burdens in our life which God alone
understands.
b.
To Him and to him alone should some things in our life be made
known.
c.
He understands us and He can be trusted that He will not reveal
our secrets to men.
3.
On the other hand, human beings, even some of our closest friends, do not
understand us and our problems:
a.
If we would make known things that are secret, they would
misunderstand and misjudge us.
b.
They would associate wrong motives and that would be harmful to
them and to us.
c.
It is wise, therefore, that God has made provision so that we can
confide some things to Him alone.
C.

SECRET PRAYER
1.
It is significant that the Jewish homes were so constructed:
a.
They provided, what was known as the upper room, a place where
they could be in secret prayer.
b.
Many of the pious Jews would spend much time in such prayer
seasons.
2.
Secret prayer and its benefits:
a.
It must be noted that only godly people will frequent the prayer
closet.
b.
The Pharisees preferred prayer in the open because they used such
occasions to advertise their piety.
c.
I can see seven specific blessings in the practice of secret prayer (1)
God loves it! That is why the Son of God admonishes us to
practice it. Matt. 6:6
(2)
It is a means of personal communion with God, and that is
most desirable. How wonderful it is to commune with God in a personal way -- God and
I!
(3)
Think of what it did for Moses, who was with God alone
for forty days!

(4)
Such personal and secret communion with God indicates a
close relationship, which will not allow anything to come between God and us.
(5)
It affords us the privilege to unburden our hearts to one
who understands us best.
(6)
It is the greatest honor that God could bestow upon our
prayer life -- granting us a private audience in the humble prayer chamber.
(7)
It not only has God's approval, but a promise; "thy Father
which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" - Matt. 6:6
3.
Friends of mine:
a.
Does your house plan provide a secret chamber for an audience
with the King of kings and Lord of lords?
b.
Do you meet your appointments with the Highest one?
c.
Or must we cover our face in shame and confess that secret prayer
is not in our program!
d.
Can that be the reason for our spiritual lethargy?
e.
What would Jesus say to us in secret, or what would we unburden
before Him?
INTERCESSORY PRAYER
A.
"AS FOR ME, GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD SIN AGAINST THE LORD IN
CEASING TO PRAY FOR YOU." - 1 Sam. 12:23
1.
The words of Samuel are most revealing on the duty to offer intercessory
prayers:
a.
He considered it sin not to pray for his people.
b.
That our prayer should include others is taught in the Lord's
prayer, "Our Father".
2.
Our text offers very helpful information on:
a.
The prayer of intercession.
b.
And how one close to God looks upon our neglecting to pray for
others.
B.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER
1.
Is enjoined in the word of God:
a.
No public service should close without the God directed
benediction in Num. 6:22-26
b.
Note the instruction given to Job to make intercession for his
friends - Job 42:8-10
c.
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love
thee." - Ps. 122:6
d.
God's watchmen are dedicated to intercessory prayer - Isa. 62:6
e.
Note, carefully, the instructions to the ministers - Joel 2:17
2.
The same instructions are found in what is commonly called The New
Testament:
a.
"Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Matt. 5:44
b.
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and

watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." - Eph. 6:18
c.
Timothy received specific instructions to have intercessory prayer
made for kings and for all men - 1 Tim. 2:1
3.
Vivid examples of intercessory prayer:
Jacob - Gen. 47:7; 49
Moses - Num. 16:20-22
Abraham - Gen. 17:13-18; 18:23-32
Moses for Pharaoh - Ex. 8:12, 13, 30, 31
Solomon - 1 Ki. 8; 2 Chron. 6
Our blessed Saviour - John 17
The church - Acts 12:5-12
4.
Intercessory prayers solicited:
Pharaoh besought Moses to pray for him - Ex. 8:8, 28; 9:28; 10:17
By the children of Israel - Num. 21:7
By Israel of Samuel - 1 Sam. 12:19
Of the prophet by Jeroboam - 1 Ki. 13:6
Of Jeremiah by Zedekiah - Jer. 37:3
Of Peter by Simon Magus - Acts 8:24
Of the churches by Paul - Rom. 15:30-32; 2 Cor. 1:11; Eph. 6:19, 20; Col.
4:3
C.

GOD HONORS THE PRAYER OF INTERCESSION BY GOD'S PEOPLE

1.
It is heartening to learn from the Bible that God honors the prayers of His
people in behalf of others:
a.
Note how a condescending God allowed His friend Abraham to
plead for Sodom and Gomorrah - Gen. 18:23-32
b.
How quickly God accepted Moses in his plea for rebellious Israel Ex. 32:30-34
c.
How God, in mercy, heard the prayer of the man of God and
restored the hand of wicked Jeroboam - 1 Ki. 13:6
d.
How He heard Elijah and gave rain to his people - 1 Ki. 18:41-46
2.
The New Testament is full of life examples showing how God hears
intercessory prayers:
a.
The plea of the centurion for his servant - Matt. 8:1-13
b.
The plea of a mother for her plagued daughter - Matt. 15:22-28
c.
The prayer of a heartbroken father for his son - Matt. 17:14-18
d.
The efforts of four who never stopped until they had their burden
at the feet of Jesus - Mark 2:1-12
e.
Peter's plea for the Lord to raise Dorcas - Acts 9:36-41
f.
The churches' prayer for God's messengers - Acts 4:24-31
g.
But what does God know about our intercessory prayers? How
many has He been pleased to answer?
THE LORD'S REMEMBRANCERS
ISAIAH 62:1, 6, 7
A.

THE LORD'S REMEMBRANCERS

1.

Custom of ancient nations:

a.
Build a watchtower upon the city wall - Compare Isa. 21:11 with
Ps. 127:1; Matt. 21:33
b.
Station watchmen on the tower to guard the city against a surprise
attack by an enemy - Isa. 21:11, 12
2.
But our text speaks of the walls of Zion:
a.
God's messengers standing on the watchtower, guarding the people
of God against the enemy of the soul - Ezek. 3:17, 18
b.
That is what Paul meant when he spoke to the Elder of Ephesus Acts 20:28
c.
All who, in prayer, remind God of His promises, are His
remembrancers - 1 Cor. 16:13
3.
Typical examples of the Lord's remembrancers:
a.
Abraham - Gen. 18:23-33
b.
Moses - Ex. 33:12
c.
David - 2 Sam. 7:18-21
The Apostolic Church - Acts 4:24-30
B.

BURDEN OF THE LORD'S REMEMBRANCERS

1.
The safety of Jerusalem:
a.
The center of the affections of God's people - Ps. 137:5, 6; Dan.

6:10
b.
The glory of the city of our God is the burden of God's watchmen
upon the walls of Zion - Isa. 6 and 7
2.
Zion, the church of the living God is still another great incentive for
constant vigilance upon the walls of Zion:
a.
Prayer will continue until its righteousness go forth as the
brightness - Ps. 50:1-6; Rev. 19:7, 8
b.
Until Zion is clothed with the beautiful garment of salvation.
c.
That means that it is clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ
- Isa. 52:1; 63:10
d.
This is the great objective of the gospel of Jesus Christ - Eph. 5:26,
27; Matt. 25:1-12
C.

WHAT A CHALLENGE TO CONSTANCY IN PRAYER

1.
A major responsibility of the minister, the watchmen upon the walls of

Zion:
a.
Their affections and burdens center in Zion, the church of the
living God - 2 Cor. 11:1, 2, 28
b.
Unless that is true, we are unfaithful stewards of the mystery of the
gospel - Matt. 24:45-51
c.
The Lord will hold them accountable for the security of His people
- Ezek. 3:17, 18; Acts 20:28
2.
But the challenge comes to all who profess to love the church of God, and
who are members of the church:
a.
They are deeply concerned that no reproach comes upon the

church by reason of their unfaithfulness or negligence.

b.
They will be very eager to build the church by doing their part in
the program of the church.
c.
They may not all be in the front line fighting the battle of the Lord.
d.
But they can keep praying, reminding the Lord of His promises to
His people.
3.
What God's church needs today is:
a.
Men and women who know how to pray!
b.
Men and women who have a burden for the progress of the work
of the church of God.
c.
We are in need of people who have it in their heart to spend more
time on their knees, pleading with the Lord for victory for His church, and less time in
the cares of this world.
4.
But how sad is the picture we see in the testimony of the true witness to
the church of Laodicea - Rev. 3:14-17
a.
Think of it, dear ones!
b.
Pray over it!
c.
It belongs to you and me!
5.
Are we among God's remembrancers, who will give Him no rest day or
night until Jerusalem, Zion, the city of our God is shining in the beauty of salvation?
a.
Here is cause for pause and prayer.
b.
It is not too late, as yet; let us take our place at the post God has
assigned to us.
IMPORTUNITY OF PRAYER
A.
"AND HE SPAKE A PARABLE UNTO THEM TO THIS END, THAT MEN
OUGHT ALWAYS TO PRAY, AND NOT FAINT." - Luke 18:1
1.
Our blessed Lord gave strong emphasis to prayer:
a.
He himself was a man of prayer.
b.
He taught the disciples how and what to pray.
c.
He made special and great promises to those who lead a life of
prayer.
2.
In the parable of our opening text, our Lord gives strong emphasis to our
persistence in prayer, "that men ought always to pray, and not faint."
B.

