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Sermon Notes of
Rev.Dr. Ivor J.W.Oakley (Strandtown Baptist Church 13-11-1977)
Additional reading from Ephesians 6:10-18
Variety of ministry of Holy Spirit in chapter 8: Enabling
us to grow; the means whereby bodies will be changed at last day; nipping sin in
the bud; guidance; assurance; being guarantee of new age in which bodies to be
transformed and whole universe renovated.
Now the final office –
enabling us to pray. Matter we feel so often is up to us if anything is up to
us. Yet once again in this matter, as with all others, God who commands also is
God who enables. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, which has little place in
average Christian’s understanding or practice. Yet Scripture says our access
is not only through the Son, but also by the Spirit. His inspiration is just as
necessary as the Son’s mediation, if to gain access to Father in prayer. All
three persons of the Trinity are involved when we pray. Christ intercedes in
heaven; Holy Spirit intercedes on earth – in our hearts.
Our prayers, even if we know all
technique and right phrases, are pretty empty and formal sort of thing without
the Holy Spirit. It is not true Christian prayer apart from his activity.
Spirit of grace and of supplications (Zechariah 12:10)
Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18)
Praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude v20)
Worship God in the Spirit (Philippians 3:3)
True prayer is from the activity of the Holy Spirit in the heart. Headmaster in school of prayer. Apart from him, there is the form but not the reality of prayer.
We know not what we should
pray for as we ought (8:26). Statement with which we all agree. Desperately
aware of failures here. Mere children in matter of prayer. Ye ask and ye
receive not, because ye ask amiss (James 4:3).
The Bible is full of examples of
prayers which ought not to have been prayed. Moses seeking to enter Canaan. Job
asking God to kill him. Zebedee’s wife asking that James and John be on right
and left hand in heaven. Paul asking for removal of thorn in the flesh. Outside
the Bible there is the famous story of Monica who prayed that her profligate son
Augustine might not go to Rome, as it would encourage him to sin. He went, and
this was a step that led him to Milan, where he was converted.
Problems with prayers:
(a) Lack of earnestness, warmth and heart. Formal, empty, cold prayer which comes from the mind only. Not just true of those prayers sometimes offered with aid of prayer book.
(b) Lack of faith. He that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6).
(c) Narrow and selfish prayers. Coming from our own hearts, which are narrow in outlook and desire “Lord, bless me, my wife, my son John, and his wife – us four, and no more”! “Me, my family, my church, my denomination, my mission field”.
(d) Questionable motives. Prayers for people’s salvation and blessing, in order to help create a happy home and united family. Church officer’s prayer for church, with no higher motive than own reputation, standing of his church. God’s reputation and purposes are sometimes hardly considered. Remember the model prayer: Hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done.
(e) Our manner can be dictatorial and demanding, instead of submissive and resigned to the Lord’s will. We want this, this and this by a certain time and certain way – or else our faith will not hold out. We forget we come to a throne on which a king sits, a throne of grace. We are only there by his sufferance and not by right.
(f) Our prayers are hampered because we cannot foresee the future. Cannot see a year, or even an hour ahead. We may well pray to be saved from things which are for our good, simply because we cannot see ahead, don’t know what is going to happen. Furthermore, in any given situation, we do not know what is best for us. So often we want things that would be bound to harm us. God is often in position of parent refusing child’s request because he knows what is best for the child, better than the child knows himself. Not know real need, finite minds cannot grasp God’s ultimate plan.
“Infirmities”, “weaknesses” well describe our prayers. Add to this how easily we tire, how weary our bodies are, how quickly our minds wander – we may well despair of ever praying acceptably True view of self and our feeble faltering efforts at prayer make us realise that we can afford to ignore divine assistance no longer. Everything about us – justification, sanctification, guidance and even prayer life - must be of God and His grace.
(a) Helpeth our infirmities (8:26). The Greek sunantilambanomai only appears here and in Luke 10:40. The root meaning is assistance against all opposition. Martha protesting to Christ against Mary leaving her to get the meal alone. Bid her, therefore, that she help me. Busy preparing food, putting on table, serving, clearing away, washing up. Wants a helper to bear the burden, share anxiety, and take pressure off, ease the strain. Just the kind of help which the Spirit gives
(b) Gives aid, energy, life, fire, vigour into prayers
(c) Corrects mistakes, wrong motives and tendencies.
(d) Shows us our needs. His enlightening shows us we are wretched and miserable, poor, blind and naked.
(e) Lord, increase our faith (Luke 17:5) – Gift by the Holy Spirit.
