THE WORRIED CHRISTIAN

 THE BOOK OF MATTHEWS   

 The author is not identified; however, its writings are attributed to Matthew, the apostle and former tax collector. Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfilment of the Law, the Messiah, King, and Jesus often refer to Himself as the “Son of Man”. 

TEXT: MATTHEW 6: 25-26, 33: 

(Sermon on the Mount- Chapter 5---7 Jesus’s famous teachings on moral living). In Matthew 6:19-23, He talks about possessions and masters; and vs 24-34 He talks about God’s Kingdom.

VS 25 Therefore, I say unto you, “Take no thought” or “Do not worry” about your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; or yet for your body, what you shall put on”.  “Is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment”?

 VS 26 “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

 Vs 33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Did you ever stop to think why Jesus’s teaching on “worry” was necessary? It seems to be the diet in today’s society. He is speaking to His committed disciples, alongside a large, curious crowd of hurting, oppressed Jewish farmers and labourers seeking healing. Most of the people hearing HIM were poor and living from day to day. For some, what they earned each day was all they had to live on for the next day.

Can anybody identify to some degree what that’s like, living from paycheck to paycheck?

One might ask! Did Jesus know the people were worried? According to biblical accounts, Jesus frequently knew when people were worried, anxious, or afraid, and often addressed them directly.

 He is “omniscient” God of all knowing/knowledge: Luke 12, Jesus taught a large crowd and then turned to his disciples, telling them, “Do not worry about your life”. He knew their minds were racing with anxieties about daily provisions and reassured them that God is aware of their needs.

 Jesus was able to discern their hidden fears. When his followers were panicking during a violent storm at sea, Jesus was asleep in the boat. When they woke him in fear, He calmed the storm and then questioned their lack of trust.

 In all these accounts, Jesus did not respond to their worries with judgement but by acknowledging their anxiety and encouraging them to replace their fear with trust. Jesus was letting the people know that life was more than material possessions, and that God, who provides for the birds and flowers, will certainly care for humans, who are of greater value. 

His goal is to move their thoughts from a state of worry to a state of peace, trusting that God knows and will provide what is truly needed for their life. Listen to these three definitions.

 Biblical perspective “Worry/thought” defined in Greek is merimna’o…meaning “to be pulled in different directions: or torn apart.” Think about it! One moment you’re stressing about finances, next you’re spiraling about a relationship, then, you’re replaying something you said three days ago.

Worry scatters us and keeps us living everywhere except the present. Jesus wasn’t ignoring their struggles. He pointed out that worry doesn’t solve them—it just fractures our peace. Instead, He invites us to trust the God who sees every need and promises to take care of us.

 Worry can be defined as the following;

Strangling origin – comes from an Old English word “wyrgan” -meaning to strangle or to seize by the throat. This roots its meaning of being constricted or choked by one’s thoughts.

 Medical doctors estimate that more than twenty five percent of their patients are what they have called "worried well".  Doctors spend a lot of time examining folks who are not sick, -- only worried, plagued by the “what if syndrome”.

What if my car doesn’t start in the morning?  What if, I get laid off my job?  People are worrying about a whole lot of, what ifs. 

If we have a good job, we worry that we’ll lose it. If we have good health, we worry that we won’t have it long. If our children leave the house, we worry if they’re coming back.

Psychological definition (effects that originate in or act upon the mind/behavior), the mental part where your brain tries to solve the “what if” scenarios for the future. What if I don’t get this job: What if my check doesn’t come? What if? Are you plagued by “what if” problems? Then, consider yourself in the “worried well” class.

I think it’s safe to say all of us have experienced worry to some degree, but how often and how intently do you worry? What kind of things do you worry about? Are they mostly big things such as world events; finances, crimes, family matters, relationships, your mate, jobs, health?

There’s a Professor of Psychology at Penn State university…Thomas Borkevec, an expert in the field of worry. He makes his living diagnosing what other people worry about. His claim is that the most single source of worry is other people’s opinion of you. What will they think? What will they say? Will I be laughed at? Will I be left out?

He stated that even clergy have experienced moments when they knew what God wanted them to do but failed to do it because of what others might think. Truth is, regardless of what we do or don’t do, we really can’t alter other’s opinion of us. Our focus should be…. what does God think of us.

Many times, we take worry to bed with us, we get up with it and carry it with us throughout the day. Jesus doesn't want us to worry. His walk (way of living) matched His talk.