IMPORTUNITY OF PRAYER
1.
Importunity defined:
a.
To be, to plead, to urge.
b.
To persist, to hand on, and to overcome by persistence.
2.
Instances of importunity as exercised by men:
a.
Blind Bartimaeus asking for his eyesight - Mark 10:46-52
b.
A mother pleads for the deliverance of her daughter from evil
spirits - Matt. 15:22-28
3.
Our Lord knows human tendency, which gives up too easily, becomes
discouraged and loses the blessing:
a.
That is why he uses several illustrations to encourage us to hang on

in prayer.
b.
What would have happened to many of us had we given up in
despair when things went against us?
4.
Why does God delay to grant our petitions?
a.
At times the petitions would, if granted, do us more harm than
good EXAMPLES (1)
God added fifteen years to the life span of Hezekiah, but
we know the results - Isa. 38:39
(2)
At other times there are certain barriers in the way which
prevent the Lord to grant our requests.
(3)
At best, God has good reasons why our petitions are not
answered.
C.

BLESSINGS OF IMPORTUNATE PRAYERS

1.
Two parables of the Lord point to the rich reward of persistence in prayer:
a.
The begging friend got the three loaves to feed his visiting friend Luke 11:5-8
b.
The importunate widow prevailed upon the unjust judge to set her
free from her tormentors - Luke 18:1-8
2.
Ingredients of persistence in prayer:
a.
Faith in God! "He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and
that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" - Heb. 11:6
(1)
Faith in God's compassion gave strength to blind
Bartimaeus to persist in crying, "have mercy on me."
(2)
That was true, especially, of the woman from Canaan Matt. 15:22-28
b.
Cause of seeking help from God! Do we have a real, life and
death, burden to cause us to persist in prayer? Are our motives unselfish to a point when
God recognizes the importance of our plea!
c.
Our utter helplessness and our total dependence upon the Lord are
good reasons to persist in our prayer.
3.
Once we know that our petition is in harmony with the will of God, and
that a favorable answer will be to God's glory, we have just reason to hang on in prayer:
a.
We then will have the Lord on our side; "And ye shall seek me,
and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." - Jer. 29:13
b.
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and
mighty things, which thou knowest not." - Jer. 33:3
c.
"And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night
unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily." Luke 18:7, 8
d.
I know of some people who prayed continually for twenty years
for the conversion of their loved ones, but the answer came even though it was delayed.
e.
There are instances when parents pray for years for their children,
and yet they die without seeing the answer to their prayers.
POSTURE IN PRAYER

A.
"GOD IS GREATLY TO BE FEARED IN THE ASSEMBLY OF THE SAINTS,
AND TO BE HAD IN REVERENCE OF ALL THEM THAT ARE ABOUT HIM."
1.
How to appear before the great King of the universe should be of deep
concern to all who come to God in prayer:
a.
We do well to consider the attitude of holy angels, who live in His
presence - Isa. 6:1-4
b.
Too often we approach prayer with a rather careless and irreverent
attitude.
2.
This brief Bible study is intended for us to give prayerful consideration to
the teaching of the Bible on:
a.
The proper approach to God when in prayer.
b.
What we must avoid while in prayer.
B.

POSTURE IN PRAYER
1.
The Bible speaks of:
a.
Kneeling in prayer (1)
Of Solomon it is written, "he rose from before the altar of
the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven" - 1 Ki. 8:54
(2)
Said the apostle Paul, "I bow my knees unto the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ" - Eph. 3:14
(3)
And of the Lord Jesus, Luke writes, "And he was
withdrawn about a stone's cast, and kneeling down, and prayed." - Luke 22:41
b.
Bowing, and falling on the face (1)
Abraham's servant bowed down, and worshipped the Lord Gen. 24:26, 52
(2)
The Israelites in Egypt bowed down and worshipped the
Lord when they heard the message of deliverance - Ex. 4:31
(3)
Our blessed Lord fell on His face and agonized in His
prayer - Luke 22:44; Matt. 26:39
c.
Standing while praying - 1 Sam. 1:26; 1 Ki. 8:14, 55; Luke 18: 11,
13
d.
Spreading out the hands before God - Isa. 1:15; 1 Tim. 2:8; Ps.
134:2
2.
Any one of these postures are proper, the use of these approaches to God
depending upon our mental attitude at the time:
C.

SUGGESTIONS ON THE POSTURE IN PRAYER

1.
Personally, I like to kneel when I pray:
a.
For to me the kneeling posture suggests awe and holy reverence
before God.
b.
"My heart standeth in awe of thy word" - Ps. 119:161
c.
"Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world
stand in awe of him." - Ps. 33:8
d.
The kneeling posture seems to have been used more frequently
than any other.

2.
Bowing and falling down is evidence of great humility and a deep concern
about our approach to God:
a.
Our blessed Saviour, with the approach of his crucifixion, was so
deeply concerned about the cup he was about to drink that he literally fell down and cried
to God - Compare Matt. 26:39 with 14:35; Heb. 5:7
b.
Daniel was so overpowered by the glory of and power of Gabriel
that he fell on his face like a dead person - Dan. 10:8-11
3.
The spreading out the hands toward heaven:
a.
This posture indicates our reaching out to God for help - Ps. 121:16
b.
It is an expression of deep longing to be accepted by the Lord.
4.
Standing in prayer:
a.
There is no wrong in praying in a standing posture because even
our blessed Lord used this posture on certain occasions. That seems to be indicated in
John 11:33-44
b.
He said to his disciples, "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye
have ought against any" - Mark 11:25
5.
What is important:
a.
Our personal attitude when we pray. If our heart is not right before
God, then the posture of prayer will not change the effect of prayer.
b.
It pays to be very sincere when we approach the Lord, whether we
kneel, bow down, or stand before God, let us do it with awe and reverence before God.
"SPEAK, LORD; FOR THY SERVANT HEARETH"
1 Samuel 3:1-9
A.

SETTING OF OUR TEXT

1.
When God had to by-pass his minister:
a.
Eli had been informed of the misconduct of his sons.
b.
They were sinning against the Lord in a way which affected the
office of their father.
c.
Visions and revelations ceased in Israel.
2.
God chose to use the son of Hannah to bring the message of God to Eli
and his house:
B.

SAMUEL, AN EXAMPLE OF TRUE PIETY

1.
Had an open ear for the call of duty:
a.
Let our young people take notice "Here am I" - 1 Sam. 3:4
"Here am I" - verse 6
"Here am I; for thou didst call me" - verse 8
b.
Never once did he become disobedient to what he believed to be
his duty, night or day.
2.
He was ever ready to perform the duty given to him, which at times was
very difficult, as in the case of Eli and his family:
a.
That is ever a mark of true piety - Gen. 18:17; 22:1-12; 26:5
b.
Not to obey the voice of the Lord kept Moses and Aaron out of the

promised land.
c.
This testimony of the piety of Samuel should challenge every one
of our young people: "And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of
his words fall to the ground . . . And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that
Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord." - 1 Sam. 3:19, 20
Let this truth sink deeply into all our hearts.
3.
The word of the Lord was precious (rare) in those days; there was no open
vision: 1 Sam. 3:1
a.
This shows that the sin of a member of the church affects the
family and the church - Josh. 7:1-22
b.
That when the ministers of God fail to perform their paternal duties
in the home, it reflects upon the cause of God in general.
c.
It shows further that obedience to God's law and revelation go
hand in hand; that when we disobey the law of God, He will withhold His revelation.
d.
Also, that even that which may be in harmony with God's will, will
become a dead and useless form when we fail to do the will of God - 2 Tim. 3:5; 1 Sam.
4:4, 10; Isa. 59:1-4; 29:13
C.

"SPEAK, LORD; FOR THY SERVANT HEARETH"

1.
Today this prayer is spoken in the reverse: "Hear, Lord, for thy servant
speaketh":
EXAMPLES a.
Luke 18:11, 12
b.
Matt. 6:5
c.
Isa. 5:20, 21
2.
The prayer of Samuel reveals:
a.
An open mind for light and truth - Acts 17:11, 12; 16:30, 31
b.
Willingness to abandon our own ways and accept God's ways Acts 9:6; 26:19
c.
Obeying the voice of the Lord at any cost - Gen. 22:1-12; Acts
21:13
3.
Is this our daily prayer?
a.
Do we begin the day that way?
b.
And what does the Lord know about the truthfulness of our
prayers?
"WATCH AND PRAY"
A.
"WATCH AND PRAY, LEST YE ENTER INTO TEMPTATION. THE SPIRIT
TRULY IS READY, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK." - Mark 14:38
1.
These words of admonition by our Lord can be understood best:
a.
When we understand the background to them; they were spoken in
the garden of Gethsemane, in the darkest hour of our Lord's earthly ministry.
b.
They were associated with the great agony of Christ, before he
suffered on the cross.
2.
Only Christ understood how imperative it was for the disciples to watch
and pray:

a.
b.

He knew how fear and confusion would scatter his followers.

And how Peter would deny his relationship to Christ.

