The Profitability of Prayer

(#20, Daggett/Yermo/Kelso, Oct. 1947; Imperial, 1965)

 Read Job 21:15.

Christ's practice of prayer.

    1.  Prayer to the Lord was more important than rest  (Mark 1:35).

    2.  Prayer was more important to the Lord than securing workers, money or machinery  (Matt. 9:38).

    3.  The teaching of prayer was more important to the Lord than teaching men how to preach.  He never taught on the latter but did the former (Matt. 6:5-15).

    4.  Prayer was more important to the Lord than all other ministries (Heb. 7:25).

Prayer is profitable because...

ƒ    Through prayer we grow in the Christian life.

ƒ    By it we are put in touch with God.

ƒ    By it we can move obstacles.

ƒ    It is answerable.

Conditions of Profitable Prayer.

ƒ    Salvation and faith (1 John 5:13-14; James 1:5-6).

ƒ    Righteousness, obedience, abiding (1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 3:21-22; John 15:7).

ƒ    Thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6).

Hindrances to Profitable Prayer.

ƒ    Vain repetitions (Matt. 6:7).

ƒ    Non-committal attitude (Ps. 37:5).  To commit means to leave it there.  You don't plant seeds, and then dig them up to see if they are growing, nor do you take the watch to the watchmaker for repair, only to retrieve it before the job is done.

ƒ    Selfishness (James 4:3).

ƒ    Sin (Prov. 15:29).

Be resolute in prayer.  Make any sacrifice to maintain it.  Consider that time is short and that business and company must not be allowed to rob thee of thy God.