Why Wait So Long To Pray For Something?
As we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church, we shared praise for the beautiful weather and the great Triumphant Quartet concert last Sunday evening. Special prayers were requested for Jimmy Easter, the Beverly Hopper family, Susan, Sheri’s sister, travel prayers and Willa Dean whose mother passed away. Doug Cory greeted the congregation and opened the service with prayer.
Terry Lett taught the adult Sunday School lesson, “God Reigns,” a study of the 23rd chapter of Isaiah, which reminds us that God is sovereign over every nation and human seat of power. God is just in all He does, actively directs the affairs of His creation and God’s plans include all nations honoring Him.
Linda Abercrombie shared the devotional, “Living For The Kingdom,” and read Romans 14: 17. Character doesn’t come cheap. It’s like fixing up an old house. Working for and in Christ lasts. We are building for God’s kingdom. Every act that we do should be inspired by the love of God. What Christ does in our lives, we should love the same.
Congregation hymns of praise and worship included “He Is Lord” and “The Lily of the Valley” led by Karen Gardner with Susan Cory at the piano.
We were blessed to have Brother Joe Brattin with us to fill in at the pulpit for Brother Mark and bring us God’s message. Joe began by asking “Why do we wait so long to pray for something? We are all struggling and pilgrims trying to get through this life.” Joe referred to James 5: 1718 and God’s prophet Elijah and his prayer of faith. Joe asked, “Why did God listen to Elijah’s prayer and sometimes we think he doesn’t hear ours? God heard Elijah because when God spoke to Elijah, he obeyed. Our prayers are ineffective when we stop being obedient to God.” Joe referred to 1 Kings 17:13-14 and Elijah’s prayer over a widow’s son who was ill. He also read 1 Kings 18:36-37 and said, “We can pray anytime, anywhere, but it is the attitude of our heart that counts, not our posture. When Elijah prayed, God answered because Elijah was all for God and allowed himself to be used by and for God. We should yield ourselves to God and be used by Him.”
Joe referred to Philippians 2, which tells of Christ and His humility, and said, “When we make our attitude the same as Jesus Christ, we can get through tough times and situations with His help. Elijah’s prayers were effective because his worry was focused on God’s purpose for him and how to serve God for His glory. Do God’s work for God’s glory, not our own.”
As an example of an ineffective prayer, Joe referred to James 4: 3 which says, “You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” He said, “We are selfish people and ask God to bless us with things we won’t use for God’s glory.”
As Joe talked about effective prayer, he referred to 1 John 5:14 which says, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Joe told us that if we ask according to God’s will, our prayers will be answered, but if we hide sin or iniquity in our hearts, our prayers can result in unanswered prayers. “If we are holding something back and not giving to God, our prayers may not get answered.”
1 John 1: 9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Joe said, “There is all kinds of power in the world, but the most powerful is prayer power. Sometimes we only pray when we are in trouble like Jonah or need something, but God wants our communication and our prayers all the time. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing.”
Romans 12: 12 says , “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.”
Luke 11:5 tells the story of being persistent, ask, seek and knock. Joe told us that we need to be in continual communication with God. “We won’t wear Him out with our prayers. God will give us what is good for us. God answers our prayers even though He already knows our needs. Pray in the Spirit for God to lead us, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us while we pray. The Holy Spirit will help us pray because we do not always know what we need to pray for. Pray in a way that allows God to do what is best for us.
The Bible tells us not to be anxious or worry. Christians are to be joyful even though things around us might not be. John 17 talks about when Jesus prayed for Himself, His disciples and all believers. If Jesus needed to pray, don’t we? Everything Jesus did was for the glory of God. God answers all prayers according to His will. Be sure we are praying according to His will.
James 5: 17 tells us that Elijah prayed earnestly. We should, too. God already knows our needs, but wants our prayers and communication.”
“I Surrender All” was our hymn of invitation and Mrs. Brattin gave the benediction. We invite you to worship with us at Mill Creek Baptist Church Sunday mornings at 11. Sunday school begins at 10 a. m. Everyone is welcome.
Opinions expressed are those of the author.