Prayer - John 12:23-32 - March 25, 2001

Sermon 3-25-00 Prayer John12:23-32

Two men were talking together. The first challenged the other, "If you are so religious, let's hear you quote the Lord's Prayer. I bet you $10.00 you can't." The second responded, "Now I lay my down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." The first pulled out his wallet and fished out a ten dollar bill, muttering, "I didn't think you could do it!"

Jesus Knows about prayer, even as suffering looms
I know he hears me, the voice was for your benefit
Faced suffering with confidence….Jesus prayed, knew he was connected
Prayer = being connected to God

How?? Rope
1. tug of war
2. lead a dog
3. ship to pier

we humans struggle with self interest in prayer
Attending church in Kentucky, we watched an especially verbal and boisterous child being hurried out, slung under his irate father's arm. No one in the congregation so much as raised an eyebrow -- until the child captured everyone's attention by crying out in a charming Southern accent, "Ya'll pray for me now!"

It is strange that, while praying, we seldom ask for change of character, but always a change in circumstance.

Two men were enduring all the horrors of a Soviet prison camp. One day one of them is praying with his eyes closed when a fellow prisoner notices him and says with ridicule, "Prayers won't help you get out of here any faster." Opening his eyes, the friend answers, "I do not pray to get out of prison but to do the will of God."

as prayer life matures, focus leaves self & grows to communion w God
1. saints never prayed selfish prayers
2. God's ability to change me, help me
3. Thanksgiving
4. Greatness of God/praise

Is there never a time to pray for what we want, sure, but
Those in tune with the spirit, know what to ask for.
- pray for me that I will sell my car
Those who know how to pray will pray for what is truly best

When Robert Louis Stevenson was a boy he once remarked to his mother, "Momma, you can't be good without praying." "How do you know, Robert?" she asked. "Because I've tried!" he answered. This brings to mind a story about another little fellow -- one who had been sent to his room because he had been bad. A short time later he came out and said to his mother, "I've been thinking about what I did and I said a prayer." "That's fine," she said, "if you ask God to make you good, He will help you." "Oh, I didn't ask Him to help me be good," replied the boy. "I asked Him to help you put up with me."

Prayer reminds me that the concerns of today will grow smaller in the face of God's presence
- Jesus not worried about his suffering, this too shall pass
- There are other things that are more important

When we pray, remember:
1. The love of God that wants the best for us.
2. The wisdom of God that knows what is best for us.
3. The power of God that can accomplish it.

God, dwell within me, guide me by your love
Jesus prayed
Let us find the place of prayer where our souls meet the Lord
Where we know, he always hears us

Conclusion An unknown Confederate soldier.
I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for--but everything I had hoped for...
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed.