Sweet Power Of Prayer - Shahae Gergian

45. Well, it's certainly good to be

with you this evening, and I pray, of course, that the things

that I prepared will be beneficial to the body of

Christ. This after this evening, rather,

I've written on the board are topic of for consideration this

evening. We're going to talk a little bit

about the Great and the sweet power of prayer.

When you talk about this idea or the subject of prayer, there are

great. Many verses of scripture.

You can consider and a great many ideas that we can turn to

in studying how we as Christians are to pray.

And how we pray properly. And how what the things are that

we can pray for. But I've chosen these three

passages of scripture. We're going to take an

expository look at them today and hopefully glean something

from God's word. First, we're going to look at

what John talks about that spraying with confidence and

compassion. We're going to look at the

Hebrew writers can thoughts concerning, how we are to come

boldly to the throne of grace, how we're to do that, and why we

should do that. And then we're going to end up

in the book of James. Is where James gives us a call

to both prayer and praise. But first, we're going to look

at this passage here in 1st John, the 5th chapter and I'll

start by simply reading first John chapter 5 verses 14 through

1 John 5:14–17

17. The new King James translation

translates this way. Now this is the confidence that

we have in him that if we ask anything according to his, will

he hears us? And if we know that he hears us,

whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have

asked of him. If anyone sees a brother sending

a sin, which does not lead to death, he will ask and he will

give him Life For Those who commit sin, not leading to

death, there is sin leading to death.

I do not say that we should pray about.

That all unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin, not leading to

death. So as we rapidly approached, the

end of this epistle, written by John.

John gives us a few words on the subject of prayer.

This is not the first time that John has mentioned prayer.

In his writings, John talks about the value of confessing

our sins, which is done in prayer over in first, John 1:9,

John 1:9

John talks about our advocate in prayer.

Jesus Christ, the righteous over in Chapter 2 and verse 1.

And John also talks about one reason, why we receive what we

ask for in prayer in 3:22, but in his final words on this

subject, John does two things. I think really here, he expands

upon the theme and prayer that it's already introduced which is

praying with confidence but he also brings in another theme

that is really in harmony with much of John's writing in this

first epistle which is that of Brotherly Love when he talks

about praying with compassion as well.

So we're going to look at these two separate.

Ideas, starting first with praying with confidence,

firstly, praying with confidence requires asking according to

God's will. This is the point that is

emphasized in verses 14 and 15 confidence in our, in prayer is

not based on some assumption that whatever we ask for.

We're going to get no matter what some may improperly,

conclude the words of Jesus, over in John chapter 14 and

John 14 · chapter mention

verses 13 and 14. And we're going to turn, and

we're going to read the words of Jesus there.

Over in John chapter 14 and we're going to read verses 13

John 14 · chapter mention

through 14 as I said. Jesus says, That's chapter 13.

Jesus says here, and whatever you ask in my father's name that

I will do that, the Sun. That the father may be glorified

in the son. If you ask anything in my name,

I will do it. But even Jesus is own examples

of prayer illustrate, the answer to prayer, depends on whatever

the thing is. And if it is in harmony with

God's will looking at examples of Jesus prayer in Matthew, 26

and verse 39. And also in verse 42 of the The

same chapter Paul learned the same lesson when he prayed about

his Thorn In the Flesh over in 2nd.

Corinthians chapter 12 verses 7 through 9 there.

However, the more we learn about God's revealed will through the

word of God. The more likely we are to pray

according to his will and that's really the Crux of the position

here that John when he talks about praying with confidence

and praying in accordance to God's will we have to know God's

will before we can pray. In God's will we have to know

what it is by studying his word and that is the the main way

that we understand and we gain knowledge of the will of God

that's by studying his word and that's how we can pray in

harmony with God's will. Another reason we can pray our

another way to pray with confidence.

Another requirement is that of keeping God's Commandments, this

is stressed in first, John chapter 3 and verse 22 and I'll

John 3 · chapter mention

read that very quickly. First John chapter 3 verse 22,

1 John 3:22

says, and whatever we ask, we receive from him because we keep

his Commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his

sight. So even if we're asking for

something that's necessarily or normally would be found within

the will of God, how can we, as Christians expect to receive

that thing that we're praying for?

If we're not living, right? If we're not living, right?

Even if we know the will of God, how is God going to give us

those things? Which were required to live our

daily lives here. On this Earth it would be a

contradiction to God for God to Grant those things to people who

are not living in accordance with his word.