B.

"WATCH AND PRAY, LEST YE ENTER INTO TEMPTATION."

1.
Temptation:
a.
The word "temptation" has come to be associated exclusively with
that which is evil. We seldom speak of tempting a person to do good.
b.
The Greek word for temptation is "peirasmos", and signifies "to try
to subject to enticement by foul means".
2.
Satan tempts us:
a.
Where we are weakest.
b.
Some people fall for riches or money, as in the case of Judas - John
12:6
c.
Others are weak, as far as women are concerned, as in the case of
Solomon and David - Neh. 13:26; 2 Sam. 11:1-4
3.
He tempts us when we are off guard:
a.
That was Peter's difficulty - Mark 14:64-72
b.
And that is where most of us suffer defeat at the hands of the evil
one.
c.
He uses evil minded persons to mislead us.
4.
Watchfulness:
a.
There is no other commandment by Christ which received greater
emphasis by him - Compare Luke 21:34-36 with Mark 13:33-37; Luke 12:35-40; 21:8;
Matt. 24:42; 26:40, 41
b.
To watch is to be alert, to guard ourselves against danger.
C.

"WATCH AND PRAY"

1.
Implication of the admonition -- Watch:
a.
It is to learn! Get to know ourselves; to find out our natural
tendencies; learn our weaknesses.
b.
Strengthen our weak points against the assaults of the enemy Rev. 3:2
c.
To watch is to avoid. If we know our weakness in certain points,
we must avoid them being subjected to attack by the enemy.
d.
To watch is to resist - Jas. 4:7. Paul's admonition is to the point Eph. 4:27; Luke 4:1-6; Matt. 4:1-9
2.
Conditions to success in watching:
a.
Live habitually in the presence of the Lord - John 15:1-11
b.
Occupy yourselves in His service. People that are busy for God
are least tempted to serve the devil - Neh. 6:3
3.
Prayer, a twin of Watching -- "Watch and pray":
a.
Experience shows that when men pray the enemy is least
successful. Satan fears the prayers of God's people more than any other weapon.
b.
Prayer does four things for us (1)
It keeps our mind stayed upon God; so long as our mind is
stayed upon God, Satan has no access to our thoughts - Ps. 50:10; Isa. 26:3

(2)
It joins us to the Captain of our soul, who has never lost a
battle - 1 Sam. 17:45-50; Phil. 4:13; Rom. 8:31
(3)
It influences our lives so there can be no room to sin. Note
the contrast between Moses in the mount with God, and Aaron in the valley with the
people - Ex. 34:29-35
(4)
Prayer is a weapon Satan fears most. The weakest saints
are mighty when they are on their knees.
4.
"Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The Spirit truly is willing,
but the flesh is weak."
a.
So long as we are encompassed with so many infirmities, we need
to heed the words of our Lord, put up our guards against Satan; prayer is one of them.
b.
Watching in prayer is a must, if we are to be victorious in our
conflict with Satan.
c.
Not to pray is to expose ourselves to temptation and eternal ruin.
LIMITING GOD
A.

"AND LIMITED THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL" - Ps. 73:41

1.
Our text refers to the return of the spies, who brought an evil report of
their findings in Canaan:
2.
They caused the people to revolt against Moses and his aids:
a.
That brought swift judgment from the Lord.
b.
All over twenty years old were to die in the wilderness - Num.
14:1-30
c.
Their experience has an important lesson for Modern Israel - 1
Cor. 10:9-11; Rom. 15:4
B.

LIMITING GOD
1.
The words of the Psalmist sound like a great paradox:
a.
How can poor, frail, mortal beings limit Almighty God?
b.
How can poor sinners set bounds to the operation of the Infinite

One?
2.

But words of inspiration say, "And limited the Holy One of Israel":
a.
That shows that man is a free moral agent; that God does not force
him against his will.
b.
"If ye be willing and obedient": "Whosoever will" - Isa. 1:19; Rev.
22:17
c.
That we are, to a certain extent, masters of our own destiny; we
have it in our power to receive or to reject God's will and way.
3.
The fact remains, and history shows that men do limit God, set bounds for
him, make it impossible for Him to help them:
4.
This is a most serious point to consider because if God is unable to save us
if we die in our sins, it is because we are unwilling to let the Holy One in Israel do for us
what He is so eager to do, what we cannot do for ourselves:
5.
This subject is full of divine signification:
a.
We are, by our very nature, sinners, and we need help from God,
which He is willing and able to provide - Heb. 7:25-27

b.
We limit Him, we cut Him off, we deny Him the opportunity to
help us; that is too sad to contemplate!
C.

LIMITING THE HOLY ONE IN ISRAEL

1.
To limit God is to set bounds to His operations:
2.
To circumvent or confine Him in His ability to effect certain purposes and

works:
3.

How can these things be?

a.
Men limit God when they prescribe their own ways, and reject
God's way - Jer. 6:16; Isa. 53:6
b.
Men limit God through unbelief EXAMPLES (1)
Numbers 14 is a vivid illustration.
(2)
The ministry of Jesus Christ in his own country is another
illustration - Matt. 13:58
c.
"Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and
your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." - Isa. 59:2
d.
How often do God's own children limit the Lord with phrases, "If
thou hadst been here" - John 11:32; "If thou wilt" - Mark 1:40
4.
I can think of four specific ways in which God is limited:
a.
By disobedience! God had set out to take Israel into the promised
land, but the majority of these people disobeyed the Lord, rejected His promise, rebelled
against Him, and they perished - Heb. 4:1-11
b.
He sent His only Son to save them, but they rejected Him; they
crucified Him, thus made it impossible for God to save them - John 1:10-12; 5:40. He
sent his prophets and apostles to lead them to God, but they turned against them, and
made it impossible to save them - Matt. 23:34
c.
And modern Israel, to a large extent, limits God by sheer
negligence, "Ye have not, because ye ask not" - Jas. 4:2, 3
d.
Unbelief is the one roadblock to the blessings of heaven which
troubles modern Israel; if that were not so, then why does the true witness give such a
painful description of the Laodiceans? - Rev. 3:14-17
WHEN PRAYER BECOMES SIN
A.
"WHEN HE SHALL BE JUDGED, LET HIM BE CONDEMNED; AND LET
HIS PRAYER BECOME SIN." - Ps. 109:7
1.
The context shows:
a.
That the "he" of our text has reference to Judas, who betrayed his
Lord with a kiss - Matt. 26:29
b.
In this crime against the life of the Son of God, he used the symbol
of love for the act that led to murder.
2.
But the implication is more inclusive:
a.
Many prayers are an abomination before God for similar reasons.
b.
There is much in this text that serves as a warning to all who are
tempted to use the privilege of prayer with a sinful motive.

B.

WHEN PRAYER BECOMES SIN

1.
When it is insincere:
a.
Hypocrisy is an abomination unto the Lord - Isa. 32:6
b.
"For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate" - Prov.

15:34
EXAMPLES (1)
The Pharisees - Matt. 6:5
(2)
Members of the church who put on a pretense - Isa. 1:1015; Ps. 50:16-21
2.
When it is based upon selfishness:
a.
As in the case of Balaam, who sought to bend God his own selfish
way - Num. 22:12-20
b.
James seems to have this type of prayer in mind when he wrote,
"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."
- Jas. 4:3
3.
When we set ourselves in opposition to the word of God:
a.
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." - Ps.
66:18
b.
"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer
shall be abomination" - Prov. 28:9
c.
"Your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" - Isa.
59:2
C.

A MOST IMPORTANT PRAYER LESSON

1.
We should pray like the Psalmist did:
a.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my
thoughts." - Ps. 139:23
b.
"And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting." - Ps. 139:24
2.
We must ever keep in mind that we all are like an open book before God:
a.
"O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest
my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thoughts afar off." - Ps. 139:13
b.
"For all my ways are before thee." - Ps. 119:168
3.
Our prayer should include words like these, "cleanse thou me from secret
faults": Ps. 19:12
a.
It is good for us to make a humble confession of our sin a part of
our daily prayer.
b.
Even that man Daniel, greatly loved, included the confession of sin
in his prayer - Dan. 9:1-8
4.
It is a terrible thing to contemplate that prayer can become sin in the sight
of the Lord:
a.
The Pharisees devoted much time to prayer, yet they had murder in
their hearts - Matt. 23:14-35
b.
It is said that a special prayer of praise was offered at the Vatican
when word came to the Pope of the wholesale massacre of the Protestants in France.

c.
But let us not forget that if we cherish hatred in our hearts, we
commit murder and our prayer becomes sin - Matt. 5:21, 22; 1 John 3:15
d.
Prayer becomes sin when we know the will of God and seek to bypass it - 1 Ki. 13:1-24
e.
God is no respecter of person; if we sin wilfully, God will not and
cannot hear our prayer.
f.
How earnestly we should be when we do some searching of our
own sinful and unclean hearts, when we come before the Lord!
g.
May God use these thoughts to cause us to make a clean break
with every defiling thing in our lives.
SHORT PRAYERS
A.

