Developing An Effective Prayer Life

FIRST EVANGELICAL CHURCH WINNING ALL (ECWA)
5007 SOUTHSIDE DRIVE
LOUISVILLE, KY 4021
(502) 375-1904
http://www.ecwa.wordpress.com, http://www.ecwausa.org
ecwaky@gmail.com

by Rev. (Dr.) Stephen K. Awoniyi

TOPIC:  DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE
TEXT: PSALMS 12: 1 – 8 (NKJV)

INTRODUCTION

In reference to the Lady Catherine Walker, in her Book titled “The Doctrine of Prayer,” the word “Regular or Regulation” could be viewed thus;

“The importance of the Bible is a way of exposing our mind to God’s thought.  The more exposure we give our minds to the Bible, the more likely we are to be conformed to the pattern of Jesus Christ’s character” (Page 122).

In today’s sermon we will focus on the following topics:

A. Prayer, A Companion Discipline to Bible Study
1. Luke 24: 27 – 32 (NKJV).
2. John 5: 39 — 47 (NKJV).

27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

The Disciples’ Eyes Opened

28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther.  29 But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. 30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.  31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:27-32 (NKJV).

The Scripture again continues by saying,

39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.  40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.  41 “I do not receive honor from men.  42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.  43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.  44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?  45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust.  46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.  47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:39-47 (NKJV).

Dearly beloved, the above narrated stories are the statements that you and I need to view adequately.  The main reason for that is because the scripture says;

39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.  40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.  41 “I do not receive honor from men.  42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.  43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.  44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

Brethren, how are you going to trust in the Almighty God if you refuse to believe in Him?  The scripture again says; “42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you”? Brothers and Sisters, do you really have the love of God in you?  If yes, to God be the glory.  But if not, how are you going to trust and depend on your Almighty Lord?  Be assured that the ancient practice of meditating in the scripture must form an important part of your devotional life.  This is the only way you can obtain victory in the Lord Jesus Christ.  But if you refuse to work in a great relationship with your God it means you are not in obedient to Him.  Beloved, how do you really work faithfully and obediently with your God?  Give this a second thought please.

B. A Time and a Place
1. Ephesians 5: 22 – 33 (NKJV).
2. 2 Timothy 4: 1—9 (NKJV).
3. Ecclesiastes 5:1– 8 (NKJV).

Marriage, Christ and the Church

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.  24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.  28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.  29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.  30 For we are members of His body, [a] of His flesh and of His bones.  31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[b] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.  33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband (Ephesians 5:22-33 (NKJV).

Brothers & Sisters, how do you really love your wife or your husband?  Do you really work in a better relationship with him or her?  If you didn’t, kindly give it a second thought and change your mind today. Then, be in obedient with your wife or your husband.  The Scripture again says, “Preach the Word.”  What does that really mean in the Book of Second Timothy?   It could be emphasized or narrated in this way;

Preach the Word

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at[a] His appearing and His kingdom:  2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.  5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Paul’s Valedictory

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.  7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; (2 Timothy 4:1-9 (NKJV).

Dearly Beloved, I wish each one of us should understand that the whole concept of the tabernacle, futures the year and supports the idea of establishing a regular time and the place for our devotion and worship.  The Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 5 views it and explains it in this way;

Fear God, Keep Your Vows

1 Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.  2 Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.  For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.  3 For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.  4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools.  Pay what you have vowed.  5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

6 Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse[a] and destroy the work of your hands?  7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.

The Vanity of Gain and Honor

8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.

CONCLUSION

Brethren, be assured that our prayers must really march our lives, and our lives must match our prayers.  Repeatedly, the apostle Paul poured out his heart in his prayers for the churches, and his travels and work with them matches his prayers. The Epistle of 1 Corinthians also says,

A Pattern of Self-Denial

1 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?  2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 My defense to those who examine me is this:  4 Do we have no right to eat and drink?  5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?  6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?  (1 Corinthians 9:1-6 (NKJV).
The Epistle of 2 Corinthians also narrated it thus;

7 Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?  8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you.  9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied.  And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself (2 Corinthians 11:7-9 (NKJV).

Be assured that the Apostle Paul taught them, preached to them, and prayed for them.  He then said,

33 Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved (1 Corinthians 10:33 (NKJV).

Brethren, how do you treat yourself today?  When do you seek for the people in your community and what is your advice with them?  Give this a second thought and our Almighty God will keep and bless you if you do it honestly, faithfully, and obediently.  But if you fail to do it you may not win the battle and victory may not be yours.  May the grace of our Almighty God bless you in Jesus’ name.  Amen!