(f) Deepens love for God and desire for his honour.
(g) Right desires, points to people for whom we should pray.
(h) Sheds love of God abroad in heart. Widens sympathies, enlarges our horizons.
(i) Then He maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered … maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (8:26-27). Plants in our hearts and minds longings and desires, which cannot be confined within limits of every day words. Puts sighs and groans within believer’s hearts. Never count audible expression- some of the most intense prayers are never audibly mentioned or expressed. Now Hannah spake in her heart; only her lips moved but her voice was not heard. (1 Samuel 1:13). Deepest emotions cannot be expressed in words. Grief can say more in a sob or a tear than in many words. Love finds its tongue in light of eye and clasp of hand.
Prayer meetings in Wales before periods of Revival.
Intensity – just “Oh”. When reached certain pitch and intensity, men were
sure revival was near. God surveys the heart, sees us longing and desiring for
those things which Holy Spirit has implanted, which are entirely in accord with
the will of God. So he answers If we ask anything according to his will, he
heareth us (1 John 5:14).
Most helpful thought here – The Holy Spirit helps
us and makes intercession for us so that we pray in the will of God. When we
pray with unutterable longings and sighs which never find words, we are not to
be despised as if we ought to put them into language. This is the Holy Spirit
interceding on our behalf, prompting our groanings, when words are inadequate to
express our desires. Not to be ashamed of wordless prayers. Father understands
prayers which are sighed rather than said, because he searches our hearts and
can read our thoughts. He knows what is the mind of the Spirit, for the Spirit
always prays according to the Father’s will.
The Father answers prayers prompted by the Spirit
in our hearts and even broken speech and unutterable feelings. C.H.Dodd said:
“Prayer is the Divine in us appealing to the Divine above us”. The Holy
Spirit teaches us God’s will, and we want what the Lord will love to grant.
Prayer, whose source is the Holy Spirit, is sure. God always approves and
answers prayers put within us by the Holy Spirit.
These are great realities. Remarkable stories about prompting of the Holy Spirit. Jonathon Goforth, Canadian missionary greatly used in Korean revival of 1906. In1909 he came to England. Visited an old lady and talked about the revival. She told him certain dates when God pressed her to pray in special manner. Compared dates – she had been prompted to pray when God was doing his mightiest work in Manchuria and China.
Look at prayer life in light of the text. What do we know of the Holy Spirit’s assistance? Is prayer life a burden, load and duty to keep conscience quiet? Have we forgotten or neglected this truth? Never thought of the Holy Spirit’s work to lend us a hand in prayer?
If our prayer life is an area of deadness and barrenness, we must begin to put matters right by confessing our infirmities, uselessness, failure, sin of slighting Holy Spirit by self suffering and arrogance. Say to the Holy Spirit “Teach me to pray”. No longer rush heedlessly into God’s presence. Teach us to sit still first of all. Luther’s version of Psalm 37:7 reads Be silent before God and let him mould thee. Commit self to leading of the Spirit. He will control heart and mind, and he will direct and enable. Depend on the Holy Spirit to make us people of prayer.
George Muller, great prayer warrior, had 50,000 recorded answers to prayer. His work was handed to the Lord. Before he prayed, he always asked God first what He wanted him to pray for. He was quite prepared to wait months and years until he was sure he was in God’s will. So prayers for conversions – held on for 10, 20 even 60 years. Never gave up as long as he was sure God wanted him to pray for them. Then never discouraged. “My heavenly Father would not lay on my heart a burden of prayer for two men over three score years if he had not purposes of mercy for them.” Remarkable conversions through Billy Bray, as a result of Muller’s prayers. Biographer wrote (and some parts of narrative will appear strange even to the Lord’s people): “When God impresses persons to pray for any particular blessing, it is a sure sign that He is about to bestow that blessing upon them. Definiteness of aim in prayer, combined with a holy persistency, will surely hit the mark”.
Remarkable for every one of us. Revivals have begun in prayer, lives have been changed by it, distance annihilated, miracles wrought by it. Weapon to be wielded by everyone. Skill not depend on money, intelligence, or great ability, but simply willingness to be taught, led and controlled by the Holy Spirit.
We need Spirit inspired, Spirit inwrought, Spirit taught, Spirit directed and Spirit energised prayer. Revolutionise private and public prayer. The Spirit helps our infirmities. Ask, and submit to him.
“Grace taught my soul to pray
And
made my eyes o’er flow.
This
grace has kept me to this day
And
will not let me go.”
Augustus Toplady