"LORD SAVE ME" - Matt. 14:29, 30

1.
This, I believe, is one of the shortest prayers recorded in the Bible:
a.
Peter offered it at the moment of mortal danger to himself, for he
was sinking and there was no time for a lengthy prayer.
b.
The prayer of the penitent thief on the cross was short too, "Lord,
remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." - Luke 23:42
c.
The Father of a demon possessed child offered a very short prayer,
"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." - Mark 9:24
2.
Our Lord favored short prayers:
a.
He found fault with the long prayers of the Pharisees - Matt. 23:14;
Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47
b.
He, himself, offered short prayers in public - John 11:41, 42; John
6:11
B.

THERE IS A PLACE FOR SHORT PRAYERS

1.
Public prayers should always be brief and to the point:
a.
They should confine themselves to that which is of interest to the
public or the congregation present.
b.
There are, of course, exceptions such as special occasions, as in the
case of the dedication of the house of worship and similar circumstances, when prayers
may be longer than is normal.
2.
Short prayers in a congregation are very proper for a number of good
reasons:
a.
Lengthy prayers are tiresome, and there may be people in the
congregations that are not able to remain in a certain position for long without losing the
blessing of the prayer.
b.
Lengthy prayers may scatter the thoughts of the listener and so be
unbeneficial to him, and for that reason useless.
c.
Short prayers are much easier to assimilate by the audience; they
can be retained more readily.
d.
The multitude of words are no sign of the worthiness of our
prayers; it is the spirit in which they are offered that counts.
e.
This writer has always admired short and sincere prayers which
have edified him greatly.

C.

BLESSING OF A SHORT PRAYER

1.
Let us take a brief look into the history of the prayer life to discover the
place and the blessings of short prayers:
a.
For Peter, his short prayer meant the saving of his life from instant
death by drowning - Matt. 14:30
b.
For the penitent tax collector, it meant acceptance by a merciful
God - Luke 18:13
c.
For the penitent thief on the cross, it meant instant acceptance by
the Lord - Luke 23:42, 43
d.
For David, it meant the forgiveness of his great sin - 2 Sam. 12:13
2.
God knows our thoughts and aims when we come to Him in prayer, before
we utter them:
a.
He hears us, not because of a multitude of words, but rather
because He loves us and has compassion upon us.
b.
"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and
while they are yet speaking, I will hear." - Isa. 65:24
3.
Long prayers are, in many instances, indicative of:
a.
Poor organization of our thoughts. If our thoughts were well
organized before we utter them before the public, they would be shorter and more to the
point.
b.
Long prayers often have ulterior motives when they are offered,
more to impress the audience, rather than the Lord; in that case they are useless.
c.
Long public prayers are in danger of including subject matter that
does not belong to the public, and should be avoided.
4.
Short prayers are, in most instances, indicative of:
a.
Clear thinking by the suppliant. He has his thoughts organized to a
point where he can express them in a few well chosen words.
b.
The Spirit of God, our Helper in prayer, does not move us to make
long and wearisome prayers in public - Rom. 8:26
c.
Short prayers have a place in time of danger, in time of public
stress, and when they can be offered to the glory of God and for the benefit of all who
hear them.
THE OPEN WINDOW
DANIEL 6:10
A.

DANIEL HAD AN OPEN WINDOW IN HIS CHAMBER

1.
To admit light and fresh air into the chamber:
2.
This window was open toward Jerusalem:
a.
The center of his affections - Ps. 122; 137:5-9
b.
A constant reminder to him that he was a pilgrim and a stranger in
a strange country - Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 2:11
3.
He knew Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple:
a.
"If they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were
carried captives, and repent." - 1 Ki. 8:47
b.
"Then hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy

dwelling place, and maintain their cause." - verse 49

B.
LET US NOTE THREE WONDERFUL TRUTHS ABOUT THE OPEN
WINDOW
1.
Courage of the open window:
a.
Daniel was a man of faith, dedicated to principles, which were
tested on a number of special occasions.
(1)
While attending school - Dan. 1:5-20
(2)
Under a law of the Medes and Persians, which prohibited
all subjects of the kingdom to ask anything of their god for the space of thirty days - Dan.
6:4-28
b.
He continued his daily devotions before the open window with
persistent regularity (1)
His enemies knew that and sought to use it to destroy him Dan. 6:4, 5
(2)
They freely acknowledged that that was the only fault they
could find in him - Dan. 6:5, 10
2.
Important impression:
a.
It takes character to keep the window of our chamber open toward
the city of God.
b.
It takes extra courage to keep it open in the face of adverse
circumstances.
c.
If the Bible wanted to give the story of the open window, would
our prayer life qualify?
d.
Here is a good reason for sincere self-examination by all of us,
who profess to be praying Christians.
3.
The Piety of the open window and its imagination:
a.
The Piety (1)
Daniel was a man of prayer; his many official duties could
not prevent him from having his regular devotions - Dan. 6:10
(2)
That was true of David; he was a very busy man, yet he had
his regular devotions morning, noon, and evening - Ps. 55:17
(3)
Peter had his prayer seasons - Acts 10:9
b.
He made the kingdom of God first, regardless of his environment Matt. 6:33. Do we?
c.
The piety of the open window teaches four things (1)
It finds its highest expression in a life of prayer. That is the
highest concept of piety.
(2)
It has respect to minute precepts. The open window was an
inspiration to his main aspiration - Jerusalem!
(3)
It is self-consistent - He lived his religion, practiced his
faith.
(4)
It is without regard to the judgment of man - Acts 4:29;
5:19
d.
Imagination of the open window (1)
He knew God's promises to his captive people.

(2)
(3)
(4)

He was a student of Bible prophecy - Dan. 9:1-3

He anticipated the return of his people out of captivity.
He became enchanted by the hope of the homeland - Heb.

10:13-16
e.

What a prayer lesson for God's people today (1)

The secret of great and useful lives is found in a consistent

life of prayer.
(2)

He who knows his God will do exploits for Him and the

church of God.
(3)
He that honoreth God will, in turn, be honored by God.
(4)
We shall do well to keep the window of our life open
toward the New Jerusalem, toward the promised land.
(5)
The open window should be the center of our affections for
the kingdom of our God.
"ASK - SEEK - KNOCK"
PART I
A.
"ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN YOU; SEEK, AND YE SHALL FIND;
KNOCK, AND IT SHALL BE OPENED UNTO YOU: FOR EVERY ONE THAT
ASKETH RECEIVETH; AND HE THAT SEEKETH FINDETH; AND TO HIM THAT
KNOCKETH IT SHALL BE OPENED." - Matt. 7:7, 8
1.
These words of our Lord are a wonderful revelation:
a.
Of God's attitude toward prayer.
b.
He wants us to pray.
2.
They are a constant challenge to us to pray:
a.
He takes cognizance to our ignorance and our indifference to the
privileges of prayer.
b.
The carnal mind does not readily perceive the things of the spirit 1 Cor. 2:14
c.
But our Lord recognizes, also, how indispensable prayer is in the
life of a Christian.
B.
LET US NOTE, BRIEFLY, A FEW THOUGHTS BASED UPON OUR
OPENING TEXT
1.
We may have for the asking:
a.
"Ask and ye shall receive . . . for every one that asketh receiveth."
(1)
To ask is to inquire. Compare Gen. 32:29 with Mark 9:32
(2)
To require - Gen. 34:12; Dan. 2:10
(3)
To seek counsel - Isa. 30:2; Hag. 2:11
(4)
To expect - Luke 12:49
b.
Asking implies want. They who are not in want, need not ask.
c.
Can this be the reason why so many among us have ceased to ask?
Rev. 3:14-17
d.
God makes asking the medium of all our blessings.
e.
Asking implies that God is willing and able to supply all our needs
- Phil. 4:19

f.
Finally, asking reveals the reasonableness of prayer. Could our
heavenly Father be more gracious to us than open His heart and His storehouse to us to
supply our needs?
2.
"Seek and Find":
a.
"seek, and ye shall find . . . he that seeketh findeth."
b.
Seeking implies special interest, and putting forth special effort on
our part.
c.
It implies that special treasures of the kingdom may be found by all
who put forth effort.
d.
Seeking implies that the treasures of the kingdom are hidden from
the world. Our Lord had a lot to say about the blindness of the world - Matt. 11:25;
13:11
e.
Finally, seeking implies that the blessings of the kingdom of God,
if sought earnestly can be found.
3.
Knocking implies importunity in prayer:
a.
Our needs are urgent and the time is very short.
b.
Peter knew the meaning of urgency - Matt. 14:30
c.
This same truth receives special emphasis in the parable of the
importunate widow before the unjust judge - Luke 18:7, 8
4.
Knocking suggests perseverance in our prayer:
a.
We think of Jacob's experience at Jabbok - Gen. 32:26
b.
Knocking suggests further the admission by God to the storehouse
of blessing.
c.
The kingdom of God suffereth violence, and the violent take it by
force - Matt. 11:12
C.

