Sermon Tone Analysis

*Communicating With God*

*September 8, 1996*

* *

*Scripture:  *1Kings 8:6 - 9:9  (2Chron.

5:7 - 7:22)

* *

*Prayer:*

* *

*Introduction:*

 

          If the spiritual discipline of Bible Intake is most important, then surely the spiritual discipline of prayer is second in importance as we pray God’s Word back to Him in both understanding and application toward godliness.

It can be said that the main reason for a lack of godliness is prayerlessness because we have not opened up our spirit to the enablement of God’s Spirit.

The transition between Bible intake (through hearing, reading and studying) and prayer is meditation.

This is the process whereby we wait upon God to become convicted by the Holy Spirit to praise, confess, thank and intercede in spontaneous prayer.

But prayer is not only a conviction, it is a duty.

In praying God’s Word back to Him, we bring ourselves under its authority and power to carry out God’s work in us and through us.

Adrian Rodgers has said, “We can do more than pray after we have prayed, but we can not do more than pray until we have prayed.

And as Daniel said in Dan.

9:18b, “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.”

Prayer taps us into the boundless mercy of God.

Prayer is a deep subject and can cover many avenues.

When one thinks about it, how can we even begin to approach the subject of communication with the infinite God of the universe?

The Bible gives us many examples of famous prayers.

They serve different purposes, but the one thing they all have in common (that is why they are in the Bible) is that God has answered, and is still answering, them all.

They are there for us to see and appreciate God.

Let’s just list some of these prayers:

\\           1Sam.

2:1             Hannah’s Prayer

                   Prophetic praise for Samuel’s miraculous birth, looking forward                       to the establishment of the kingship and ultimately in the                                       Messiah.

2Sam.

7:18           David’s Prayer

                   Humble praise for God’s revelation of the Davidic Covenant                              through Nathan, asking God to always remember His                               unconditional promise of an enduring kingdom (fulfilled in                         Christ) and to bless David’s house.

1Chron.

17:16      David’s Prayer

                   A repeat of 2Sam.

7:18.

1Chron.

29:10      David’s Prayer

                   Praise to God and a request that Solomon would indeed                                     complete the temple and that the people would provide for it.

1Kings 8:22                   Solomon’s Prayer

                   Praise to God for Solomon’s part in the Davidic Covenant, a                             request for God to keep it, dedication of the temple and request                         for God to hear the prayers of the people - looking forward to an                 eternal kingdom in Christ.

2Chron.

6:12        Solomon’s Prayer

                   A repeat of 1Kings 8:22.

2Kings 19:14        Hezekiah’s Prayer

                   An appeal for God’s protection of Jerusalem from the Assyrians.

Is.

37:14               Hezekiah’s Prayer

                   Repeat of 2Kings 19:14.

Ezra 9:1                Ezra’s Prayer

                   Confession of continuing sin in spite of God’s goodness in                       bringing a remnant back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple,                          pleading mercy.

Neh.

1:1               Nehemiah’s Prayer

                   Acknowledgment of God’s hand in Jewish history, confession                           of national sin, and a request for success in asking the                                   Babylonian king for permission to return and rebuild Jerusalem.

Ps.

17;86;142       Prayers of David

          Ps.

90                             Prayer of Moses

          Ps.

102                 Prayer of the Afflicted

          Is.

63:7                 Praise and Prayer

                   Request for God’s fulfillment of divine history and His return to              His people.

Jer. 10:23             Jeremiah’s Prayer

                   Request for God’s fulfillment of divine justice in human history.

Dan.

9:1               Daniel’s Prayer

                   Confession of national sin, pleading for mercy, and a request for              God to return to His sanctuary, His city and His people.

Jonah 2:1             Jonah’s Prayer

                   An acknowledgment of God’s divine hand of discipline and                      submission to it in desire to be a part of God’s program of                       salvation.

Micah 7:14           Prayer and Praise

                   A request for God to display His power among the nations,                     forgive sin, and restore Israel.

Hab.

3:1               Habakkuk’s Prayer

                   Praise for God’s glory and power and for strength to remain                              until deliverance comes.

John 17:20           Jesus’ Prayer

                   That believers might be unified in Christ in the knowledge of the              love of God in Christ, and that they might see the glory of God                            in Christ unto eternal life.

Acts 4:23              Believer’s Prayer (Peter and John)

                   An acknowledgment of the power of God not only as Creator                            but as Holy Spirit to enable them to speak (as David did) the                         Word of God with power and authority, especially about Christ.

*I.

Prayer is Expected*

          A.

Jesus expects us to pray.

B.

God’s Word also makes this expectation clear.

*II.

Prayer is Learned*

          A.

Prayer is learned by praying.

B.

Prayer is learned by meditating upon Scripture.

C.

Prayer is learned by praying with others.

D.

Prayer is learned by the experience of others.

*III.

Prayer is Answered*      

*IV.

Conclusion*

          A.

Since prayer is expected, will you plan to pray?

          B.

Since prayer is learned, will you learn to pray?

          C.

Since prayer is answered, will you persistently pray?

\\ *I.