"Did You Think to Pray?"

by Steve Hale

Thesis:Prayer is the means of our communicating with God.

Introduction:


  1. "Ere you left your room this morning, Did you think to pray?
    In the name of Christ our Savior, Did you sue for loving favor,
    As a shield today?

    When you met with great temptation, Did you think to pray?
    By His dying love and merit, Did you claim the Holy Spirit
    As your guide and stay?

    When your heart was filled with anger, Did you think to pray?
    Did you plead for grace, my brother That you might forgive another
    Who has crossed your way?

    When sore trials came upon you, Did you think to pray?
    When your soul was bowed in sorrow, Balm of Gilead did you borrow
    At the gates of day?

    Chorus:

    O how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day;
    So when life seems dark and dreary, Don't forget to pray."

    Mrs. M.A. Kidder

  2. The man after God's own heart was a man of prayer (Psalm 5:3; 55:17).

  3. Daniel, even knowing the King's awful edict, continued to pray (Daniel 6:10).

  4. Are you looking:

    1. for the right companion: did you think to pray (Genesis 24:10-14)?
    2. for your place in service to God: did you think to pray (1 Kings 3:5-14)?
    3. for salvation: did you think to pray (Acts 10:1-6)?
Discussion:
  1. Are you looking for the right companion: did you think to pray (Genesis 24:10-14)?
    1. Abraham wanted his son of promise, Isaac, well-married (Genesis 24:1-67).
      1. He dispatched his servant, having taken a vow from under Abraham's thigh, to find him a wife, not of the Canaanites, but of his people (Genesis 24:1-9).
      2. Looking for the right woman for his master's son, this servant prayed (Genesis 24:10-14).
      3. By the providence of God, Rebekah was found for Isaac, and Isaac loved her (Genesis 24:67).
    2. We need to pray about marriage, we need to pray about the marriage of our children, and pray that God will provide for them as he did for Isaac:
      1. The right Christian companion can mean the difference from a delightful, servant-filled life to a life of misery (II Corinthians 6:14-18).
      2. Pray for the right woman for you son or the right man for your daughter, just like Abraham did for Isaac.
  2. Are you looking for your place in the service to God: did you think to pray (1 Kings 3:5-14)?
    1. Solomon loved the LORD at first, and showed his dedication by going to a very high place (Gibeon), and offering a thousand burnt offerings on the altar (1 Kings 3:1-4).
      1. So pleased was the LORD, that He appeared to Solomon in a dream, and asked what he wanted (1 Kings 3:5-8).
      2. Solomon asked for an understanding heart to judge the people (1 Kings 3:9).
      3. The LORD was so pleased, He gave Solomon not only wisdom, but riches and honor (1 Kings 3:10-13).
      4. So long as he walked in the statutes of the LORD, He also promised him a long life (1 Kings 3:14).
    2. Are you like Solomon, and searching for you place in service to God: pray about it!
      1. Thinking about going on a mission trip (James 1:5; Act 16:9-10)?
      2. Thinking about a change in vocation (Ephesians 4:28)?
      3. Thinking about future service as an elder, deacon, or preacher (Acts 14:23)?
  3. Are you looking for salvation: did you think to pray (Acts 10:1-6).
    1. Here is a vile Gentile, in the seat of Gentile power (Caesarea), not just a soldier, but in the Italian Regiment, and not just an ordinary solider but a Centurion (Acts 10:1-6).
      1. "A devout man who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always" (Acts 10:1-2).
      2. In response to the devoutness of Cornelius, he was told to send for Peter (Acts 10:4-6).
      3. Through this great man, the Jews learned God is no respecter of persons (10:28, 34).
      4. Receiving the Holy Spirit, it demonstrated that the gospel was to be shared with the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46).
      5. Cornelius and his household were baptized into Christ (Acts 10:47-48).
    2. God still works providentially, as people pray to know God (John 7:17; II Corinthians 4:7).
      1. By His providence, you are here tonight, and perhaps this is your time as it was for Cornelius.
      2. Remember Lydia and her household (Acts 16:13, 14).

    Conclusion:

    1. Did you think to pray?

    2. We need to pray about decisions, heartbreak, joy, relationships, sickness, triumph, success, service, boredom, business, etc.

    3. Jesus had occasions when He prayed all night (Luke 6:12), "constant prayer" was offered for Peter by the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:5).

    4. Whatever it is in your life, "did you think to pray?"

    May 10, 1998



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