BEST OF ALL IN RELATION TO OUR SUBJECT

1.
The Lord does not measure His mercies to us according to our narrow
requests:
a.
He does infinitely more for us than our finite minds are able to
comprehend.
b.
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." - Eph. 3:20
c.
It is the humble opinion of this writer that we do not enjoy the
blessings of God as much as it is our prerogative to enjoy them because we do not obey
the admonition of the Lord as recorded in our opening text - Jas. 4:1-3
2.
Could God do more to encourage us to pray more often and more
earnestly?
a.
"Ask and ye shall receive."
b.
"Seek and ye shall find."
c.
"Knock and it shall be opened unto you."
3.
This is God's pledge to all who make their lives prayer lives: Daniel did!
Paul did! Abraham did! Do we?
"ASK - SEEK - KNOCK"
PART II

A.
"ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN YOU; SEEK, AND YE SHALL FIND;
KNOCK, AND IT SHALL BE OPENED UNTO YOU." - Matt. 7:7
1.
This is a most wonderful text for God's praying people; it reveals:
a.
Our heavenly Father's magnanimity (1)
He wants us to feel free to come to Him and ask for
blessings.
(2)
And He gives freely for the asking - Jas. 1:5
b.
Such an invitation leaves us without any excuse - Luke 14:14-28
2.
But there is another side to our opening text:
a.
It indicates our absolute dependence upon our heavenly Father for
our very being.
b.
"For without me ye can do nothing" - John 15:5
c.
"For in him we live, and move, and have our being" - Acts 17:28
3.
A study of the Bible reveals that our opening text is a standing rule for all:
a.
Jesus had to ask - John 5:19, 30; 17:20
b.
Some of us have not because we ask not - Jas. 4:1-3
B.
THERE ARE THREE SPECIAL POINTS IN OUR OPENING TEXT TO BE
NOTED
1.
Ask:
a.
The blessings of heaven cannot be bought for any price; they come
to us just for the asking - Mark 10:51, 52
b.
All benefits from God are without any partiality - Jas. 3:17
c.
Ask how?
(1)
In the blessed name of Jesus Christ our Lord - John 14:13
(2)
In simple and childlike faith - Mark 11:24; Jas. 1:6; Heb.
12:6. "If faith then new birth; if new birth then sonship; if sonship then an heir of God, a
joint heir with Christ." "Faith does not ask what bread is made of, but eats it; does not
analyze components of stream, but drinks out of the wells of salvation."
2.
Seek:
a.
God places great emphasis upon the word SEEK. Compare Matt.
6:33 with Jer. 29:13; Luke 11:10
b.
Seeking implies putting forth effort EXAMPLES (1)
The lost sheep;
(2)
The lost coin are vivid illustrations of our text - Luke 15:410; Matt. 15:22-28
3.
Knock:
a.
That indicates still greater effort on our part. Too many of us give
up too easily and they have not. Vivid examples of persistence are to be found in the
experience of Jacob - Gen. 32:26; the mother, pleading for her daughter - Matt. 15:22-28
b.
The Lord of glory uses the knocking approach - Rev. 3:20; if He
does, then it follows that we should do the same.
C.

FOR WHAT ARE WE TO ASK?

1.
Here is one of our great weaknesses because we do not know what we

should pray for as we ought to: Rom. 8:26

EXAMPLES a.
Balaam asked permission to cure Israel.
b.
The mother of two sons asked for position of honor in the
kingdom.
2.
We are to ask for all the things that we stand in need of:
a.
It includes our daily bread - Matt. 6:11
b.
Bodily health - Isa. 53:1-6; John 5:5-9
c.
Spiritual eyesight - Rev. 3:14-17
d.
The salvation of our children - Isa. 49:25
e.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit - Luke 11:13
3.
God is more than able to supply all our needs:
a.
He may not grant us all our wishes;
b.
But he will supply our needs - Phil. 4:19; Eph. 3:20
TRUE AND NOT TRUE
A.
"NOW WE KNOW THAT GOD HEARETH NOT SINNERS: BUT IF ANY
MAN BE A WORSHIPPER OF GOD, AND DOETH HIS WILL, HIM HE HEARETH."
- John 9:31
1.
Background to our text:
a.
The healing of the blind man on the Sabbath by Christ.
b.
The interrogation of this blind man by the Jewish leaders.
2.
The firm testimony of the man that was healed:
a.
No bias by the Pharisees could persuade him to deny what had
been done for him.
b.
His steadfastness for the truth caused the Jews to cast him out of
the synagogue.
B.
TRUE AND NOT TRUE: "NOW WE KNOW THAT GOD HEARETH NOT
SINNERS"
1.
True: It is true that God does not hear sinners a.
Said the Psalmist, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will
not hear me." - Ps. 66:18
b.
Iniquity separates men from God so that He cannot hear - Isa. 59:1,
2
c.
If one refuses to hear God's law, even his prayer is an abomination
- Prov. 28:9
d.
"They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the Lord,
but he answered them not." - Ps. 18:41
e.
That was true of King Saul in the day of his great calamity - 1
Sam. 28:6
2.
Not true:
a.
God heard the prayer of the thief on the cross, yet he was a
criminal at the time of this prayer - Luke 23:26-44
b.
If the Lord refused to hear sinners, then no prayer from men could
be heard because we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

c.

Read these scriptures prayerfully - Rom. 3:23; Gal. 3:22; Rom.

3:19; 5:12-19
d.
Since sin is, in fact, enmity against God, He cannot accept the
prayers of His enemies, as such, yet Christ died for us while we were enemies of God Rom. 5:10
C. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
1.
It is true that God does not hear the prayer of sinners for seven good
reasons:
a.
They are His enemies at heart, and so long as the heart rebels
against God, He will not and cannot hear their prayer - Jer. 17:9; Matt. 15:19
b.
They rebel against God's law, He therefore cannot hear their prayer
- Prov. 28:9
c.
They are not truly penitent and God cannot hear their prayer Matt. 6:3-6
d.
They do not even call upon the Lord and have no desire to do so,
as Esau did - Heb. 12:16
e.
They reject God's counsel, and for that reason God cannot hear
them.
f.
They refuse the plan of salvation, and they are for that reason
without hope.
g.
Sinners, as such, are by their very nature without God and without
hope - Eph. 2:11, 12
2.
The answer of the prayers of sinners, as all God's promises, is conditional:
a.
God does hear the cry of a penitent sinner EXAMPLES (1)
David had sinned grievously against God, yet all his Psalms
are open testimonies to God hearing and answering his prayers - Ps. 32; 50; 55
(2)
Saul of Tarsus had been party to the murder of Stephen and
many other Christians, yet God heard his prayer - Acts 9
b.
God invites sinners to call upon Him, and He promises to hear
their prayer - Isa. 1:17-20
3.
God has made provisions to clear the way for sinners to come to Him:
a.
He has set up a mercy seat for sinners - Heb. 4:15, 16
b.
He has provided an advocate for them - 1 John 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 2:5;
Heb. 7:25-27
c.
The Lord has made an atonement for our sins - Christ died for us,
who are sinners by nature.
d.
John assures sinners that they will not be refused if they come to
the throne of grace - 1 John 1:7-9
e.
How wonderful it is to know that God hears sinners; and how
wonderful it is to know that He has made provisions to save us from our sins - Matt. 1:21
PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD
A.

HISTORIC BACKGROUND TO OUR TEXT

1.
Ancient Israel was in a state of continued backsliding: Hos. 11:7; Jer.

14:7
2.
Jer. 7:28

God used corrective methods to turn His people toward Himself again:

B.

"PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD, O ISRAEL"

1.
This is a message for God's people, and not for the world:
a.
"Cry aloud, spare not, show my people their transgression, and the
house of Jacob their sins." - Isa. 58:1
b.
"I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Matt. 15:24
2.
This message indicates a state of unpreparedness among God's people:
a.
The message to the Laodiceans supports my position - Rev. 3:1417
b.
Too many of our prayers are unfit and indicate a state of
unpreparedness to approach the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
3.
God is greatly concerned over the state of his people:
a.
Jesus wept over the condition of His ancient people - Luke 19:4144
b.
What would He do over our present spiritual unpreparedness?
4.
The admonition of our opening text shows that there are certain things we
can and must do for ourselves:
a.
We must purify ourselves even as He is pure. That means our
personal life - 1 John 3:1-4; 1 Pet. 1:22
b.
Be cleansed or washed in the blood of the Lamb of God - Isa. 1:19;
1 Pet. 1:18, 19
c.
Put on the robe of Christ's righteousness - Isa. 61:10; 64:6
d.
It is the wedding garment - Matt. 22:1-22
e.
It is, in fact, a preparation of the heart - 2 Chron. 19:3; Ezra 7:10;
Ezek. 36:25, 26
f.
How we need this message at this time! God's people are in an
alarming state of lukewarmness - Rev. 3:16
C.

