My notes for THIS WEEK have been modified from what was sent out prior to last week. It goes that way. Some points I had written to discuss LATER actually were covered last week. It just happens. And we made time for prayer last week. That was great. I want to continue doing that during these sessions.
\nAGAIN: These are my notes for a teaching. There’s some lengthy portions of scripture NOT broken down or explained in this written text. THE PLAN is to address them during the session. <\/p>\n
We left off last week looking at the critical nature of the establishment of the new-born church, w all its bonafide needs, and meanwhile we see the leadership making this decision: <\/p>\n
ACTS 6:<\/strong> One of the TRAPS OF URGENCY is distraction from prayer. The past few weeks I\u2019ve become aware of several tough situations that saints find themselves in, and in several of the cases \u2013 granted from the outside looking in \u2013 but still looking in \u2013 it appears that there may have been \u201cSPIRITUALLY MORE EFFECTIVE\u201d decisions made and priorities established, and biblical method complied with, that likely might have resulted in better outcome. I am just saying\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n PAUL said it this way: Paul\u2019s admonishment to \u201cIMITATE\u201d comes w the understanding that the \u201cimitate\u201d was not a matter of doing the same DEEDS as Jesus, but instead emulating the same lifestyle of 100% desperately chasing God \u2013 in as best alignment w the word of God as possible. That will be our success.<\/p>\n PAUL SAYS AGAIN: I am of the mind that as the days get darker, the weight of this next scripture will impact us more and more: <\/p>\n Eph 6:11-12<\/strong><\/em> 17-19 Part of us having CHRIST in us is coming into agreement w biblical truth \u2013 living out the scriptures in obedience and faith. A GLORIOUS TRUTH: IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO COUNTERFEIT having spent time w God FIRST \u2013 AN EXAMPLE OF THE \u201cWORSE\u201d \u2013 getting into the deep issues of the Kingdom, without being in the deep place of relationship w God: KEY REVELATION RE PRAYER \u2013 BY OUR LORD \u2013 HOW to pray and WHAT to say (NOT as ROTE [not as stiff formula] \u2013 but as REPRESENTATIONAL EXAMPLE<\/p>\n Matt 6:5-13<\/strong> (Parallel to Luke 6)\u2013 after telling us how eternally worthless all our good acts are, if they are being done so other people can know about them \u2013 Jesus tells us: Matt 6 is amazing in that we\u2019re told be our Lord that the religious hypocrites like prayer because, when they\u2019re seen praying, it makes them look religious. His response is NOT for His true disciples to NOT pray, but to PRAY PROPERLY, w the proper motives, w humility, and in such a manner that we are exalting and praising God, acknowledging and repenting of our sins, and then crying out for HIS will to be accomplished on earth \u2013 especially in OUR LIVES. <\/p>\n The FORMAT of \u201cThe Lord\u2019s Prayer\u201d is also a spectacular model for us when we pray: (PRACTICE PARAPHRASE OF THAT MODEL?) <\/p>\n ONCE AGAIN – In a car going over a cliff: \u201cYOW! HELP ME LORD!\u201d is a perfect prayer model. –\tPicture picking up a phone, not saying hi, not acknowledging the person, and immediately asking for things. How\u2019s that sound? IMPORTANT TO THE LORD\u2019S PRAYER IS THIS: We are told to offer to God OUR wills, and replace OUR wills w what we receive by revelation, and by circumstance, in HIS will. <\/p>\n Ps 118 says it this way: V27 \u2013 He has illuminated HIS PURPOSES and HIS PLAN to US. Our offering to Him is something live, that on its own does NOT want to remain on the altar. I firmly believe that is best modeled as OUR WILLS. <\/p>\n Back to Matthew 6 for a moment \u2013 that verse comes RIGHT AFTER \u2013 yep \u2013 Matt 5 \u2013 where our Lord tells us not ONE JOT or TITTLE of the LAW (nomos) will pass away until ALL THINGS are fulfilled \u2013 He is confirming the fullness of ALL SCRIPTURE \u2013 and THEN He continues in the next chapter \u2013 which was NOT a \u201cNEXT CHAPTER\u201d in His teaching that day, but instead a continuation of thought and word \u2013 and tells us HOW TO PRAY and WHAT TO PRAY throughout the entire age \u2013 so us PRAYING: It\u2019s precisely what the book of Revelation tells us