WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.280 Good morning. 00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:13.839 This morning we'll be talking specifically about the topic of prayer and looking at it in light of the book of Daniel. 00:00:13.839 --> 00:00:26.960 ! Almost often be drawing your attention to Daniel chapter 2 again, which you can find on page 738 of the Bible in the seat back in front of you. 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:34.679 Page 738. The topic of prayer has been very interesting to study over the last few weeks. 00:00:34.679 --> 00:00:52.179 In a time where culture is so often anti-religion, anti-Christian, anti-church, even anti-God, surprisingly prayer is still a largely accepted concept and acceptable practice. 00:00:52.179 --> 00:01:03.840 So, for example, if you ask to talk to somebody about Jesus, you'll far more often find resistance than if you offer to pray for someone or indicate you are praying for someone. 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:09.159 Now, as we begin, let's look at a few definitions of prayer from the internet. 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:14.579 The first is from CollinsDictionary.com and it simply says, 00:01:14.579 --> 00:01:17.819 Prayer is the activity of speaking to God. 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:20.500 Vocabulary.com says, 00:01:20.500 --> 00:01:24.180 A prayer is something you say to a god or deity. 00:01:24.939 --> 00:01:30.620 Your prayer can be silent words of thanks or a plea for help that's spoken out loud. 00:01:31.420 --> 00:01:34.359 Most religious believers say a prayer from time to time. 00:01:34.739 --> 00:01:39.519 While some people might use prayer as part of their plan for recovering from an illness, 00:01:40.299 --> 00:01:44.980 others bend their heads in prayer whenever they attend church or temple services. 00:01:44.980 --> 00:01:51.840 Then Wikipedia, which I think probably gives us a better idea of the world's view on prayer, 00:01:52.240 --> 00:01:52.620 says, 00:01:52.620 --> 00:02:03.600 Prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication. 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:13.740 In the narrow sense, the term refers to an act of supplication or intercession directed towards a deity or a deified ancestor. 00:02:13.740 --> 00:02:19.100 More generally, prayer can also have the purpose of thanksgiving or praise, 00:02:19.500 --> 00:02:27.900 and in comparative religion is closely associated with more abstract forms of meditation and with charms or spells. 00:02:28.900 --> 00:02:30.540 Prayer can take a variety of forms. 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:36.480 It can be part of a set liturgy or ritual, and it can be performed alone or in groups. 00:02:37.080 --> 00:02:41.960 Prayer may take the form of a hymn, incantation, formal creedal statement, 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:45.860 or a spontaneous utterance in the praying person. 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:50.879 Today, most major religions involve prayer in one way or another. 00:02:51.340 --> 00:02:55.960 Some ritualize the act, requiring a strict sequence of actions 00:02:55.960 --> 00:03:00.819 or placing a restriction on those on who is permitted to pray, 00:03:01.260 --> 00:03:07.659 while others teach that prayer may be practiced spontaneously by anyone at any time. 00:03:07.659 --> 00:03:15.639 So, given all of that, watch this brief video about prayer from the website called Skylight, 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:17.620 which is part of the Radiant Foundation. 00:03:19.039 --> 00:03:27.539 Today in America, we'll roll out enough prayer rugs and mats to reach coast to coast five times. 00:03:27.539 --> 00:03:35.359 Today, we'll count enough tiny prayer beads to encircle the 48 states. 00:03:36.919 --> 00:03:41.759 And today, we will light so many prayer candles and flames. 00:03:42.739 --> 00:03:45.879 They could lift 20,000 hot air balloons. 00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:56.000 But most astonishingly, today, prayer will lift her heart just a little bit higher. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:04:00.259 So, the Radiant Foundation, who produced this video, 00:04:00.620 --> 00:04:04.840 commissioned a National Day of Prayer survey in 2023, 00:04:04.840 --> 00:04:11.900 and they gathered information from almost 1,800 people ages 18 to 64 00:04:11.900 --> 00:04:16.819 that reflected the demographic diversity of the U.S. adult population. 00:04:17.660 --> 00:04:23.420 What they found was 85% of Americans connect to their higher power. 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:30.139 61% of those connect with a higher power through prayer. 00:04:30.139 --> 00:04:35.439 What are the top three reasons people give for praying? 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:37.979 One, to connect with God. 00:04:38.419 --> 00:04:40.879 Two, to feel less anxious or depressed. 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:43.860 Three, to find solutions to my problems. 00:04:44.699 --> 00:04:46.919 What is it that people are praying for? 00:04:47.339 --> 00:04:51.000 The top three are this, for loved ones in crisis, 00:04:51.659 --> 00:04:53.779 when somebody else is ill, 00:04:54.199 --> 00:04:56.620 for other people suffering or in crisis. 00:04:56.620 --> 00:04:59.939 Now, the people who said they are praying said 00:04:59.939 --> 00:05:03.480 they average about 18 minutes a day. 00:05:03.879 --> 00:05:05.899 18 minutes a day in prayer. 00:05:06.399 --> 00:05:08.079 And after they prayed, 00:05:08.420 --> 00:05:11.439 people said they most often felt calm, 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:15.079 grateful, optimistic, humbled. 00:05:16.040 --> 00:05:17.899 Now, of those that were surveyed, 00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:19.920 87% of those praying 00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:24.300 had at least one prayer answered in the last 12 months. 00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:28.800 And 84% of praying Americans think 00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:32.740 your prayers are heard no matter how you believe. 00:05:33.520 --> 00:05:35.220 Now, I'm sure, like me, 00:05:35.300 --> 00:05:38.120 there are several things that stood out to you from the survey 00:05:38.120 --> 00:05:41.699 that are interesting, surprising, possibly alarming. 00:05:42.420 --> 00:05:44.379 Yet I found myself wondering 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:48.040 how often those of us in the church 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:52.120 find ourselves in very similar situations. 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:55.160 taking our 18 minutes a day 00:05:55.160 --> 00:05:57.560 to connect with our higher power, 00:05:58.120 --> 00:05:59.500 trying to connect with God, 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:01.740 trying to feel less anxious or depressed, 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:04.819 hoping to find some solution to our problems, 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:08.519 praying for our loved ones who are in crisis or ill, 00:06:08.860 --> 00:06:10.120 for those who are suffering, 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:13.040 or maybe for our own challenges or needs. 00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:16.100 Praying so we can feel more calm, 00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:18.660 more grateful, more optimistic. 00:06:18.660 --> 00:06:21.280 We're probably not hoping to be humbled, 00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:25.540 but maybe hoping to have some type of transcendent 00:06:25.540 --> 00:06:27.540 or mystical experience, 00:06:28.160 --> 00:06:31.440 content with at least one answer to prayer a year, 00:06:31.640 --> 00:06:33.760 or maybe a month, maybe a week, 00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:38.660 generally believing that any prayer is authentic prayer 00:06:38.660 --> 00:06:41.700 and that God hears them all equally. 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:44.120 You see, I think it's pretty easy for us 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:45.560 to function in this way 00:06:45.560 --> 00:06:50.500 with this mystical, anemic, vague, worldly view of prayer, 00:06:51.340 --> 00:06:55.680 at least until you have one of those days. 00:06:56.100 --> 00:06:58.439 One of those days where your life 00:06:58.439 --> 00:07:00.680 or your marriage or your family, 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:03.199 your job or something else 00:07:03.199 --> 00:07:06.100 that's essential or precious to you blows up. 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:07.959 You're caught off guard, 00:07:08.300 --> 00:07:10.199 suddenly finding yourself helpless 00:07:10.199 --> 00:07:12.920 in the middle of some raging storm 00:07:12.920 --> 00:07:14.979 in a broken and fallen world. 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:19.259 And maybe it's not the first day things blow up. 00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:22.939 Maybe it's the 30th day or the 100th day 00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:25.920 when you're facing some overwhelming loss, 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:28.199 some feeling, some sickness, 00:07:28.379 --> 00:07:30.120 some pain, some frailty, 00:07:30.699 --> 00:07:31.579 some need, 00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:33.599 maybe a disappointment or a fear 00:07:33.599 --> 00:07:37.339 that continues without any hope of getting better. 00:07:37.339 --> 00:07:39.959 There's no light on the horizon. 00:07:40.739 --> 00:07:42.039 It's the day that you realize 00:07:42.039 --> 00:07:43.219 you're facing a problem 00:07:43.219 --> 00:07:45.279 that there's no way you can fix 00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:47.560 and there's no way you can endure. 00:07:48.539 --> 00:07:51.039 That's the day that our mystical, 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:55.059 anemic, vague, worldly prayers fail us. 00:07:55.599 --> 00:07:58.339 All the formulas or the incantations 00:07:58.339 --> 00:08:01.079 that we've practiced in the name of prayer 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:01.979 are not enough, 00:08:02.659 --> 00:08:03.699 leaving us wondering, 00:08:04.179 --> 00:08:06.139 does prayer really work? 00:08:06.139 --> 00:08:08.560 Does God really hear? 00:08:08.979 --> 00:08:10.300 Does God really care? 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:14.560 The day that God seems so far away. 00:08:15.719 --> 00:08:17.759 And that's exactly the kind of day 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:19.659 we find in Daniel chapter 2. 00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:22.199 If you would, follow along with me 00:08:22.199 --> 00:08:25.339 as I read Daniel 2 verses 1 through 11 again. 00:08:26.779 --> 00:08:29.159 Daniel 2 verses 1 through 11. 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:30.060 It reads, 00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:33.000 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, 00:08:33.559 --> 00:08:35.059 Nebuchadnezzar had dreams. 00:08:35.059 --> 00:08:38.939 His spirit was troubled and his sleep left him. 00:08:39.839 --> 00:08:42.099 Then the king commanded that the magicians, 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:44.399 the enchanters, the sorcerers, the Chaldeans 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:47.139 be summoned to tell the king his dreams. 00:08:47.479 --> 00:08:49.799 So they came in and they stood before the king 00:08:49.799 --> 00:08:51.339 and the king said to them, 00:08:51.839 --> 00:08:54.459 I had a dream and my spirit is troubled 00:08:54.459 --> 00:08:55.859 to know the dream. 00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:59.139 Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:01.279 O king, live forever. 00:09:01.819 --> 00:09:03.220 Tell your servants the dream 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:05.059 and we will show you the interpretation. 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:07.980 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, 00:09:08.179 --> 00:09:09.939 The word for me is firm. 00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:13.500 If you do not make known to me the dream 00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:15.319 and its interpretation, 00:09:15.819 --> 00:09:18.460 you shall be torn limb from limb 00:09:18.460 --> 00:09:21.080 and your houses shall be laid in ruins. 00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:24.480 But if you show the dream and its interpretation, 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:27.500 you will receive from me gifts and rewards 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:28.399 and great honor. 00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:30.860 Therefore, show me the dream 00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:32.559 and its interpretation. 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:35.539 They answered a second time and said, 00:09:36.139 --> 00:09:38.360 Let the king tell his servants the dream 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:40.440 and we'll show its interpretation. 00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:42.320 The king answered and said, 00:09:42.899 --> 00:09:44.120 I know with certainty 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:46.279 that you're trying to gain time 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:48.799 because you see that the word for me is firm. 