[teaching text]26 When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. 27 And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord…And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he became sick. 16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” 20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. 2 Samuel 11:26-27, 12:15-20It requires faith and patienceIt can be boring and awkward40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.Matthew 26:40-459 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.Acts 20:9It is easily misunderstoodSome prayers are like a fire escape, used only in times of critical emergency—never very enjoyable, but used as a way of terrified escape from danger. They do not represent the regular life of the one who offers them; rather they are the unusual and uncommon acts of the spiritual amateur.A.W. Tozer16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Now Jesus[a] was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to prayLuke 11:1"Prayer at its best is the expression of the total life."A.W. TozerPRAYING IN OBEDIENCEWhat is prayer?11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”Luke 17:11-19Remember that only one Samaritan wanted more than cleansing from leprosy. He wanted to know the Savior. He came back glorifying God, worshipping Him, and giving thanks. The other nine lepers just had the thing they wanted but the one leper got much more; the Savior and increased faith.W.L. SeaverThere was an extra healing for this tenth leper. When Jesus said this, He likely meant God’s work within the man’s heart. The other lepers had whole bodies, but sick hearts.David GuzikPrayer among evangelical Christians is always in danger of degenerating into a glorified gold rush. Almost every book on prayer deals with the “get” element mainly.A.W. TozerPRAYER IS COMMUNIONCommunion: the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.Prayer is a shared life with GodBut he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.1 Corinthians 6:17I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.Galatians 2:20IN PRAYER, GOD DESIRES TO REVEAL HIMSELF, HIS POWER, AND HIS KINGDOM TO US.WHAT CAN HINDER GOD’S ANSWER TO OUR PRAYER?DISOBEDIENCE13 David said to Nathan, “I ...