in chapter 5:<\/p>\n Rev 5:8-10<\/strong> \u2013 WHERE WE GET THE TERMINOLOGY: HARP & BOWL I also believe we would be more effective IN PRAYER and even IN LIFE, were we to spend less time NEGOTIATING W GOD and telling Him OUR WILLS, and instead seeking out HIS will and how to live that out. <\/p>\n GOING IN ANOTHER DIRECTION \u2013 The anointed, faith-based prayer for healing and also if necessary for forgiveness of sin \u2013 which sometimes needs to accompany healing request: Merriam Webster Dictionary tell us Also \u2013 one who prays. A supplicant YES we also get the word PRECARIOUS from Precarius. It too is dependent upon the \u201cwill of another\u201d \u2013 typical implied meaning being the \u201cwill\u201d of an unknown condition…. EARLIER than the Greek language, though, is the HEBREW \u2013 TEPILA (prayer) and PALAL \u2013 intercede, make supplication, thought, judgment, intervene, mediate. <\/p>\n THE NEED TO BE PRAYING NOW: In case you are living under a rock, we are living in increasingly more and more perilous times. The issue is really not WHY we are living in these perilous times \u2013 we\u2019ve covered that in depth in the Isaiah Apocalypse study, and several others that we\u2019ve been through in the past years \u2013 and we\u2019ll likely get into a LITTLE of that in this class, as well as subsequent classes. <\/p>\n I firmly believe we are living in increasingly more and more trying, and even perilous times according to the purposes and timing and intentions of our sovereign God, Who kindly told us the following: <\/p>\n Hag 2:6-9<\/strong> So we see there is PROMISE that there will be a ONE TIME shaking work to draw men to the Desire of the Nations. That DESIRE would be the Lord Jesus, the soon and coming King. <\/p>\n Interestingly, prophetic biblical words like we just read in Haggai are NON-NEGOTIABLE. This is why silly doctrines like us SHIFTING THE BIBLICAL PLANS OF GOD by our prayers is goofy. Lots of what is coming into the church \u2013 often by good HUMAN INTENTION but IN BIBLICAL IGNORANCE in these days are doctrines that DEFY SCRIPTURE. They will not work, and in reality the preaching and teaching and praying into things that clearly contradict scriptural truth, are a waste of time. THEY ARE NOT EFFECTUAL PRAYERS, AND THEY AVAIL LITTLE IF NOTHING AT ALL. <\/p>\n Paul told us in Ephesians NOT to waste TIME but to redeem it. <\/p>\n BIBLICAL SUPPORT re non-negotiable plans of God: This is why praying CONTRARY TO THE WILL OF GOD will accomplish nothing, btw \u2013 another reason why it\u2019s great to have the word of God in you. <\/p>\n We want to pray according to scripture. <\/p>\n There are many examples of men and women of God coming before God w PETITIONS and PLEAS, and God relenting (turning back) from a plan He had earlier expressed for a particular person, or even a particular nation. THAT TRUTH remains. <\/p>\n But there are PROPHETIC REVELATIONS of the plans of God that will not be turned back, and this is why our KNOWLEDGE OF SCRIPTURE will increase our EFFECTIVENESS IN PRAYER. <\/p>\n ALIGNING OURSELVES W THE PLANS OF GOD is BI-DIRECTIONAL<\/strong>. God WANTS US to understand His plans \u2013 both via scripture and via revelation: I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve heard your brethren PRAY GOOFY. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve probably PRAYED GOOFY. I have. Sometimes I marvel at God\u2019s patience w us. In fact, always. <\/p>\n PRAYING ACCURATELY \u2013 according to the will of God and the revealed truths of scripture: I believe that the PLACE OF ACCURATE PRAYER both IS and WILL CONTINUE TO BE a place of His manifold weighty CHABAD glory. Personally, I am a junkie for that (His presence), and that is ONE (of many) reasons I love to pray. <\/p>\n Reading Solomon\u2019s amazing prayer and its result: the interruptive presence of God (I wasn\u2019t going to go here NOW, but in this preparation \u2013 I\u2019m on it): <\/p>\n This prayer is profound for many reasons: 2 Chr 6:14-42<\/strong> ANOTHER POINT TO NOTE: Although Solomon\u2019s prayer is LENGTHY and DOCTRINAL \u2013 this is NOT \u201cTEACHING PRAYER\u201d \u2013 first of all, no one is teaching God. Second, Solomon is proclaiming the truths of scripture, and the declaring the personality of God. <\/p>\n We want to be careful that we are not PLANNING to TEACH, or LECTURE our prayer partners, when we come to the place of prayer. GOD\u2019S AFFIRMATION OF SOLOMON\u2019S PRAYER: THAT is successful prayer that moved HEAVEN into EARTH. (we\u2019ll continue w this PRAYER-IGNITED EVENT, later \u2013 when God comes to Solomon and offers HIM, and US, the promise of IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME\u2026\u2026come and pray, then God will do His work.)