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:51.340 If you do not make the dream known to me, 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:53.460 there is but one sentence for you. 00:09:53.460 --> 00:09:57.920 You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me 00:09:57.920 --> 00:09:59.320 till the times change. 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:02.120 Therefore, tell me the dream 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:05.879 and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation. 00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:09.300 The Chaldeans answered the king and said, 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:12.120 There's not a man on earth 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:13.980 who can meet the king's demand. 00:10:14.180 --> 00:10:16.540 For no great and powerful king 00:10:16.540 --> 00:10:19.180 has asked such a thing of any magician 00:10:19.180 --> 00:10:21.340 or enchanter or Chaldean. 00:10:21.340 --> 00:10:24.899 And the thing that the king asks is difficult 00:10:24.899 --> 00:10:27.399 and no one can show it to the king 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:28.720 except the gods 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:31.200 whose dwelling is not with flesh. 00:10:32.660 --> 00:10:35.580 You see, King Nebuchadnezzar is having one of those days. 00:10:35.879 --> 00:10:37.639 The most powerful man in the world 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:39.460 has a dream so vivid 00:10:39.460 --> 00:10:40.680 that he's troubled. 00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:41.680 He's undone. 00:10:41.899 --> 00:10:43.700 He can't stop thinking about it. 00:10:43.899 --> 00:10:45.220 He's not sure what to do. 00:10:45.780 --> 00:10:48.120 So he calls the spiritual experts, 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:49.420 the magicians, 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:50.179 the enchanters, 00:10:50.319 --> 00:10:51.000 the sorcerers, 00:10:51.059 --> 00:10:51.860 the Chaldeans. 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:53.559 Then suddenly, 00:10:53.719 --> 00:10:56.099 the spiritual experts are having one of those days. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:58.279 The king wants them to do what? 00:10:59.259 --> 00:11:00.319 And if they don't, 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:02.059 they're going to be torn limb from limb 00:11:02.059 --> 00:11:03.839 and their houses laid in ruins? 00:11:04.979 --> 00:11:07.299 Suddenly, all of their collective knowledge, 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:08.500 their power, 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:10.079 their spiritual expertise, 00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:12.860 and their mighty prayers are undone. 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:15.500 They're shown to be what they are, 00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:16.139 empty, 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:17.360 anemic, 00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:18.560 powerless, 00:11:19.279 --> 00:11:20.460 merely for show. 00:11:20.940 --> 00:11:22.379 When push comes to shove, 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:23.840 their prayers are worthless. 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:25.700 You can hear it in their voice. 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:28.700 The thing that the king asks is difficult. 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:31.039 No one can show it to the king 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:32.000 except the gods 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:34.480 and their dwelling's not with flesh. 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:36.639 Their argument is clear. 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:39.159 Nobody in their right mind 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:40.480 would expect anyone 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:42.019 to be able to do this. 00:11:42.439 --> 00:11:43.860 Nobody's connection to God 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:44.799 or the gods 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:46.319 is sufficient for a task. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:49.120 Nobody's prayer can do that. 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:51.419 No matter how much we want to, 00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:53.120 if we want to save our own necks, 00:11:53.199 --> 00:11:54.299 we want to save our families, 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:56.080 it's only the gods. 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:58.139 Only God can do what you're asking. 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:01.379 And although we hate to admit it, 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:01.639 king, 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:04.019 we don't have access to him. 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:06.159 We don't have access to them. 00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:08.079 They are not accessible. 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:10.539 And you remember what happens. 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.179 As a result, 00:12:11.439 --> 00:12:12.500 the king is enraged 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:14.360 and decides to kill them all. 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:16.179 He's done with all their shallow, 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:17.100 powerless, 00:12:17.579 --> 00:12:18.559 worthless prayers, 00:12:18.939 --> 00:12:20.059 their empty counsel, 00:12:20.459 --> 00:12:22.439 all of their collective experience 00:12:22.439 --> 00:12:23.799 and supposed wisdom. 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:24.839 That power, 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:26.219 that counsel was worthless 00:12:26.219 --> 00:12:28.879 if they couldn't connect with the gods, 00:12:29.459 --> 00:12:32.279 if they couldn't effectively pray. 00:12:33.480 --> 00:12:35.439 But you remember what happens next. 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:37.400 Daniel finds out 00:12:37.400 --> 00:12:38.560 about the whole decree 00:12:38.560 --> 00:12:39.960 to kill all the wise men, 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:41.300 which would include him 00:12:41.300 --> 00:12:42.120 and his friends, 00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:42.700 Hananiah, 00:12:42.820 --> 00:12:43.220 Mishael, 00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:44.120 and Azariah. 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:46.620 And in stark contrast 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:48.220 to the other wise men, 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:50.040 Daniel immediately schedules 00:12:50.040 --> 00:12:51.220 an appointment with the king 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.800 to do the impossible, 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:55.660 to do what only God can do. 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:59.439 Then Daniel goes and tells Hananiah, 00:12:59.539 --> 00:12:59.899 Mishael, 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:00.659 and Azariah 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:01.659 what's going on 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:03.379 and he asks them to pray with him, 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:06.439 to seek mercy from the God of heaven. 00:13:06.939 --> 00:13:07.959 So they pray. 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.740 Then Daniel 2.19, 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:14.480 it's almost shocking in its brevity 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:15.659 where it says, 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:18.059 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:19.219 in a vision of the night. 00:13:20.299 --> 00:13:21.179 Did you get that? 00:13:21.339 --> 00:13:22.139 They prayed. 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:23.839 God answered. 00:13:24.939 --> 00:13:27.839 Daniel 2.25-28 continues, 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:30.100 Then Ariok brought in Daniel 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:31.620 before the king in haste 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:32.719 and said thus to him, 00:13:32.719 --> 00:13:34.879 I have found among the exiles of Judah 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:35.919 a man who will make known 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:37.219 to the king the interpretation. 00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:39.319 The king declared to Daniel, 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:40.759 whose name was Belteshazzar, 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:43.379 Are you able to make known to me 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.679 the dream that I have seen 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:45.860 and its interpretation? 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:48.659 Daniel answered the king and said, 00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:49.379 No. 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:54.720 No wise men, enchanters, magicians, 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:55.659 or astrologers 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:57.019 can show to the king 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:58.860 the mystery that the king has asked. 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:03.279 But there is a God in heaven 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.879 who reveals mysteries. 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:07.860 And he's made known to King Nebuchadnezzar 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:09.700 what will be in the latter days. 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:11.640 So Daniel goes in 00:14:11.640 --> 00:14:12.660 and says the same thing 00:14:12.660 --> 00:14:13.680 the Chaldeans said. 00:14:14.280 --> 00:14:15.620 Only God can do this. 00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:18.300 But have no fear, king. 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:20.020 There is a God in heaven 00:14:20.020 --> 00:14:21.800 and he is accessible. 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:23.680 He reveals mysteries. 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:25.560 And he's made known to the king 00:14:25.560 --> 00:14:26.300 what will happen. 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:28.259 And then as you remember, 00:14:28.540 --> 00:14:30.140 they all live happily ever after. 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:33.020 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.800 tons of magicians, enchanters, 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:35.879 sorcerers, Chaldeans, 00:14:36.140 --> 00:14:37.180 all of their families. 00:14:37.180 --> 00:14:38.800 They live happily ever after 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:42.500 because Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:46.620 prayed asking the God of heaven for mercy. 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:49.219 Now, I don't know about you, 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:51.879 but that's the kind of praying I want. 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:53.939 Prayers that reach to heaven 00:14:53.939 --> 00:14:56.079 that show there is a God in heaven, 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:57.659 that he is accessible, 00:14:58.139 --> 00:14:59.559 that he hears my prayers, 00:14:59.699 --> 00:15:01.359 that he responds to prayer. 00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:03.319 That's the encouragement I need 00:15:03.319 --> 00:15:04.479 for my prayer life. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:07.700 Now, if you're at all like me, 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.940 you might do what I did. 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:12.200 Begin scouring the book of Daniel, 00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:14.500 looking for things that distinguish 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:17.759 Daniel's praying from the praying of others. 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:20.320 So I worked my way through Daniel 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:21.420 numerous times, 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:22.960 and I've compiled a list 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:24.720 of the key characteristics 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.980 of Daniel's prayers. 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:27.800 And because I love you all, 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:29.600 I'm going to save you so much time, 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:31.180 and I'm going to share it 00:15:31.180 --> 00:15:32.080 with you this morning. 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:33.660 So here we go. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:35.700 Daniel's method of prayer. 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:38.240 Daniel's method of prayer. 