PRAYER–I SAMUEL 12:23

PRAYER
1 Samuel 12:23, “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:”

Definition of prayer: A reverent petition made to God; An act of communion with God, such as in devotion, confession, praise, or thanksgiving; A fervent request.
To pray: To utter or address a prayer or prayers to God; to make a fervent request or an entreaty.

I. EXAMPLES OF PRAYER:

A. Moses prayed for the people, Numbers 21:7, “Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.”
B. Moses prayed for Aaron, Deuteronomy 9:20, “Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.”
C. Abraham prayed for Lot in Sodom, Genesis 18:20-33.
II. GOD PLACES GREAT IMPORTANCE ON PRAYER:
A. Job prayed for his friends and healed, Job 42:10, “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”
B. Samuel saw the importance on prayer, 1 Samuel 12:23, “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:”
C. Peter was prayed for by the Church in Jerusalem, Acts12:5, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
D. Hezekiah prayed for those who were unclear and yet ate the Passover, 2 Chronicles 30:18, “For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one.”
E. Jesus taught his disciples that men ought always to pray, Luke 18:1, “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
F. Jesus prayed for Simon Peter, Luke 22:30, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
G. Peter and John prayed for the Samaritans, Acts 8:15, “Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)”
H. Paul prayed:

1. For the churches:

a. At Rome, Romans 1:9, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;”
b. At Colosse, Colossians 1:9, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”
c. At Thessalonica, 1 Thessalonians 3:9, “Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?”

2. For the Brethren:

a. For Timothy, 2 Timothy 1:3, “I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;”
b. For the testimony of God’s people, 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

G. How God expects you to pray, Matthew 6:5-6, “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6But thou, 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.”

III. How Jesus prayed:

A. Alone, Matthew 14:23, “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” Mark 6:46, “And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.”
B. Before major decisions, Luke 6:12, “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.”
C. Before His disciples in order to manifest His Glory, Luke 9:28, “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29-And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. 30-And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31-Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 32But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.”

Jesus taught His Disciples how to pray, Luke 11:1, “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.”

To the Father, Luke 11:2-4, “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3-Give us day by day our daily bread. 4-And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”

In Jesus’ name, John 14:13-14, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14-If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 16:23-24, “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24-Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

In the proper attitude, Luke 18:10-14, “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11-The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12-I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13-And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14-I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

In the spirit of intercession, Colossians 1:9, “On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:”

The occasion for prayer:

When God’s people gather for worship, Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

When we need help, Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

When we are destitute in this world, Psalm 102:17-22, “He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. 18-This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. 19-For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; 20-To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; 21-To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; 22-When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.”

When God has blessed us and we are thankful, Psalm 95:2-3, “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 3-For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

When we are watching for His Coming, Colossians 4:2, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” 1 Peter 4:7, “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”

CONCLUSION

PRAY FOR US–II THESSALONIANS 3:1-2

PRAY FOR US

II THESSALONIANS 3:1-2
Introduction:
The Apostle Paul was very aware of his need of pray by the Lord’s people. We are all guilty of saying that we will pray for someone or something only to forget to do so later. The need to pray for others is very important to God’s work and to our own personal spiritual growth.

If we are not concerned about the souls of other people we will not be very concerned about our personal relationship with the Lord. The two work together to our mutual benefit.

I. WE ALL NEED PRAYER AND TO PRAY

A. The Thessalonians needed prayer in their temptations, but they also needed to pray for others, Romans 15:30, w I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;”

1. The Lord was concerned about laborers, Matthew 9:38 “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
2. The Lord saw a great harvest, Luke 10:2, “Therefore  said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”

B. Paul requested prayer for two matters.

1. That the Lord would prepare the hearts of those who would hear the Gospel, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

2. The second request was for deliverance from enemies of the gospel, Acts 17:5-9,“But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6- And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7- Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 8- And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9- And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing:”
CONCLUSION

PRAY ANYHOW–I SAMUEL 12:23

PRAY ANYHOW

I SAMUEL 12:23
Introduction:
Samuel had served the children of Israel for many years as their judge and the Lord had blessed them and their land. Nevertheless, they wanted a king like their neighbors and pressed Samuel to get one for them.
Finally, Samuel anointed Saul under God’s direction, to be king over Israel. Samuel knew this was not God perfect will, however, the Lord allowed it.
Samuel’s concern for the Lord’s people continued and he determined that his responsibility to pray for them was enlarged by their great spiritual need.

I. SAMUEL’S GREAT HEART IS REVEALED

A. Samuel knew that God was not pleased with Israel’s desire to have a king, 1 Samuel 8:7, “And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”
B. They had rejected their God as their King, 1 Samuel 10:19, “And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay , but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.”
C. Samuel knew that Israel would need His help more than ever, 1 Samuel 12:23,“Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:”
1. The people had seen God’s great power, 1 Samuel 12:16-18, “Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes. 17- Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king. 18- So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.”
2. In their fear they asked Samuel to pray for them, 1 Samuel 12:19, “And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.”
3. Samuel saw his responsibility to the Lord as the Apostle Paul did, Romans 1:9, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;”

II. INTERCESSARY PRAYER

A. Moses interceded for Israel, Deuteronomy 9:18, “And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 20- And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time,”
1. Intercessory prayer is not only in sickness, but also during a time of rebellion of someone against the Lord as in this case with Israel.
2. Men of God must pray for their brethren, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2- For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
B. Job interceded for his family, Job 1:5, “And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.”
C. The Lord’s admonition regard intercessory prayer, Matthew 5:44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

CONCLUSION