<\/p>\n BTW \u2013 it is theologically illogical and unwise for any saint to: THIS WHOLE BOOK WORKS TOGETHER. Slicing and dicing it for our purposes, whether IN PRAYER or IN LIFE, is a waste of time, and a huge jeopardy. Drives me nuts. <\/p>\n I believe that prayer of Solomon confirms the glory and the potency of scripturally accurate prayer. This is why we want the word of God in us, so that when we pray, that same word can flow from us, accurately. And our prayers will be more effective because we are praying along the lines of truth. And when we pray along those lines, I believe we are invited to \u201chold\u201d God to His promises.<\/p>\n One thing I pray frequently, when I pray for our nation. It\u2019s good to understand this Psalm, so it can be prayed effectively. THAT IS WHY we want the Word in us, and understood by us \u2013 so that our prayers can be most effective. LOOKING AT \u201cTHE WORD OF GOD NOT RETURNING VOID\u2026.\u201d \u2013 often proclaimed, and then nothing happens. Let\u2019s see how that is explained to us: <\/p>\n ISA 55<\/strong> 6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, 8 \u201cFor My thoughts are not your thoughts, 9 \u201cFor as the heavens are higher than the earth, 10 \u201cFor as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; THAT is HOW you want to be praying \u2013 in ALIGNMENT and OBEDIENCE and LED by the Spirit of God, so that your prayers can truly be prayed in the faith that you are speaking the word of God \u2013 and can believe Him for success in your prayers. <\/p>\n Here is a promise of God to Isaiah the prophet, that then extends forward forever to his spiritual lineage. THAT would be us, when we are fully His: THAT is what is available to us. THAT is in part why Peter told us \u201call things that pertain to life and godliness have ALREADY become available to us: BACK TO HAGGAI (which we read earlier) and the SHAKING-WORK PROMISE: Further to the SAME prophetic word is another PROMISE TO BE FULFILLED: God will fill His temple with glory \u2013 as we also just saw in the Solomon-temple-dedication bunny trail. There appears to be a distinct relationship between PRAYER, THE PRESENCE OF GOD, AND THE FILLING WITH GLORY: <\/p>\n And the further revelation is that the \u201cglory of the latter temple shall be greater than the former\u201d. <\/p>\n Hag 2:7-9<\/strong> Isaiah further tells us the FULFILLED TEMPLE is going to be a certain kind of place \u2013 accessible to Jew and Gentile alike \u2013 this is the temple the Lord Isa 56:1-7<\/strong> I believe the season we are entering, and in fact have already entered, is a season of intensified conflict. GOD, knowing that, is allowing our prayers to WORK when they are in alignment w Him and His word, and also NOT WORK when they are out of that alignment. HE IS TRAINING US TO ENGAGE IN PRAYER WARFARE, EFFECTIVELY. <\/p>\n All scriptures NKJV<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" My notes for THIS WEEK have been modified from what was sent out prior to last week. It goes that way. Some points I had written to discuss LATER actually were covered last week. It just happens. And we made … Continue reading
\n3\t“Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
\n4\t“but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
\n5\tAnd the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
\n6\twhom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
\nTHE RESULT:
\n7\tThen the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAnd yet the scriptures illustrate SUCCESS in our SINGLE-MINDEDNESS and DETERMINATION TO PRAY. <\/p>\n
\n1 Cor 11:1
\n1\tImitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n1Thes 5:16-22<\/strong>
\n16\tRejoice always,
\n17\tpray without ceasing, ( I BELIEVE THERE\u2019S A KEY HERE \u2013 a mind & spirit continually in dialogue w God)
\n18\tin everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
\n19\tDo not quench the Spirit.