00:15:39.400 --> 00:15:40.180 The first thing, 00:15:41.040 --> 00:15:43.520 Daniel's prayer is in response 00:15:43.520 --> 00:15:44.600 to God's word. 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:47.500 Daniel's prayer is in response 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:48.500 to God's word. 00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:50.320 Now, we'll see it most clearly 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:51.120 in a few weeks 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:53.960 when we get to Daniel 9, verse 2, 00:15:54.300 --> 00:15:55.160 where it says, 00:15:55.280 --> 00:15:57.080 In the first year of his reign, 00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:59.620 I, Daniel, perceived in the books 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:01.240 the number of years that, 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:03.419 according to the word of the Lord 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:04.799 to Jeremiah the prophet, 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:06.879 must pass before the end 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:08.560 of the desolations of Jerusalem, 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.639 namely 70 years. 00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:14.379 Now, I cannot prove to you 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:16.700 what was going through Daniel's mind 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:17.840 in his other prayers 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:19.820 because God's word 00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:21.500 does not explicitly tell us. 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:24.000 But I can tell you 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:26.480 that when you look at Daniel's prayers 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.659 and you notice 00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:27.659 00:16:28.420 --> 00:16:29.700 how they line up, 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:31.600 they're consistently aligned 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:32.899 with scripture 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:35.659 that was available to Daniel. 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.100 So, for example, 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:37.659 in the situation 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:39.899 in Daniel chapter 2 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:41.200 that we were looking at, 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:43.279 we see Daniel boldly go in 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:45.279 and claim before the king 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:46.320 that he's going to do 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:47.039 the impossible 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:48.259 and interpret the dream 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:49.899 before praying about it. 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:52.500 Now, is he being presumptuous? 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:55.600 Well, I think based on verse 28 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.120 where he says, 00:16:56.419 --> 00:16:57.740 but there is a God in heaven 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:59.159 who reveals mysteries, 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:01.500 that it's quite possible 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:03.360 that Daniel already has 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.619 scripture in mind. 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:06.640 Maybe some of these verses, 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:09.700 maybe Deuteronomy 29, 29, 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:12.640 when after Moses has called 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:13.259 the Israelites 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:15.119 to recommit to God 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:16.660 and reminded them 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:18.500 that if they're disobedient, 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:20.059 that they will face curses 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:21.899 and ultimately be cast out 00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:22.619 of the land. 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:24.339 And then Moses ends 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:25.240 with this statement, 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:27.099 the secret things 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:28.799 belong to the Lord our God, 00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:30.659 but the things that are revealed 00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:31.960 belong to us 00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:33.339 and to our children forever, 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:34.759 that we may do 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:36.359 all the words of the law. 00:17:36.919 --> 00:17:38.480 Or maybe Psalm 25, 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:40.639 verse 14 is in mind, 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:41.339 where it says, 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:43.240 the secret counsel of the Lord 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:45.099 is for those who fear him, 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:47.480 and he reveals his covenant to them. 00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:49.639 But maybe it's Amos, 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.899 Amos 3, 7 says, 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.359 and for the Lord God 00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:54.339 does nothing 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:56.299 without revealing his secret 00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:57.399 to his servants, 00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.240 the prophets. 00:17:58.759 --> 00:18:00.319 Or Amos 4, 13, 00:18:00.419 --> 00:18:00.679 that says, 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:01.519 for behold, 00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:03.519 he who forms the mountains 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.799 and creates the wind 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:07.000 and declares to man 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.059 what is his thought, 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:10.119 who makes the morning darkness 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:11.200 and treads on the heights 00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:11.519 of the earth, 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.379 the Lord, 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.500 the God of hosts, 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.440 is his name. 00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:15.519 Now, 00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:17.179 I can't prove any of that, 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:18.519 but I think when we look 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.819 at Daniel's life, 00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:21.859 as we see how Daniel's life 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:23.160 is centered in God's word, 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.720 it's reasonable to think 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:26.379 he's not being presumptuous, 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:28.000 but that his prayer flows 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.779 out of God's word. 00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:31.859 So that's the first thing we see. 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:33.519 Second, 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:35.220 we see Daniel's prayer 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:37.480 comes from a heart of humility. 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:39.480 Daniel's prayer 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:41.740 comes from a heart of humility. 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:44.480 And we'll see this time and time again 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:45.400 in Daniel's prayers, 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:47.200 but here in Daniel 2, 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:48.579 in verse 17, 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:50.480 we see Daniel's humility 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:52.240 because he goes immediately 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.339 to his friends, 00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:54.140 Hananiah, 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:54.680 Mishael, 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.440 and Azariah, 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:55.799 and says, 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:56.680 guys, 00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:58.359 I don't know how to tell you this, 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.200 but I just promised 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.059 to do the impossible 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:00.759 to the king, 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:01.819 and if I don't get it right, 00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:02.480 we're going to die. 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:03.220 So, 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.839 I really need you to pray. 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.660 We have to pray together 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:08.160 that God will show mercy. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.200 Right? 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.140 There's a humility. 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:11.100 He doesn't feel like 00:19:11.100 --> 00:19:12.080 he has the answers. 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.759 He knows who has the answers, 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:15.020 so he asks them 00:19:15.020 --> 00:19:15.960 to pray with him. 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:17.900 Then we see the humility 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:18.580 in Daniel 00:19:18.580 --> 00:19:20.180 when in verse 23, 00:19:20.580 --> 00:19:21.200 immediately, 00:19:21.620 --> 00:19:22.740 after God's answered 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.420 their prayer, 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:25.180 he begins to praise God, 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:26.200 make much of God, 00:19:26.280 --> 00:19:27.460 and in verse 23, 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:28.400 Daniel says, 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.100 to you, 00:19:29.560 --> 00:19:30.800 O God of my fathers, 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:32.220 I give thanks and praise, 00:19:32.520 --> 00:19:33.980 for you have given me 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.860 wisdom and might, 00:19:35.380 --> 00:19:36.820 and have now made known 00:19:36.820 --> 00:19:37.280 to me 00:19:37.280 --> 00:19:38.680 what we asked of you, 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:40.240 for you have made known 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:41.660 to us the king's matter. 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.560 We see his humility 00:19:43.560 --> 00:19:45.940 in verses 26 through 28 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:47.500 when Daniel goes into the king 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:47.779 and says, 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:47.980 no, 00:19:48.060 --> 00:19:49.019 I can't do this, 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.920 but there is a God 00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:51.560 in heaven 00:19:51.560 --> 00:19:53.180 who reveals mysteries. 00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:55.720 And as the next few weeks 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.240 go by, 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:57.320 as we look at Daniel 00:19:57.320 --> 00:19:58.660 and you see in his prayers, 00:19:58.779 --> 00:20:00.600 you'll see time and time again 00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:01.680 that his prayer flows 00:20:02.320 --> 00:20:03.060 out of the heart 00:20:03.060 --> 00:20:03.860 of humility. 00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:05.539 And then, 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.719 out of his prayers, 00:20:06.959 --> 00:20:08.339 that humility pours out 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:09.619 on those around him. 00:20:11.179 --> 00:20:12.059 The third thing, 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:14.019 Daniel's prayer 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:15.679 is bold 00:20:15.679 --> 00:20:16.879 and faith-filled. 