"PRAYER"
I. "MOTIVATIONS TO PRAY." "WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MOTIVATE?"
A. Some motivated by desperation.
1. These were troubling days for Jacob.
a. Laban had just departed.
b. Esau is on his way with 400 men.
2. There doesn't seem to be any human way out.
3. What does an extremely resourceful person do?
B. Some motivated by fear "I fear."
1. He feared for the safety of his family.
2. It takes frightening situations to prompt people to pray some times.
C. Some motivated by great needs.
1. They can't control a situation any more.
2. They have run out of money and credit.
D. Some motivated by love.
1. I wonder how shocked God would be if some day you would just say "Hello
Father, I really don't need anything, but I just thought I would like to
talk with You for a while."
E. Men should pray, God wants us to pray and He knows what it takes to motivate
you. Why not make it easy on yourself?
II. WORTHINESS AND PRAYER "I AM NOT WORTHY."
A. Jacob realized unworthiness yet he came.
1. Some let their unworthiness keep them away.
2. God's answers to prayers not predicted upon your worthiness. His love and
mercy.
B. The least of Thy mercies.
1. "With my staff I passed over this Jordan."
2. He realized present prosperity due to God's mercy.
a. Worked hard for 20 years.
3. Think of all of God's mercies to you. Which of them are you worthy of?
C. "Of all the truth, which you showed."
1. God had given to Jacob some glorious truths.
a. The greatest being, that he would be in the ancestry of the Christ
child.
2. Think of the great truths God has shown to you today.
a. That He loves you.
b. He sent His son to die for you.
c. That He will cleanse you from your sin and guilt.
d. That He will abide in your life.
e. That He wants you to dwell with Him forever.
Which of these truths are you worthy of?
III. THE BASIS OF PRAYER "GOD'S WORD."
A. This must always be the basis, never my goodness.
B. vs. 9 The Lord which saidst.
1. Lord you got me into this mess vs. 12 "And Thou saidst."
2. Jacob was holding God to His Word.
C. God has said some pretty wonderful things about you and about prayer 33:4.
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.