Prayer: Grateful Necessity
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 11/30/2014 AM |
Text: | Ezekiel 26; Lord's Day 45 |
Psalters: | 173, 110, 185, 233 |
- The idea.
- Because the covenant is relationship of friendship, prayer is our side in that holy conversation with the covenant God.
- Prayer is the primary way to thank God.
- Prayer is the means God wants us to use to receive grace and the Holy Spirit.
- How we pray is determined by the One to Whom we pray.
- Introduction: prayer is an holy art.
- Prayer must be sincere – not mere formality nor seeking the approval of men.
- Prayer must be in truth, i.e., as instructed in God=s Word and to God as He has revealed Himself.
- Pray with humility (no self-righteousness or pride - Pharisee & publican, Luke 18:9-14).
- Prayer must be grounded on the merit and worthiness of Jesus Christ, the only Mediator.
- Prayer is to be without ceasing, so it expresses the attitude of our life, consciously living as God wants.
- Pray for all the things He has commanded us to ask of Him.
- While prayer does not change God, it does show that we know He wills us to ask “according to His will” (I John 5:14).
- He wills that His children and wife live conscious of His relationship to them, and theirs to Him.
- According to His will means that we may not ask for what we want, but He commands us to ask for.
- Primarily for spiritual needs: His grace and Spirit.
- Live more and more in the attitude of prayer.
- And be assured that your Father hears and answers your prayers before you finish (Isa. 65:24).
- While prayer does not change God, it does show that we know He wills us to ask “according to His will” (I John 5:14).