\n20\tDo not despise prophecies.
\n21\tTest all things; hold fast what is good.
\n22\tAbstain from every form of evil.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
\n13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
\n(Paul isn\u2019t even talking about forward progress. Here is saying that on the darkest of days, our being fully equipped will keep us standing).<\/em><\/p>\n
\n17\tAnd take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
\n18\tpraying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints–
\n19\tand for me (intercessory prayer for those at the tip of the spear), that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWe\u2019re called LIVING EPISTLES.
\nIF all the word of God is going to be in alignment, and it is, then your \u201canointing\u201d to be a living epistle will have your life, your struggles, your successes and your failures, all coming into alignment w the truth of scripture. So if God wants to world to know that EPHESIANS 6 is TRUE, how can we logically anticipate success and authority in kingdom situations if we are living at a level below biblical truth?
\nI am so challenged by that.
\nONE WAY OR THE OTHER, our lives as the people of God will confirm scripture. <\/p>\n
\nActs 4:10, 13<\/strong>
\n10\t“let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
\n11\t“This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’
\n12\t“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
\n13\tNow when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.<\/em>
\nJEALOUS\/ZEALOUS (qana) God is jealous for those who are His. He MARKS THEM (like Moses, when he came down from the mountain and his face shown.
\nThere is no \u201cpretending\u201d or \u201cmaking believe\u201d that someone has spent time w Jesus. It in fact ends up looking silly, religious or much worse \u2013 when someone wants to FAKE Kingdom authority or anointing: <\/p>\n
\nActs 19:13-18<\/strong>
\n13\tThen some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
\n14\tAlso there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
\n15\tAnd the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
\n16\tThen the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
\n17\tThis became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
\nTHE RESULT OF THEIR FAILURE STILL CONFIRMED SCRIPTURAL TRUTH \u2013 albeit to the negative
\n18\tAnd many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n5\t“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
\n6\t“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
\n7\t“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
\n8\t“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
\n9\t“In this manner, therefore, pray: our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
\n10\tYour kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
\n11\tGive us this day our daily bread.
\n12\tAnd forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
\n13\tAnd do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n1. Beginning w exaltation and praise.
\n2. Acknowledging our human condition of sinfulness, and addressing that by way of repentance.
\n3. Surrender to, and request for, His will.
\n4. Supplication and request.
\n5. Conclusive acknowledgement of His kingdom and power and glory.
\nAMEN. <\/strong><\/p>\n
\nBut there\u2019s a purpose and an effect, if\/when conditions allow, for us to GENERALLY be praying along the lines of the Lord\u2019s prayer. <\/p>\n
\n–\tPicture coming before the Lord of heaven and earth and doing likewise.<\/p>\n
\nPs 118:24-29<\/strong>
\n24\tThis is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
\n25\tSave now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity.
\n26\tBlessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.
\n27\tGod is the LORD, and He has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
\n28\tYou are my God, and I will praise You; you are my God, I will exalt You.
\n29\tOh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201cYour will be done on earth as it is in heaven\u201d \u2013 is actually AN OPENING OF THE GATES (of Ps 24) so that the (plans of) the King of Glory might come in. I firmly believe that Prayer of the Saints is one of the gates through which the presence of God comes in. It\u2019s a healthy mindset w which to enter into prayer \u2013 praying understanding the eternal impact of our prayer activity \u2013 our investment into the plans of God. <\/p>\n
\n8\tNow when He (JESUS THE LAMB) had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
\n9\tAnd they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
\n10\tAnd have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”<\/em><\/p>\n
\nFrom the brother of Jesus \u2013 we read v16 earlier \u2013 but context is always good:
\nJames 5:14-16<\/strong>
\n14\tIs anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
\n15\tAnd the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
\n16\tConfess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
\n17\tElijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
\n18\tAnd he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
\n19\tBrethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,
\n20\tlet him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nPRAYER:<\/strong>
\n1a. An address (as a petition) to God (or a god) in word or in thought.