Where or when was Jesus ever afraid? There’s no record of the Savior expressing his concern over what will happen or will not happen and never anxious or worrying about potential reactions of others.

Why? It’s simple: dependence. Christ, himself being God, expressed and demonstrated the model for humanity in his complete confidence, trust and dependence in God (“the Son can do nothing of his own accord” John 5:19). He knew and lived like He believed that God is sovereign (supreme) over everything: there is nothing that surprises or unsettles God.

Even in the Garden we see Christ pouring out His heart to the Father, proclaiming His commitment to and confidence in God. He marched with resolve to Calvary without being afraid of men or circumstances.

Why: Because He knew that God is sovereign. Look what He told Pilate: “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11).

Earthly power is limited and Pilate’s power was delegated. Jesus wasn’t losing His life by force, but by choice via His Father’s plan.

Jesus didn’t worry, but because of the ill effects of worry, HE tells us not to worry about the basic needs that God promises to supply (food, drink, clothing).

In our text, Jesus speaks to us where we live and give illustrations that worry is unnecessary, unproductive, and outside of God's natural design of mankind.

Prior to this teaching, He had told the people not to let money be their master and they couldn't serve two masters. They would either hate the one and love the other. He knew the reason a lot of people let money be their master is because they were worried about tomorrow.

The average person thinks if they had a large income, it would solve their problem, not so. Here Jesus gives them a better way to handle the problem of worry. Here are some reasons why we shouldn’t worry.

VS 25 FINANCIAL FEAR - UNREASONABLE

Jesus said, "Therefore, I say unto you, take no thought" or ‘do not worry.”  The word “thought/worry” meaning, “having a distracting care; divided mind,” a distraction that pulls a person’s focus away from trusting God and toward self-reliance.

The same word, same meaning is used in Philippians 4:6 "Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”. He used the same word to describe Martha in Luke 10:41-42, when she was stressing over Mary spending time with Jesus rather than helping with household work.  He said, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful (anxious) and troubled about many things:  but one thing is needful:  and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her”.

In other words, Mary had chosen to spend time with Him, which was the most needful thing to do. Don’t worry about your finances or your job.  It’s unreasonable. Don’t let that become distracting care!  Don’t worry about your children or your relationship.   That’s my responsibility (God’s), not yours!  

VS 26 WORRY IS UNNATRUAL

Jesus said, “Look up at the birds”. There’s no worry in their life. They don’t pile up goods for an unseen future, nor do you see them sowing seeds or harvesting crops, yet their lives go on, and their needs are met. We are the only creation of God who worries. If God provides for the birds He created, and He does, then surely, He will take care of us, His children, who are created in His image and likeness.

VS 27: Which of you by worrying can add one cubit (18") to his statue. It’s unhelpful, because it can’t change a thing even by the equivalent of “eighteen inches.”

Job 14:5 says, "Before we were born God established length of our days.” Worrying divides attention from spiritual priorities.

So, what good would you do to worry about something anyway?

A cubit is measure of length (18 in), making it an absurd, small change to height, it can’t make you taller, highlighting that worry is both useless, and incapable of extending life.

VS 28 WORRY IS A LACK OF FAITH

Now, look down: “Why take you thought for raiment/clothing? It’s unnecessary.  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin”. Vs 30 God clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, Oh, you of little faith?

Jesus refers to worry as “little faith” meaning weak, fearful, doubting trust in God’s power. He said vs 31, “Take no thought (don’t worry) about what you should eat or drink”. Vs 32, “These things the gentiles (unbelievers) seek”: for your heavenly Father knows how much a gallon of gas costs today. He knows how much the cost of groceries will be next week.

David said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).  

He knows what our future is and He knows how much money you have in the bank. He knows if you have no money at all.

He knows just who to send your way with enough money to meet your very needs. Why? That's God’s responsibility, He is Jireh-our Provider and He care for you.

In Exodus 12, when Moses began leading God’s people out of Egyptian bondage, there were millions of them.  Can you imagine the amount of food and water it would take to feed a group that size?  But did not God provide for them?  Not only that, but He also provided a way through the Red Sea.

Mind you, they didn’t have to press their way through mud; they went over on “dry ground”!!!!  This provision for the Israelites was not just for a couple of days, or a week or two, but He took care of them for forty (40) years during their wilderness experience!!!

Deuteronomy 8:4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years!!!!

What does that mean for us?  SAME GOD THEN – SAME GOD NOW!!!!

