Christian Life Church
March 29, 2023 - 7pm
#9 SAMUEL – THE CHILD OF PRAYER #10 DANIEL – THE PRAYING CAPTIVE
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Wednesday 6:30 PM
PRAYING MEN OF THE BIBLE MARCH 29, 2023
#9 SAMUEL – THE CHILD OF PRAYER
“That was a grand action by Jerome, one of the Roman fathers. He laid aside all pressing engagements and went to fulfill the call God gave him, viz. to translate the Holy Scriptures. His congregations were larger than many preachers of today but he said to his people, “Now it is necessary that the Scriptures be translated; you must find you another minister: I am bound for the wilderness and shall not return until my task is finished.” Away he went and labored and prayed until he produced the Latin Vulgate which will last as long as the world stands. So we must say to our friends, “I must away and have time for prayer and solitude.” And though we did not write Latin Vulgates yet our work will be immortal: Glory to God.” Rev. C H Spurgeon
SCRIPTURE
Book of 1 Samuel
Central Truth: If we are to enjoy and operate in the blessing of a thriving prayer culture at church, it must first be established, exercised and understood in the home.
Who was Samuel?
1/ Samuel was born to a devout couple: Elkanah and Hannah who were childless.
2/ Samuel was given to the service of the Lord at a very young age – “lent unto the Lord.”
3/ Samuel is often called the last of the judges and the first of the prophets.
What did Samuel do?
1/ Samuel heard the voice of the Lord and obeyed.
1 Samuel 3:10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
2/ Samuel preached repentance and called upon Israel to turn away from their idols.
1 Samuel 7:2-4Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord.3 So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.
3/ Samuel anointed Israel’s first kings – Saul and David.
1 Samuel 9 (Saul is anointed) and 1 Samuel16 (David is anointed).
How was prayer a priority of Samuel’s Life?
1/ Samuel was raised by a praying mother and in the “house of prayer.”
1 Samuel 1:10, 11 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
1 Samuel 2:18, 26
18 But Samuel was ministering before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod.
26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.
2/ Samuel cried out to the Lord on behalf of Israel and the Lord defeated the Philistines!
1 Samuel 7:8, 9 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him.
3/ In every situation Israel faced, Samuel first turned to the Lord in prayer!
1 Samuel 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.
Christian Life Lessons
1/ Praying Samuels come from praying Hannahs.
Praying priests come from the “house of prayer.”
Praying leaders come from praying homes.
2/ Whether leading a family, leading a business, leading a team or leading a nation, we must first go to the Lord in prayer!
3/ We must hear the voice of the Lord and obey!
PRAYING MEN OF THE BIBLE
#10 DANIEL – THE PRAYING CAPTIVE
“It is a wonderful historical fact that the men of prayer have always been the men of power in the world. I want to convince you about this. Some of you men – and I am glad to see such a large number of men here tonight – if you are arguing with some friend in the workshop, be sure and ask him why it is that men of power in the world have been the men of prayer. Take only one instance: Where did they go always to find men for the forlorn hope in Havelock’s days? They went to Havelock’s prayer meeting; that is where they found men who had courage to come out for the forlorn hope.” Bishop Winnington Ingram
SCRIPTURE
The Book of Daniel
Central Truth: Even in the most difficult of circumstances, we are called to live lives of righteousness, holiness, and purity!
Who was Daniel?
1/ Born into an unidentified family of Judean nobility during King Josiah’s reign. (621 BC)
2/ He was among the selected youthful hostages of the first Jewish deportation, taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BC. Given the Babylonian name “Belteshazzar.”
3/ He became chief over the wise men of Nebuchadnezzar’s Court because of the favor of the Lord on his life and for his God-given ability to interpret dreams and visions.
What did Daniel do?
1/ Daniel remained faithful to his religious convictions and would not eat of the king’s food.
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
2/ Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams which gave him prominence in Babylon.
Daniel Chapters 2 and 4
1/ Daniel remained faithful to God, even when his life was threatened.
Daniel Chapter 6
How was prayer a priority of Daniel’s Life?
1/ He prayed, along with his three friends, for God to grant mercy and provide protection from death.
Daniel 2:17-23 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishaal and Azariah.18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;wisdom and power are his.21 He changes times and seasons;he deposes kings and raises up others.He gives wisdom to the wiseand knowledge to the discerning.22 He reveals deep and hidden things;he knows what lies in darkness,and light dwells with him.23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:You have given me wisdom and power,you have made known to me what we asked of you,you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
2/ Daniel consistently and faithfully prayed to God, three times a day.
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
3/ Daniel cried out to God in confession as the 70 years of Israel’s captivity were coming to an end.
Daniel 9:4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments.
4/ Daniel fasted and prayed for Israel and was strengthened by an angelic being.
Daniel 10:12-14 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”
Christian Life Lessons
1/ We must pray with courage, fortitude, determination, and consistency like Daniel.
2/ It takes time to pray, and time to get the answer(s) to prayer.
3/ Delays in answered prayer are not always denials.