So another stipulation to pray with confidence, it requires us

to keep God's Commandments as Peter quoted from Proverbs for

the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous.

And his ears are open to their prayers.

First Peter chapter 3, Verse 12. The righteousness of course, are

1 Peter 3:12

those who do things that are pleasing in his sight.

According to what we just read over and first, John chapter 3

John 3 · chapter mention

and verse 22, especially in regard, to believing in Jesus

and loving the Brethren two Commandments given to us.

By John, in the following verse where he said, in chapter 3,

where he says, and this is the Commandment that we should

believe on the name of the son of Jesus Christ, the son, Jesus

Christ and love one another and he gave us commandment Another

requirement, I believe for praying with confidence, it

requires us to choirs requires abiding in Jesus and his words

abiding in us, which of course, go along with the things we've

already mentioned. This was taught by Jesus himself

recorded and by John in John chapter 15 and verse 7, this

John 15 · chapter mention

should also help to clarify any misunderstanding in that

passage, we read over in John chapter 14, we can't isolate

John 14 · chapter mention

that one separate quote by Jesus and Assume that anything we ask

for, we're going to get things must be done in a proper fashion

and one of those is abiding in Jesus, and his words must abide

in US confidence. In prayer.

Depends upon asking a court, according to God's will.

But if Jesus words don't abide in us, well, how will we know

God's will, of course, as we've already mentioned?

Praying with compassion the first idea and praying with

compassion is of course to pray for a brother.

The Epistle of John has been one which has stress Brotherly Love.

Is we've already mentioned. He told us that we ought to lay

down our lives for the Brethren and first John chapter 3 and

1 John 3 · chapter mention

verse 16 he said that if one sees a brother in need and shuts

his heart from him, how does he love God, how does the love of

God abide in him? First John chapter 3 and verse

1 John 3 · chapter mention

17 So certainly, then we should be willing and ready to pray for

our Brethren especially when we see them sinning, a sin, uh, not

unto death, okay? Now this is a really, a complex

statement here by John one that required great study on my part,

to make sure that I had full understanding.

But I'm pretty sure that I have a grasp on it.

The difference of sinning, a sin, not unto death and sending

a sin unto death. Let me read a few notes that I

jotted down. So I'll read them word for words

that don't mess them up. We have to consider the present

tense of the verb here, which is sinning does sending necessarily

imply that the brother is still engaged in the Sin.

Why don't believe that it does? What is sin unto death versus

excuse me? Okay, once again I got to read

it. Does the present tense of the

verb sinning necessarily imply that the brother is still

engaged in the Sin. When we are not to pray for him,

what is sin? Not unto death and sin unto

death? What is meant by?

He will give him life. What conclusions, whatever

conclusions we draw. Must be in harmony with other

passages of scripture. So, when you talk about the idea

of sinning unto death and sitting not unto death, I

believe there's really only one conclusion that you can come

too, we know that sin It is fully grown produce is death.

So what about Sin that hasn't quite come to that full growth

yet? Well, simply as Sin that does

not lead to death, is a sin that has been repented of a sin that

does not lead to death. Is a sin that has been confessed

by a brother or sister in Christ and has ribbon repented of but

perhaps has not yet been forgiven.

So when John tells us we are to pray for a brother who has

sinned or sinning or Them's not unto death.

That is to pray for one who has repented of that sin certainly

and John points out. How can we pray for a brother

who is sinning a sin unto death? How can we pray for a brother

who is still sinning? Well, that just wouldn't make

any sense. What it, how could we pray for

someone who is still engaged in that sinful act and expect them

to be forgiven? That's just impossible.

So, when you talk about the idea of in verse 17, when he says,

all unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to

death, I believe simply that it is a sin that has been repented

of sin, which is not produced or lead to death.

Would therefore be sin. Repented of sin, leading to

death producing spiritual death, and separation from God would be

a sin. Unrepented of, we cannot expect

God to forgive one who refuses to repent.

And as John writes with some understatement.

I believe, I do not say that we Should pray about that and

that's inversed verse number 16. God will give him life as quoted

in verse 16. If the Death In this passage is

obvious spiritual death. It is natural to assume the life

is spiritual life, the life, which God will grant our

penitent brother in answer to our prayers, could also be

described as forgiveness. When John says here, that that,

that, that the prayer that the sin that is not leading to

death, which is a sin that has been repented of is prayed about

the life that he is given, is that life of forgiveness that

Mercy from God, forgiveness of sins, that Christians have after

they've obeyed. The gospel.