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:19.279 Daniel's prayer 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.979 is bold 00:20:19.979 --> 00:20:20.939 and faith-filled. 00:20:21.959 --> 00:20:22.319 Now, 00:20:22.419 --> 00:20:23.959 as we see Daniel's prayers 00:20:23.959 --> 00:20:24.779 in the weeks ahead, 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:25.699 the boldness 00:20:25.699 --> 00:20:26.659 will be pretty clear, 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:28.199 but just consider 00:20:28.199 --> 00:20:29.939 where we are 00:20:29.939 --> 00:20:31.459 in Daniel chapter 2, 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.039 okay? 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:33.839 The Chaldeans 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:34.740 have just said 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:36.779 that this is so bold 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.519 that no king 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.240 has ever asked. 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:40.019 No king expects this. 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:41.500 It's not even possible. 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.000 But Daniel 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.319 boldly goes in 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:44.599 and says, 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:44.859 God, 00:20:46.159 --> 00:20:47.079 will you show me 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:48.659 another man's dreams 00:20:48.659 --> 00:20:50.139 and tell me 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:51.139 what they mean? 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:52.180 I mean, 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.539 what a bold request. 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:55.180 And we're going to see 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:56.119 later in Daniel, 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.359 he asks for even 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:58.920 more bold things. 00:20:59.180 --> 00:20:59.559 But again, 00:20:59.639 --> 00:21:01.039 it's not presumption. 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:02.980 He's not being presumptuous. 00:21:03.159 --> 00:21:04.299 He just believes 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:05.859 the truth of God's word. 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:07.099 And so in faith, 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:09.079 he's boldly asking God 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:09.839 to act. 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:12.799 The fourth thing we see, 00:21:14.159 --> 00:21:15.119 Daniel's prayer 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:17.639 is seeking God's glory. 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.240 Daniel's prayer 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:21.059 is seeking God's glory. 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:21.920 Again, 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:22.680 we see it here 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.579 in chapter 2. 00:21:23.879 --> 00:21:25.039 Once God answers 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.879 their prayers 00:21:25.879 --> 00:21:27.960 in verses 20 through 22, 00:21:28.659 --> 00:21:29.659 we see Daniel say, 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:31.019 blessed be the name 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:32.100 of God forever 00:21:32.100 --> 00:21:33.000 and ever 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:34.100 to whom belong 00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:35.320 wisdom and might. 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.759 He changes times 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.380 and seasons. 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.800 He removes kings 00:21:38.800 --> 00:21:39.840 and sets up kings. 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:41.019 He gives wisdom 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.820 to the wise 00:21:41.820 --> 00:21:42.500 and knowledge 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.279 to those who have 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:43.900 understanding. 00:21:44.340 --> 00:21:45.360 He reveals deep 00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:46.240 and hidden things. 00:21:46.560 --> 00:21:47.460 He knows what is 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.080 in the darkness 00:21:48.080 --> 00:21:48.820 and the light 00:21:48.820 --> 00:21:50.120 dwells with him. 00:21:51.080 --> 00:21:52.180 We see Daniel 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:53.400 exalting God 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:54.180 in his glory. 00:21:54.800 --> 00:21:55.420 We see it 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.220 when he answers 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:57.340 the king again 00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:58.039 and says, 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:58.559 no, 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.599 but there is 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:00.819 a God in heaven. 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.199 And ultimately, 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.740 we see it 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.559 in chapter 2, 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:05.459 verse 47, 00:22:05.659 --> 00:22:06.859 because the outcome 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:08.319 of what happens 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:09.699 is the king 00:22:09.699 --> 00:22:10.939 bringing glory 00:22:10.939 --> 00:22:11.759 to God. 00:22:12.199 --> 00:22:12.599 It says, 00:22:12.899 --> 00:22:13.599 the king answered 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.579 and said to Daniel, 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:15.639 truly, 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:17.359 your God 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:18.199 is God 00:22:18.199 --> 00:22:19.079 of gods 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:20.179 and Lord 00:22:20.179 --> 00:22:20.959 of kings 00:22:20.959 --> 00:22:22.159 and a revealer 00:22:22.159 --> 00:22:22.779 of mysteries 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:24.159 for you have been able 00:22:24.159 --> 00:22:25.539 to reveal this mystery. 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:27.019 And so we see 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.920 this consistent 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:28.599 commitment 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:29.839 in Daniel's prayers 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:31.099 and in his life 00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:32.420 for God's glory 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.319 to be central, 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:34.539 for God's glory 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.539 to be the focus 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.259 of it all. 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.859 The fifth thing, 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.119 Daniel's prayer 00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:42.019 is asking God 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.559 to do 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:43.579 what God 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.339 has already 00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:45.779 promised to do, 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:47.000 which really 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.599 brings us 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.279 full circle. 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.319 Because Daniel 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:50.460 starts with the word 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:50.879 of God, 00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:51.799 because his prayer 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:53.240 flows out of God's word, 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.319 his understanding 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.099 of who God 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:56.220 has revealed himself 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:56.779 to be, 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:58.539 revealed what he will do, 00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.759 we see God, 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.740 we'll see Daniel 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:02.599 continually asking God 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:03.899 to do the things 00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:05.539 that he's already promised, 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:06.939 that he's already said 00:23:06.939 --> 00:23:07.879 he would do. 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.559 Now, 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:11.220 we can take all 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.980 of those steps 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:13.659 and I'm going to sum it up 00:23:13.659 --> 00:23:14.279 for you here 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.839 in Daniel's method 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.399 of prayer. 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:19.179 In response 00:23:19.179 --> 00:23:20.259 to God's word, 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:22.659 Daniel comes humbly 00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:24.220 but boldly in faith, 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:26.640 seeking God's glory 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:28.200 by asking him 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:28.680 to do 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:30.019 what he has already 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.740 promised to do. 00:23:33.120 --> 00:23:34.400 So we have a good 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.720 biblical method 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.600 for prayer. 00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:37.840 We can see it here, 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.560 we're going to see it 00:23:38.560 --> 00:23:39.460 again and again 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.180 in Daniel. 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:42.259 Not only is it a good 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:43.360 biblical method 00:23:43.360 --> 00:23:43.960 for prayer, 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:45.480 I would contend 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:47.320 that if any prayer 00:23:47.320 --> 00:23:48.820 doesn't clearly reflect 00:23:48.820 --> 00:23:50.120 these pieces 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:51.519 of this method 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.779 that from a 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.959 biblical perspective 00:23:53.959 --> 00:23:55.439 it's not prayer. 00:23:56.239 --> 00:23:57.359 Let me say that again 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:58.139 a different way. 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.859 If you look 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:01.139 at your own prayers 00:24:01.139 --> 00:24:02.659 and they're not 00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:04.699 flowing from God's word, 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:06.059 if they're not 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:06.959 being presented 00:24:06.959 --> 00:24:07.719 humbly 00:24:07.719 --> 00:24:09.659 but boldly in faith, 00:24:10.159 --> 00:24:11.019 if they're not 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:12.639 seeking God's glory, 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.739 if you're not 00:24:13.739 --> 00:24:15.199 asking God to do 00:24:15.199 --> 00:24:16.179 what he's already 00:24:16.179 --> 00:24:17.419 promised to do, 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:19.840 it's not really prayer. 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:22.200 Not from the Bible's 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:22.800 perspective. 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.500 The world may call it 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:24.759 prayer, 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.420 but the Bible doesn't. 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.120 So I would say 00:24:28.120 --> 00:24:29.039 it's essential 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:30.259 for us 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.960 to pursue 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:32.480 using this method 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.140 or something 00:24:33.140 --> 00:24:34.140 that embodies 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:35.060 these principles 00:24:35.060 --> 00:24:36.420 if our desire 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:38.279 is to truly pray. 