The Greatest Resource Rarely Used

Genesis 4:25-26

INTRODUCTION: If I had to guess, I would say prayer is the most under-discussed subject in Christianity. Perhaps there is a feeling a guilt associated with the subject seeing as how few of us pray as we ought. In other facets of our Christianity we sense immediate rewards, but prayer challenges our faith!

I. THE DOCTRINES OF PRAYER

A. The Definition of Prayer

1. Simply stated, prayer is talking to God.
2. Most Christians think of prayer as simply asking and receiving, but prayer also involves the making of requests (Philippians 1:4; Philippians 4:6).
3. Prayer should include a time of praise. When asked by His disciples how they should pray, the Lord began by speaking of the greatness of the Father’s name (Matthew 6:9).

B. The Practice of Prayer

1. Prayer has unfortunately been tainted by men’s traditions.
2. In Bible times, prayer was often made while lifting up one’s hands (Psalm 141:2) or while both kneeling and lifting up of hands (1 Kings 8:54).

C. The Recipient of Prayer

1. Each member of the Godhead works together on our behalf in prayer.
2. We should pray to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus (John 15:16) with the Spirit of God making intercession for us in our prayers (Romans 8:26).

II. THE RECORD OF PRAYER

A. It Parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10-31)

1. Israel was caught between the Egyptians and the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10-14).
2. Moses cried out to the LORD (Exodus 14:15).
3. The LORD parted the Red Sea for Israel to cross on dry ground (Exodus 14:21-22).
4. God troubled Egypt and took the wheels of their chariots (Exodus 14:23-25).
5. The LORD brought the waters back down drowning the Egyptians (Exodus 14:26-28).

B. It Conquered a Barren Womb (1 Samuel 1:2, 5-6, 9-20, 27)

1. Hannah’s womb had been shut and she was mocked (1 Samuel 1:5-6).
2. Hannah took her fretting to the LORD and begged a son (1 Samuel 1:9-11).
3. The LORD granted her request (1 Samuel 1:19-20, 27).

C. It Devastated a Formidable Army (2 Kings 19:1-37)

1. Rabshakeh sent a threatening letter to Hezekiah suggesting Judah was soon to perish (2 Kings 19:8-14).
2. Hezekiah took the letter to the temple and prayed over it (2 Kings 19:14-19).
3. The angel of the LORD smote 185,000 Assyrians in the night (2 Kings 19:35).
4. The king of the Assyrians was killed by his sons (2 Kings 19:36-37).

D. It Deprived Opportunistic Lions (Daniel 6:1-24)

1. Darius was deceived into making a foolish decree against prayer (Daniel 6:1-9).
2. Daniel, knowing the decree was signed, continued his practice of praying three times a day (Daniel 6:10).
3. Daniel was found and cast into a den of lions (Daniel 6:11, 16-17, see vs. 24).
4. The king spent the night fasting (and praying?) and Daniel survived (Daniel 6:18-23).

E. It Caused a Man to Survive the Fish’s Belly (Jonah 1:11-17; Jonah 2:1-10)

1. Jonah was cast into the sea because of disobedience to God (Jonah 1:11-16).
2. The LORD prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah (Jonah 1:17).
3. Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17).
4. Then Jonah prayed (Jonah 2:1).
5. The LORD spake unto the fish and it vomited Jonah upon the dry land (Jonah 2:10).

III. THE NEED FOR PRAYER

A. For Whom Should We Pray – “all men” (1 Timothy 2:1)

B. When Should We Pray – “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

C. Where Should We Pray – “every where” (1 Timothy 2:8)

CONCLUSION: If prayer requires so little effort on our part, while bearing the potential of supernatural results, why do we pray so little? Could it be we believe the God who parted the Red Sea is unable to assist us in our present distress? Or, is it possible we do not truly believe the Lord ever parted the Red Sea? Is it possible that the greatest sin present today is not the bold proclaimer of atheism, but the one who proclaims a faith in God, but disbelievingly forsakes prayer?