This is the promise offered in first, John 1:9 to the child of

John 1:9

God, who penitently, confesses his own sin and prayer also

offered and John first John 5 verse 16.

1 John 5:16

As we read to The Penton brother, when prayer is made on

his behalf, by another member of the family of God.

So one might ask why bother to pray for a brother?

If his sins will be forgiven anyway as taught in chapter 1

and verse 9, well one answer might be found in James chapter

James 5 · chapter mention

5 and verse 16 which we're going to get to in a little bit.

Where James says, the effective fervent prayer of a righteous

man avails much and more on that in just a little while.

So in conclusion to this idea of praying with confidence and

compassion, the privilege of prayer is a wonderful blessing.

We know that, especially, especially when we do with

confidence and with compassion, are we fulfilling the

requirements to be able to pray with confidence or we abiding in

Jesus? Are we letting his words abide

in us? Are we keeping his Commandments?

And doing the things pleasing in his sight asking according to

God's will? Are we praying with compassion?

Praying, not only for ourselves, but for our brothers and sisters

who are in need praying for Brethren overtaken by sin, but

who's who have demonstrated that their sin is one, that is not

leading to death. That is repented of, as we all

need the fullness of God's blessings in our lives.

ABS. Let's make sure we encourage

each other to do whatever we can to be able to pray with both

competence and compassion. We're going to turn over to the

book of Hebrews. Now, we're going to look at our

second idea. Hebrews chapter 4 as written on

Hebrews 4 · chapter mention

the board and we're going to read their verses 14 through 16.

The Bible says in Hebrews beginning in verse 4:14 seeing

that seeing then that we have a great high priest, who has

passed through the heavens. Jesus, the son of God, let us

hold fast. Our confession for we do not

have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,

but was it all points tempted? As we are yet without sin, Let

Us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may

obtain mercy and find Grace to help in time of need in our

study of the book. Of Hebrews that we recently went

through in our Wednesday night services, we saw many different

themes talked about here. One of the main points was that

the Jewish Christians remain steadfast and firm in their

faith, they were encouraged not to make that same mistake that

many of their ancestors made, which was departing from God and

his method of operation has been twofold.

I believe both to illustrate the superiority of Jesus which is a

reoccurring A theme in this book, i.e. his superiority to

the prophets, two angels to Moses, and the law of Moses, but

also to exhort them to be faithful in the light of these

comparisons. So when the Hebrew writer, told

them, how much better it was with Jesus.

He also told them. So let's be faithful to Jesus.

Some of these ideas can be looked at in Hebrews chapter 2

Hebrews 2 · chapter mention

and verses 1 through 4 where he said, give the more Earnest heed

to the things we have heard he says to it.

Or one another daily in chapter 3 verse 12 through 14, and

really, to put it in another way.

We must remain faithful and diligent and in our study of the

word of God and an exhorting, one another daily other things

are necessary like prayer, which we're going to talk about in

chapter 4 here. The man thought of this passage,

as we're going to look at is to come boldly to the throne of

grace. So what does it mean?

When he says come boldly to the throne of grace?

Well what is the throne of grace?

Well this is simply. Another way of saying the Throne

of God, other passages emphasize that God's Throne is one of

righteousness, Justice, mercy, and Truth.

God is known for and is the source of these things, Hebrews

Hebrews 4:16

4:16 emphasizes God's mercy and benevolence to be found there.

This expression. Let us come which is also

translated as drawn near. This is a really one of a

Priestly. Priestley expression that was

used in the Book of Leviticus to describe to tell the those of

the Old Testament preaches, how they were two were approached

God and to approach his throne, it denotes approaching God, for

worship and prayer and it is used here and it suggests that

the Priestly privileges of access to God, which under the

Old Law, you the only access to God.

You had were through the priests.

This is something that is now available to everyone to

Christians everywhere. But now in Christ we can all

draw near to God in worship and prayer.

This is something that we must do as the Hebrew writer says

boldly. This word boldly means literally

translated with confidence from the Greek word Parisa which also

means full story in ancient Greece.

It was used to describe the right of a citizen to speak.

His mind on any subject in a town assembly.

According to Lightfoot only. All citizens had this right

slaves did not have the right to speak their mind as the citizens

and used here in the book of Hebrews, it stands for our

freedom to approach, god, without hesitation without

inhibition. And of course, this made

possible by the blood of Jesus. So this, this passage speaks of

the wonderful privilege, Christians have through prayer

to approach. God with full confidence again,

which is in correlation with what John wrote and of course it

is important to you. Eli's this privilege.