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.840 In the biblical sense, 00:24:40.060 --> 00:24:40.860 if we desire 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.500 for God 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.700 to hear our prayers 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.600 and respond. 00:24:45.600 --> 00:24:46.940 But there's a problem. 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:49.200 You see, 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:49.940 the problem is 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:50.840 all of these 00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:52.340 essential components, 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:54.240 everything in this method, 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.900 are not things 00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:56.880 we can do 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:58.420 in our own strength. 00:24:59.340 --> 00:25:00.480 As a matter of fact, 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:02.000 in our own power, 00:25:02.360 --> 00:25:03.600 the Bible says 00:25:03.600 --> 00:25:05.480 we cannot know God 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:07.300 or understand his word. 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:09.180 We cannot come 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:10.800 with truly humble hearts. 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.620 We cannot have 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:14.240 radically bold faith. 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.880 We cannot truly 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:17.519 seek God's glory. 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.200 And if we can't 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:19.940 do those things, 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:20.980 then we won't 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:22.620 sincerely ask God 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.099 to do 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:23.980 what he's already 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.579 promised to do. 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:27.120 So, 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.799 having found a good 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.960 biblical method 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.740 for prayer, 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:32.400 we find ourselves 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.759 having to at least 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:35.079 admit or understand 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:37.240 that the method itself 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.779 is of little use 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:40.859 without the power 00:25:40.859 --> 00:25:42.660 to pray rightly. 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:44.800 Now, 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:45.600 I have good news. 00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:47.259 I believe the book 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.680 of Daniel 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.980 makes it abundantly 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.320 clear where 00:25:50.320 --> 00:25:52.060 to find that power. 00:25:52.820 --> 00:25:53.259 So, 00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:54.019 let's look at 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:55.400 Daniel's power 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.600 in prayer. 00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:57.660 We're going to look 00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.560 at six verses 00:25:58.560 --> 00:25:59.560 from Daniel. 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:00.519 And I think 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.360 it will be as clear 00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:02.279 to you as I think 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.940 it is there. 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:04.360 We're going to start 00:26:04.360 --> 00:26:05.480 with Daniel 4, 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.880 verse 8. 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.720 Daniel 4, 00:26:08.800 --> 00:26:09.240 verse 8. 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:09.599 It says, 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.680 At last, 00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:11.880 Daniel came in 00:26:11.880 --> 00:26:12.480 before me, 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.319 he who was named 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.220 Belteshazzar 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:14.960 after the name 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.720 of my God, 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.839 and in whom 00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:17.720 is the spirit 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:19.299 of the holy gods. 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.180 Now, 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.660 just a little footnote 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:22.059 here. 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:24.180 That word God, 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.740 there's some discussion 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.519 among people 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.680 that know Aramaic 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.460 and are smarter 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.019 than me. 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.700 And if you're using 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.220 the ESV, 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:31.940 you'll actually find 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.700 you have a footnote. 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.660 They're not sure 00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.380 if it's plural 00:26:34.380 --> 00:26:35.079 or singular. 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:36.000 Now, 00:26:36.439 --> 00:26:37.059 the truth is, 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:37.720 I think, 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.339 whatever the Babylonians 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:39.599 thought, 00:26:39.699 --> 00:26:40.460 I can't say. 00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:41.500 But we know 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.319 that ultimately 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:43.119 what it's saying 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:43.859 is singular. 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.859 The spirit 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:46.139 of the holy God. 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.079 Anyway, 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:48.079 end footnote. 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.539 Look at verse, 00:26:50.919 --> 00:26:51.480 chapter 4, 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.159 verse 9. 00:26:52.939 --> 00:26:53.220 It says, 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.699 O Belteshazzar, 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.839 chief of the magicians, 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.980 because I know 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:58.000 that the spirit 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:59.139 of the holy gods 00:26:59.139 --> 00:26:59.899 is in you 00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:01.220 and that no mystery 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:02.139 is too difficult 00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:02.720 for you, 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.960 tell me the visions 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:04.720 of my dream. 00:27:05.679 --> 00:27:06.379 Daniel 4, 00:27:06.439 --> 00:27:06.819 18. 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:08.019 This dream 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.399 I, 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.299 King Nebuchadnezzar, 00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:09.699 saw, 00:27:09.939 --> 00:27:10.379 and you, 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:11.339 O Belteshazzar, 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:13.039 tell me the interpretation, 00:27:13.439 --> 00:27:14.639 because all the wise men 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:15.179 in my kingdom 00:27:15.179 --> 00:27:15.779 are not able 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.379 to make known 00:27:16.379 --> 00:27:17.259 to me the interpretation, 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.740 but you are able, 00:27:19.099 --> 00:27:19.939 for the spirit 00:27:19.939 --> 00:27:21.279 of the holy gods 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.179 is in you. 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:24.059 Daniel 5, 00:27:24.179 --> 00:27:24.500 10, 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.039 and 11. 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.079 The queen, 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:27.000 because of the words 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.480 of the king 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.099 and his lords, 00:27:28.399 --> 00:27:29.939 came into the banqueting hall 00:27:29.939 --> 00:27:31.099 and the queen declared, 00:27:31.439 --> 00:27:31.980 O king, 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.759 live forever. 00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:34.099 Let not your thoughts 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:34.740 alarm you 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.799 or your color change. 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:36.859 There is a man 00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.620 in your kingdom 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:38.599 in whom 00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:39.599 is the spirit 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:41.099 of the holy gods. 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:42.819 Daniel 5, 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.400 14. 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.940 I have heard of you, 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.000 that the spirit 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:47.099 of the holy gods 00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:47.680 is in you 00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:48.640 and that light 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:49.579 and understanding 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.799 and excellent wisdom 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.799 are found in you. 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:53.140 Daniel 6, 00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:53.480 3. 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:55.200 Then this Daniel 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:56.180 became distinguished 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:57.920 above all the other officials 00:27:57.920 --> 00:27:58.759 and satraps 00:27:58.759 --> 00:28:00.640 because an excellent spirit 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.599 was in him 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:02.500 and the king 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:03.359 planned to set him 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:04.299 over the whole kingdom. 00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:06.199 Do you see it? 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.259 The spirit of God 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.740 or the holy spirit 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:12.240 is Daniel's power 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:13.579 for prayer. 00:28:14.659 --> 00:28:14.939 Now, 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.159 honestly, 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:18.599 there can be no true, 00:28:19.179 --> 00:28:19.899 authentic, 00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:21.000 powerful, 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.419 biblical prayer 00:28:22.419 --> 00:28:24.139 without us having 00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:25.480 the spirit of God 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.240 in us. 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:27.539 Now, 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:29.180 we can offer invocations 00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:30.759 that seek to activate 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.380 a rapport 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.660 with an object of worship 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:34.099 through deliberate communication. 