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Sunday, June 3
Pastor Oliver R. Blosser, M.Div., Ph.D.
Faith Community Church
Pipestone, MN
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29 The Book of Proverbs contains divine wisdom which the people of God can apply to the earthly conditions of their daily lives. Proverbs contains eight practical prayer-pointer principles.
Prayer-pointer Principle 1
Prayer is an acknowledgement of God as the Director of
your path.
Proverbs 3:5-6; Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Take wise teaching to heart. The Lord will provide guidance and direction to your life when you observe the following three conditions in your life;
1. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart.
2. Lean not on your own understanding.
3. In all your ways, acknowledge the Lord.
Prayer-pointer Principle 2
Prayer is the guarantee of inward peace and outward prosperity.
Proverbs 3:13-26; 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. 19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. 21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. 24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Wisdom offers the things that money can’t buy; happiness, peace, prosperity, and security. Remember James 1:17; Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. These blessings are prayed down from Heaven into your life!
Prayer-pointer Principle 3
Prayer is the channel through which divine wisdom becomes
yours.
Proverbs 4:7-9 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
Proverbs 9:10-11 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
Proverbs 1:5-7 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Wisdom is the thing to desire in life. It leads to honor and additional years. Prayer makes wisdom your possession.
Prayer-pointer Principle 4
Prayer is the secret of mutual delight and of a
God-blessed life.
Proverbs 8:32-36 32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Prayer for divine wisdom brings blessedness, life and the favor of the Lord into your life.
Prayer-pointer Principle 5
Prayer is a delight to God and beneficial only when
offered by righteous lips.
Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The prayers of the righteous are truly the Lord’s delight and pleasure.
Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
The Lord delights to hear the prayers of the righteous. Through prayer, the Lord will give His wisdom to provide the right answers to life’s questions.
Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
Prayer-pointer Principle 6
Prayer results in the divine vindication of the Lord’s
own.
Proverbs 20:22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Proverbs 23:11 For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
When someone does you evil, the Bible forbids retaliation. Rather than revenge, you are to take the matter to the Lord in prayer.
1. Wait upon the Lord.
2. Trust that He will deliver you.
3. Remember that your Redeemer is mighty.
4. He will plead your case for you.
When God intercedes in your problems, you can be sure the right thing will be done, and He will take care of you through any situation.
Prayer-pointer Principle 7
Prayer, when uttered by unholy lips, is an abomination in God’s sight.
Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
The Law of the Lord is the Word of God, His instruction in the Bible. When a person turns his/her ear away from hearing the Word of God, then the Lord turns His ear away from hearing that person’s prayer. Such a prayer became an abomination to the Lord. That is, something that is detestable.
Prayer-pointer Principle 8
Prayer as confession for discovered sin results in the
acceptance of divine mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Mercy is the Lord helping that person who can not help himself/herself. The Lord’s mercy is offered to that person who confesses and forsakes sins. The Lord can not hear you when sin stands between you and Him. But when you turn to Him, confess your sins, and plead for the blood of Jesus Christ to cover your sins, God hears you and will answer your prayers.
Life Application
Prayer makes divine wisdom your personal possession. And wisdom offers you the following blessings;
§ divine guidance and direction for life.
§ happiness, peace, prosperity and security.
§ honor and additional years to your life.
§ blessedness, life and the favor of the Lord.
The Lord delights in the prayers of His people. He will vindicate the righteous and forgive them of their sins. But the first, and most important prayer to offer is to call on the Lord for salvation. God does not heed the prayer of the sinner, but when you find forgiveness through Christ, you can come before Him and ask for His wisdom, His protection, His vindication, and His mercy!