GOD'S MEETING PLACE WITH HIS PEOPLE

1.
In the prayer closet:
a.
Here the suppliant may open his heart to His heavenly Father, who
understands his every need best - Matt. 6:6
b.
Here he may make known to God what God alone should know.
c.
There are things in life which not even those close to us would
understand if we would disclose them to them.
2.
At the family altar:
a.
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there
am I in the midst of them." - Matt. 18:20
b.
This is a meeting place that God treasures, and we ought to. He
considers it a sin not to have family prayer. Compare Josh. 24:15 with Job 1:1-3; Jer.
10:25
3.
In the church which is properly called "the house of prayer":

a.
It is the place where the Lord desires to meet with all His people Isa. 56:7; Acts 3:1-3
b.
God gave special instruction for such a meeting - Joel 2:15-17
4.
But most and best of all, the Lord wants to meet us at the throne of mercy,
the mercy seat:
a.
"Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." - Heb. 4:16
b.
How it must disappoint the Lord when we fail Him at the mercy
seat!
c.
We do stand in great need to meet the Lord every day; I,
personally, do not know what I would do if I were denied that privilege.
d.
Those, who refuse to frequent the throne of mercy, will cry to the
rocks and the mountains to come hide them from the face of him who has left the throne
of mercy, and sits on the judgment throne - 2 Cor. 5:10
5.
The message is to us: "Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel":
a.
Let us heed it and make the needed preparations to meet the Lord.
b.
If we do, we shall not be afraid to meet Him when He comes the
second time to receive us.
ACQUAINTANCE WITH GOD
A.
"ACQUAINT NOW THYSELF WITH HIM, AND BE AT PEACE: THEREBY
GOOD SHALL COME UNTO THEE." - Job 22:21
1.
This counsel came from Eliphaz the Temanite:
a.
It was directed to Job, under the allusion that Job did not know
God.
b.
But Eliphaz was mistaken because Job knew the Lord far better
than Eliphaz did - Job 19:25
2.
But the suggestion of Eliphaz is timely just the same:
a.
Because it is a great honor to get to know the King of kings and
Lord of lords - Ps. 95:3; 1 Tim. 6:15, 16
b.
He is our Creator and our wonderful Redeemer - Ps. 111:1-9; Isa.
40:28; 43:15
B.

"ACQUAINT NOW THYSELF WITH HIM"

1.
Meaning of the word ACQUAINT:
a.
To take personal knowledge of God by communing with Him.
b.
To learn to know His ways, His likes, and His dislikes.
2.
Some of the God provided channels or means whereby we may get to
know God:
a.
We may learn to know Him through observation, "He that hath
seen me hath seen the Father." - John 14:9
b.
His wisdom and majesty can be seen in His works -- creation and
redemption - Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:20; John 3:16
c.
Every book in the Bible gives us some information about our God John 5:39
d.
Every sacred scripture leads us to Jesus Christ, who is the express

image of His person - Heb. 1:3

e.
Prayer is still another channel through which we may get to know
our heavenly Father.
f.
That is what Jesus taught us - Luke 11:1; Matt. 6:9-11
g.
Those who frequent the prayer room often become very well
acquainted with God.
h.
To me, personally, prayer is the gateway to the knowledge of God
which is in itself life everlasting - John 17:3
C.
TIME TO GET ACQUAINTED WITH GOD AND THE BLESSING THAT
FOLLOWS SUCH ACQUAINTANCE
1.
The time:
a.
Is now - 2 Cor. 6:1-3; Heb. 3:7-9
b.
He who procrastinates, struggles with ruin; he kills them.
2.
Before mercy ends:
a.
Prov. 1:24; Amos 8:11
b.
Rev. 6:15; Phil. 2:10
3.
The blessing of becoming acquainted with God:
a.
"And be at peace"
(1)
Peace is one of the sweetest words in our vocabulary.
(2)
It is the peace bought for us through the great sacrifice of
our Lord - Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:11-16
(3)
It is said that Gladstone had on his wall this motto: "Thou
wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon thee."
b.
True and heavenly peace comes to those who keep God's law.
That is what the prophets said. Ps. 119:165; Isa. 48:18, 19
c.
"Thereby good shall come unto thee" (1)
For to know God is, according to Jesus, life everlasting John 17:3
(2)
Enoch was translated after he had walked with God three
hundred years - Gen. 5:22-24
4.
Perhaps the best way to get to know God is to accept the wonderful
invitation of Jesus Christ:
a.
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is
light." - Matt. 11:28-30
b.
The saddest words the Lord ever spoke were when he said, "And
ye will not come to me that ye may have life." - John 5:40
c.
The Psalmist sums up the result of being acquainted with the Lord,
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." - Ps. 23:6
"HAVE FAITH IN GOD"
A.
"AND IN THE MORNING, AS THEY PASSED BY, THEY SAW A FIG TREE
DRIED UP FROM THE ROOTS. AND PETER CALLING TO REMEMBRANCE
SAITH UNTO HIM, MASTER, BEHOLD, THE FIG TREE WHICH THOU

CURSEDST IS WITHERED AWAY. AND JESUS ANSWERING SAITH UNTO

THEM, HAVE FAITH IN GOD." - Mark 11:20-22
1.
Associating with Jesus was a period of training for the disciples in the
great essentials of Christian living:
a.
The fruitless and withered fig tree is a high point in that training.
b.
It revealed the Lord's attitude and power toward things that are
unfruitful.
2.
Special lesson for all believers is the power of God centered faith:
a.
This lesson was continuously emphasized by our Lord - Matt.
6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8
b.
It is the key to blessed results in our relationship to Christ and the
gospel.
B.

"HAVE FAITH IN GOD"

1.
Faith defined:
a.
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen." - Heb. 11:1
b.
Faith in God is a living, dominant conviction concerning God, His
being, His character, and government.
c.
It is that act and habit of the mind by which the truth concerning
God is drawn in from the study of the word of God - Rom. 10:17; and, also from personal
experience.
2.
Foundation of saving faith:
a.
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God." - Rom. 10:17
b.
The written word of God is the great arsenal of living faith; when
one breaks away from the source of Bible base faith, his faith suffers shipwreck - 1 Tim.
1:19
c.
Christ is the word made flesh, and for faith to be sound it must
center in Him - Acts 16:30-36
d.
It must find nourishment in the word of God and in fervent prayer Jer. 15:16; 1 Thess. 5:17
C.

THE PRAYER OF FAITH

1.
Is the key to:
a.
Victor over Satan, "Whom resist stedfast in faith." - 1 Pet. 5:9
b.
Our Lord reminds Peter of the potentials of prayer in our conflict
with Satan - Luke 22:31, 32
c.
The watchword the Lord left us in Matt. 26:41 is "Watch and pray,
that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."
d.
Said Jesus Christ our Lord, "What things soever ye desire, when ye
pray believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." - Mark 11:24
2.
Examples of that prayer of faith which wrought the impossible:
a.
The prayer of the faith of Elisha changed the vision of his servant
in a moment - 2 Ki. 6:17
b.
The prayer of faith brought instant help to the daughter of a

pleading mother - Matt. 15:22-28

c.
The prayer of faith gave a son of a widow back to his mother - 2
Ki. 4:32-35
d.
The prayer of faith made the iron swim.
3.
When you kneel in prayer, have faith in God, who has promised to answer
your prayer:
a.
Many of our difficulties arise from our inexperience in the great
potentials of earnest prayer.
b.
Elias demonstrated the power of effectual prayer - Jas. 5:17, 18
c.
Our blessed Lord showed how willing God is to answer our
humble prayer - Mark 10:46-52
d.
When you pray, thank God that he has heard your prayer in
accordance to His will, and that if it is for your best, He will answer your petition
speedily.
e.
If the answer to your prayer does not come at the time you make
your petition, wait patiently upon the Lord; because He will bring to pass His promise to
you in due time.
f.
Pray, make earnest prayer the business of your life; it will not be in
vain.
FAITH AND DOUBT
A.
"AND STRAIGHTWAY THE FATHER OF THE CHILD CRIED, AND SAID
WITH TEARS, LORD, I BELIEVE; HELP THOU MINE UNBELIEF." - Mark 9:24
1.
Background to this prayer:
a.
A heavenly or unearthly scene on the mount of transfiguration Matt. 17:1-5
b.
A different sight at the foot of the mountain (1)
A distressed father and his devil possessed son.
(2)
Some of the disciples in deep trouble, and a mixed
multitude.
2.
Jesus brings help and explains why the disciples were unable to help that
father:
B.

FAITH AND DOUBT

1.
"Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief":
a.
Here is a most unusual situation (1)
A distressed father believed that Christ could help his son.
(2)
Yet, on the other hand, that faith was mixed with a measure
of unbelief.
b.
Is this not, more or less, our own situation? Do we not discover
that our faith is, at times, mixed with doubt?
2.
Contrast of faith and doubt:
a.
Faith is the God given faculty which accepts and appropriates
God's promises EXAMPLES (1)
Abraham - Rom. 4:16-19

(2)
Noah - Heb. 11:7
b.
Doubt, on the other hand, is to waver in opinion, to hesitate to
believe. It is, in fact, an unsettled state of mind.
3.
This was the difficulty of the distressed father:
a.
He brought his troubled child to the disciples because he believed
that they could help him.
b.
The condition of the disciples, however, brought confusion to him;
it caused his faith to waver.
c.
Thus it becomes clear that our own unfitness may create unbelief
or doubt in the minds of people who seek for light and truth.
C.

