Hueytown Church of Christ

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Prayer: Trusting God in a Hurting World

Ed Rangel
01/26/20 - Sun AM

 

Trusting God In A Hurting World

Ephesians 6:10–20; Ephesians 6:18

 

Introduction:

1. 1. The simplest definition of prayer is talking to God.  However, prayer is the place where we experience the breadth and depth of Christian life.
   2. Prayer is the battleground where we fight our spiritual battles.
      1. Sin entered into the world through Adam, but through Christ, we have victory (Romans 5:12-15; 1 Corinthians 15:45ff).
      2. If we are not equipped (armed) and trained properly then we will lose on the battlefield.
      3. We cannot stop the end from coming, but we can be the salt of the earth and live as God’s children.  We can endure and persevere (James 1:2-4)
   3. Thesis: Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.  Ephesians 6:18

 

1. The Bible is full of people praying to God.  Those prayers were often tailored for a certain need.
   1. Jesus’ high priestly prayer (John 17; John 17:10-11)
   2. Prayer of victory - Moses and Miriam’s song of victory (Exodus 15:1-121; Exodus 15:1-2)
   3. Prayer of praise and thanksgiving - Hannah’s prayer of praise (1 Samuel 2:1-10; 1 Samuel 2:7-8)
   4. Prayer of despair - Asaph’s prayer of despair (Psalm 77; Psalm 77:1-2)
   5. Prayer of repentance - David’s prayer of repentance (Psalm 51; Psalm 51:1-2)
   6. Prayer of dedication - Solomon’s prayer of dedication (2 Chronicles 6:14-42; 2 Chronicles 6:14-15)
   7. Fake and honest prayers - Pharisee’s and tax collector’s prayers (Luke 18:9-14; Luke 18:11-13)
   8. Prayer of thanks and petition for the church - Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:16-17)
2. Prayer: The Battle Ground - Ephesians 6:18
   1. Paul describes the conflict between the Christians and the devil.  Having described the armor of God, Paul then shows that victory is by faith and that faith’s power is PRAYER.
   2. Exodus 17:8-16 - The Amalekites attacked Israel by surprise.  Moses instructed Joshua to find fighters while Moses went on top of the mountain and prayed (with the staff of God).  Every time the staff was lifted the Israelites won, every time the star was lowered the battle was lost, PRAYER WAS THE DECIDING factor in the victory that day!
3. We are not in a battle against God.  Our God is a willing God
   1. Jeremiah 33:3 - “…call Me and I will answer…”
   2. Matthew 7:7 - “…ask and you shall receive…”
   3. Genesis 32:22ff - Jacob wrestled with God…Jacob literally wrestled against a divine being, but the battle was not because God was not willing to help him, the battle was between Jacob and his will.  God was willing, Jacob was not willing.  God wanted to save, Jacob wanted to flee.
4. We often counted with ourselves.  We are opposed by:
   1. Indifference and unconcern when we pray.
   2. Unbelief - We take lightly what God has promised us if we pray with faith (James 1:5-8)
   3. Our sins - (Isaiah 59:1-8) - When we harbor sin in our hearts, refusal to repent and confess, then we lose hope, we become fatigued when we pray.  But it is because our prayers are hindered.
5. We Battle Satan When We Pray
   1. Ephesians 6:11
   2. A prayerless Christian is the devil’s delight, as is a prayerless church.
   3. Imagine how many spiritual battles have been lost because people did not pray.  How many battles have been lost because they lowered God’s staff and did not lift it up again?
6. Victory is Promised if We do Battle in Prayer
   1. Luke 18:7-8; Psalm 50:15
   2. There is a reason why the prayer of a righteous man avails much!  (James 5:16)

 

Conclusion:

1. 1. Romans 8:37-39 - We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!
   2. In this broken world that we live in we hear about tragedies every day - in our own backyards now!  The world needs Christians to pray fervently with the faith that God will give us victory.  The church needs to be a church that prays fervently and with faith.
   3. The sinner who desires salvation needs to obey the Gospel of Christ and dedicate their lives to prayer.
   4. The church needs more soldiers, obey the Gospel today!

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