Our Signature Episode What is Prayer? - Category - Growing

This is the first revision of our Signature Episode; it is worth a listen, even if you have heard the previous one.

In examining the Duty, Glory, and Excellency of prayer, we are reminded that:

I am a Sinner.

Being human means being complex beyond what we can express or understand.

We are lonely beings because of our sins.

Added and expanded from our original episode:

We are reminded of the essence of sin:

"Sin always aims for the worst: each time it tempts or entices, if left unchecked, it would lead to the most extreme sin of that type. Every impure thought or glance would become adultery if it could; every greedy desire would turn into oppression; every doubt would become atheism if sin were allowed to fully develop. People might reach a point where they no longer hear sin urging them to commit scandalous acts, but every rise of lust, if left unchecked, would escalate to the worst kind of wickedness. It's like the grave that's never satisfied (Proverbs 30:15-16)."

Owen, John. Mortification of Sin: In Modern English (pp. 19-20). Modern Puritans.

Yet the Duty of a Child of God is to talk to our Savior. And that is simple.

"It is useless to say you know not how to pray. Prayer is the simplest act in all religion. It is simply speaking to God. It needs neither learning nor wisdom nor book knowledge to begin it. It needs nothing but heart and will. The weakest infant can cry when he is hungry. The poorest beggar can hold out his hand for alms, and does not wait to find fine words. The most ignorant man will find something to say to God, if he has only a mind." J.C. Ryle

Duty:

Now a quick summary of our duty in prayer:

We listen,

We speak,

God wants to hear,

We want to be known,

We start,

We will grow.

Glory:

Jeremiah glories in the sad will of God.

Job glories in his hurtful testing.

The excellency of prayer is seen in, well, basically everyone else in the Bible.

Joesph

"And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people. alive.

Genesis 50:20

Abraham

Genesis 17:18

Jacob-Israel

Genesis 45:28

David

2 Samuel 15:25-26

The Father in the New Testament, "I believe, help Thou my unbelief."

Job again,

"Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.

Job 13:15a

Moses

Genesis 33:26-27

Jesus

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

The peaceful fruit of righteousness in Hebrews 12 after we have been disciplined by our loving Father.

David again,

Psalm 31:14-16

Paul

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Philippians 1:21-23a

Beloved children of God, abundance of life is not stuff, but your intimate relationship with our Holy God, Creator, Savior, and Good Shepherd is made more poignant because we are sinners in His presence.

We are called to converse sincerely with the God whose ways are higher than ours. (Duty)

We are mystified even in His most difficult truths, in being a part of His will for which we have given Him glory. (Glory)

And only in that close community with the Almighty can we see the excellency of prayer as He hears our cries, draws close to us, and tells us of His love. Even though we are sinners. Excellency.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

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All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

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Season 005

Episode 087