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.740 We can practice 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.759 abstract forms 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.480 of meditation 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:38.920 or seek to produce 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:40.160 charms or spells. 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.440 We can offer 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:42.420 a set liturgy 00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:43.319 or a ritual, 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:45.339 recite an incantation, 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.680 rehearse a formal 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.579 creedal statement, 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:49.059 or have a spontaneous 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:49.880 utterance. 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:50.940 We can wish, 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:51.980 we can hope, 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:53.400 we can manifest, 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:55.680 but we cannot pray. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.599 Not in any 00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:58.740 biblical sense 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.440 of the word 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:01.980 without the Holy Spirit 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.720 within us. 00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:05.000 And as a matter of fact, 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:06.559 I'll go a step further 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.660 and say 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.779 at least 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:10.660 84% of those 00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:11.640 trying to connect 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:12.880 with their higher power 00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:13.720 through prayer 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.779 are doing 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.880 no such thing 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:17.660 because what you believe 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:19.000 makes all the difference 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:20.259 in whether or not 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.700 your prayers are heard. 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:23.019 A few verses. 00:29:23.620 --> 00:29:25.620 Psalm 66, 18. 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:27.620 If I had cherished 00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:28.880 iniquity in my heart, 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:30.259 the Lord would not 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.180 have listened. 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:33.559 Proverbs 28, 9. 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.460 If one turns away 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:35.920 his ear 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:36.960 from hearing the law, 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:38.579 even his prayer 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.900 is an abomination. 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:42.700 Isaiah 59, 2. 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:44.099 But your iniquities 00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:45.480 have made a separation 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.440 between you 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.319 and your God 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:48.299 and your sins 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:48.819 have hidden 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:49.880 his face from you 00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:51.539 so that he does not hear. 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:53.220 And then Jesus 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:55.579 in John 14, 6 says, 00:29:56.099 --> 00:29:57.180 I am the way, 00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:57.819 the truth, 00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.399 and the life. 00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.440 No one comes 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.159 to the Father 00:30:00.159 --> 00:30:01.960 except through me. 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:03.659 Now, 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.619 maybe that seems 00:30:04.619 --> 00:30:05.639 harsh to you 00:30:05.639 --> 00:30:06.619 to say that God 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:07.399 doesn't listen 00:30:07.399 --> 00:30:08.000 to the prayers 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.579 of those 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.359 who do not have 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:10.220 the Holy Spirit. 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.200 But, 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:12.819 if you stop 00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:13.799 and consider 00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:15.019 how the Bible 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:15.799 describes 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:17.279 every one of us 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.099 that does not 00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:19.139 have the Holy Spirit 00:30:19.139 --> 00:30:19.879 indwelling them, 00:30:19.880 --> 00:30:21.100 it makes sense. 00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:22.700 Look at these verses. 00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:25.440 Ephesians 2, 1-3. 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:27.140 It describes us 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.060 as being dead 00:30:28.060 --> 00:30:29.040 in trespasses 00:30:29.040 --> 00:30:29.780 and sins, 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:31.440 sons of disobedience, 00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:32.160 by nature, 00:30:32.360 --> 00:30:33.500 children of wrath 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:34.180 like the rest 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:34.940 of mankind. 00:30:35.580 --> 00:30:37.040 Colossians 1, 21 says, 00:30:37.300 --> 00:30:38.400 we're alienated 00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:38.900 from God 00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:40.640 and hostile in mind. 00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:43.620 Romans 1, 21-25 says, 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:44.940 we're without excuse 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.460 because although 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:46.320 we know God, 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.620 we do not honor 00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.380 him as God 00:30:48.380 --> 00:30:49.520 or give thanks 00:30:49.520 --> 00:30:50.000 to him. 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:51.080 As a result, 00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:52.020 we become futile 00:30:52.020 --> 00:30:52.720 in our thinking. 00:30:53.080 --> 00:30:53.980 Our foolish hearts 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:54.720 are darkened. 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:56.120 We claim to be wise 00:30:56.120 --> 00:30:57.000 but we're fools. 00:30:57.360 --> 00:30:58.660 We exchange the glory 00:30:58.660 --> 00:30:59.680 of the immortal God 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.320 for images. 00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:02.160 We exchange the truth 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:02.700 about God 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.440 for a lie 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:04.080 and worship 00:31:04.080 --> 00:31:05.220 and serve the creature 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.800 rather than the creator. 00:31:07.840 --> 00:31:09.640 Romans 3, 9-12 says, 00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:11.420 we're all under sin. 00:31:11.840 --> 00:31:13.120 There are none righteous. 00:31:13.800 --> 00:31:14.800 No one understands. 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:16.040 No one seeks God. 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:17.180 All have turned aside. 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.200 No one does good. 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:19.519 Not even one. 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:21.259 Romans 5, 10 says, 00:31:21.360 --> 00:31:22.960 we are enemies of God. 00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:25.140 Romans 8, 7 and 8 says, 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.680 we are hostile to God 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:28.880 and cannot please God. 00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:33.279 So, since that's our condition 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:35.220 without the Holy Spirit, 00:31:35.840 --> 00:31:37.580 I think it makes perfect sense 00:31:37.580 --> 00:31:38.900 to say that God 00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:40.420 does not hear our prayers. 00:31:40.900 --> 00:31:42.779 Or to say it another way, 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:45.059 without the Holy Spirit, 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:47.639 God is not accessible 00:31:47.639 --> 00:31:48.960 to any of us. 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.700 So true prayer 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:52.240 is impossible. 00:31:55.379 --> 00:31:56.359 Now hopefully, 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.720 that leads you 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.799 to the next question. 00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:00.119 And I would say, 00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:00.700 in some ways, 00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:01.859 the most important 00:32:01.859 --> 00:32:03.180 foundational question 00:32:03.180 --> 00:32:04.319 on the topic of prayer, 00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:06.240 how do I know for sure 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:07.460 I have the Holy Spirit? 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:07.860 Well, 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.500 the Apostle Peter 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.779 answers that question 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:13.519 so simply and clearly 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:14.779 to the people of Jerusalem 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:16.500 on the day of Pentecost. 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.759 Let's look at it. 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.559 Acts 2, 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:20.940 36 through 39. 00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:22.840 Peter says, 00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:25.339 Let all the house 00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:25.879 of Israel, 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:26.439 therefore, 00:32:27.179 --> 00:32:28.480 know for certain 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:30.399 that God has made him 00:32:30.399 --> 00:32:32.339 both Lord and Christ, 00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:33.639 this Jesus 00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:34.980 whom you crucified. 00:32:35.879 --> 00:32:36.339 Now, 00:32:36.459 --> 00:32:37.419 when they heard this, 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:38.619 they were cut to the heart 00:32:38.619 --> 00:32:39.879 and they said to Peter 00:32:39.879 --> 00:32:41.019 and the rest of the apostles, 00:32:41.459 --> 00:32:41.740 Brothers, 00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:43.259 what shall we do? 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:45.199 And Peter said to them, 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.319 Repent 00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:47.759 and be baptized 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.859 every one of you 00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:50.980 in the name of Jesus Christ 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:52.180 for the forgiveness 00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:53.220 of your sins 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:55.180 and you will receive 00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:56.019 the gift 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:57.360 of the Holy Spirit 00:32:57.360 --> 00:32:59.039 for the promise 00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:00.099 is for you 00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:01.539 and for your children 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:02.599 and for all 00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:03.440 who are far off, 00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:04.759 everyone whom the Lord 00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:05.700 our God calls 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.400 to himself. 