4/ Failure to receive an immediate answer to prayer is not evidence that God does not hear us!
5/ It takes not only courage and persistence to pray successfully, but it requires much patience.
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
#9 SAMUEL – THE CHILD OF PRAYER
“That was a grand action by Jerome, one of the Roman fathers. He laid aside all pressing engagements and went to fulfill the call God gave him, viz. to translate the Holy Scriptures. His congregations were larger than many preachers of today but he said to his people, “Now it is necessary that the Scriptures be translated; you must find you another minister: I am bound for the wilderness and shall not return until my task is finished.” Away he went and labored and prayed until he produced the Latin Vulgate which will last as long as the world stands. So we must say to our friends, “I must away and have time for prayer and solitude.” And though we did not write Latin Vulgates yet our work will be immortal: Glory to God.” Rev. C H Spurgeon
SCRIPTURE
Book of 1 Samuel
Central Truth: If we are to enjoy and operate in the blessing of a thriving prayer culture at church, it must first be established, exercised and understood in the home.
Who was Samuel?
1/ Samuel was born to a devout couple: Elkanah and Hannah who were childless.
2/ Samuel was given to the service of the Lord at a very young age – “lent unto the Lord.”
3/ Samuel is often called the last of the judges and the first of the prophets.
What did Samuel do?
1/ Samuel heard the voice of the Lord and obeyed.
1 Samuel 3:10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
2/ Samuel preached repentance and called upon Israel to turn away from their idols.
1 Samuel 7:2-4Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord.3 So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.
3/ Samuel anointed Israel’s first kings – Saul and David.
1 Samuel 9 (Saul is anointed) and 1 Samuel16 (David is anointed).
How was prayer a priority of Samuel’s Life?
1/ Samuel was raised by a praying mother and in the “house of prayer.”
1 Samuel 1:10, 11 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
1 Samuel 2:18, 26
18 But Samuel was ministering before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod.
26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.
2/ Samuel cried out to the Lord on behalf of Israel and the Lord defeated the Philistines!
1 Samuel 7:8, 9 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him.
3/ In every situation Israel faced, Samuel first turned to the Lord in prayer!
1 Samuel 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.
Christian Life Lessons
1/ Praying Samuels come from praying Hannahs.
Praying priests come from the “house of prayer.”
Praying leaders come from praying homes.
2/ Whether leading a family, leading a business, leading a team or leading a nation, we must first go to the Lord in prayer!
3/ We must hear the voice of the Lord and obey!
PRAYING MEN OF THE BIBLE
#10 DANIEL – THE PRAYING CAPTIVE
“It is a wonderful historical fact that the men of prayer have always been the men of power in the world. I want to convince you about this. Some of you men – and I am glad to see such a large number of men here tonight – if you are arguing with some friend in the workshop, be sure and ask him why it is that men of power in the world have been the men of prayer. Take only one instance: Where did they go always to find men for the forlorn hope in Havelock’s days? They went to Havelock’s prayer meeting; that is where they found men who had courage to come out for the forlorn hope.” Bishop Winnington Ingram
SCRIPTURE
The Book of Daniel
Central Truth: Even in the most difficult of circumstances, we are called to live lives of righteousness, holiness, and purity!
Who was Daniel?
1/ Born into an unidentified family of Judean nobility during King Josiah’s reign. (621 BC)
2/ He was among the selected youthful hostages of the first Jewish deportation, taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BC. Given the Babylonian name “Belteshazzar.”
3/ He became chief over the wise men of Nebuchadnezzar’s Court because of the favor of the Lord on his life and for his God-given ability to interpret dreams and visions.
What did Daniel do?
1/ Daniel remained faithful to his religious convictions and would not eat of the king’s food.
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
2/ Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams which gave him prominence in Babylon.
Daniel Chapters 2 and 4
1/ Daniel remained faithful to God, even when his life was threatened.
Daniel Chapter 6
How was prayer a priority of Daniel’s Life?
1/ He prayed, along with his three friends, for God to grant mercy and provide protection from death.
Daniel 2:17-23 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishaal and Azariah.18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;wisdom and power are his.21 He changes times and seasons;he deposes kings and raises up others.He gives wisdom to the wiseand knowledge to the discerning.22 He reveals deep and hidden things;he knows what lies in darkness,and light dwells with him.23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:You have given me wisdom and power,you have made known to me what we asked of you,you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
2/ Daniel consistently and faithfully prayed to God, three times a day.
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
3/ Daniel cried out to God in confession as the 70 years of Israel’s captivity were coming to an end.
Daniel 9:4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments.
4/ Daniel fasted and prayed for Israel and was strengthened by an angelic being.
Daniel 10:12-14 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”
Christian Life Lessons
1/ We must pray with courage, fortitude, determination, and consistency like Daniel.
2/ It takes time to pray, and time to get the answer(s) to prayer.
3/ Delays in answered prayer are not always denials.
4/ Failure to receive an immediate answer to prayer is not evidence that God does not hear us!
5/ It takes not only courage and persistence to pray successfully, but it requires much patience.
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.