The Necessity of

PrayerPsalm 61

The Necessity of PrayerO “We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer,

has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world,

and can bring its power down to earth.” – Andrew Murray

O “God shapes the world by prayer. The more prayer there is in

the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces of

God against evil” – E. M. Bounds

O “The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If

we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace

wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment,

let us answer God's standing challenge, "Call unto me, and I

will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which

thou knowest not!’” – J. Hudson Taylor

David’s Heart CryPsalms 61:1 – 2

“Hear my cry, O God, attend to my prayer. From the end

of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is

overwhelmed.”

1. In his desperation, David cries out for God to hear his

prayers

2. David feels as if he has been pushed to the end of

earth – isolated and alone

3. David feels as if he has been overwhelmed by the

weight of his struggle

We Pray for God’s ProtectionPsalms 61:2 – 3

“Lead me1 to the rock that is higher than I 2 For You have

been a shelter for me,3 a strong tower4 from the enemy”

1. In prayer we seek God’s guidance

2. In prayer we recognize God’s greatness

3. In prayer we are reminded of God’s previous

blessings – our history with God

4. In prayer we find God’s strength

We Pray for God’s PresencePsalms 61:4

“I will abide1 in Your tabernacle2 forever;

I will trust3 in the shelter of Your wings4. Selah ”

1. Prayer is the entrance into the presence of God

2. Prayer is the place where God meets man

3. In God’s presence faith is established

4. In God’s presence there is rest

We Pray for God’s ProvisionPsalms 61:5

“For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given

me the heritage of those who fear Your name.”

1. God hears and gives …

2. When we … Obey (make vows) and Reverence (fear)

God …

3. We become … heirs of salvation.

We Pray for God to Preserve UsPsalms 61:6 – 7

“You will prolong the king’s life, His years as many

generations. He shall abide1 before God forever. Oh,

prepare mercy2 and truth3, which may preserve him.”

1. We are preserved in God’s abiding presence

2. We are preserved in God’s mercy

3. We are preserved in God’s truth

The Result of PrayerPsalms 61:8

“So I will sing praise1 to Your name forever, that I may

daily perform my vows2.”

1. Praise – Prayer causes us to recognize the

blessings and goodness of God

2. Performance – Prayer allows us to ‘live out’ the

will of God

The Necessity of

PrayerPsalm 61