If Jesus’s command is “do not worry”, what was His reason and what can result from worry.

Worry damages your health. It brings on diseases, stomach ulcers, coronary thrombosis, insomnia (awake when you should be asleep), disrupted productivity, clouds judgement and you can’t make rational decisions. It negatively affects the way you treat others.

Whenever “worry” enters the mind, another emotion tags along with it called impatience, and one becomes irritated, easily provoked, restless, eager, snappy, anger. It can push you into making hasty and unwise decisions. There’s a saying, “it’s not what you eat that causes ulcers, but it’s what’s eating you”. I’m talking to the worried Christian.

1^st Samuel 13:6-11, the Philistines had accumulated a large army to fight against Israel. Saul is waiting in the wings for the Prophet Samuel according to the set time of seven days when Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, the people began to “worry” and they scattered themselves from Saul because of fear.

So, Saul, impatient, said bring me a burnt offering and peace offering, and offered the burnt offering up to God as a sacrifice before going into battle with the LORD as his ally. But it was God’s command that the “priest” offer up burnt offering’s, not the king. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, here comes Samuel.

When he saw what Saul had done, he was not happy with him. He said you have done foolishly! You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God. Now your kingdom shall not continue. Saul lost his kingship! Why! Because of worry and being impatient it accomplished absolutely nothing on Saul’s behalf.

 If you profess to know Christ, you can live a different life free from worry and anxiety. One might ask? How can this be? Simply! “When your thoughts change, by adopting the same mindset as Jesus...2^nd Corinthians 2:5 “Let this mind, be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. When we have the mind of Christ, then, the same selfless, humble attitude and perspective Jesus displayed, prioritizing others, embracing humility, and submitting to God’s will above your own, will be displayed or exhibited in our lives.

 It’s uniting with Him, an internal transformation – 2^nd Corinthians 5:17 “If any man be in Christ” (placing your personal faith in Him, participating in His grace, the word says, “you are a new creature (creation)”. You are not just improved; you are completely regenerated.

The old is gone, the past sins, guilt, and the old way of living defined by the “flesh” had to loosen its condemning power. The original Greek suggests you are a brand-new species of existence created by God. The “New” has come. You have received a new identity, righteousness, and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus took time to preach and teach about worry, because it demonstrates a lack of trust in God’s character, and it accomplishes absolutely nothing and misplaces a believer’s priorities.

As believers and followers of Christ we need only concern ourselves with our Father's business and He'll concern Himself with ours. What is HIS business?  It’s KINGDOM. He personally delivered it to us. Luke 12:32, Fear not little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Jesus said, John 6:38 “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me”. His coming down from heaven was not from beyond the blue sky, but “heaven” is from the Greek word “oupavos” (oo-ran-os’) translated as elevation, “lofty” or high place, happiness, power, eternity, the Gospel. He came down to perfectly obey the Father’s will and Jesus’s entire mission on earth was dedicated to fulfilling this divine purpose rather than His own.

Jesus is not just the herald of the Kingdom of God, but the actual embodiment (physical form) of the Kingdom. In theology, this is often called “Autobasileiam”, a Greek term meaning “the kingdom in person”. I’m telling you, Jesus was the “kingdom”, walking around on two feet.

Mark 11:1-11 (The triumphal entry): vs 7: And they brought the colt to Jesus and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. Vs 8: And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. Now watch and listen to what these people did and said: vs 9: And they that went before and they that followed, cried, saying, “Hosanna” (oh save; saviour; rescue; avenge; defend); blessed is he that come in the name of the Lord”: vs 10: “Blessed be THE KINGDOM of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest” (hup’sistos) [the Supreme (God); the heavens; Most High].

You can see here in these verses, that THE KINGDOM of God entered Jerusalem in the PERSON of JESUS CHRIST, riding on a colt!! That’s why Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek ye first THE KINGDOM of God and HIS righteousness, and these things shall be added unto you”.

The KINGDOM cannot exist without its KING. When Jesus arrived, the KINGDOM arrived because He is the ruler. This is why He announced in Luke 17:21 that “the kingdom of God is in the midst/among you.” The KINGDOM was in their midst because HE was standing right in front of them talking to them, but they could not comprehend Him.

Therefore, your business and my business, is to seek the kingdom, identify it, believe it, and live in it. Again, Matthew 6:33 states, “SEEK FIRST” the “KINGDOM”! Therefore, our first priority (most important, urgent,) instead of focusing our energy on worry, Jesus provides a direct alternative, a solution.

