The importance of Prayer #3 – Pastor George Lehman
“Never doubt the power of prayer”.
(If you don’t believe it, you won’t practice it.)
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” —Matthew 12:34
Many have grown up spiritually and prayer has probably become easier for them over the years.
Still, there is this danger that, because time has gone on, and perhaps because we are living in the Laodicean end time era,
We have become a little complacent, casual, and careless in this area of prayer in our spiritual life. We have assumed we have gotten by without much prayer, now we think its ok!
For many Christians Prayer has slid from its former place of importance. We must raise the level of prayer, not lesson the level of prayer.
In Matthew 12:34, Jesus tells us that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
He explains this by saying, verse 35) “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart [the storehouse of the mind where thoughts, feelings, and secrets are kept] brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things”
He concludes by warning us that the day of judgment is upon us. Even our “idle” words will be scrutinized, (verse 36) we will have to give account of them to God. (verse 37) Our words will either exonerate (Vryspreek) us or condemn us
Because we know these scriptures, we should be careful to watch what we allow to leave our mouths.
Matthew 6:7 – “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. (God sees and hears an honest and genuine heart)
We know that James admits in James 3:2 -“If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.” (Our words control our lives)
Even though we work at being blameless in our speech, we still realize that none of us has arrived at oral perfection.
Consider That!
Have you ever considered applying this principle a little differently?
Most of us naturally think of this passage to refer to our conversations with others at home, at work, at play, at the store, at church services, etc.
But what about applying it to ourselves when we are on our knees before God?
Have you ever considered that out of the abundance of your prayers—or the lack thereof—your heart speaks?
Think about it – do you deeply and genuinely consider what you say to God when praying?
Do you take the time to organize and improve how you present your requests to Him or do you just babble? (Matthew 6:7)
Do you think about the attitude in which you come before the great God of the universe? The great “I AM.”
Though we may not always count this a blessing, but God knows our every thought, every desire, every emotion.
It is impossible to hide anything from Him.
Hebrews 4:13 – “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
The beauty in truly understanding this: is that we may as well be totally honest with God, telling Him everything, because He already knows the deepest intents of our hearts!
Colossians 4:2-4 (NKJV)– 2Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Paul instructs us not to neglect prayer, but also to keep at it in earnest.
He was certain that, through the power of prayer, God would open a door for him to continue to go and spread God’s Word to others. The bible tells us God release Paul to “Go”
Martyn Lloyd-Jones said … “Of all of the blessings of Christian salvation none is greater than this, that we have access to God in prayer.”
When we pray, we are filled with the amazing power of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is the power that moves the people of God forward into the mighty works of God.
“Prayer is not getting man’s will done in Heaven, but getting God’s will done on earth. It’s not overcoming God’s reluctance[onwilligheid] but laying hold of God’s willingness.” – Richard C. Trench
Are you praying and if you are how are you praying considering Jesus’ words: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” —Matthew 12:34
Duties of A Prayer Warrior
Study the Bible– to pray in agreement with God’s words, we must first know His words. Studying the Bible is a key piece of that.
Make time to listen to God – this is a piece of prayer that is often overlooked. As prayer warriors, we should become familiar with God’s voice so that we can hear his instruction and follow his lead for specific prayer assignments.
Be available for prayer – we can’t be so busy with life that we put time with God to the wayside. We must make time for prayer.
Acknowledge who the real enemy is – prayer warriors recognize that most battles are spiritual battles first and that there is a real spiritual enemy behind them.
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Worship through hardships – worship keeps us humble, confessing what we believe, and battling in the strength of the Lord. It is a key component to prayer especially in the midst of conflict.
Speak life-giving words.
Proverbs 18:21(NIV) – The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Rebuke(cast down or nullify) life-stealing thoughts, words, and temptations.
2 Corinthians 10:5(NIV) -We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Put on the “Armor of God” – these are the tools that keep us thinking, acting, and speaking in alignment with what is true even when that’s not what we physically see.
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) – And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
