Continue In Prayer

Temple Baptist Church - 1-1-2014

Colossians 4:2-4

 

Introduction:

A. We are commanded to pray corporately. One of the foremost essentials of the both the believer and the local church is that of prayer.

Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

B. We, here at Temple Baptist Church, pray often. We have prayer meeting each Saturday night at 6:00 PM. We take prayer requests before Sunday School begins and we pray. We take requests and we pray in men and ladies’ prayer rooms before the service. We pray to begin each service. We pray several times in the process of the service and dismiss each service in prayer.

C. Do we pray for the power of God and His blessings upon us or do we pray out of ritual? That is where we find the Jews at the Temple in the days of Christ. Pray should never be a formality but communion with our heavenly Father!

1. I find in our verse for tonight a perilous possibility: ceasing to pray. We work things out in our own strength and wisdom. One of the problems that we face today is that we are good at “religion.” We know “how” to do things; we are organized and our worship services have become liturgical instead of spiritual: form without “fire!”

2. I fear that prayer in the churches in general has also become liturgical.

Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

3. I am not saying that we should not continue to ask for things when we pray.

Luke 18:2-8 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: (3) And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. (4) And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; (5) Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. (6) And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. (7) And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? (8) I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

4. We often hear people reciting the Model Prayer in unison and I am not totally opposed to it but it was given simply given to the disciples as a model of how to pray. Is is erroneously called “The Lord’s Prayer” by most but the Lord’s Prayer is found in John 17 when our Lord Jesus Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.

D. We are to pray individually. Matthew 6:6 But 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.

E. It is important that we spend time in pray both in our “prayer closet” and “without ceasing!”

Matthew 6:6 But 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.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

F. Paul said to “continue in prayer.” This expresses the possibility of God’s people ceasing to pray. Prayer is a privilege and answered pray is a blessing!

1. People do not get their prayers answered because they simply do not ask! James 4:2b … ye have not, because ye ask not.

2. People do not get their prayers answered because they ask them selfishly! James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

3. People do not get their prayers answered because they do not believe God! Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

4. People do not get their prayers answered because they give up! Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

5. People so not get their prayers answered because they are not seeking God’s will! 1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

6. People do not get their prayers answered because of sinfulness! Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

7. People do not get their prayers answered because of a wrong marital relationship! 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

8. People do not get their prayers answered because of they are lost! Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

G. Some aspects of our prayer life:

1. Prayer is to be personal. Everyone needs to spend time in prayer. I cannot over emphasize this! Prayer is our channel to God and what a privilege it is. It is prayer that keeps us in tune with God and also the channel through which God’s blessings flow. Sinful man in a personal relationship with a thrice holy God! As the high priest of the Old Testament entered into the Holy of Holies once a year with the blood of atonement and the burning incense, we now have moment by moment access into the Holy of Holies through the shed and applied blood of Christ which remains eternally on the Mercy Seat in heaven. We have audience with God the Father through eternal Priesthood of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!

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.

Genesis 32:24, 29 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day ... (29) And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

2. Prayer is to be honest. Too often, our praying is either asking or thanking. Both of these things are important but, as often as not, we do not get what we want in the time frame that we want it. Life is hard because problems are a way of life. When we fail to honestly tell God what is in our hearts, we become as the Pharisee in Luke 18 who “prayed thus with himself!” God knows our thoughts afar off and we pray without expressing these feelings, disappointments, discouragements, failures, and cares. We are to be reverent with God and at the same time straightforward in our honesty.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

3. Prayer is to be focused. We are to pray specifically. There needs to be more than just words in our prayers. Praying is to be specific! Prayer needs the aspects of confession, worship, thanksgiving, supplications, asking for needs, and guidance. God desires our confession and worship; God is interested in our smallest as well as our greatest needs. He wants us to cast all our cares upon Him for He careth for us!

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (8) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

4. Prayer is to be regular. There should be specific times of Closet Prayer. I will deal with continual prayer in a minute or so but Closet Prayer is different. We are to worship God throughout the day but God, in His ultimate wisdom, set aside times of special worship in His House! These times of special worship are to be enjoyed by the saint, not endured. The Psalmist said, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

Psalms 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

5. Prayer is to be continual. Our prayer life is to be one of moment by moment, not just at certain times of the day. I used the object lesson of church worship a few minutes ago because it drives home both the point of Closet Praying and also praying without ceasing. We are to love God, talk to God, and worship God throughout our day. The Psalmist spoke of “sweet counsel together” and that is what continual praying is all about. If we pray constantly, then we walk holy before God, with God, and for God.

Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

6. Prayer is to be expectant. We are to pray believing. Every one of us knows that God is loving to His children and also able to perform any task for us. One of the greatest problems with our believing is that of God’s will and timing. We ask and expect instant receiving and many times this is not the case. Just look at the “how long” praying of men and women after God’s own heart such as David and Hannah, the widow before the unjust judge. Acceptance of both God’s will and God’s timing is an important part of our praying.

Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Luke 11:11-13 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? (12) Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? (13) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

7. Prayer is to be communal. A man once said that the most important 15 minutes of our prayer life is when we become silent before God and allow Him to speak to our hearts. Communion is a two-way street of both speaking and listening. Too many times, we “carry” the conversation and fail to allow others to speak. Have you ever talked to someone who would not allow you to “get a word in edgewise?” Even when you are speaking to someone like that, they are not listening because they are thinking of what they are going to say next. Communal praying is seeking a personal communion with God.

Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Luke 18:11 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.

2 Samuel 12:16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

8. Prayer is to be spiritual. Jude 20 says, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” The Spirit of God lives within us and directs us in our prayer life which “builds” us in several ways. He matures us; He directs us; He assures us; and He leads us into a proper relationship with our heavenly Father. He teaches us to pray properly and throughly.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

H. Now to the askance of the continued prayer: Paul was asking this church to pray for him! Here, we once again find the importance of praying for God’s man. Though these people had never met Paul, he was desiring their prayers. I believe that we need to pray for God’s men everywhere. They may not be our pastor or missionary but they are someone’s. Satan is busy attacking God’s men for a reason:

Matthew 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

It is important not only to pray for God’s men but to also know how to pray for them. Here are a few things to pray for.

1. Pray for the pastor’s Person or Purity. Philippians 1:18-21 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. (19) For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (20) According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. (21) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

2. Pray for the pastor’s Protection - Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

3. Pray for the pastor’s Boldness - Ephesians 6:18-20 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

4. Pray for the pastor’s Preaching - 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

5. Pray for the pastor’s Deliverance – 2 Thessalonians 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

Romans 15:30-32 Now 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; (31) That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; (32) That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

6. Pray for the pastor’s Fruitfulness - 2 Corinthians 1:9-11 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: (10) Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; (11) Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

7. Pray for the pastor’s Opportunity - Colossians 4:3-4 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (4) That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

8. Pray for the pastor’s Needs - Philemon 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.