"To Pray Is to Change"

Prayer brings us into the deepest work of the human spirit. Prayer transforms us because of what we pray about and to whom we pray. Prayer is a reliance on a power greater than our own. Let's surround all the work that God is leading us to do in prayer.

To Pray Is To Change

(Col. 1:9-14)

Introduction:

A.  We come to the end of our series on Wholehearted Devotion to God.  For the past couple of months we have been challenged by God to be involved in proclamation, service, transformation, and worship.  For me, these studies have pushed me to grow deeper in my relationship with Him and also in my relationship with others.  They have not been easy lessons to present, because most of us realize the need for personal growth in all four of these areas.

B.  But when God does the challenging, not growing is not an option.  As Paul told the Romans in Rom. 6:1-2, “Shall we continue to sin that grace may increase?  By no means!  We died to sin, how can we live any longer in it?”  These are not simply four topics randomly chosen.  This is a belief of what God expects from everyone who names the name of Jesus.

C.  The warnings of failing to keep in step with the Spirit are throughout the Bible.  Matthew recorded Jesus statement, “Not all who say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord didn’t we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  Then I will them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me you evildoers.’”

D.  I don’t want to sound negative, but I do want to speak truth.  As much as we have warnings by God to keep on, we also have encouragement.  For example, the Hebrew writer encourages us to remember all that Jesus did in the face of opposition so that we “do not grow weary and lose heart.”  Or to the Galatian churches Paul encouraged them to not become weary in doing good for in due time we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up.

E.  Sowing up this idea of wholehearted devotion to God leads me to one more lesson.  Let me challenge us as church to understand what it means to be a prayer-centered church.  Every good work we think is good should first be brought before God in prayer, listening for an answer.  ”You can do more than pray, after you have prayed,” writes A. J. Gordon, “but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed.”

I.  Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding.

A.  To pray is to change.  Walk through the passage with me.

B.  Verse 9.  Paul believes so strongly in prayer that he continues to pray.  Examine his writings.  Paul was a man who deeply believed that prayer changes people – himself and others.  But Paul also understood that perception is necessary.  Prayer is not about manipulating God or thinking that God is waiting to make you happy by giving you all sorts things for your pleasure simply because I have a “gimme” attitude.

D.  Look at Paul’s prayer.  Probably everyone here has prayed for someone else in their life, but did you pray like this?  I encourage you to take some time to pray with the group that meets Sunday night after worship.  Prayer time in that group centers on spiritual needs.  Paul prayed that these Christians would have spiritual wisdom and understanding.  Are there people in your life that you want to see understand God’s will for them?  Maybe in a saving way or maybe saved people living a stronger faith.  Then pray for them.  Pray that they God might fill them with the knowledge of his will – not your will – his will.  Pray that they would have all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  You might get some too!

II.  To Pray Is To Change

A.  Look at verse 10.  Paul says we pray this “in order that.”  Paul’s prayer is to bring about personal change, a change that draws these people closer to God.  When we as church wrap ourselves in prayer that seeks to “live a life worthy of the lord and to please him in every way,” we pray for wholehearted devotion.

B.  When Jesus talks to his disciples in John 15, he talks about how he is the vine and we as the followers are the branches.  He calls for us to remain in him so that we can produce good fruit.  In Ephesians 2:10, it says “For we are God’s workmanship,- created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared for us to do.”
C.  Let me share a fact that struck me.  We all bear fruit.  It doesn’t make a difference if you are growing in the Lord or not.  You and I will bear fruit.  What is natural for a tree is to bear fruit that someone else enjoys.  It may be good or may not be good, but we will bear fruit.

D.  What type of fruit do you bear?  Wrap yourself in prayer. Wrap your family in prayer.  Wrap this congregation in prayer.  Wrap your friends in prayer.  To pray is to change.

III.  The Result

A.  I want to close by looking at verses 13-14.  I believe prayer is our greatest weapon against sin.  I believe prayer is our strongest tool to us in seeking God’s salvation for lost people.  Paul’s prayer gives thanks to God for qualifying us to share in the inheritance of the saints.  God rescues us from darkness to light.

B.  God rescued us from the dominion of darkness.  Brethren, only God can do that.  So pray for that rescue to happen.  Just listen to these verses from Isaiah:

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Is 9:2

“Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. God’s bright glory has risen for you. The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, all people sunk in deep darkness, but God rises on you, his sunrise glory breaks on you.” Isaiah 60:1-2(The Message)

Conclusion:

A.  In all things, pray.  If we pray like this for someone everyday and in turn teach others to do the same we can bring a revival to our community like that at Pentecost. We too can be changed for the better, changed to be the people God wants us to be, the church God wants us to be, the person God wants us to be.
B.  Will you pray?  Maybe someone has been praying for you.  Praying that you would give your life to Christ.  While they have been praying God’s Spirit has been working on you, calling you.  Now you sit in that pew waiting.  I pray that God will open your heart to receive this message.  I pray that those of us who need to repent will humbly come before God in prayer and rededicate our lives to him.  If you need to answer the prayers that have been offered for you, then come as we stand and sing.