PRAYING MEN OF THE BIBLE MARCH 1, 2023

#1 AN OLD TESTAMENT OVERVIEW – Part 1

The Holy Spirit will give to the praying saint the brightness of an immortal hope, the music of a deathless song, in His baptism and communion with the heart. HE will give sweeter and more enlarged visions of heaven until the taste for other things will pall and other visions will grow dim and distant. He will put notes of other worlds in human hearts until all earth’s music is discord and songless. Rev. E. M. Bounds

SCRIPTURE

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.

James 5:16b The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Central Truth: Old Testament History is filled with the accounts of praying saints. Israel’s leaders are known for their lifestyle and patterns of prayer. Prayer is the one thing which stands out prominently in their lives.

WALK THROUGH THE OLD TESTAMENT

1/ Joshua

- Knew the importance of the Lord’s presence.

- Had a high view of prayer.

- Saw a miraculous victory for Israel.

2/ Jacob

- A man of prayer who believed in the God of prayer.

- He asked for protection, blessing, and guidance.

- He wrestled with the angel of the Lord and received a new name.

3/ Samson

- Grew up under an emphasis on holiness.

- Flirted with the world’s system.

- Even though he reaped the consequences of his actions, he gained a great victory through prayer!!

Christian Life Lessons:

1. Prayer always invites God into the equation.

2. Nothing is too hard for God to do for His people.

3. We must learn the value of hosting His presence.

4. The goal of prayer is not to receive, but to be changed.

Looking Ahead

March 8 - Abraham and Moses

March 15 – Elijah and Hezekiah

March 22 – Ezra and Nehemiah

March 29 – Daniel and Samuel

PRAYING MEN OF THE BIBLE

#2 AN OLD TESTAMENT OVERVIEW – Part 2

The Holy Spirit will give to the praying saint the brightness of an immortal hope, the music of a deathless song, in His baptism and communion with the heart. HE will give sweeter and more enlarged visions of heaven until the taste for other things will pall and other visions will grow dim and distant. He will put notes of other worlds in human hearts until all earth’s music is discord and songless. Rev. E. M. Bounds

SCRIPTURE

1 Peter 3:12 - For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.

James 5:16b - The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Central Truth: Old Testament History is filled with the accounts of praying saints. Israel’s leaders are known for their habits of prayer. Prayer is the one thing which stands out prominently in their lives.

WALK THROUGH THE OLD TESTAMENT

1/ Jonah

- Prophet of the Lord

- Fugitive on the run from God’s Call

- Foreshadowing of the resurrection of Christ from the dead

2/ David

- Prayer was a daily habit - “evening, morning and at noon.”

- Prayer was made when life and death were at stake.

- Prayer was made when sin was uncovered.

3/ Solomon

- Sought God from the very beginning of his reign as king.

- Prayer was made to dedicate the temple.

Christian Life Lessons

1. Prayer goes hand in hand with sacrifice.

2. Prayer is the simplest of all arts and the mightiest of all forces!

3. Prayer requires childlike faith.

4. Prayer is the foundation of everything worth building.

Looking Ahead

March 8 - Abraham and Moses

March 15 – Elijah and Hezekiah

March 22 – Ezra and Nehemiah

March 29 – Daniel and Samuel