Learning About Prayer
ROM 8:25b - 29

Introduction:

OUR GREATEST PRIVILEGE INCLUDES PRAYER

OUR GREATEST NEED INCLUDES PRAYER

OUR GREATEST FAILURE INCLUDES PRAYER

1. THE . . SHORTCOMINGS OF OUR PRAYING.

2. THE . . SPIRIT OF OUR PRAYING.

3. THE . . SAINTHOOD OF OUR PRAYING.

1. The . . Shortcomings of Our Praying. 8:25b-28

". . . with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. 26 And in

the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for {us} with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to {the will of} God.

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose.

A. We Come Short in Our . . Wait On Prayer. 8:25 b

" . . . with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

1. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER; YES, NO, AND WAIT.

B. We Come Short in Our . . Weakness Of Prayer. 8:26 a

"And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness;. . ."

1. We Have the Weakness of . . Indifference - - Rom 8:7

"because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God;

for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not

even able { to do so};

2. We Have the Weakness of . . Inaccessibility - - Isa. 59:1-2

Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short That it cannot save; Neither is His

ear so dull That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have made a separation

between you and your God, And your sins have hidden <His> face from

you, so that He does not hear.

3. We Have the Weakness of . . Interference. EPH. 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,

against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the

spiritual {forces} of wickedness. . ."

Dan 10:10-13 10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my

knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, man

greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for

I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood

trembling. 12 Then he said to me,"Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that

you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your

words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of

the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of

the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings

of Persia. NKJV

LASB

10:10-18 Daniel was frightened by this vision, but the messenger reassured him. Daniel lost his speech, but the messenger's touch restored it. Daniel felt weak and helpless, but the messenger's words strengthened him. God can bring us healing when we are hurt, peace when we are troubled, and strength when we are weak. Trust God to minister to you as he did to Daniel. LASB

10:12, 13 Although God sent a messenger to Daniel, a powerful spiritual being ("the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia") detained the messenger for three weeks. Daniel faithfully continued praying and fasting, and God's messenger eventually arrived, assisted by Michael, the archangel. Answers to our prayers may be hindered by unseen obstacles. Don't expect God's answers to come too easily or too quickly. Prayer may be challenged by evil forces, so pray fervently and pray earnestly. Then expect God to answer at the right time. LASB

RYRIE Study Bible

Vs. 10:13 the prince of the kingdom of Persia. A supernatural creature who tried to direct the human rulers of Persia to oppose God's plan. Evil angels seek to influence the affairs of nations. Michael, which means "who is like God?"

DAKE

Daniel 10:12

Here is an example of prayer being delayed (Dan 10:12-13). Such delays should never hinder faith or cause one to give up seeking an answer that is promised by God. They should only urge one to renew his efforts and to hold on in prayer and faith until the answer is realized (Luke 18:1-8).

Daniel 10:13

This is the satanic prince or ruler of the kingdom of Persia, one ruling the kingdom of Persia for Satan who is recognized in Scripture as being the god and ruler of this world, having usurped man's dominion (Matt 4:8-9; 12:24-30; John 8:44; 12:31; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2; 6:10-18; 1 John 3:8; Rev 12:7-12; 16:13-16; 20:1-10).

C. We Come Short in Our . . Wisdom of Prayer. 8:26 b

". . . for we do not know how to pray as we should,. . ."

1. Even Though We Have The Spirit to Pray IN. 8:26-27

2. Even Though We Have The Father to Pray To. 8:27 -28

3. Even Though We Have The Savior to Pray Through. 8:29

Illustration: Topic: Prayer Subtopic: Causes of Failure in Date: 8/1987.10

Mrs Edmund Gravely's husband died at the controls of his small plane. His wife Janice kept the plane aloft for two hours until it ran out of fuel. As the plane crossed the South Carolina-North Carolina border, she radioed for help: "Help, help, won't someone help me? Authorities who picked up her distress signal were not able to reach her because she kept changing channels. Mrs. Gravely finally made a rough landing and crawled for 45 minutes to a farmhouse for help.

How often God's people cry out for help to God, but switch channels before God's message comes through. When you cry out to God for His intervention, don't switch channels!

Application:

We do have a shortcoming in our prayer life.

Our Mind: Wanders, Goes Blank, Doubts, We doze Off.

2. The . . Spirit of Our Praying. 8:26

26 And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for {us} with groanings too deep for words;

A. The . . Instruction of the Spirit. 8:28b

26 And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness;. . ."

Intro: This exact word for helps is used only twice in the New Testament. The other place is: Luke 10:40

But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said,

"Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her

to help me." NKJV

B. The . . Interceding of the Spirit. 8:28b

". . . but the Spirit Himself intercedes for {us} . . ."

C. The . . Intimacy of the Spirit.

". . . us with groanings too deep for words;"

Strong's # 215 alaletos (al-al'-ay-tos); SPEAK with the ALPHA PRIVITIVE

KJV Cannot and Uttered the Same Greek Words

Illustration:

Did you ever hear about the young Indian Man who wanted to send a message by smoke signal to his fiancee'? Shortly after he had sent his love message by smoke signal an atomic bomb was tested several miles away. As he watched the mushroom cloud rise high in the air he said, "Gee I wish I had said that."

Application:

The Spirit of Our Praying. V 26

3. The . . Sainthood of Our Praying. 8:27-28

27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to {the will of} God. 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose.

A. Saints Have Their Hearts . . Searched. 8:27 a

". . . and He (Christ) who searches the hearts . . ."

1. All three persons of the Trinity search hearts:

a. The Spirit Searches. Rom, 8:26,

b. 1 Cor 2:10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. NKJV

2. The Son Searches. Rev 2:23b

". . . and all the churches shall know that I am He

who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give

to each one of you according to your works. NKJV

3. God The Father Searches. Jer 17:10

I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to

give every man according to his ways, According to

the fruit of his doings. NKJV

4. David Gives Us An Example. Psa. 139:23 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. NKJV

B. Saints Have Their Prayers . . Sanctioned. 8:27b

". . . knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to {the will of} God.

1. The Mind of the Spirit. 8:27 b

2. The Will of God. 8:27 d

C. Saints Have Their Prayers . .Synchronized. 8:28a

"And we know that God causes all things to work together

for good to those who love God,. . ."

1. Synchronized for the Causes of God.

2. Synchronized for the Construction of the Saints.

Illustration: Topic: Wisdom Subtopic: the Search for Date: 8/1989.30

In a n interview with the great inventor of the Telegraph, Samuel F. B. Morse, George Hervey inquired, "Professor Morse, when you were making your experiments at the university, did you ever come to a standstill, not knowing what to do next?" "Oh, yes, more than once." "Then what did you do?" I prayed for more light." "And did God give you the wisdom and knowledge you needed?" "Yes, He did," said Morse. "That's why I never felt I deserved the honors that came to me from America and Europe because of the invention associated with my name. It wasn't because I was superior to other scientists. When the Lord wanted to bestow this gift on mankind, He had to use someone. I'm just grateful He chose to reveal it to me." In view of these facts, it's not surprising that the inventor's first message over the telegraph was: "What hath God wrought!"

Application: Praying

The Shortcomings of Our Praying, the Spirit of Our Praying,

The Sainthood of Our Praying.