"The Bible Mission" a revelation by God to Father.Devadasu in 1938
Sermon by Father.Mungamuri Devadasu
Aspects of Prayer (Ezra Chapter 3)
Prayer:
O Father, the Triune God! Even though You reveal to us many
explanations from the Bible, we remain unworthy. (1) Even though You rebuke us
much, we remain unmoved. (2) Even though You teach us so much, we fail to walk
accordingly. (3) Even though You repeat the same matters again and again, we
are unable to grasp them. (4) Even though You encourage us much, we continue to
be discouraged. (5) Even though You give us many faithful assurances, we still
fall into unbelief at times. (6) Even though You purify us, sometimes we become
defiled again. (7) Even though You hold our hand and lead us, at times we
stumble. (8) Even though You teach us with much clarity, we remain untaught.
Yet, not by justice but by grace, through the redemption in Your Son, we
plead—teach us, Lord. Amen.
Sermon:
There are two things to remember:
1. The
Foundation of the Temple was laid.
Since a house must rise upon a foundation, the foundation must be strong. If the
foundation is not strong, the building will collapse. To make it strong, one
must dig deep, lay stones, and make it firm.
2. The
Priests and Singers praised.
The priests blew trumpets and the singers clashed cymbals. Both of these were
sounds of praise. Through the trumpet sound and the Word’s sound, praise was
offered. Praise strengthens the foundation.
They first praised, and then laid the foundation. Praise strengthens
foundations—not only the temple foundation but also the foundation of any work.
Every work must begin with praise.
o
a) Trumpet Praise: The
proclamation praise—declaring openly so that it becomes a sign to others.
o
b) Cymbal Praise: The united
praise of the congregation, intended for strength.
Prayer Steps – Five Types
1. The
Word-related Step
2. The
History-related Step (Church history)
3. The
Personal Experience Step
4. The
Wisdom Step
5. The
Spirit-related Step
Note:
These steps of prayer may be used for any subject.
1. The Word-based Step
The Word-based step means praying by lifting up the Word of God. That is, to
pray according to what is written in Scripture.
Example: “O Lord! When the Israelites had no water to
drink, You brought water out of the rock and removed their distress. In the
same way, help me also and remove this trouble.”
Those who are familiar with the Word of God can easily practice this step.
2. The History-based Step
This means lifting up examples from church history, where God has heard the
prayers of believers and granted fulfillment.
Example: “O God! You heard the tearful prayer of Monica and
changed her son Augustine, making him a great servant of God. Why not do the
same even now? Please grant fulfillment to my prayer.”
This step comes easily to those who know church history and the lives of
saints.
3. The Personal Experience Step
Here we remember how God once heard our prayers in the past and fulfilled
them, and pray accordingly.
Example: “O our Lord! Some years ago, when I prayed for a
particular problem, You removed it. When I prayed for the healing of someone,
You answered. Likewise, now also hear my prayer and grant fulfillment.”
This step is natural for those who have grown through prayer in times of
distress, and for those who remember the mercies God has already done for them.
4. The Wisdom Step
This means preparing a thoughtful, reasonable prayer and offering it before
God.
Example: “O Lord! If a son in trouble comes to his father
and pleads with him, will that father get angry? No, he will surely listen.
Likewise, I am Your child. Whatever the reasons or circumstances may be, You
are the Father, and I am the child. Therefore, I beseech You to listen to my
petition.”
This step is often practiced by those who have the gift of wisdom.
5. The Spirit Step
That is, the step of the Holy Spirit. After offering all the above prayers,
one must wait silently and calmly in the presence of the Lord until the Holy
Spirit Himself gives a prayer.
When such a Spirit-given prayer is revealed, this step begins. The Holy
Spirit Himself provides the words. Such a prayer, when offered, will surely be
fulfilled.
When we are weak and do not know how to pray, He intercedes for us (Romans
8:26).
Note: After completing the first four steps, if no
fulfillment has yet come, then the believer depends on the Spirit, saying: “O
Spirit-Father! Please grant a prayer Yourself.”
According to your needs, may the Father grant you these prayer steps! Amen.
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