His direction to us is, but seek, ‘GOD FIRST”- when you shift your primary focus to loving God and serving others, you can trust Him to handle your physical needs. He personally delivered the KINGDOM to us Himself.

My friends, you cannot separate the kingdom from the person of Jesus; to have Him is to have the kingdom.

What is it? It is not a physical kingdom and can’t be physically mapped or observed (Luke 17:21) “The kingdom is within you”. “God’s kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), but a present reality.  “The kingdom’s dominion is the rule of God, and it’s not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17). It’s the government of God.

His government is designed to produce for you everything you have need of – health, wealth, houses, jobs, cars, love, joy and peace, independent of what anybody think about it. It’s under the rule of God, our King who makes it happen for us. So, if you are a believer in Christ, then your citizenship is no longer “of this world”, you are a citizen of heaven.

Ephesians 2:18: For through him we both (Jew/Gentile) have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Vs 19: Now, therefore, you are no more strangers (xen’os) [guests] and foreigners (par’oikos) [aliens; strangers; sojourners], but fellow citizens (sumpoli’tes) [natives of the same town; united] with the saints, and of the household of God: vs 20: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone: vs 21: In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord: vs 22: In whom you also are built together for an habitation (dwelling place) of God through the Spirit.

In closing, if you are a worried Christian plagued by a world of “what if’s,” if you are choked by your own thoughts, worries about what people think of you, or problems with time management, the antidote for worry is “GOD FIRST”!

Steven Cole gives this illustration – a story of the time management expert who was speaking to a group of business students.

He pulled out a large, wide-mouth jar and filled it with a fist-sized rocks. When he couldn’t put any more in, he asked, “Is this jar full?” The class responded, “yes.” He said, “really?”

Then, he pulled out a bucket of gravel and poured it in, shaking it down through the cracks. Then, he asked, “Is the jar full?” The students were on to him, so they said, “no.” “Good” he replied.

Then, he dumped in a bucket of sand. Once more he asked, “Is the jar full?” “No,” they shouted, Again, he said, “Good.” He poured in a pitcher of water until the jar was full to the brim. Then, he asked, “What is the point of this illustration?”

One student ventured, “No matter how full your schedule, if you try hard, you can always fit more in.” “No,” the speaker replied, “That is not the point”. The point is, “If you don’t put the big rocks in first, you’ll never get them in at all.”

“First Things First,” by Stephen Covey, Roger & amp; Rebecca Merrill (Simon & amp; Schuster), pp. 88-89).

What should our “big rocks” be?

Jesus and His Word! Put them first in your life! If we put the pebbles, or sand, etc, in first, we won’t find time (room) for Jesus, the King of Kings, and His living Word, which endures forever!

To the worried Christian, do you want a life free of worry and anxiety? Then, the antidote is GOD FIRST!

AMEN!

Evangelist Brenda Hansley

 

Evangelist Brenda Hansley 

EFFECTIVE PRAYER

Hebrews 4:16: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

When something is effective, it is successful in producing a desired or intended result.

Prayer is a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God on an object of worship. It refers to the multifaceted communication of believers with the Lord in addition to the words of prayer and praying.

This activity is described as:

·       CALLING ON THE LORD: Psalm 17:6: I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

·       LIFTING ONE’S SOUL TO THE LORD: Psalm 25:1: Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.

·       SEEKING THE LORD: Isaiah 55:6: Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.

REASONS FOR PRAYER:

Believers are commanded by God to pray. The command comes from the lips of:

·       PSALMISTS: 1^st Chronicles 16:11: Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

·       PROPHETS: Amos 5:4: Thus, saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, seek ye me, and ye shall live: vs 5: But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought. Vs 6: Seek the LORD, and you shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.

·       APOSTLES: Ephesians 1: 16: Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: vs 17: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: vs 18: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.

·       THE LORD JESUS HIMSELF: Matthew 26:41: Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Brothers and sisters, our Heavenly Father desires our fellowship with Him. But many times, we allow things to get in the way of giving Him quality time in prayer.

Prayer is the necessary link to receiving God’s blessings and power to receive the fulfillment of His promises. What promises?

Perfect PEACE – Isaiah 26:3: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

His sustaining PRESENCE – Isaiah 41:10: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Guidance and Counsel – Psalm 32:8: I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Strength in Weakness – 2^nd Corinthians 12:9: And he said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness”. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Vs 10: Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Amongst so many others, this is just to name a few of the promises.

