Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Feb. 24, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

LET US PRAY

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 64:1-12

Text: Isaiah 64:7

Isaiah 64:7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

Introduction: God’s people should be a praying people, but we are NOT! Let us pray!
The largest-attended church service should be Prayer Meeting, but it is NOT! Let us pray!
A great characteristic of our church should be that it is a house of prayer, but it is NOT! Let us pray!

Tonight I want to try to stir you up to pray. This is not so much a message of how to pray or for what to pray, but just to motivate us to pray and to give us some reasons to pray.

There are MANY reasons for praying. I’m just going to list several of them tonight. I won’t have time to major on any of them, but we’ll try to be faithful to God as He allows and assists us tonight.

I. LET US PRAY BECAUSE OF THE PERSON WHO SAVED US

Exodus 3:7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

God called Israel “MY people.” We are even MORE His people today, as we have been BORN into His family by the Spirit of God!

A. We are in His family!

B. We are in His flock!

II. LET US PRAY BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITIES MISSED BY US

James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

A. We should be aware of this great truth

B. We should be ashamed of this great tragedy!

III. LET US PRAY BECAUSE OF THE PERILS THAT SURROUND US

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

A. There are perils of destroyers

1. Terrorist attacks

B. There are perils of disease

Anthrax, AIDS, etc.
Your health can be gone in a day’s time – Mary Dickman

C. There are perils of decay in our society

D. There are perils of divorce, discord, and disobedience in the homes

E There are perils of defiance in local churches

People are power-hungry
Almost all church squabbles are over the question of who has the final “say” on a subject

IV. LET US PRAY BECAUSE OF THE PATTERN SET BEFORE US

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

A. The Lord prayed at his baptism

Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

B. The Lord prayed with His brethren

Luke 9:18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?
Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

C. The Lord prayed when breaking bread

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

… and in many other cases

V. LET US PRAY BECAUSE OF THE PROMISES MADE TO US

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Psalms 116:2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

A. He promises to hear

B. He promises to help!

VI. LET US PRAY BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT FACE US

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

A. God can give wisdom to know how to handle the problems

B. God can give a way out of your problems

C. God can work them out for us

VII. LET US PRAY BECAUSE OF THE POWER THAT AWAITS US

Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Let Us Pray