THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE ALWAYS
GUIDED BY THE LORD
(PSALM 37:23) “The steps
of a [good] man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”
Introduction:
a. The Holy
Spirit is our perfect guide in our daily prayer ministry.
b. Christians
always seek the help of the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom and knowledge for
what we are going to pray to God.
(JOHN 16:13) “Howbeit
when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he
shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come.”
(ROMANS 8:26) “Likewise
the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray
for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered.”
Five (5) great
things for which the Lord guides the righteous in their prayers:
I. WE ARE
GUIDED TO PRAY FOR THE SALVATION OF THE LOST
(ROMANS 10:1) “Brethren,
my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”
a. God desires
that all sinners be saved.
(1 TIMOTHY 2:4) “Who will
have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of truth.”
b. The Early
Church in Jerusalem is a good example of a local church praying unitedly for
the salvation of the people in their community.
(ACTS 1:14-15) Acts 1:14
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women,
and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Acts 1:15 And in those days Peter
stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together
were about an hundred and twenty,)
II. WE ARE
GUIDED TO PRAY FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR BRETHREN
(PSALM 91:1-3) Pss 91:1 He
that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow
of the Almighty.
Pss 91:2 I will say of the Lord, [He
is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Pss 91:3 Surely he shall deliver
thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence.
a. God is always
ready to help and protect His children if we will only come to Him in prayer.
b. God’s people
can be assured of His bountiful mercy, grace, and help as He answers our
prayers.
(HEBREWS 4:16) “Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need.”
III. WE
ARE GUIDED TO PRAY FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
(EPHESIANS 6:10) “Finally, my
brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
Strong Christians
possess the characteristics of faithful and effective soul-winners for the Lord
Jesus Christ.
a. Christians
constantly face attacks from our spiritual enemy, the devil, and need to remain
strong. (EPHESIANS 6:11-12) Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of
God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
b. Christians
need to be strong as good soldiers of Christ.
(2 TIMOTHY 2:1-2) 2Tim 2:1
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2Tim 2:2 And the things that thou
hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men,
who shall be able to teach others also.
IV. WE ARE
GUIDED TO PRAY FOR THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE BELIEVER
(2 TIMOTHY 2:21) 2Tim 2:21 If
a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour,
sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
a. God promises
to answer the prayers of spiritual Christians.
(1 PETER 3:12) “For the
eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their
prayers...”
b. The sins of
Christians will always hinder their prayers to God.
(ISAIAH 59:1-2) “Behold, the
LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that
it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God...”
V. WE ARE
GUIDED TO PRAY FOR THE PROVISION OF THE LORD’S WORK
(PHILIPPIANS 4:19) “But my God
shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
a. God’s great
blessings are always ready to be given and supplied to faithful Christians.
(PROVERBS 28:20) “A faithful
man shall abound with blessings...” (JEREMIAH 33:3) “Call unto me, and I
will answer thee...”
b. The Lord
blesses the Christian who always prays with a righteous life before God.
(JAMES 5:16) “...The
effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
May God bless you
all always!
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