Let's talk about a few reasons why we ought to come boldly to

the throne of grace. Number one, we ought to come

boldly to the throne of grace because we have been given that

privilege to do. So just as we have been given

the privilege to worship. God, we have been given the

privilege privilege to talk to him in prayer.

Not everyone has this opportunity as we know during

the period of the old laws. We've already mentioned, only

the high priest, could enter the holiest of holies.

Now, that is something that has been made.

Possible to for all of us. And as Christians, we have our

high priest to whom we can direct our prayers through and

all those in his church have access through prayer.

According to Revelation, chapter 1, and verse 6, we ought to come

Revelation 1 · chapter mention

boldly to the throne of grace because we have yet to enter

quote, the rest that remains As seen earlier in this chapter,

there is still a promised rest for God's people.

We need to fear and respect less become short of it.

We need to be diligent. And this being true, we need as

much mercy and Grace as we can get along the way we ought to

come boldly to the throne of God, because we need that mercy

and Grace that is only available through God, because of the high

priest that we have is another reason we should come boldly to

To the throne of grace. In Jesus, we have a great high

priest as this passage points out.

We have a high priest who has passed through the heavens.

Hebrews chapter 9 verse 24, having ascended to the right

Hebrews 9:24

hand of God, he has become higher than the heavens in

Jesus. We have a sympathetic, high

priest, verse 15 and this word. Sympathy, I love this this word.

Sympathy literally means to suffer with.

We have a high priest who suffered just just as we do.

How can we not understand that there is a reason, he is our

high priest. There's a reason that Jesus is

our high priest today because he suffered just as we do today,

even greater, And we have the ability to pray to God through

him. The word, sympathy as I said

literally means to suffer with the Greek word here suggests a

real intensity which is kind of lost in our English word.

Sympathy it's much more intense than a sympathy to suffer with

Westcott, describes it as the feeling of one who enters into

the suffering and makes it his own who enters into our own

suffering and makes it. His own Jesus is sympathy is due

to being tempted. Today, as we are yet without

sin, and this qualifies him to be both both merciful and

faithful, a merciful and faithful high priest.

That is one, who is able to Aid, those who are tempted according

to Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 18.

Hebrews 2 · chapter mention

And with such a high priest interceding for us, we

definitely need to take advantage of every opportunity,

we have in prayer for this mercy and Grace.

As I mentioned earlier, we ought to come boldly to the throne of

grace, because of the mercy and the grace and grace that away.

Us Christians continue to need two things, no matter what, you

know, no matter what state of your life, you're in, no matter

what your spiritual condition is, and no matter how you stand

with God, you always need mercy and Grace.

Always those are two things that every Christian needs every day

of our lives without Mercy, how can we have the Forgiveness that

we have for? We do sin and to deny to deny

that we do. Of course is calling God.

God, a liar, Grace, to help us in the time of need, but listen

God's favor to help us in time. Of need is one of a providential

protection, Divine strength. According to Romans chapter 8,

Romans 8 · chapter mention

and verse 13, the Christian finds these things and prayer

and an answers to Prayer by confessing our sins To God In

Prayer. There is Mercy first John

1 John 1 · chapter mention

chapter 1 and verse 9 again, and by praying for strength from

God's forgot, from God, there is Grace to help us in time of need

Ephesians chapter 3 verse 16 and verse 20.

Ephesians 3:16

Listen and conclusion to this portion of our study.

We need to make sure that we are diligent and coming boldly to

the throne of grace, a graceful, God and a sympathetic high

priest is what it was. What awaits us mercy and Grace

to help us in time of need. And that means, we must as one

translation puts it draw near to God diligent study.

Each of the word is also something that helps us to come

boldly. As we've already mentioned, we

must add diligent prayer for going to find that mercy and

Grace. Ice.

Which is necessary to hold the beginning of our confidence

steadfast to the end. We should be thankful for the

Avenue of prayer we have. And for the great high priest

who makes that possible, we need to make sure we're utilizing

again. The opportunities we have to

come boldly to the throne of grace.

For our last section tonight, we're going to flip over to the

Book of James. This book that we are studying

currently on our Wednesday night services.

I'm jumping ahead a couple of chapters from where we are.

We're going to look at James chapter 5 verses 13 through 18

James 5:13–18

and I'll read those. The Bible says, is anyone among

you suffering? Let him pray.

Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing songs.

