Mentoring Men for the Master

THE TRIPLE A OF PRAYER (AAA)

The Sole Purpose of this study today is to encourage you to “Have a Meaningful Time with God Daily” in your praying.

  1. If you are already having a meaningful time with God daily, this lesson will make you want to have an even better experience.
  2. If you are up and down in your praying, this lesson is designed to make you become more consistent.
  3. If you struggling, this lesson should give you great relief from your ordeal.
  4. If you are prayerless, I believe this lesson will get you started in praying.

 

I.   The Accomplishments of Prayer II.  The Alternatives of Not Praying
  • Strength for daily living – Luke 18:1
 1.  Frustration and defeat
  • Indescribable peace – Phil. 4:6-7
 2.  Worry
  • Fullness of joy – John 16:6-7
 3.   Depression
  • Presence of Jesus – Hebrews 4:16
 4.   Loneliness
  • Power – Acts 4:33
 5.   Weakness
  • Boldness – Acts 4:33
 6.   Cowardice
  • Salvation – Romans 10:13
 7.   Lostness
  • Healing – James 5:14-16
 8.   Sickness
  • Missionaries – Matthew 9:38
 9.   No one to go
  • Revival – 2 Chron. 7:14
 10.  Valley of Dry bones
  • Soul winning – Matthew 9:38
 11.  Not a one
  • Worship – Acts 13:2
 12.  Playing church
  • The Holy Spirit – Luke 11:13
 13.  Unholy spirit of self
  • Victory – Acts 2:42-47, 4:31:33
 14.  Frustration
  • Resurrection Life – Acts 4:33
 15.  Lukewarmness
  • Generosity – Acts 2:45
 16.  Stinginess

 

  • The Appropriation of the Benefits of Prayer. If we are to realize the Accomplishments of Prayer,” prayer must be the number one priority in our lives.  Prayer must not be offered when only the circumstances are conducive to prayer, that is, only when you feel like it, only when you have gobs of time, only when everything is all okay with your wife and children or only when you are in deep trouble.  As certain as the sun rises every day, you should arise to pray.  You are justified in the sight of God in not praying only when He Himself has acted in your life, making it absolutely impossible for you to pray.  Examples:  A true illness of yourself or family.  Never, never, never make the excuse, “I just don’t have time to pray.”

Johnny Hunt said to 6000 men last week these words, “When you say you don’t have time to pray,” You are saying, “I don’t care enough to pray.”  If anyone reading this lesson is using this phony excuse in not praying, I beseech you to cease today, admit your sin and hypocrisy, repent and receive God’s forgiveness and start seriously praying. If you are not willing to do so, I fear you are not saved, and I urge you to admit that, turn from your sins, surrender to Jesus with all your heart, and then no one could keep you from praying.

My brothers, in America, we do those things we care about – we always eat, sleep, go on vacation, play golf, watch TV, read the newspaper.  We make  time for those things we really consider important and that we care about.  If not praying, do not kid yourself and thing God will excuse you when you say, “I really would like to pray but I just don’t have time.” Baloney.

Moving on to consider the “Appropriation of the Benefits of Prayer,” if you would “Appropriate its wonderful benefits,” you must discipline yourself to pray in the following way:

  1. Set a Special Time each day to Pray.
  2. Set a Special Place to Pray.
  3. Give yourself Sufficient Time.
  4. Use a Special Book.
  5. Use a Special Plan.
  6. Have a Special Heart.
  7. Have a Special Hunger.