Ezekiel 36:33-31 "A Praying Saint"
Beloved saints! If prayer was taken away from the life of a Christian saint how would it be? The life of a saint without prayer has no meaning and it would be like a dry desert. There are so many privileges on earth as a saint; however the greatest privilege is to be able to pray. As a mere human being, man is able to communicate only through prayer. Prayer is a pathway to meet God and is a source of power that mobilizes God’s angels. The Bible says a prayer has power to move great nature (Joshua 10:12-14, 2 Kings 20:11). How would it be if we neglect prayer when it is so important in our prayer life? In this aspect I believe it is so foolish if we do not take advantage of the privilege as a saint. Therefore we will receive a sermon titled “A Praying Saint.” I pray God’s grace fill your hearts.
First, our Lord wants us to pray. Today’s text is telling us that. Let’s read verse 37A together, “Thus says the Lord GOD: "I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them.” In this verse, let us ponder the words “inquire of Me.” What does this phrase mean? It means even though God has already made up His mind to save and to restore, we have to pray to Him so He will do that for us. Matthew 6:8B says, “For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” And Matthew 7:7A says, “Ask, and it will be given to you.” These two verses seem to contradict each other. If Almighty God knows our needs before we even ask why does He wait on us to ask? Is God annoying us? No, never. Then why is this true? It is because God wants us to pray to keep the relationship of love with us. Look, let’s suppose because God knows everything we need so He gives us our needs before we ask. Then we would not even know where the blessings came from, did they come from God or somewhere else? Perhaps we would say it like this . . . because I am smart and I have ability and skill . . . or we may say . . . I was lucky . . . without thinking of God; only the carnal mind thinks this way and will not even call on God. Men are foolish and weak, aren’t they? In contrast, when we are in difficulty we pray to God in hope. Then God answers our prayer and solves all of our problems. Then, what do we do? We thank God and give deep gratitude that we believe in the living God and know He loves us and hears our voice and answers, don’t we? To maintain this relationship, God tells us to pray. I believe we must become saints who pray always to God according to our needs.
Secondly, let us think, when do we pray? That is jwe must pray in time of success and well being. I see two ways for success and well being. They are: (a) the case of success and well being by a person stopping at nothing to gain this end by stepping on others by fair means or methods or sin. But this case of success will not last nor be maintained because unrighteousness and unlawfulness never last. (b) The case of success and well being by blessings from God. This case may be slow and take a long time, however, this blessing from God, once received, will go on and on to the next generation to the following generations. Abraham received this blessing. There is no nation with well being like the descendants of Abraham. For example, the great rich top ten in the U.S.A. are all Israelis and not only this but the great spiritual blessing is that Jesus Christ was born Who is the Savior of all mankind. The Bible says this; the greatest blessing for man is the spiritual and physical blessings in Christ Jesus. But in most cases, when people get success and well being they neglect their spirituality. This time is most dangerous. We must not forget Jesus Who is the source of blessings in the time of well being. The success that is away from Jesus and prayer life is in serious danger, like the house build on the sand. A successful, well being, and happy person must humbly pray constantly for more success, well being, and happiness. kWe must pray even in the time of suffering and despair. In moderate sadness in our life we are able to cry out and struggle. However, when the sadness becomes greater we are not able to cry out nor say a word. When failure after failure comes even our sighs and tears dry up. Nevertheless, one thing we must do. What is it? That is pray. What did I say prayer is? Prayer is a tool of the power of Almighty God who moves great nature and mobilizes His archangels. Who can do the things we can not do which frustrate and give us despair? That is God; He will do it for us. For example in 2 Kings 4:1 we see the painful and sad story of a prophet’s wife. She lost her husband who left a lot of debt and she was struggling to live with two children. As if this wasn’t bad enough, a creditor came everyday badgering her to pay back the money. Then when he found out she had no way to pay it back he threatened to take her two sons to be his slaves. This widow could not bear this anymore and took her plea to God. God knew her situation and sent His servant Elisha. In the text it says, “this woman cried out to Elisha.” “Cried out” means earnestly requesting and praying. Then God worked through His servant by filling up jars with oil in her house so she could pay back the debt. Then the rest of it was used by her and her two sons to live on. God solved her problem when she took the painful story to Him. Likewise we must take our trouble to God. Psalm 50:15 says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Another example is the famous theologian John Wesley who was raised by his mother, Susanna Wesley. In poverty, she raised 19 children. In her busy day Susanna Wesley had one hour of prayer everyday. Her prayer helped her raise all of her 19 children to be greatly talented. Solomon in the Old Testament gave 1000 times more in sacrifice. Giving 1000 times more in serious prayer in sacrifice was in answer to receiving wisdom and wealth and glory from God. Queen Esther in the Old Testament, through prayer, helped save herself and the lives of her people. Jesus, our Lord, in the garden of Gethsemane prayed so earnestly that His sweat became blood as He prepared to carry the cross. As a result He is the great Lord Who saves the lives of mankind. Because of this you and I are saved.
Beloved saints! In conclusion do you know we are committing sin when we stop praying? Jesus says in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” John 14:13A says, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do.” This means that the King of kings, the Lord of lords will do it. Pray fervently. Prayer is our privilege. May God’s grace fill your hearts.
By. Rev. Samuel Choi