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the Elders of

the church and let them pray over him.

Anointing him with oil, in the name of the Lord, and the prayer

of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up.

And if you have committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another

that you may be healed. The effective fervent prayer of

a righteous man avails much Elijah was a man with a nature

like ours and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain

and it did not rain in the land for three years and six months

and he prayed again that the heavens gave rain and the Earth

produced its fruit As is common, I think with many New Testament

Epistles as the writers draw their letters to a close, it

seems like they try and get as many ideas and at the end as

possible and that, of course, is no different here in the Book of

James here, we find various commands and exhortation 's and

we find a call to both prayer and to praise with, with

guidance. As we do, what those things are

that we do in times of suffering.

He tells To pray. So what kind of suffering is

James referring to hear the word used refers to the suffering,

really of any kind of any type of suffering, sickness

bereavement disappointment, Perhaps persecutions, Perhaps

loss of health. And of course, James in a few

verses deals with sickness specifically.

What are those things that we should pray for?

Well, for the removal of the suffering, if we are suffering?

Let's pray that we are, the suffering is removed from our

lives. Lives.

If it's in the Lord's will of course as we've talked about for

the strength to endure the suffering, if it is, the Lord's

will for the strength that we are given.

Once we overcome those sufferings is perhaps something

that we can't see, but that God can see.

God may not always remove the source of the suffering and

that's important for us to understand but he will help us

to endure it. There's no promise that.

God says, if you pray for the removal of a suffering that The

suffering will be gone, but there is a promise that God will

help us through the suffering. And as we know from our study in

the first first chapter of the Book of James one thing that we

gain from enduring trials, and sufferings is patients.

And as we grow older and as we endure more things and we gain

more patients, well, that helps us to live our Christian life,

doesn't it? For whom should we pray will

certainly for ourselves but also for others, but also we can do,

we can also for those who may be a, the source of suffering,

maybe pray for those. If individuals are the source of

suffering, pray for our enemies. As Jesus taught doing this can

greatly help to endure any suffering and prayer is always a

way to help us get through it. And I think prayer is one of the

greatest tools. We Have is Christians,

especially, when in, during trials, because that means that

when we pray to God and he will help us do those things if it's

in his will. And, and that is a blessing that

no one in the world has and no one in the world has been

promised, save, God's people. He also says, in times of cheer

or cheerful, let us sing praises.

The word cheerful here, denotes a pleasantness or agreeableness,

it suggests, a state of mind, that is free from trouble.

It's the opposite of a Chin. It's really when we're happy

when we're happy in, such a state of Happiness.

One should sing for singing? Praises is becoming of God's

people. Consider the attitude of David.

Well, if you look at Psalms chapter 92, 96 10, 11, 11, 113,

Psalms 92 · chapter mention

146, 147 and 149. We find many examples of the

songs of David. David was a man after God's Own

Heart. So shouldn't we be as well?

Singing praises has the power to make a good situation, even

better. When we sing with our hearts to

the Lord and we are cheerful, it makes that situation that were

in our lives even better. So when were cheerful, we ought

to sing. And when we are suffering, we

ought to pray in times of sickness.

He says, let us pray this passage can really go in a

couple of ways. So I'm going to talk about both

of them questions abound concerning.

This passage is the sickness that of a physical or a

spiritual nature. Is the anointing with oil?

Is it really for medicinal purposes?

Or was it more of symbolic? Purposes is the healing through

providential means or miraculous is the healing spiritual or

physical? Well how do we know?

Well, let's look at all of them and hopefully we'll be able to

draw our own conclusion first. I believe that the, the sickness

and the healing In this passage is physical.

Those spiritual needs are taken into consideration.

I believe this is in view of the phrase and if he has committed

sins, he will be forgiven and that phrase implies that the

sickness is physical, though. It may be accompanied by a

spiritual sickness as well. And I think it can go either way

and I think it's applicable in our lives, either way.

But if the conditional, if as said there makes it makes it

clear that the illness may not be accompanied by sin, which is

true. Well, then that would mean that

the illness is probably not spiritual but most likely

physical. But again, I believe that it can

go either way when we make the application to our lives.

So with the assumption, that the physics that the physical

illness is being discussed, there are really two

Alternatives. I believe this passage refers to

miraculous healing and the elders were called because they

possess The gift of the Holy Spirit, that's one alternative.

The anointing with oil was symbolic.