\n1B. An earnest request or wish.
\n2. The act or practice of praying. <\/p>\n
\nORIGIN:<\/strong> Medieval Latin (14th century) \u201cPrecarius\u201d \u2013 obtained by entreaty<\/p>\n
\n(16th century)<\/p>\n
\n6\t“For thus says the LORD of hosts: “Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;
\n7\t‘and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.
\n8\t‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.
\n9\t‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”<\/em><\/p>\n
\nIsa 14:24-27<\/strong>
\n24\tThe LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, “Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand:
\n25\tThat I will break the Assyrian in My land, and on My mountains tread him underfoot. Then his yoke shall be removed from them, and his burden removed from their shoulders.
\n26\tThis is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations.
\n27\tFor the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?”<\/em><\/p>\n
\n1.\tRECEIVING<\/strong> Knowledge of His will DURING PRAYER<\/strong>, and also
\n2.\tPROCLAIMING<\/strong> and DECLARING<\/strong> HIS WILL IN PRAYER<\/strong>. <\/p>\n
\nWe will see later that King Solomon, when he dedicated the great temple to God and prayed and put forth a HUGE DOCTRINAL STAEMENT to God \u2013 ends up receiving back from God:
\nA. Not ONE WORD of doctrinal correction, but instead
\nB. A confirmation of the accuracy and truthfulness of his prayer by a powerful outpouring of the presence and glory of God \u2013 that was so intense nothing more could be done that day by the priests. It was a dog pile of priests in their priestly robes. <\/p>\n
\nIt clearly reveals biblical doctrinal accuracy, and because of that, it is particularly effectual.
\nThe result is one of the greatest manifestation-responses of God in all of scripture.
\nSo it can teach us doctrinal truth, and it ought to encourage us to, as much as possible, come before God with an understanding of who God is and what He is doing, so that our prayers can be in alignment w His will. <\/p>\n
\n14\tand he (SOLOMON) said: “LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven or on earth like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.
\n15\t“You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day.
\n16\t“Therefore, LORD God of Israel, now keep what You promised Your servant David my father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne of Israel, only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’
\n17\t“And now, O LORD God of Israel, let Your word come true, which You have spoken to Your servant David.
\n18\t“But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!
\n19\t“Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You:
\n20\t“that Your eyes may be open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your name, that You may hear the prayer which Your servant prays toward this place.
\n21\t“And may You hear the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive.
\n22\t“If anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple,
\n23\t“then hear from heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, bringing retribution on the wicked by bringing his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.
\n24\t“Or if Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and return and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication before You in this temple,
\n25\t“then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to them and their fathers.
\n26\t“When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them,
\n27\t“then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.
\n28\t“When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is;
\n29\t“whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows his own burden and his own grief, and spreads out his hands to this temple:
\n30\t“then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men),
\n31\t“that they may fear You, to walk in Your ways as long as they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.
\n32\t“Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but who comes from a far country for the sake of Your great name and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm, when they come and pray in this temple;
\n33\t“then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name.
\n34\t“When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to You toward this city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name,
\n35\t“then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
\n36\t“When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to a land far or near;
\n37\t“yet when they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, and have committed wickedness’;
\n38\t“and when they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have been carried captive, and pray toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the city which You have chosen, and toward the temple which I have built for Your name:
\n39\t“then hear from heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You.
\n40\t“Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place.
\n41\t“Now therefore, arise, O LORD God, to Your resting place, you and the ark of Your strength. Let Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let Your saints rejoice in goodness.
\n42\t“O LORD God, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed; remember the mercies of Your servant David.”<\/em><\/p>\n
\nTEACH when it is time to teach. PRAY when it is time to pray. <\/p>\n
\n2 Chr 7:1-2<\/strong>
\n1\tWhen Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
\n2\tAnd the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’S house.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nSolomon prayed ACCURATELY, WITH PASSION, AND WITH ANOINTED PURPOSE.
