INTERNET BIBLE STUDIES

PRAYER - Staying in Touch with God

Distributed by: Internet Bible Studies

Contact: David Parham 817-438-2346

E-mail: davidparham@internetbible.net

Website: http://internetbible.net

 

I recently read of the story of the great evangelist D.L. Moody who was studying one night at home on Saturday night preparing his morning sermon in his study. He was deep in papers and books and studying when his three year old son came in and didn’t say a word but just stood there beside his desk. Not wanting to be disturbed, after a few minutes, in a gruff voice, he said "What do you want, son?" He looked up at his Father and said, "I don't want anything, Daddy. I just wanted to be near to you." I’ve had things very similar happen to me, and it touches your heart. Let me tell you, when we pray, that is our avenue to day to be with our Heavenly Father. He may not speak audibly to us now, but he communicates and we can be in his presence when we pray.

I want us to study a few verses about prayer this morning and think of how important it really is.

Dan 9:17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.

Dan 9:18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.

Dan 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

Brother John Petty from Colorado told us at my Habitat Meeting in Rockwall last year that Christians seem to be the most surprised when God answers our prayer. We should not pray like that, but we should pray with faith, believing and expecting God to answer our prayers.

Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

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

I remember when the men of our church met at little over a year ago. We met to discuss purchasing a building to build this current church. They were asking $60,000 for it, and we had many figures thrown out after we felt that it was the Lord’s Will for us to try and buy it. Some said we should bid $50,000, others $40,000, and some $35,000. I remember listening to each discussion and the logic behind each bid, and in the end, I told the men that we had $25,000 in the bank, and I thought that was what God had blessed us with and that was what we should bid. Someone said that might so offend the man that he might not even consider talking to us again. But I felt that no negotiations are ever over until both parties totally quit trying. And my point was is that it is easy to go up, but you can never go down. Now I was using a combination of walking by faith and knowing how business negotiations are done having to do this in my business all the time. We agreed, brought it to the church, and submitted the bid. Then we all prayed that God’s Will would be done. Do you know what I thought would happen really. I expected him to say the bid is much to low. How about $45,000, and then we would counter with $30,000, and he would suggest $35,000 after three weeks and then we’d offer $33,000 and we’d get a fair deal. No one in the church was more surprised than I when on Wednesday they called and said "Ok. We’ll take it." God answered out prayers, but I truly had not prayed with the proper faith. But God was blessing us all for our faith in the past. Trust God... Pray and believe.

 

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

1 Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

1 Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

1 Th 5:16 Rejoice evermore.

1 Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

1 Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 

Is prayer important? It sure is. It is our direct communication with God today. Don’t fail to talk with him about everything, both small and great. When we do, he will guide our steps, and we will have that peace that passes all understanding.

 

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