I believe many things will be accomplished in the Kingdom of God through intercessory prayer.

Intercessory or intercession can be defined as holy, believing persevering prayer whereby someone pleads with God on behalf of another or others who desperately needs God’s intervention. Jesus, who is our example, prayed for the lost He came to seek and save through intercession. He prayed for His disciples, both individually (Luke 22:32) and as a group (St. John 17:6-26). He even prayed for His enemies while hanging on the Cross (Luke 23:34). His intercession is essential to our salvation. What about our intercession for others.

Talking about “effective prayer”, when praying, we need the Holy Ghost’s assistance because as we’re praying with our natural words we may give out of words to say. Without repeating the very thing you’ve prayed for concerning a person, a circumstance or situation, we need the Holy Ghost! But when we pray in the Holy Ghost, He makes intercessions for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (sounds made with one’s voice) (Romans 8:26-27). The Holy Spirit intercedes according to the will of God.

Romans 8:26: Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:

Likewise, meaning, in the same way also; in a similar manner. Helpeth is from the Greek root word which means joint help. It is the assistance afforded by any two people to each other, who mutually bear the same load or carry it between them.

Infirmities are physical, mental, or moral weaknesses or flaws. But Jesus took and bore all those things for us!

·       Matthew 8:16: When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: vs 17: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

Vs 26: For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:

For: we would make many mistakes in prayer if the Spirit did not inspire us with proper desires and help us fulfill those desires in the will of God.

But the Spirit itself (Himself, for He is a Person) maketh intercession (applies oneself to intercede for another) for us with groaning (stenagmos’) [an unutterable gushing of the heart] which cannot be uttered. To “utter” is to make a sound with one’s voice. This “groaning” denotes a deep inarticulate sound conveying pain or pleasure.

Vs 27: And he (Christ) that searcheth the hearts (kardi’a) [thoughts; feelings (mind)] knoweth what is the mind (phron’ema) [(mental) inclination or purpose); exercise; disposition] of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Intercession is to intercede; to act as an agent or manager in all phases of salvation and dealings with God.  Intercession in Matthew 8:26 is to apply oneself to intercede for another.

There are requirements of “effective prayer”. When we pray, we must:

BE Sincere (eilikrines’) [tested as genuine and pure]: and Believe (pisteu’o) [have faith in; committed to; trust].

·       St. Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I say unto you, what things whatsoever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall have them”.

·       St. Mark 9:23, Jesus said unto him (the father of a demon possessed boy), “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”.

Even James encourages us when asking to ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed (James 1:6). Vs 7: For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.

HAVE AUTHORITY (the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience).

Remember, the “authority” is in Jesus’ name, the name above every name. Jesus Himself expressed this principle when He said in St. John 14:13, “And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son”: vs 14: “If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it”.

Our prayers should align with the person, character and will of our Father!

MUST BE IN HARMONY (agreement) WITH GOD’S WILL AND WORD:

·       1^st John 5:14: And this is the confidence (trust; belief; faith) that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.

When Jesus prayed in Matthew 6:10, He said “Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven”. He said the same thing in Luke 11:2, when the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. We can be sure that any prayer based on the Word of God and His promises, can know for certain, your prayers are “effective”!

Elijah was certain, he knew beyond a shadow of doubt that God would answer him by fire (1^st kings 18:21-24) and later with rain (vs 31-46). He was fully confident that God was greater than any of their pagan gods.

WE MUST BE LIVING IN HARMONY WITH HIS WILL:

·       Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you.

What things? What you shall eat, what you shall drink, and wherewithal you shall be clothed. Matthew 6:32b: For your (our) heavenly Father knows that you (we) have need of all these things.

2^nd Chronicles 7:14, If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways: then, will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

WE MUST PRAY AND FAST:

·       Matthew 17:14: And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying: vs 15: Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falls into the fire, and oft into the water. Vs 16: And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Vs 17: Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you”? “How long shall I suffer you”? Bring him to me. Vs 18: And Jesus rebuked the devil, and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Vs 19: Then came the disciples to Jesus apart and said, “Why could not we cast him out”? vs 20: And Jesus said unto them, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Vs 21: Howbeit this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting.

WE MUST BE PERSISTENT IN PRAYER AND FAITH:

·       Luke 18:1-8 (The widow was persistent with the Judge): vs 2: There was in a city a judge which feared not God, neither regarded man: vs 3: And there was a widow in that city, and she came unto him saying, “Avenge me of mine adversary”. Vs 4: And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, though I fear not God, nor regard man: vs 5: Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

This sounds like perseverance to me!