FAITH AND DOUBT NEVER MIX

1.
Doubt paralyzes faith:
a.
When we pray to God asking mercy of Him, and at the same time
cherish doubt in our heart, we cannot be helped by the Lord - Jas. 1:6, 7
b.
A double minded person is too unstable to have his prayer heard in
heaven - Jas. 1:8
c.
I greatly fear that there are many double minded souls in the
church of God - Jas. 4:8
2.
God has a remedy for double minded souls:
a.
Cry unto the Lord, as that father did, "Lord, I believe, help mine
unbelief."
b.
"Lord increase our faith" - Luke 17:5
c.
Accepting the word of God without any other condition attached
unto it - Heb. 11:1-6
3.
If doubt plagues us when we seek the Lord in prayer, let us do some
examination of our own life in the light of our petition:
a.
Is the motive of our petition pure and unselfish?
b.
Do we want God to answer our prayer to help us to do His will?
c.
Are there secret sins in our lives which prevent the Lord to grant
our petition? Ps. 66:18
d.
"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may
consume it upon your lusts." - Jas. 4:3
4.
I greatly fear that our prayer seasons do not bring us the blessings we are
in need of:
a.
Because we are ill prepared to ask God to hear and answer our
petitions.
b.
If the Lord does not grant our petition, at times, it is a blessing in
disguise because if God would give us what we ask for, it might hurt us more than it
would help us.
c.
We would, as James says, use it for our own selfish purposes, and
that would hurt us and God's cause.
d.
I am confident that the disciples left that scene convinced to pray,
as that father did, "Lord we believe, help thou our unbelief."
GOD'S OWN CAUSE

A.

"ARISE, O GOD, PLEAD THINE OWN CAUSE" - Ps. 74:22

1.
A wise and timely prayer:
a.
Too many prayers are self-centered - Luke 18:10-12
b.
But this prayer makes God's own cause the burden of its petition.
2.
It reveals a deep concern for God's own cause:
a.
David was the anointed of the Lord - 1 Sam. 16:12, 13
b.
Saul sought to prevent David from being king of Israel.
c.
So David reminded the Lord that his persecution under Saul was
God's own cause.
B.

GOD'S OWN CAUSE IS MANIFOLD

1.
Truth, justice, and equity, are God's own cause:
a.
He is a God of truth - Deut. 32:4
b.
He is a just God - Acts 22:14
c.
He loves and upholds equity - Ps. 99:4; Isa. 11:4
2.
The spreading of light and truth are God's own cause:
a.
That is why we have the Bible - 2 Tim. 3:15-17; John 5:39; Isa.

34:16
b.
That is why we have the church of the living God - Matt. 28:18-20
3.
The saving of souls is God's own cause:
a.
John says so - John 3:16
b.
Paul affirms this truth - Rom. 8:31-33; 2 Cor. 5:18-21
c.
Our own Saviour witnesses to this fact - John 1:14, 18
4.
To save me, personally, is God's own cause:
a.
That is what Paul believed - Gal. 2:20; 1 Tim. 1:15
b.
The story of the one lost sheep confirms this hope - Luke 15:1-7
c.
Christ would have died for one sinner that is willing to accept him
as his Saviour - 1 Tim. 2:1-5; 1 John 2:1-3
5.
To prepare me for glory is God's own cause:
a.
This is a glorious truth to keep in mind - Phil. 2:12, 13
b.
He is able to save to the uttermost - Heb. 7:25, 26
C.

GOD DOES PLEAD HIS OWN CAUSE

1.
David's prayer for God to plead his own cause is an acknowledgement by
men that the prosperity of the cause of God depends upon God's intervention:
a.
He intervened for His cause in Egypt - Exodus chapters 8 to 14
b.
He intervened for the Jews in the days of queen Esther - Esth. 7:510
c.
Yes, He calmed the raging seas when the lives of the disciples
seemed in danger - Luke 8:22-24
2.
God's cause is benevolent:
a.
He says so - Ex. 34:6, 7
b.
The plan of redemption is an expression of His benevolence - John
3:16
3.
To pray for God to plead His own cause is indicative:
a.
That God's cause has enemies who seek to hinder or prevent it.

b.

Lucifer is at the head of the bitter opposition - Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek.

28:12-18
c.
This opposition will be intensified as we near the end of the great
controversy between Christ and Satan - Rev. 12:12; 1 Pet. 5:8
4.
Our part in pleading God's own cause:
a.
We are but trophies of His grace.
b.
A brand plucked out of the fire - Zech. 3:2
c.
We can devote our time, our energy, and our prayers for the
advancement of God's cause EXAMPLES (1)
John the Baptist was a burning and shining light - John
5:35
(2)
Paul has a soul passion unequaled - Rom. 9:1-3
(3)
Stephen gave his life for God's own cause - Acts 7:59, 60
d.
The least I can do for God's own cause is to pray for it - John 9:4
EXAMPLES (1)
The apostolic church prayed for it - Acts 4:30, 31
(2)
The Jews did in the days of their greatest danger.
(3)
Let us follow their example!
SECRET FAULTS
A.
"WHO CAN UNDERSTAND HIS ERRORS? CLEANSE THOU ME FROM
SECRET FAULTS." - Ps. 19:12
1.
David was a keen observer of human nature and he constantly made
personal application of what he felt was of importance to his relationship with God:
a.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my
thoughts." - Ps. 139:23
b.
Solomon took after his father in seeking out the hidden things of
life, "I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things." - Eccl.
1:13
c.
David was very much afraid of secret faults, "cleanse thou me
from secret faults" was one of his petitions as indicated in our opening text.
2.
That, dear friends, is the way it must be with us:
a.
For none of us knows the hidden dangers as we ought to.
b.
To make sure that such hidden sin will not break into the open and
destroy our relationship with God, we must have the aid of the Holy Spirit to search and
uncover secret sins.
B.
THERE IS A GREAT AND POSITIVE MESSAGE IN THE PRAYER OF
DAVID
1.
Secret faults: "Who can understand his error?"
a.
The word "error" is derived from the verb which means "to
wander, to go astray".
b.
"All we like sheep have gone stray." - Isa. 53:6
c.
"The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray like a
lost sheep." - Ps. 119:176

d.
"For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the
shepherd and bishop of your souls." - 1 Pet. 2:25
2.
What are secret faults?
a.
They are faults hidden from the public, and in many instances from
our own selves.
b.
They are very hard to discover in our own lives, but are not so
difficult to expose in the lives of other people - Matt. 7:1-5
c.
David knew from experience how dangerous it is to keep things in
secret - Read Ps. 32:1-8
C.

THE CAUSE OF SECRET FAULTS

1.
I can think of four possible basic reasons for secret faults:
a.
They may be hereditary, inherited. None of us knows what
hereditary pre-dispositions are flowing in his veins. Peculiar appetites and sensibilities
are transmitted from generation to generation. Here is an explanation of the strange
behavior of some people. The taint is in the blood. Some people are veritable powder
magazines of violent passions stored within them from their forgotten progenitors.
b.
A blunted conscience is another cause for our inability to recognize
certain sins in our lives - 2 Cor. 4:4
c.
Self-love too often conceals from us the sins that will destroy us
unless uncovered and expelled - Luke 18:11-13
d.
Sin is often hidden from us because of the restraints of society -anger, pride, malice, selfishness, deceit, are all kept under cover because of our desire to
appear more acceptable to others.
D.

THE DANGER OF HIDDEN FAULTS

1.
It is here where the prayer of David comes out in its brightest colors:
a.
Because hidden faults are deadly unless uncovered in time. Had
Judas realized that his love for money made a thief out of him and led him to betray his
best friend, he would have had a different ending.
b.
Had David foreseen the end results of his sin against the tenth
commandment, he would have allowed the Lord to forewarn him.
2.
What makes hidden faults so deadly is the fact they do their deadly work
before they can be uncovered and removed:
E.

GOD'S REMEDY FOR SECRET SINS

1.
We need a cleansing: Ps. 51:2
2.
That is God's counsel: Isa. 1:16
3.
Realize that there is nothing hidden from God: Ps. 139:1-6
4.
Welcome the light that exposes our secret sins:
5.
We must practice eternal vigilance.
THE PRAYER GOD CANNOT ANSWER
A.
"YE LUST AND HAVE NOT; YE KILL AND DESIRE TO HAVE, AND
CANNOT OBTAIN; YE FIGHT AND WAR, YET YE HAVE NOT, BECAUSE YE
ASK NOT. YE ASK AND RECEIVE NOT, BECAUSE YE ASK AMISS, THAT YE

MAY CONSUME IT UPON YOUR LUSTS." - Jas. 4:2, 3

1.
The words of our text are a strong indictment against some of God's
professed people:
a.
It seems incredible that such strong words would have to be
directed to church members.
b.
But He, who knows our hearts, would not point out our sins unless
they were in our lives.
2.
Here is food for serious thought by ministers and members:
a.
There are times when the minister is under obligation to God and
His people to give the word of reproof without hesitancy - Ezek. 3:17-21
b.
We who profess Christianity need strong reproof at times.
B.

THE PRAYER GOD CANNOT ANSWER

1.
We know from experience that we worship a prayer answering God:
a.
"Call on me and I will answer thee" - Jer. 33:3
b.
"O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come." - Ps.

