06/05/05
– “THE CONTENT OF DAVID’S PRAYER”
When we work, we work. When we pray, God works!
- Our attitude of prayer is to be humble, sincere, loving, persistent, fervent
and honest
The early church was a praying church…prayer
preceded Pentecost - Prayer moves us from the natural realm
to the spiritual realm
If we don’t deal with hindrances, then hindrances
will deal with us…God is faithful to meet us “where we’re at”
David
– A Man of Prayer – 1 Chronicles 13:6-14
David decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant back
to Jerusalem to both honor God and rejoice in the goodness of the Lord
David danced before God with all his might,
praising God and celebrating the lovingkindness of the Lord…the
God of Israel
The Ark was brought towards Jerusalem on a cart made
by the Philistines; it tilted and Uzza touched it and God struck him dead
The Israelites knew that only the Levites were to
carry the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders and ignored God’s holiness
When Uzza was killed, David became angry…God is
holy – Our good intentions are not a righteous substitute for obedience
to God
Have we ever been angry with God?
God’s displeasure with us should not turn to our displeasure with God
David soon realized his misplaced and unjustified
anger - He repents and instructs that only the Levites are to
carry the Ark
David confessed, returns to God’s standard and then
leads Israel to prayer…A prayer of breadth and depth
1
Chronicles 16:8-29
(12
Aspects of David’s Prayer & Corresponding New Testament Examples)
1. Give thanks to the Lord…vs.
8 - Giving thanks is the essence of all prayer…thanksgiving…overflowing
with gratitude – “And whatever you do in deed, do all things in
the name of our Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the
Father.” – Colossians 3:17
2. Call upon His name…vs.
8 - Invite – Bid - “For whoever will call upon the
name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 12:13
3. Make known His deeds among the people-vs.
8 – Speak of – Declare – “for we cannot
stop speaking what we have seen and heard.” – Acts 4:20
4. Sing to Him…vs.
9 – David knew the joy of singing to God – “But about
midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God,
and the prisoners were listening to them…” – Acts 16:25 –
Singing liberates our emotions to God
5. Sing praises to Him…vs.
9 – Bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the
Lord – “…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord…”
– Ephesians 5:19
6. Speak of His Wonders…vs.
9 – His creation, His sovereignty, His faithfulness, His salvation – “To
me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the
Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ.” – Ephesians
3:8
7. Seek the Lord and His strength…vs.11
– Beseech, desire, inquire, request – “But seek
first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall
be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 – To seek and keep on
seeking - If we seek we shall find!
8. Remember His wonderful deeds…vs.
12 – Enumerate – Be mindful – Bring to remembrance
- Our testimony is the proven power of God in our lives – “And
they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of
their testimony…” – Revelation 12:11
9. Proclaim good tidings…vs.
23 – The angels proclaimed to the shepherds, “…I bring you
good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people;” Luke
2:40 – God is good in every season of life – “And
we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom,
that we may present every man complete in Christ.” Colossians 1:28
– We have good news not just good views…
10. Ascribe to the Lord Glory due His name…vs.
29 – His wonderful attributes and graces – “Now unto
the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever
and ever. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 1:17
11. Bring an Offering…vs.
29 – A tribute – A donation – Time, money, energy - Offerings
are sacrificial in nature - “…present
your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is
your spiritual service of worship…” Romans 12:1-2
12. Worship the Lord…vs.
29 – Prayerful hearts become worshipful hearts – “God
is spirit; and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
– John 4:24 - Such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers
– In Spirit and truth!
David’s prayer life was a reflection of an
imperfect man with a heart after God!…Prayer…a conversation with God!