Jesus Himself said, Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you”. Vs 8: For everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.

Elijah, even after getting a prophetic word that rain was coming, he yet persisted in prayer until the rain came (1^st Kings 18:41-51).

LASTLY, METHODS OF EFFECTIVE PRAYER:

Methods are forms of procedures for accomplishing or approaching something, especially systematic or established ones. Therefore, to pray effectively, we must:

adore and praise our Father:

·       Psalm 150: Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

·       Romans 15:11: And again, praise the Lord all you Gentiles: and laud (epaine’o) [applaud; commend; praise] him all you people.

WE MUST GIVE THANKS:

·       Philippians 4:6: Be careful of nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Supplication is the action of asking begging for something earnestly or humbly.

WE MUST PRAY FERVENTLY (enthusiastically; passionately) FOR OTHERS:

·       Luke 22:31: And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you like wheat: vs 32: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

How are we to pray?

What is the condition of your heart? Are you praying out of duty or sincerity? Empty words will not be heard. We found that out at Mt. Carmel when Elijah challenged the false prophets in 1^st Kings 18.

Prayer should never be boring because there are so many ways to pray. I used to believe I had to be on my knees every time I prayed. Believe me, there is nothing wrong at all with being on your knees, but I realize through the Word of God, there are more ways to pray, and our Father still hears us.

·       We can pray silently: 1^st Samuel 1:13: Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart: only her lips moved but her voice was not heard therefore, Eli thought she had been drunken.

·       WE CAN PRAY ALOUD: Nehemiah 9:4: Then stood up upon the stairs of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebniah, Bunni, Sherebaiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

Ezekiel 11:13: And it came to pass when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face and cried with a loud voice and said, “Ah Lord GOD! Wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?

We can pray in our own words or use the words of Scripture. We can pray with the mind or we can pray with the Spirit or tongues.

·       1^st Corinthians 14:14: For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. Vs 15: What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Vs 16: Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understands not what thou sayest? Vs 17: For thou verily give thanks well, but the other is not edified. Vs 18: I thank my God; I speak with tongues more than you all.

We can even pray by groaning, not using any human words at all, knowing the Spirit will surpass our human words.

·       Romans 8:26: Likewise, the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.

SINGING is another method of praying to the Lord:

·       Psalm 92:1: It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: vs 2: To show forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.

·       Colossians 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Earnest (sincere; intense conviction) prayer to the Lord will at times be accompanied by fasting:

·       Ezra 8:21: Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

·       Daniel 9:3: And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: vs 4: And I prayed unto the LORD my God and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments.

·       Matthew 6:16: Moreover, when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. Vs 17: But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face. Vs 18: That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father which see in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Besides the many ways to pray, there are no limits on posture. The bible records:

·       praying while standing: 1^st kings 8:22: And Solomon STOOD before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel and spread forth his hands toward heaven.

Nehemiah 9:4: Then STOOD up upon the stairs of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebniah, Bunni, Sherebaiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God. Vs 5: Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashbaniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Sheaniah, and Pethahiah, said, “STAND UP and bless the LORD your God forever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise”.

·       PRAYING WHILE SITTING: And David the king came and SAT before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto”?

Luke 10:13: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, SITTING in sackcloth and ashes.

·       PRAYING WHILE KNEELING: Daniel 6:10: Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he KNEELED upon his knees three times a day and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Acts 20:36: (speaking of Apostle Paul) And when he had thus spoken, he KNEELED and prayed with them all.

·       PRAYING LYING ON A BED: Psalm 63:5: My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness: and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: vs 6: When I remember thee upon my BED and meditate on thee in the night watches.

·       PRAYING WITH UPLIFTED HANDS: Isaiah 1:15: And when you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you: yea, when you make many prayers, I will not hear: your HANDS are full of blood.

1^st Timothy 2:8: I will therefore that men pray everywhere, LIFTING UP HOLY HANDS, without wrath and doubting.

Brothers and sisters, there are all ways of communication with our Father – in tongues with our own words, with groaning, praying in tongues, singing to our Father, and all can be done while STANDING, SITTING, KNEELING, LYING IN A BED, and with UPLIFTED HANDS.

But just know, it’s not the posture of the body, but the condition of the heart that matters!!!

·       1^st Corinthians 13:1: Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (love), I am become as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.

Evangelist Mary Woodard