If we go this route, which is representing of the influence of

the Holy Spirit or this passage refers to providential healing

in which the elders were called because they most likely were

the righteous. Most righteous of the content of

the congregation because he says, the effective fervent

prayer of the righteous man. Avails much the anointing with

oil was midi medicinal in this going.

On this Lane and was commonly practiced in know that those

days and that is true. And those times they didn't have

the hospitals and medical care that we have today.

So many times, the anointing of oil was perhaps to make those

who were sick, physically more comfortable in their situation

and was commonly used as a medicinal in medicinal ways.

So whichever way you want this passage to go.

As far as the healing is miraculous or the healing is, is

more providential. Its Applicable both ways I

believe. But so, common practices of the

day we're, as I said, medicinal anointing with oil and I lean

towards the latter. I believe that the healing is

that of providential nature. The first explanation, if you

assume that the elders were the ones that had the spiritual gift

of healing. Well then you assume that every

Elder in that time had that spiritual gift and that wasn't a

requirement of Elders. So perhaps that wasn't, that's

not The Sara Lee, the case because we have no example of it

in the New Testament and the qualifications that I said for

elders did not require the gift of healing.

So, in illustrating, the effectiveness of prayer, James

uses an example of God providentially answering prayers

and he uses the example of Elijah.

When Elijah prayed that there would be no ran, this is back in

First Kings, chapter 18, God used nature itself as a way to

1 Kings 18 · chapter mention

answer Elijah's prayer. God stop train.

Or some over three years check, make sure that's accurate back

in my notes. But when there was no rain,

what's most interesting about that is that there was no rain.

And there was no do when God stopped the water, he stopped

the water and he use nature as his means of answering Elijah's

prayer. Then, when Elijah after that

confrontation, with the worshipers of Baal upon Mark,

Mount Carmel after that, went the way it went.

And God Oh, that he was the true God and the children of Israel

then believed Elijah once again prayed to God for rain, and he

gave that rain again, using nature.

So, I believe because of this example, is one of a

providential nature, so is the healing.

But as I said, by no means can be ruled out, the healing of a

miraculous nature in this, In this passage of scripture.

So with this understanding or more or less, let's go.

Make an application in times of physical sickness.

We have to call for the righteous or Elders.

If it's applicable, you want the prayers of the righteous working

on your behalf, you were to notice your to call for them and

not wait for them to call you. I find that interesting In this

passage that when you want someone to pray for you, when

you're seeking the prayers of the righteous, will you have to

do something? You have to ask for it, you

can't just expect those Elders, if it's applicable and the

congregation or those who are Are righteous in the in the

congregation. You can't just expect them to

know what your needs are. If you have need, you must ask

for it. Have those members of the

congregation, pray with you, praying in faith.

Praying with fervent, with a fervent prayer, and they should

not just pray, but see also, after the appropriate medical

needs. We now live in a time where the

medical field has advanced to such a state where we can go to

doctors and when we are sick, they can help us.

So I believe it is. Also the charge of the

congregation to look after those who are sick, not only by

praying for them, but by making sure they are getting the

medical attention, that is appropriate for their

situations. However, one interprets this

passage again, as I said, there's no dispute over the main

thrust of the passage, which is prayer and praise our special

privileges for the Christian. And there is not a time in our

life when we shouldn't be doing one or the other, we must be

careful not to underestimate the importance of prayer, the power

of prayer. But to truly benefit from either

of these two spiritual exercises, we, of course, have

to be in a role in the right relationship.

With God. How can we expect God to hear

our prayers or our songs? If we're not right with him?

If there's something that's standing between us, he that

turneth away his ear from the hearing of the law.

Even his prayer shall be Abomination.

That's Proverbs 28 and verse 9, and being a doer of God's will

Matthew 7 chapter 21, says not everyone that saith unto me.

Lord. Lord shall enter into the

kingdom of heaven but he that doeth, the will of the father.

Which is in heaven. So when in every application of

these three separate passages of scripture, we find evidence that

in order for our prayers, to be heard.

We must know. The will of God, we must pray

that the things in our lives happen.

In accordance to the will of God, we have to know the will of

God, and it has to be applied in our lives, and we have to follow

it. And I think that's one of the

most applications that I want us to understand this evening is

that prayer isn't something that's just happenstance.

It's not something that's so it's not something that should

be made into a novelty prayer, is a tool.

We have to endure trials and to help those who were in need and

to Avail ourselves to this privilege.

We have to make sure that we're living, right?

We thank you for listening to our podcast, put on by the

Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. Road in Bakersfield, if you

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