Prayer in the Daily Life of the Christian
Luke 11:1
Part 3
Introduction: Last time we looked at three of the seven truths
about prayer. We spoke about prayer being a sin killer. It is
also a power bringer. We could illustrate this in the life of
Elijah. He prayed that sixty-four-word prayer and the power of
God fell. It behooves us to pray with such desire in line with
the will of God that power of God is upon us as we do the work
of God.
Then lastly we saw that victory giver. Failure to pray means a loss of contact with our Lord. Failure to pray means defeat in the battles of life and it means defeat in the marriage, the home, with the children, and in our service.
Let continue with the last four of the seven truths about prayer.
IV. PRAYER IS A HOLINESS-PROMOTER.
1st Thessalonians 3:10-13
“Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”
Philippians 1:9-11
“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”
John 15:7
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
Prayer is like the gentle dew, which falls upon the thirsty plants and causes them to be refreshed and to bring forth fruit. We must be like those thirsty plants. Jesus promised that He quench if we would hunger and thirst after Him.
Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
We are commanded to be holy.
1st Peter 1:15-16
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
The meaning is, that since God is holy, and we profess to be his followers, we ought also to be holy. This command was addressed at first to the Israelites, but it is with equal aptness addressed to Christians, as the professed people of compared. The foundation of the command is, that they professed to be his people, and that as his people they ought to be like their God.
How can we be without a fervent prayer life without a desire to be holy? We are to build a godly home; can we do that without a fervent prayer life that includes holiness?
We have to take times of self-examination. It requires a time alone with God and letting guide us to the places that are killing us spiritually. This is what David asked the Lord do for him. Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
David was the bravest man in the Bible. He faced a lion, a bear and giant. He faced all of the enemies of the nation of Israel with courage. But this was the bravest thing he ever done by opening his life to the Lord. He showed that he wanted to be a man after God’s own heart. A man after God’s own heart must desire holiness and holiness can be in a man’s life with prayer.
V. PRAYER IS A DISPUTE-ADJUSTER.
Mark 11:24-26
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 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. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Luke 17:3-4
“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”
Let any two brethren who are in a dispute with each other get on their knees and ask the Lord about the disputed matter and they will find the Lord saying to their troubled spirits, “peace, be still,” and “forgive one another their trespasses.”
Disputes in the home are quickly settled when those are at conflict with each other are willing to pray together, and humbly seek the Lord together. Disputes with any person will quickly melt away if those involved will honestly seek God’s face together.
Psalms 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
VI. PRAYER IS AN OBSTACLE-REMOVER.
Acts 12:5-10
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.”
Peter found this was true when an angel came in answer to the prayers of the saints and delivered him from the prison of Herod’s hate. Peter also found out that being in a spirit of prayer a trance also the Lord brought to his life in his prayer time the Spirit could prepare him and lead him to go to a Gentile’s house to bring the message of salvation.
What obstacles have God removed as you sought His face, His glory and honor? What has the Lord taught you about seeking His face?
VII. PRAYER IS A CHRIST-REVEALER.
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jeremiah 29:12-13
“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
To clarify our vision, and to enable us to see the unseen -- we must spend time in unhurried prayer. “Looking unto Jesus” is to have our eyes upon Him for it is more than a casual look... it is to gaze intently upon Him.
Conclusion: How do you expect the Lord to be made real to your heart? Through the Word and through your prayer life is the only way. How do we “really know Him”?
Philippians 3:10
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death”
I found this prayer on a website of an Independent Baptist preacher. It fits here.
"Oh God! May I live each day as in thy Holy presence!
May I walk each day expecting Jesus to come!
May I act each day as though this were the last act of my life before I behold Him face to face!
May I try to win souls about me each day of my life!
And keep the vision of lost people in Hell fresh upon my mind so that my life might be a burning passion for the souls of men." — AMEN!
Pastor Mike Walls