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.519 So, 00:33:09.160 --> 00:33:10.380 when we respond 00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:11.099 in faith, 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:13.279 believing what the Bible says, 00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:14.819 that Jesus is both 00:33:14.819 --> 00:33:15.980 our Lord and Savior, 00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:18.360 when we seek forgiveness 00:33:18.360 --> 00:33:19.720 for our sin 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:21.079 by admitting them 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:22.640 and turning away from them, 00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:25.160 desiring to be united 00:33:25.160 --> 00:33:26.440 to Jesus Christ, 00:33:27.220 --> 00:33:27.940 we are filled 00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:29.000 with the Holy Spirit 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:30.339 and become 00:33:30.339 --> 00:33:31.900 a child of God. 00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:33.160 Now, 00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:35.079 if that hasn't happened 00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:36.039 in your life 00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:37.720 yet today, 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:39.100 it can. 00:33:40.380 --> 00:33:41.180 It can. 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:42.839 Let me just encourage you, 00:33:42.900 --> 00:33:44.220 don't leave without coming 00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:45.240 and talking to me 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:46.339 or talking to one of the people 00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:47.079 around you 00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:48.860 because it can happen today. 00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:50.319 And once, 00:33:50.559 --> 00:33:51.899 once you are united 00:33:51.899 --> 00:33:52.759 to Jesus 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:53.819 and filled 00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:54.939 with the Holy Spirit, 00:33:55.219 --> 00:33:57.319 that changes everything. 00:33:57.859 --> 00:34:00.019 That makes God accessible. 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:01.799 That makes prayer 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:03.399 truly possible. 00:34:04.219 --> 00:34:05.859 Look at what Ephesians 2, 00:34:06.139 --> 00:34:08.179 13 through 22 says. 00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:10.619 But now, 00:34:11.339 --> 00:34:12.940 in Christ Jesus, 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:15.719 you who once were far off 00:34:15.719 --> 00:34:17.259 have been brought near 00:34:17.259 --> 00:34:18.959 by the blood of Christ. 00:34:18.959 --> 00:34:21.699 For he himself is our peace, 00:34:22.319 --> 00:34:23.839 who has made us both one 00:34:23.839 --> 00:34:25.019 and has broken down 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:25.819 in his flesh 00:34:25.819 --> 00:34:27.079 the dividing wall 00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:28.000 of hostility 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:29.500 by abolishing 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:30.699 the law of commandments 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:32.379 expressed in ordinances, 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:35.219 that he might create in himself 00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:36.399 one new man 00:34:36.399 --> 00:34:37.459 in place of the two, 00:34:37.679 --> 00:34:38.939 so making peace 00:34:38.939 --> 00:34:40.799 and might reconcile us 00:34:40.799 --> 00:34:41.980 both to God 00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:43.419 in one body 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:44.760 through the cross, 00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:45.820 thereby killing 00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:46.840 the hostility. 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.300 And he came 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:49.260 and preached peace 00:34:49.260 --> 00:34:50.579 to you who were far off 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:51.380 and peace 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:52.539 to those who were near. 00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:53.980 Verse 18. 00:34:54.619 --> 00:34:55.780 For through him 00:34:55.780 --> 00:34:57.800 we both have access 00:34:57.800 --> 00:34:59.300 in one spirit 00:34:59.300 --> 00:35:00.599 to the Father. 00:35:01.260 --> 00:35:02.460 So then you're no longer 00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:03.099 strangers 00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:04.200 and aliens, 00:35:04.360 --> 00:35:05.559 but you're fellow citizens 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.420 with the saints 00:35:06.420 --> 00:35:07.320 and members 00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:08.639 of the household of God, 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:09.960 built on the foundation 00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:10.680 of the apostles 00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:11.480 and the prophets, 00:35:11.839 --> 00:35:13.119 Christ Jesus himself 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:14.500 being the cornerstone 00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:16.480 in whom the whole structure 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.899 being joined together 00:35:17.899 --> 00:35:19.779 grows into a holy temple 00:35:19.779 --> 00:35:20.440 in the Lord. 00:35:20.899 --> 00:35:22.279 In him you also 00:35:22.279 --> 00:35:23.879 are being built together 00:35:23.879 --> 00:35:25.899 into a dwelling place 00:35:25.899 --> 00:35:27.019 for God 00:35:27.019 --> 00:35:28.379 by the Spirit. 00:35:29.819 --> 00:35:32.099 We can only have access 00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:32.739 to God 00:35:32.739 --> 00:35:34.960 and have the privilege 00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:36.480 and the delight 00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:37.440 of praying 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:39.280 because of Jesus 00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:40.980 and our union 00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:41.659 to him 00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:43.400 through the Holy Spirit. 00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:44.780 Remember, 00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:46.059 Jesus himself said 00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:47.840 in John 14, 6, 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:48.500 I am the way, 00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:48.940 the truth, 00:35:48.980 --> 00:35:49.400 and the life. 00:35:49.519 --> 00:35:50.740 No one comes to the Father 00:35:50.740 --> 00:35:51.760 except through me. 00:35:52.240 --> 00:35:53.420 But he goes on 00:35:53.420 --> 00:35:54.639 in John 15, 00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:56.179 7 through 9, 00:35:56.760 --> 00:35:57.320 and he says, 00:35:57.740 --> 00:35:59.460 if you abide in me 00:35:59.460 --> 00:36:00.860 and my words 00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:01.900 abide in you, 00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:04.340 ask whatever you wish 00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:05.820 and it will be done 00:36:05.820 --> 00:36:06.380 for you. 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:08.160 By this my Father 00:36:08.160 --> 00:36:09.059 is glorified 00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:10.280 that you bear much fruit 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:11.460 and so prove to be 00:36:11.460 --> 00:36:12.240 my disciples 00:36:12.240 --> 00:36:13.940 as the Father has loved me 00:36:13.940 --> 00:36:15.099 so have I loved you. 00:36:15.660 --> 00:36:17.200 Abide in my love. 00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:19.000 You see, 00:36:19.099 --> 00:36:19.460 Jesus, 00:36:19.820 --> 00:36:21.720 as the perfect Son of God, 00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:23.160 being fully God 00:36:23.160 --> 00:36:24.099 and fully man, 00:36:24.660 --> 00:36:26.840 has the innate ability 00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:29.800 and access 00:36:29.800 --> 00:36:31.320 to talk to God, 00:36:31.500 --> 00:36:32.000 the Father. 00:36:33.099 --> 00:36:33.800 They've been in 00:36:33.800 --> 00:36:35.039 intimate communion 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:36.619 and conversation 00:36:36.619 --> 00:36:38.779 for all of eternity past 00:36:38.779 --> 00:36:39.779 and will be 00:36:39.779 --> 00:36:41.599 for all of eternity future. 00:36:42.639 --> 00:36:42.960 And so, 00:36:43.079 --> 00:36:44.719 it's in being united 00:36:44.719 --> 00:36:45.659 to Jesus 00:36:45.659 --> 00:36:47.460 that his ability 00:36:47.460 --> 00:36:48.440 and access 00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:48.820 to commune 00:36:48.820 --> 00:36:50.000 and converse 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:51.000 with God the Father 00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:52.759 becomes ours. 00:36:53.840 --> 00:36:54.619 There is really 00:36:54.619 --> 00:36:55.699 only one method 00:36:55.699 --> 00:36:56.559 of true prayer, 00:36:56.779 --> 00:36:57.880 only one power 00:36:57.880 --> 00:36:58.880 for true prayer. 00:36:59.000 --> 00:36:59.800 It's Jesus. 00:36:59.800 --> 00:37:02.640 Even Daniel's prayer, 00:37:02.920 --> 00:37:03.760 though he didn't 00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:05.360 as fully understand it 00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:06.039 as we can 00:37:06.039 --> 00:37:06.820 from this point 00:37:06.820 --> 00:37:07.519 in history, 00:37:07.740 --> 00:37:08.640 was prayer 00:37:08.640 --> 00:37:09.720 through Jesus. 00:37:10.460 --> 00:37:11.300 And I don't think 00:37:11.300 --> 00:37:12.160 it will stretch you 00:37:12.160 --> 00:37:12.620 at all 00:37:12.620 --> 00:37:13.360 if we take 00:37:13.360 --> 00:37:14.220 and look at the fact 00:37:14.220 --> 00:37:15.100 that we talked 00:37:15.100 --> 00:37:16.340 about Daniel's 00:37:16.340 --> 00:37:17.480 method for prayer 00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:18.360 being this. 00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:19.140 In response 00:37:19.140 --> 00:37:20.220 to God's word, 00:37:20.640 --> 00:37:21.940 Daniel comes humbly 00:37:21.940 --> 00:37:23.599 but boldly in faith 00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:25.159 seeking God's glory 00:37:25.159 --> 00:37:26.019 by asking him 00:37:26.019 --> 00:37:26.760 to do what he has 00:37:26.760 --> 00:37:28.179 already promised to do. 00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:29.760 And see it even more 00:37:29.760 --> 00:37:31.800 clearly in Jesus' life. 00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:33.119 In response 00:37:33.119 --> 00:37:34.300 to the Father's word, 00:37:34.619 --> 00:37:35.760 Jesus comes humbly 00:37:35.760 --> 00:37:37.039 but boldly in faith 00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:38.599 seeking the Father's glory 00:37:38.599 --> 00:37:39.480 by asking him 00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:40.059 to do what he's 00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:41.720 already promised to do. 00:37:42.760 --> 00:37:45.400 And as we always find, 00:37:46.400 --> 00:37:47.840 Jesus is the better, 00:37:48.340 --> 00:37:49.380 perfect version 00:37:49.380 --> 00:37:51.280 of all of our heroes 00:37:51.280 --> 00:37:51.940 of the faith. 00:37:52.700 --> 00:37:54.300 Jesus is the better Adam, 00:37:54.700 --> 00:37:55.700 the better Abraham, 00:37:55.880 --> 00:37:56.700 the better Moses, 00:37:57.160 --> 00:37:58.079 the better Joshua, 00:37:58.260 --> 00:37:59.000 the better David, 00:37:59.119 --> 00:38:00.079 the better Elijah. 00:38:00.960 --> 00:38:01.840 And as we work 00:38:01.840 --> 00:38:03.140 our way through Daniel 00:38:03.140 --> 00:38:06.320 and see the extraordinary ways 00:38:06.320 --> 00:38:07.460 that God's love 00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:08.420 and faithfulness 00:38:08.420 --> 00:38:10.019 to Daniel and his friends 00:38:10.019 --> 00:38:11.420 shows through 00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:12.519 in lives 00:38:12.519 --> 00:38:13.599 that are worthy 00:38:13.599 --> 00:38:14.780 of learning from 00:38:14.780 --> 00:38:16.140 and imitating, 00:38:16.559 --> 00:38:18.360 we must not forget 00:38:18.360 --> 00:38:20.800 Jesus is the better Daniel. 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.599 So as we take 00:38:23.599 --> 00:38:25.019 Daniel's method of prayer 00:38:25.019 --> 00:38:26.760 and his power in prayer 00:38:26.760 --> 00:38:28.160 and look at them 00:38:28.160 --> 00:38:30.780 in light of the central figure 00:38:30.780 --> 00:38:32.260 and hero of the Bible, 00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:34.180 really the central figure 00:38:34.180 --> 00:38:35.720 and hero of all history, 00:38:36.420 --> 00:38:37.280 Jesus Christ, 00:38:37.460 --> 00:38:39.280 I think we can end 00:38:39.280 --> 00:38:41.680 with this definition of prayer. 