65:2
2.
answer:

But our text makes it very clear that there are prayers which God cannot

a.
Prayers motivated by selfishness - "Ye ask and receive not,
because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your own lusts."
EXAMPLES (1)
Balaam was guilty of that sin - Num. 22:1-41
(2)
There are many Balaams in the church today.
b.
Prayer for the sake of appearance EXAMPLES (1)
The Pharisees were guilty of that sin - Matt. 6:5
(2)
There are many such characters in the church today - Rev.
3:14-17; Luke 18:11-14
(3)
The idea is some offer a prayer to make an impression upon
others without the true motive of prayer; that is sin!
c.
Prayer that seeks to cover iniquity - "If I regard iniquity in my
heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer." - Ps. 66:18. Please read carefully - Ps. 18:41;
34:15; Prov. 15:29; 28:9; Isa. 1:15; Jer. 9:11; 14:12
d.
Four types of these sins (1)
Secret purposes of sin - 1 Ki. 22:6-14
(2)
Acts of sin in the individual - Acts 5:1-10
(3)
Public acts of sin - Isa. 58:1-9
(4)
Holding unto certain sins, in spite of our own convictions Ps. 66:18
e.
Prayer with a sinful attitude toward others - "Ye lust and have not;
ye kill and desire to have, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war, yet ye have not."
f.
Our Saviour gave strong emphasis to our need for reconciliation
before we pray - Matt. 6:12; 18:21, 22; Luke 15:11-32; 7:41-43
g.
Neglected prayer - "Ye have not, because ye ask not." God looks
upon a prayerless life as spiritual bankruptcy.

C.

THUS WE SEE THAT

1.
Even though God loves to hear and answer our prayers, there are some
prayers He cannot answer:
a.
Prayers motivated by human selfishness, God will not and cannot
answer.
b.
Prayers with ulterior motives He will not hear. There are many
among us who offer such prayers, which will not be heard in heaven.
c.
God cannot answer prayers that are never spoken. How it pains
my heart to think of ever so many professed followers of Christ, who lead a prayerless
life - Jer. 10:25
2.
Let us search our hearts daily before we enter into prayer:
a.
Are the motives expressed in our prayers pure, or are they the
echoes of selfishness?
b.
Is our attitude toward others free and peaceable, or are we at war
with our fellow man?
c.
Do we make prayer our first business of the day? or are we guilty
of regression in the most important privilege that comes to us?
d.
Let us search our own hearts and profit by this message of the
hour.
e.
Let us be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving our
own selves.
THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVERS
1 PETER 2:9-11
A.

HISTORY OF THE PRIESTHOOD

1.
Dates back to the time before the flood:
a.
The worship of Cain and Abel shows that Adam and Eve must
have taught them how to worship God - Gen. 4:3, 4
b.
The bringing of sacrifice indicates further that the Lord must have
given Adam and Eve direction in how to approach the Lord.
2.
The promise of the Redeemer was a part of the sentence pronounced upon
the guilty. God mixed mercy with justice: Gen. 3:15
3.
The priesthood was carried:
a.
By the head of the family EXAMPLES (1)
Noah - Gen. 8:20
(2)
Abraham - Gen. 13:18
(3)
Isaac and Jacob - Gen. 35:1
b.
With Israel's move to the promised land, the priesthood was given
to Aaron and his family - Heb. 7:8, 9
B.
King.

THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

1.
The priesthood is now called, "The Royal priesthood":
a.
Because Christ, a priest after the order of Melchisedec, is a Priest

b.
Our relationship to Him makes us a part of the royal priesthood, "a
royal priesthood" - 1 Pet. 2:9-11
c.
The priesthood is no longer confined to a tribe or a family, but
belongs to all the believers in the church of God.
2.
Office of the priesthood:
a.
Mediation between God and men.
b.
Christ is, in a larger sense, the only mediator between God and
men - 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 John 2:1-3
c.
But the believers are co-workers with Christ, pleading with men to
be reconciled to God - 2 Cor. 5:20
d.
We have many vivid examples of this work of mediation, of which
we shall speak a little later in our subject.
3.
Office of the Christian believers more fully defined:
a.
They are, in the fullest sense go-betweens between God and men EXAMPLES (1)
Abraham made intercession for the people in Sodom - Gen.
18:17-32
(2)
Job made intercession for his miserable comforters - Job
42:7-9
(3)
Elijah made intercession for the whole congregation in
Israel - 1 Ki. 18:30-39
b.
This work has been carried by true believers ever since God
established the priesthood in this world.
C.

OFFICE AND ESSENTIALS OF THE PRIESTHOOD

1.
Office of the priesthood:
a.
God's people are Christ's ambassadors of good will to this world 2 Cor. 5:20
b.
They are connecting links between heaven and this world EXAMPLES (1)
Moses and Israel - Ex. 32:30-32
(2)
Paul and his natural relation - Rom. 10:1-3
(3)
Abraham and Lot - Gen. 18:19-26
2.
Essentials of the priesthood of the believers:
a.
A God accepted sacrifice - Rom. 12:1; Mal. 1:7-10; Rom. 8:3
b.
It is most significant that our approach to God is possible only
through sacrifice. All this is because of our transgressions.
3.
An altar: The altar is a symbol of surrender and dedication; it is an
emblem of our dedication and sacrifice to God and His cause - Gen. 8:20; 12:7; 13:4
a.
The altar has very significantly been connected with all the
services of God's people.
b.
Abraham built an altar wherever he pitched his tent.
4.
Consecration: Consecration of the priest and the vessels used in
connection with the priesthood was one of the high points in the services of God. Thus it
is clear that our consecration to the Lord and His service is a must before we can do
acceptable service.

THE THRONE OF GRACE

A.
"LET US THEREFORE COME BOLDLY UNTO THE THRONE OF GRACE,
THAT WE MAY OBTAIN MERCY, AND FIND GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF
NEED." - Heb. 4:16
1.
The words of our text are found embedded in one of Paul's richest and
most enlightening treaties on the work of our great high priest:
a.
It shows how interested heaven is in prayer.
b.
God provided us with what we could call a prayer center -- THE
THRONE OF GRACE.
2.
This center has been established so that we:
a.
Make prayer a communication center between us and our heavenly
Father.
b.
It is a positive encouragement for all who seek the Lord in prayer.
B.
THE THRONE OF GRACE: "LET US COME BOLDLY UNTO THE THRONE
OF GRACE."
1.
What a beautiful and transcendent expression, "the throne of grace." The
Bible speaks of:
a.
God's ruling throne - "The Lord hath His throne in the heavens;
and his kingdom ruleth over all" - Ps. 103:19; "For the Lord Most High is terrible; he is a
great king over all the earth." - Ps. 47:2; "For the kingdom is the Lord's; and he is the
governor of the nations." - Ps. 22:28
b.
God's throne of judgment, "great white throne" - Rev. 20:11. Thus
is the throne where all will have to appear to give an account of the life they have lived in
the body - 2 Cor. 5:10
c.
The throne of grace. This is the throne that we are concerned
about at this time.
2.
Let us note these wonderful truths about the throne of grace:
a.
A throne indicates that a reigning sovereign rules on that throne.
There would be no need to call it the throne of grace unless a sovereign reigneth on the
throne of grace.
b.
In the earthly sanctuary. God had his throne in the most holy; it
was called "the mercy seat" - Ex. 25:17; Heb. 9:5
c.
The mercy seat is in the most holy in the heavenly sanctuary - Dan.
7:8-11
C.

MEANING AND BLESSING OF THE THRONE OF GRACE

1.
Meaning of the throne of grace:
a.
It is the place where sinners can find mercy, "that we may obtain
mercy" (1)
That was the place where sinners among God's ancient
people fled to remain alive in time of danger - 1 Ki. 2:28
(2)
That is the only place where sinners may find refuge
against the judgment to come.
b.
It is God's arsenal of His abundant grace, "and find grace to help in

time of need" (1)

Paul writes freely of God's abundant grace - Acts 20:32;
Rom. 3:24; 5:17, 21; 2 Cor. 9:8
(2)
"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" Rom. 5:20
c.
It is a way of escape from sin and its eternal consequences (1)
Paul speaks of "a way of escape" - 1 Cor. 10:13
(2)
In Heb. 2:3 he raises this question, "How shall we escape,
if we neglect so great salvation?"
2.
Blessings of the throne of grace:
a.
We all have sinned and are worthy of damnation; but God has
provided a way of escape and that way leads to the throne of grace. Compare Rev. 20:11,
12 with 2 Cor. 5:10; Dan. 7:8-11
b.
Jesus Christ, who is the very essence of grace, is the only way of
escape - John 14:6; Acts 4:12
c.
Our appearance at the throne of grace is the most solemn
transaction -- the disposal of sin.
3.
What should be our attitude?
a.
"Let us come boldly to the throne of grace."
b.
That word "come" is most prominent in the New Testament (1)
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest." - Mat 11:28
(2)
"If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" - John
7:37
(3)
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come, and let him that
heareth, say come, and let him that is athirst come" - Rev. 22:17
4.
Let us come boldly, reverently, sincerely, and in simple faith.