Prayer is Relational

 

“Talking with God”

DAN. 9:1-23

  THEME: Regularly Engage in Two-Way Communication With the Lord in order to Build an Ever Deepening Fellowship With Him.

RELEVANCE:

The Christian life is NOT a set of religious rituals, nor merely a list of beliefs.  God is a Divine Person and we must never forget he offers us a personal relationship to enjoy and maintain.  Intimate associations grow, prosper, and are strengthened through wholesome self-disclosing communication—prayer.  Victory or defeat is decided in your Christian life on the battleground of your daily walk with the Lord. 

INTRODUCTION:

True Communication with God Is Not Talking to God, but Talking with God. We do not communicate if we voice a petition to God, but do not wait for His answer. We do not communicate if we express our desires to God, but do not hear what His desires are for us. We do not communicate if we vent our anger, frustration, doubts, fears, or joys to God, but do not listen intently for His response.  Prayer is speaking to and listening to God. It is an active process involving two communicators: God and you.

Daniel’s prayers illustrate and model two-way communication with God.   

MESSAGE:  

I.               PRAYER IS TO BE RELATIONAL (The Key to Relationship) (Dan. 9:7, 14, 16-19)

Having prayed for the removal of God’s wrath (vv. 15-16), Daniel now prayed for God’s favor, mercy, and forgiveness (vv. 17-19).  Because God is merciful and forgiving, he prayed, “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive.” Concerned for God’s reputation, Daniel wanted the Lord to act quickly (defer not) on behalf of the city and people that bore His name. All this would bring glory to God for it was for His sake (v. 17).

Like Moses (Ex 32:10-14; Ezk 14:14, 20), Daniel as intercessor carried on arguments with the Almighty, on several grounds: (1) God’s people were a reproach among the heathen (Dan 9:16). (2) God was known to be merciful (v. 18). (3) God’s reputation was at stake (v. 19).  Daniel’s concern for God’s name reflects the care of relationship and unselfish love toward another.

1. INTENTIONAL COMMUNICATION WITH GOD ULTIMATELY STRENGTHENS AND DEEPENS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. 

1.     By relationship I am simply referring to our fellowship and harmony with the Almighty.  I am emphasizing the daily Christian walk.  One purpose of prayer is that we might know God better, experience more of His love, and have an abiding awareness of His work in our lives. Talking to God doesn’t build relationship. Communicating with God does.

2.     Prayer can restore relationship with God. And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. (Judg 16:28).  In spite of Samson’s past, God still answered his prayer and destroyed the pagan temple and worshipers. God still loved him. He was willing to hear Samson’s prayer of confession and repentance and use him this final time. One of the effects of sin in our life is to keep us from feeling like praying. But perfect moral behavior is not a condition for prayer. Don’t let guilty feelings over sin keep you from your only means of restoration. No matter how long you have been away from God, he is ready to hear from you and restore you to a right relationship. Every situation can be salvaged if you are willing to turn again to him. If God could still work in Samson’s situation, he can certainly make something worthwhile out of yours. 

2. A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS VERY PERSONAL.

1.     In fact, it is the most intimate relationship you can ever know. Nobody knows you as God knows you. Nobody loves you as God loves you. Nobody desires good for your life more than God does.

2.     In prayer—in genuine communication with God—you will soon discover not only more about God, but more about yourself as God’s beloved child. There is no more exciting or enriching experience!

3.     Biblical prayer is personal. The phrase “Our Father which art in heaven” (Matt 6:9-13) indicates that God is not only majestic and holy, but also personal and loving. The first line of this model prayer is a statement of praise and a commitment to honor God’s holy name. We can honor God’s name by being careful to use it respectfully. If we use God’s name lightly, we aren’t remembering God’s holiness.

3. YOUR INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS UNIQUE.

1.     This is true for every relationship you have with another person, and it is no less true in your relationship with God.

2.     Your prayers must be your prayers. Your communication with God is your communication. While written or formalized prayers have their place in certain group settings, your times of communication with God should be marked by your own original speech.

3.     Prayer is talking with God as you would talk to your dearest friend, your most eager supporter, your most loving mentor.

CONCLUSION:

In our study, we will give you some general principles that are basic to any believer’s prayer life. The specifics of your prayer relationship with God are as distinctive as any other aspect of your life and your ability to communicate.

As we approach this study in prayer, I encourage you to open yourself to the grand possibility that God has something to say to you that you will delight in hearing. He is eager to spend time with you and to develop a deep, intimate relationship with you that is marked by great joy and well-being.

Ultimately, prayer is to be experienced, not studied. In study we simply learn how to better communicate with God—and to that end, how to have a better relationship with our Creator. It is an experience to be pursued and a relationship to be valued beyond all others.

ILLUSTRATION: “A dear friend of mine who was quite a lover of the chase, told me the following story: ‘Rising early one morning,’ he said, ‘I heard the baying of a score of deerhounds in pursuit of their quarry. Looking away to a broad, open field in front of me, I saw a young fawn making its way across, and giving signs, moreover, that its race was well-nigh run. Reaching the rails of the enclosure, it leaped over and crouched within ten feet from where I stood. A moment later two of the hounds came over, when the fawn ran in my direction and pushed its head between my legs. I lifted the little thing to my breast, and, swinging round and round, fought off the dogs. I felt, just then, that all the dogs in the West could not, and should not capture that fawn after its weakness had appealed to my strength.’ So is it, when human helplessness appeals to Almighty God. Well do I remember when the hounds of sin were after my soul, until, at last, I ran into the arms of Almighty God.” — A. C. DIXON.