00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:45.960 Prayer is the privilege 00:38:45.960 --> 00:38:48.340 and delight we receive 00:38:48.360 --> 00:38:49.760 from our union 00:38:49.760 --> 00:38:50.980 with Jesus Christ 00:38:50.980 --> 00:38:53.320 through the Holy Spirit 00:38:53.320 --> 00:38:56.000 to respond to God's word 00:38:56.000 --> 00:38:57.700 by coming in worship 00:38:57.700 --> 00:38:59.400 to commune with him 00:38:59.400 --> 00:39:01.340 and humbly but boldly 00:39:01.340 --> 00:39:01.880 in faith 00:39:01.880 --> 00:39:04.039 seeking the Father's glory 00:39:04.039 --> 00:39:06.180 by asking him to do 00:39:06.180 --> 00:39:07.760 what he's already promised 00:39:08.480 --> 00:39:09.440 to do. 00:39:09.440 --> 00:39:14.559 Now, I don't know where you are 00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:16.480 in your prayer life 00:39:16.480 --> 00:39:18.480 but if like me, 00:39:19.360 --> 00:39:20.900 you find yourself realizing 00:39:20.900 --> 00:39:23.420 that it's not what it should be, 00:39:24.119 --> 00:39:26.599 that it's not what it can be, 00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:28.920 then I just want to end 00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:30.820 with four simple steps 00:39:30.820 --> 00:39:32.500 that will help move you 00:39:32.500 --> 00:39:33.659 in the right direction 00:39:33.659 --> 00:39:35.200 and these are taken 00:39:35.200 --> 00:39:35.960 from the writings 00:39:35.960 --> 00:39:37.800 of Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones, 00:39:37.800 --> 00:39:39.100 a godly pastor 00:39:39.100 --> 00:39:40.340 and a man of prayer, 00:39:41.240 --> 00:39:42.260 but it will just start 00:39:42.260 --> 00:39:43.200 to move you 00:39:43.200 --> 00:39:44.260 in the right direction. 00:39:45.519 --> 00:39:46.539 The first is, 00:39:47.360 --> 00:39:47.980 daily, 00:39:48.820 --> 00:39:50.660 admit your failings to God 00:39:50.660 --> 00:39:52.200 and your inability 00:39:52.200 --> 00:39:53.640 to pray as you should 00:39:53.640 --> 00:39:55.980 without his empowering 00:39:55.980 --> 00:39:57.880 through the Holy Spirit 00:39:57.880 --> 00:40:00.140 and ask him to do that. 00:40:00.700 --> 00:40:02.500 Ask him to empower you 00:40:02.500 --> 00:40:03.800 through the Holy Spirit 00:40:03.800 --> 00:40:06.480 for a life of authentic prayer. 00:40:08.640 --> 00:40:09.240 Two, 00:40:10.860 --> 00:40:13.360 create time and space 00:40:13.360 --> 00:40:16.039 to enjoy drawing near to God. 00:40:16.720 --> 00:40:18.620 Start by reading his word 00:40:18.620 --> 00:40:20.340 with an expectation 00:40:20.340 --> 00:40:21.340 that he desires 00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:23.920 to speak to you through it. 00:40:24.360 --> 00:40:25.940 Listen first. 00:40:28.400 --> 00:40:29.480 Step three, 00:40:29.480 --> 00:40:31.659 as the Holy Spirit 00:40:31.659 --> 00:40:32.880 begins to direct 00:40:32.880 --> 00:40:33.740 your thoughts 00:40:33.740 --> 00:40:35.960 to God's revealed character, 00:40:36.340 --> 00:40:37.519 to his plan, 00:40:37.840 --> 00:40:39.000 to his promises. 00:40:39.900 --> 00:40:41.039 Begin pleading 00:40:41.039 --> 00:40:42.820 the promises of God 00:40:42.820 --> 00:40:44.519 with holy boldness, 00:40:45.139 --> 00:40:45.500 liberty, 00:40:46.059 --> 00:40:46.740 and assurance. 00:40:48.199 --> 00:40:49.340 And that word, 00:40:49.579 --> 00:40:49.880 plead, 00:40:50.079 --> 00:40:50.840 is important 00:40:50.840 --> 00:40:52.619 because it embodies 00:40:52.619 --> 00:40:53.559 that humility. 00:40:54.699 --> 00:40:55.780 We have to be careful. 00:40:56.300 --> 00:40:57.639 Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones 00:40:57.639 --> 00:40:59.039 says it well 00:40:59.039 --> 00:41:00.099 when he says this, 00:41:00.739 --> 00:41:02.420 do not claim, 00:41:03.079 --> 00:41:04.639 do not demand. 00:41:05.619 --> 00:41:06.539 Let your requests 00:41:06.539 --> 00:41:07.460 be made known. 00:41:07.819 --> 00:41:08.440 Let them come 00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:09.279 from your heart. 00:41:09.819 --> 00:41:10.980 God will understand. 00:41:11.900 --> 00:41:13.179 But we have no right 00:41:13.179 --> 00:41:13.920 to demand, 00:41:14.339 --> 00:41:15.460 not even revival. 00:41:16.500 --> 00:41:17.259 Some Christians 00:41:17.259 --> 00:41:18.559 are tending to do so 00:41:18.559 --> 00:41:19.639 at the present time. 00:41:20.400 --> 00:41:21.619 Yes, pray urgently, 00:41:21.879 --> 00:41:22.239 plead, 00:41:22.659 --> 00:41:24.019 use all of the arguments, 00:41:24.159 --> 00:41:25.400 use all of the promises, 00:41:25.559 --> 00:41:26.659 but do not demand, 00:41:26.659 --> 00:41:28.059 do not claim. 00:41:28.379 --> 00:41:29.379 Never put yourself 00:41:29.379 --> 00:41:30.319 into the position 00:41:30.319 --> 00:41:30.920 of saying, 00:41:30.920 --> 00:41:32.819 if we but do this, 00:41:33.159 --> 00:41:34.719 then that must happen. 00:41:35.559 --> 00:41:37.519 God is a sovereign Lord, 00:41:38.059 --> 00:41:38.940 and these things 00:41:38.940 --> 00:41:40.659 are beyond our understanding. 00:41:41.480 --> 00:41:43.039 So never let the terminology 00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:43.819 of claiming 00:41:43.819 --> 00:41:44.659 or demanding 00:41:44.659 --> 00:41:46.079 be used. 00:41:46.679 --> 00:41:47.739 So we plead 00:41:47.739 --> 00:41:48.839 his word. 00:41:50.339 --> 00:41:51.000 Step four, 00:41:52.019 --> 00:41:54.179 practice being sensitive 00:41:54.179 --> 00:41:55.359 to the leading 00:41:55.359 --> 00:41:56.599 of the Holy Spirit. 00:41:57.960 --> 00:41:58.659 Obeying it 00:41:58.659 --> 00:41:59.239 as quickly 00:41:59.239 --> 00:41:59.940 as you can, 00:42:00.199 --> 00:42:00.719 being willing 00:42:00.719 --> 00:42:01.379 to stop 00:42:01.379 --> 00:42:02.139 what you're doing 00:42:02.139 --> 00:42:03.699 and prioritize praying 00:42:03.699 --> 00:42:04.940 whenever you feel 00:42:04.940 --> 00:42:05.659 like that comes 00:42:05.659 --> 00:42:06.339 to mind. 00:42:07.339 --> 00:42:08.039 You see, 00:42:08.119 --> 00:42:09.199 if we are willing 00:42:09.199 --> 00:42:09.940 to invest 00:42:09.940 --> 00:42:10.799 the time 00:42:10.799 --> 00:42:11.980 and the effort 00:42:11.980 --> 00:42:13.799 to pursue communion 00:42:13.799 --> 00:42:14.480 with God 00:42:14.480 --> 00:42:15.539 through this type 00:42:15.539 --> 00:42:16.239 of prayer, 00:42:16.759 --> 00:42:18.599 no matter how many times 00:42:18.599 --> 00:42:19.500 we have to commit 00:42:19.500 --> 00:42:19.940 ourselves 00:42:19.940 --> 00:42:21.159 to start again 00:42:21.159 --> 00:42:22.099 and again, 00:42:22.840 --> 00:42:24.139 you will find 00:42:24.139 --> 00:42:25.220 in time 00:42:25.220 --> 00:42:26.519 that we're growing 00:42:26.519 --> 00:42:28.019 more and more intimate 00:42:28.019 --> 00:42:29.480 with our Heavenly Father 00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:31.320 and with our loving Lord, 00:42:31.639 --> 00:42:32.480 and we'll see it 00:42:32.480 --> 00:42:33.639 flowing out 00:42:33.639 --> 00:42:35.579 into every area 00:42:35.579 --> 00:42:36.579 of our life. 00:42:38.260 --> 00:42:38.980 Now, 00:42:39.539 --> 00:42:40.559 in closing, 00:42:41.059 --> 00:42:42.619 we have one final commercial. 00:42:44.240 --> 00:42:45.360 Someone last week 00:42:45.360 --> 00:42:46.019 asked me, 00:42:46.400 --> 00:42:47.099 does the church 00:42:47.099 --> 00:42:48.059 still have a weekly 00:42:48.059 --> 00:42:49.019 prayer bulletin? 00:42:49.019 --> 00:42:51.340 Just in case 00:42:51.340 --> 00:42:52.079 any of you 00:42:52.079 --> 00:42:52.960 are not aware, 00:42:53.460 --> 00:42:54.280 we have a channel 00:42:54.280 --> 00:42:55.159 on Telegram 00:42:55.159 --> 00:42:56.780 called The Powerhouse. 00:42:57.079 --> 00:42:58.400 It's our prayer channel. 00:42:59.039 --> 00:43:00.360 We share weekly prompts 00:43:00.360 --> 00:43:00.980 on a number 00:43:00.980 --> 00:43:02.119 of different areas 00:43:02.119 --> 00:43:02.739 and topics 00:43:02.739 --> 00:43:04.079 that try to assist you 00:43:04.079 --> 00:43:05.219 in thinking through 00:43:05.219 --> 00:43:06.599 and praying through things. 00:43:06.900 --> 00:43:07.519 Right now, 00:43:07.619 --> 00:43:08.579 we're working through 00:43:08.579 --> 00:43:09.940 praying the fruit 00:43:09.940 --> 00:43:10.599 of the Spirit. 00:43:11.360 --> 00:43:12.099 If you want more 00:43:12.099 --> 00:43:13.059 information about it, 00:43:13.099 --> 00:43:13.559 you can check 00:43:13.559 --> 00:43:14.440 the Maranatha Minute 00:43:14.440 --> 00:43:15.179 or you can come 00:43:15.179 --> 00:43:15.980 and talk to me, 00:43:16.320 --> 00:43:17.119 but hopefully 00:43:17.119 --> 00:43:18.159 it can be an avenue 00:43:18.159 --> 00:43:19.139 to help you 00:43:19.139 --> 00:43:20.079 as you seek 00:43:20.079 --> 00:43:20.599 to grow 00:43:20.599 --> 00:43:21.759 in your life 00:43:21.759 --> 00:43:22.279 of prayer. 00:43:23.639 --> 00:43:24.899 So as we end, 00:43:25.399 --> 00:43:26.699 let's do the thing 00:43:26.699 --> 00:43:27.440 that we have been 00:43:27.440 --> 00:43:28.219 talking about. 00:43:28.719 --> 00:43:29.539 Would you join me 00:43:29.539 --> 00:43:30.159 as we pray? 00:43:30.159 --> 00:43:33.579 Father, we thank you 00:43:33.579 --> 00:43:34.199 for your word. 00:43:36.699 --> 00:43:37.399 We thank you 00:43:37.399 --> 00:43:37.960 that you've not 00:43:37.960 --> 00:43:39.379 left us to ourselves. 00:43:40.319 --> 00:43:41.199 Father, we confess 00:43:41.199 --> 00:43:42.339 that if it was up to us, 00:43:42.379 --> 00:43:43.659 our vain imaginations 00:43:43.659 --> 00:43:45.039 would never rightly 00:43:45.039 --> 00:43:46.639 conceive of who you are, 00:43:47.019 --> 00:43:47.739 of your heart, 00:43:47.839 --> 00:43:48.539 of your desire, 00:43:48.659 --> 00:43:49.359 of your plan, 00:43:49.440 --> 00:43:50.219 but you have given it 00:43:50.219 --> 00:43:51.119 to us in your word. 00:43:52.480 --> 00:43:53.039 So Father, 00:43:53.099 --> 00:43:53.960 help us to cherish 00:43:53.960 --> 00:43:54.539 your word. 00:43:55.539 --> 00:43:56.480 Help us to pursue 00:43:56.480 --> 00:43:57.559 listening to you 00:43:57.559 --> 00:43:58.380 through your word, 00:43:59.519 --> 00:44:00.980 desiring to hear you 00:44:00.980 --> 00:44:01.760 for your spirit 00:44:01.760 --> 00:44:02.740 to speak to us 00:44:02.740 --> 00:44:03.740 and apply your word 00:44:03.740 --> 00:44:04.500 in our lives. 00:44:06.460 --> 00:44:07.599 Father, we confess 00:44:07.599 --> 00:44:08.219 that we know 00:44:08.219 --> 00:44:09.139 we cannot pray 00:44:09.139 --> 00:44:09.840 as we should, 00:44:10.840 --> 00:44:12.340 that it's beyond 00:44:12.340 --> 00:44:13.119 our ability, 00:44:13.380 --> 00:44:13.980 that we are 00:44:13.980 --> 00:44:17.019 not diligent enough, 00:44:17.539 --> 00:44:19.039 our faith is weak, 00:44:19.039 --> 00:44:22.059 our inabilities 00:44:22.059 --> 00:44:23.400 and the struggles 00:44:23.400 --> 00:44:24.219 with our flesh 00:44:24.219 --> 00:44:25.079 just continue 00:44:25.079 --> 00:44:26.759 to mount against us 00:44:26.759 --> 00:44:28.239 as we seek to pray. 00:44:29.860 --> 00:44:30.219 But Father, 00:44:30.279 --> 00:44:31.440 we know that you desire 00:44:31.440 --> 00:44:32.659 for us to draw near. 00:44:33.659 --> 00:44:34.739 We know that you've 00:44:34.739 --> 00:44:35.840 invited us to come 00:44:35.840 --> 00:44:37.199 boldly to your throne 00:44:37.199 --> 00:44:38.440 because of our 00:44:38.440 --> 00:44:39.639 connection in Christ. 00:44:40.759 --> 00:44:42.019 So we ask that by 00:44:42.019 --> 00:44:42.639 your spirit, 00:44:42.759 --> 00:44:43.460 you would do 00:44:43.460 --> 00:44:44.360 what you have said, 00:44:44.500 --> 00:44:45.599 that you would empower 00:44:45.599 --> 00:44:47.800 us for lives of prayer, 00:44:47.800 --> 00:44:49.120 that our prayer 00:44:49.120 --> 00:44:50.200 would be authentic, 00:44:50.860 --> 00:44:51.680 that it would flow 00:44:51.680 --> 00:44:52.600 from your word, 00:44:53.000 --> 00:44:53.560 that we would 00:44:53.560 --> 00:44:55.360 seek your glory 00:44:55.360 --> 00:44:56.420 by asking you 00:44:56.420 --> 00:44:57.460 to do the things 00:44:57.460 --> 00:44:58.500 that you have promised 00:44:58.500 --> 00:44:59.360 to do. 00:45:01.500 --> 00:45:02.320 Forgive us 00:45:02.320 --> 00:45:03.380 for all of the times 00:45:03.380 --> 00:45:04.640 that we treat prayer 00:45:04.640 --> 00:45:06.200 so lightly 00:45:06.200 --> 00:45:07.820 with such contempt. 00:45:09.820 --> 00:45:10.980 Father, help us, 00:45:11.519 --> 00:45:12.900 help us to desire 00:45:12.900 --> 00:45:13.980 and to delight 00:45:13.980 --> 00:45:16.019 in communing with you. 00:45:16.019 --> 00:45:19.199 help us to prioritize it, 00:45:19.239 --> 00:45:20.500 to make space for it. 00:45:20.739 --> 00:45:21.659 Help us to be 00:45:21.659 --> 00:45:23.320 a praying church 00:45:23.320 --> 00:45:26.480 that in all of these things 00:45:26.480 --> 00:45:27.460 you might receive 00:45:27.460 --> 00:45:28.599 the greater glory, 00:45:29.340 --> 00:45:30.840 that our lives 00:45:30.840 --> 00:45:31.719 would be conformed 00:45:31.719 --> 00:45:32.239 to the image 00:45:32.239 --> 00:45:32.940 of your Son, 00:45:34.139 --> 00:45:35.000 and that the world 00:45:35.000 --> 00:45:35.639 would know 00:45:35.639 --> 00:45:37.059 that there is 00:45:37.059 --> 00:45:37.940 a God in heaven, 00:45:38.719 --> 00:45:39.679 and that he is 00:45:39.679 --> 00:45:40.300 accessible 00:45:40.300 --> 00:45:41.679 through Jesus. 00:45:42.900 --> 00:45:44.039 It's in his name 00:45:44.039 --> 00:45:44.599 we pray, 00:45:45.380 --> 00:45:45.739 Amen.