PRAYING FOR GOOD

Penge Baptist Church

27th February 2011

Why pray for good? Good is God’s will….

– “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36)

….he is able….– His power over nature, circumstance, lives

….and our prayers make a difference– “For we are God’s fellow workers.” (1 Cor 3:9)– “But Moses sought the favour of the Lord his

God…..then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.” (Exodus 32:11, 14)

What can we pray for? The Lord’s prayer

– “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11) Pray for anything and he will answer!….

– “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14)

…even though he’s already aware, he wants to hear….– “your Father knows what you need before you ask him”

(Matthew 6:8) …and will act so long as it is in his will

– “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

And in particular? Bring anything troubling our lives to our Father

– “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Pray for other people. Consider what brings fallen earth closer to heaven…and where God has given us his heart of compassion. Such as:

Freedom from oppression– “He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Comfort amid grief– “to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve

in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,the oil of gladness instead of mourning,and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3-4)

Healing– “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no

more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

For those who hurt us– “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who

persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:45)

And encouraging fellow Christians!– “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of

the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work” (Colossians 1:10)

How should we pray for good? With praise, confession and thanksgiving first Persistently

– “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’ ” (Luke 18:1-6)

Sincerely– “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your

hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8)

Confidently– “In him and through faith in him we may approach God

with freedom and confidence.” (Ephesians 3:12)

In faith– “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a

mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” (Matthew 17:20)

In Jesus’ name

And if nothing happens? Was it a selfish request?

– “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3)

Is there sin in our lives?– “your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins

have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2)

– “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.” (1 John 2:9)

Did we pray at all? We cannot know all God’s purposes

– “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Timeless power of prayer! British Medical Journal 2001 “Effects of remote,

retroactive intercessory prayer on outcomes in patients with bloodstream infection: randomised controlled trial” Leonard Leibovici Professor, Rabin Medical Center, Israel

Study tested all 3393 adult patients whose bloodstream infection was detected at Liebovici’s hospital in 1990-6.

In July 2000 patients were divided into two groups. A remote, retroactive intercessory prayer was said for the well being and full recovery of the “intervention group”.

Mortality was 28.1% (475/1691) in the intervention group and 30.2% (514/1702) in the control group. Length of stay in hospital and duration of fever were significantly shorter in the intervention group than in the control group.

Remote, retroactive intercessory prayer said for a group is associated with a shorter stay in hospital and shorter duration of fever in patients with a bloodstream infection and should be considered for use in clinical practice.

Implies that God hears our prayers “outside time” and they can even affect outcomes in the past

Our Father is loving and powerful!

““How great is the love the Father has How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1)children of God! (1 John 3:1)

““He also made the stars.” (Genesis 1:16)He also made the stars.” (Genesis 1:16) ““When you pray coincidences happen, When you pray coincidences happen,

when you don’t they don’t” (Archsbishop when you don’t they don’t” (Archsbishop William Temple)William Temple)

The universe tells us so….

Image of M-51 Whirlpool Galaxy from Hubble Space Telescope