\nTHAT is what we are looking for!!!<\/p>\n
\nA.\tUnderstand the TRUTHS that Solomon prayed, and then
\nB.\tignore them, and then
\nC.\ttry to invoke the promises of God that were spoken IN RESPONSE to Solomon\u2019s prayer. <\/p>\n
\nJust like God Himself, the word of God is ECHAD<\/strong>. It is ONE, PRIMERO, UNIFIED, COMPLETE, INDIVISIBLE, SET APART, UNIQUE. <\/p>\n
\nI KNOW IT IS A PROMISE OF SCRIPTURE, AND I KNOW I NOT \u201cSTRETCHING IT\u201d FOR MY PURPOSES \u2013 SO I CAN PRAY IT W CONFIDENCE OF ITS ACCURACY.
\nPsalm 125:1-3<\/strong>
\n1 Those who trust in the Lord
\nAre like Mount Zion,
\nWhich cannot be moved, but abides forever.
\n2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
\nSo the Lord surrounds His people
\nFrom this time forth and forever.
\n3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
\nOn the land allotted to the righteous,
\nLest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAt first blush, it looks like it is ABOUT Mount Zion in Jerusalem \u2013 but it is not. The promise is way broader than that. It says THOSE \u2013 any people group, anywhere who trust in the Lord will be LIKE (equivalent to, seen by God as) Mount Zion \u2013 and that becomes unmovable.
\nThen verse assures that IN LIKE MANNER AS HOW GOD SURROUNDS JERUSALEM \u2013 He will surround that group who trust in Him \u2013 and that is a \u201cforevermore\u201d promise.
\nThen verse 3 \u2013 which is pregnant w promise, tells us that a covenant land can gain access to a place of rescue and deliverance because \u2013 if we\u2019re reading the Word \u2013 we know God is CANA over His people, all around the world. <\/p>\n
\nLook at these portions of Isa 55 \u2013 They are HHY \u2013 HAVEN\u2019T HAPPENED YET. We know the nations have not yet flocked to the people of God. In fact, it has very much been to the contrary. But we know this WILL HAPPEN. So we can wait w expectation for these things to occur, and for the fullness of these verses to happen: <\/p>\n
\n5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know,
\nAnd nations who do not know you shall run to you,
\nBecause of the Lord your God,
\nAnd the Holy One of Israel;
\nFor He has glorified you.\u201d (HHY)<\/em><\/p>\n
\nCall upon Him while He is near.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nNor are your ways My ways,\u201d says the Lord.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nSo are My ways higher than your ways,
\nAnd My thoughts than your thoughts.<\/p>\n
\nAnd do not return there,
\nBut water the earth,
\nAnd make it bring forth and bud,
\nThat it may give seed to the sower
\nAnd bread to the eater,<\/p>\n
\nIt shall not return to Me void,
\nBut it shall accomplish what I please,
\nAnd it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nISA 59<\/strong>
\n21 \u201cAs for Me,\u201d says the Lord, \u201cthis is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants\u2019 descendants,\u201d says the Lord, \u201cfrom this time and forevermore.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\n2 Peter 1:2-4<\/strong>
\n2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
\n3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
\n4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n7\t‘and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.
\n8\t‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.
\n9\t‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”<\/em><\/p>\n
\nIs Preparing FOR US<\/strong>; and
\nIs Preparing US FOR<\/strong>: <\/p>\n
\n1\tThus says the LORD: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come, and My righteousness to be revealed.
\n2\tBlessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold on it; who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
\n3\tDo not let the son of the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD speak, saying, “The LORD has utterly separated me from His people”; nor let the eunuch say, “Here I am, a dry tree.”
\n4\tFor thus says the LORD: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant,
\n5\tEven to them I will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.
\n6\t“Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants– everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant–
\n7\tEven them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
\n<\/em>
\nGod\u2019s great plan has ONE age coming to an end, and THE NEXT age immediately following, like DAY follows NIGHT.
\nThat NEXT AGE is going to see a rebuilt temple, filled with people who:
\nKNOW TO PRAY; and also
\nKNOW HOW TO PRAY<\/p>\n