[ ] 9/3/2016 #1165
PRAYER: THE WAY TO PEACE
Philippians 4:6-7
INTRODUCTION: These verses in our text give us comfort and encouragement. As Christians, the Lord is present with us always. He knows what we are going through every day. Prayer is our avenue into His presence to find grace, comfort and strength. We can pray rather than worry and trust rather than whine.
I. LIFE UNDER PRESSURE
A. REALITY OF PRESSURE.
You can ask anyone today, and they will tell you that their life is stressful. The Bible makes no bones about it when it tells us our lives will be plagued with problems. Job said that "man born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble."(Job 14:1) Jesus said "In the world ye shall have tribulation." (John 16:33) Paul wrote of the pressure and stress he had to endure in his ministry. (2 Corinthians 4:8-11, 11:21-28)
“Stress” has been dubbed the “Health Epidemic of the 21stCentury” by the World Health Organization and is estimated to cost American businesses up to $300 billion a year.The pressure of job, family, health, and living in a crazy world has caused many people to break under the demands.
B. REASON FOR PRESSURE.
We are not living in paradise. When Adam sinned against God,paradise was lost. There are many reasons for pressure and stress in our life. The main reason is that we are living in a world cursed with sin. Death, pain and suffering are some of the consequences of sin in the world.
Another reason for pressure is caused by Satan's attacks against God's children. God allows the devil and his demons to be in control of this world system. Satan causes confusion and pain in the lives of people. As Christians, we war against the attacks from evil in this world. (Ephesians 6:11-17)
A third reason is the problem we have with our old sinful nature. We create many of our own problems by the choices we make. The battle within us between the Spirit and the flesh causes much anxiety in our lives. (Galatians 5:17-21)
A fourth reason is the pressure we live under in this materialistic world. We worry about getting things this world offers,and then we worry about losing them. Jesus said: "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." (Matthew 6:31-34) If we seek the kingdom of God more than the material things of this world, we would live with less anxiety.
II. LIFE OF PRAYER
A. PRACTICE OF PRAYER.
Paul exhorts us to be men and women of prayer. Instead of worrying, we are to pray. According to Paul, we are to pray about everything. There is nothing too small or too big for us to take to God in prayer.Our Heavenly Father cares about every need, desire, and problem we have in our life. When we practice a life of prayer, we experience the abiding closeness of God's presence.
B. PARTICULARS OF PRAYER.
In the simplest of terms, prayer is a conversation with God. Prayer may be silently spoken from the heart to Godas in the case of Hannah. (1 Samuel 1:10, 13) Prayer may be spoken out loud to God in private or public.Regardless, our prayers are to be directed to God.
Jesus spoke of secret prayers that are offered in one's prayer closet. (Matthew 6:6) The Bible records prayers offered in public such as in worship. There are prayers offered in cooperate settings like prayer meetings (Acts 1:14, 12:5-17). We are commanded to offer intercessory prayers on the behalf of others either in private or public.(1 Tim. 2:1; James 5:14).
Paul uses four different words in our text to describe prayer.
1. Prayer: This word is used for making requests known to the Lord. Warren Wiersbe wrote that "It carries the idea of adoration, devotion, and worship." In prayer, we can express our love and adoration to God. We acknowledge His power and His grace. We draw near to Him and enjoy His presence.
2. Supplication: The prayer of supplication is a heart cry to God as we share our needs, our burdens and our problems. Supplication is an earnest prayer offered fervently, passionately and humbly. An example of a prayer of supplication is like the desperate father whose son was demon possessed. The man turned to Jesus and asked "if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:22-2) A prayer of supplication is a prayer for help.
Jesus is our mediator, our High Priest. We can come directly in prayer before His throne of grace where we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)
3. Request: The word "request" refers to prayer that is offered specifically. So often our prayers are quite vague and so general that we never know if God has answered our prayers. The request is given in detail not to give God information. God knows our request before we ask. This is what Jesus meant when He said: “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
Our request may be asking specifically for the salvation of a loved one. It may be a prayer for the healing of a family member or a friend. It could be a prayer about work or financial problems.
4. Thanksgiving: Every prayer is to be offered with thanksgiving. This reflects the humble and grateful attitude we should have in seeking God's favor. Paul told the church in Ephesus that they were to give"thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:20)
Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18: "Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
As we consider Paul's words of encouragement, we need to remember the following:
1. We are to make our requests known to God.
2. We are to pray about everything.
3. We are to worry about nothing.
4. We are to give thanks for everything.
5. We are to trust God completely.
III. LIFE OF PEACE
A. PROMISE OF PEACE.
We can have peace in our life. It is the promise of God. It is not a promise that we will be free from problems and trials, but a promise of God's peace during those trying times.
Paul said the peace of God "shall keep your hearts and minds." Notice that this keeping is through Christ Jesus. The "peace of God" comes from and through the person of Christ. He is the source of our peace. Jesus said to His disciples: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
The peace of God "passeth all understanding." This is a peace that gives calmness of heart and mind during times of storms and trials of life. This kind of peace cannot be explained, but it can be experienced.
B. POSSESSING OF PEACE.
Paul possessed such peace in his life. Paul was a prisoner in Rome when he wrote the letter to the believers in Philippi. In his prison cell, Paul wrote of joy, peace and prayer. A life of peace is a life centered on the Lord. Prayer keeps us focused on the Lord and builds our trust in Him. The prophet Isaiah said: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)
Prayer connects us to the Lord who is our joy and our peace. Paul had discovered the secret of prayer. It is not always getting what you ask for but finding that Jesus is the true treasure and need of your life.
Paul had prayed three times for his thorn in the flesh to be removed. The Lord answered Paul by saying: "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." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Notice verse 11 in this chapter. Paul had learned to be content even if it meant being locked up in a Roman prison cell. Paul could be abased or abound and still be worry free and content. How could Paul have such an attitude? "I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13) Jesus gave Paul the strength. "The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace." (Psalm 29:11)
CONCLUSION:
Worry has never solved a problem and has never provided for a need. God can do both. His word is clear. God wants us to pray about everything and trust Him with the results. Peace is the fruit for the one who is contented with what he has and who has confidence in the God whomhe trusts. He has committed everything to God in prayer.