September 7, 2008 -- "Prayer"

Worrier or Warrior?

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

First Service introduction:
A Kindergarten Class went to the fire station for a tour and some instruction for safety. The fireman was explaining what to do in case of a fire. He said, “First, go to the door and feel the door to see if it’s hot.” Then he said, “Fall to your knees. Does anyone know why you ought to fall to your knees?” One of the little tykes said, “Sure, to start praying to ask God to get us out of this mess!” How many of us pray only when the heat is turned up – asking God to get us our of this mess? (Illustrations Unlimited, p. 428).

Second service introduction:
Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent they wouldn't make it.
Terrified, the one shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We're in for it!"
John answered, "I can't. I've never made a public prayer in my life."
"But you must!" implored his companion. "The bull is catching up to us."
"All right," panted John, "I'll say the only prayer I know, the one my father used to repeat at the table: 'O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.'" (source unknown). Ho many of us only pray when we are in a crisis? God wants a deeper relationship with us. God wants a consistent prayer life, regardless of the events in our lives.

Step number one on the path of peace is Prayer! A regular, persistent prayer life will tackle worry head on. It will begin the transformation from worrier to warrior. So, number one on your outline is: Pray, pray, pray! Pray in the morning, pray at night, pray before a meal, pray in the car. Pray in the break room, pray on the playground – pray, pray, pray. Learn new methods of prayer, join a “Pray the Price” prayer group, or take a prayer retreat.

Paul spent 3 whole days in prayer and look what happened:
He went from killer to kingdom-builder
He went from self-righteousness to self-less-ness
He went from law-major to grace-filled savior

I think that RA Torrey described many churches and many people when he said, “We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results.”

One day a boy was watching a man praying on the banks of a river. When the man completed his prayer the boy went over and asked him, “Will you teach me to pay?” The man studied the boy’s face carefully. Then he gripped the boy’s head in his hands and plunged it forcefully into the water! The boy struggled frantically, trying to free himself in order to breathe. Finally, the man released his hold. When the boy was able to get his breath, he gasped, “What did you do that for?” The man said, “I just gave you your first lesson in prayer.” “What do you mean?” asked the astonished boy. “Well,” said the man, “when you long to pray as much as you long to breathe – only then will I be able to teach you to pray” (Illustrations Unlimited, p. 422).

The great evangelist, DL Moody, said, “I’d rather be able to pray than to be a great preacher; Jesus Christ never taught his disciples how to preach, but only to pray.”

So, if the desire is there, how do you pray? Number 2 on your outline tells us very simply: Tell God what you need.

An old man was quite ill, and the family called for their minister. As he entered the man’s room and sat down, he noticed another chair on the opposite side of the bed, a chair which had been drawn close. The pastor said, “Well, Donald, I see I’m not your first visitor for the day.”

The old man looked up, was puzzled for a moment, then recognized from the nod of the head of the pastor that he had noticed the empty chair. “Well, pastor, I’ll tell you about that chair. Many years ago I found it quite difficult to pray, so one day I shared this problem with my pastor. He told me not to worry about kneeling or about placing myself in some pious posture. Instead, he said, “Just sit down, put a chair opposite you, and imagine Jesus sitting in it, then talk with Him as you would a friend.’” The aged fellow added, “I’ve been doing that ever since.”

A short time later, the daughter of the old man called the pastor. When he answered, she informed him that her father had died very suddenly and she was quite shaken for she had no idea that death was so near. Then she continued, “I had just gone to lie down for an hour or two, for he seemed to be sleeping so comfortably. When I came back, he was gone.” Then she added thoughtfully, “Except now his hand was on the empty chair at the side of the ed. Isn’t that strange?”

The minister said, “No, it’s not strange at all. I understand” (Illustrations Unlimited, p. 416). Christ came to receive him. He simply reached out and took his hand. It is something so natural for one who is used to a regular appointment with God.

Prayer is a simple conversation in which you honestly relate to God your true needs. Wants and needs are often two different things. This is important. God is the granter of true needs. When we learn to ask appropriate requests, God delivers. The Bible says, “You do not have because you do not ask.” It also says, “Ask and it will be given to you.” Does this mean that you will get whatever you want? No. It means when you ask for the right things, God will certainly bring it about. Well then, what about when you don’t get what you think you need? Then God intends something else – something even better; faith – rich faith – says that no matter what, good will come from above – sooner or later. It may be different than we hoped for or imagined, but it will come. At this point, the words of Adoniram Judson are instructive, “I never prayed earnestly for anything but (that) it came at some time. No matter how distant the day, somehow, in some shape, probably the last I should have advised, it came.”

Last, but certainly not least, thank God for what He has done – number 3 on your outline.

Thankfulness takes the focus off of what we are seeking and puts it on the power of God. When we remember what God has done, our faith is boosted to new heights. Giving thanks before the benefits come is a true demonstration of faith – it signifies that we truly believe that God is able and that God will deliver. In business typing we were taught not to thank someone for benefits not yet received. The opposite is true in praying to God – thank Him before the benefit comes. And thank Him after it comes. Such an environment dispels worry and sets a better mood.
Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, "Certainly the preacher won't think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this." Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, "We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this." (Daily Bread, August 26, 1989.)

No matter what, there is always something to give thanks for, even if it is that it will not always be so bad! Because, someday, the heart given to Christ, will know only joy! Peace be with you today and all the way to eternity