Prayer: A Humble Offering and Divine Connection
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the multifaceted nature of prayer, likening it to smoke from a sacrifice offered to God. This imagery is deeply rooted in Old Testament practices, where smoke from the altar of incense symbolized prayers ascending to God. The Israelites would see the smoke and know their prayers were in God's presence. On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, this symbolism was heightened as the incense was taken into the Holy of Holies, signifying that God was not only hearing but also answering their prayers.
We explored how prayer, like smoke, is a humble offering devoid of entitlement, ego, or pride. It is a sacrifice freely given, and its essence is what remains as a pleasing aroma to God. This concept is echoed in Romans 12, where Paul urges believers to offer their lives as living sacrifices, a spiritual act of worship. Through Jesus Christ, our prayers are transformed and brought confidently before God, free from the Old Testament's symbolic constraints.
We also examined the Lord's Prayer, focusing on the plea for deliverance from evil. This prayer is not about dictating to God but about aligning ourselves with His will, even in the face of unanswered prayers or seemingly increased chaos. The story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 illustrates this well, showing that God's deliverance may not come in the ways we expect but is always assured.
In the New Testament, the story of Peter's miraculous escape from prison in Acts 12 highlights the power of communal prayer and God's sovereignty in deliverance. However, it also raises the uncomfortable question of why some prayers, like those for James, seem unanswered. This reminds us that our prayers, like sacrifices, should be offered without expectations, trusting in God's ultimate plan.
Finally, we discussed the importance of recognizing the reality of evil and not trivializing it. Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane and His ultimate sacrifice serve as the ultimate model for our prayers, emphasizing submission to God's will and the assurance of deliverance through Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Prayer as Smoke: Prayer is like smoke from a sacrifice, a humble offering devoid of entitlement, ego, or pride. It is a spiritual act of worship that rises to God as a pleasing aroma. This imagery helps us understand the depth and humility required in our prayers. [47:18]
2. Living Sacrifices: Romans 12 teaches us to offer our lives as living sacrifices. This means our prayers and actions should be free of selfish motives, reflecting a genuine desire to worship and serve God. Our lives, like the smoke from a sacrifice, should be a continuous offering to God. [48:09]
3. God's Sovereignty in Deliverance: The story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 and Peter's escape in Acts 12 remind us that God's deliverance may not come in the ways we expect. Our prayers should be offered with trust in God's ultimate plan, even when immediate answers are not evident. [59:33]
4. The Reality of Evil: We must recognize the reality of evil and not trivialize it. Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane and His teachings emphasize the need for vigilance and reliance on God to deliver us from temptation and evil. This awareness helps us stay spiritually alert and dependent on God. [01:02:04]
5. Communal Prayer: The power of communal prayer is evident in the story of Peter's deliverance. When the church gathers to pray, miracles can happen. This unity in prayer strengthens our faith and brings us closer to God's will, emphasizing the importance of praying together as a community. [01:08:42]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[40:26] - Introduction to Prayer
[40:52] - Prayer as a Gem
[41:12] - Prayer as Smoke
[41:44] - The Grill Incident
[42:10] - Symbolism of Smoke in the Old Testament
[43:08] - The Altar of Incense
[44:48] - The Day of Atonement
[45:55] - Psalm 141 and Prayer
[47:18] - Prayer as a Sacrifice
[48:09] - Living Sacrifices in Romans 12
[48:52] - Jesus as Our High Priest
[49:28] - Confidence in Prayer Through Jesus
[50:36] - The Lord's Prayer
[52:35] - Misconceptions About Prayer
[54:02] - Evil Times and God's Control
[55:34] - Jesus' Prophecy and Evil Times
[56:32] - Prayer for Deliverance
[57:31] - Personal Testimony of Desperation
[58:33] - Elijah's Story of Desperation
[59:33] - God's Whisper to Elijah
[01:01:02] - God's Sovereignty
[01:02:04] - Jesus in Gethsemane
[01:03:35] - The Reality of Evil
[01:06:09] - Relativism of Evil in Culture
[01:07:41] - Deliverance in Acts 12
[01:08:42] - The Power of Communal Prayer
[01:10:38] - Peter's Miraculous Escape
[01:11:42] - Unanswered Prayers
[01:12:16] - Sacrifice and Deliverance
[01:13:40] - The Lord's Prayer as a Roadmap
[01:14:43] - Prayer for Deliverance Today
[01:15:49] - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane
[01:16:22] - Communion and Jesus' Sacrifice
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
> I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2. Psalm 141:1-2 (ESV)
> O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
3. Acts 12:5-11 (ESV)
> So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.
### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 12:1-2 say about how we should present our bodies to God? How is this related to the concept of living sacrifices? ([48:09])
2. In Psalm 141:1-2, how does the Psalmist describe his prayer? What imagery does he use to convey the nature of his prayer? ([46:32])
3. According to Acts 12:5-11, what was the church doing while Peter was in prison, and how did God respond to their prayers? ([08:42])
4. How does the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 illustrate God's unexpected ways of delivering His people? ([59:33])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to offer our lives as living sacrifices according to Romans 12:1-2? How can this be seen as a form of spiritual worship? ([48:09])
2. How does the imagery of prayer as incense in Psalm 141:1-2 help us understand the nature of prayer as a humble offering to God? ([46:32])
3. In Acts 12, why do you think the church's communal prayer was significant in Peter's miraculous escape? What does this tell us about the power of communal prayer? ([08:42])
4. How does the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 challenge our expectations of how God should answer our prayers? What does this teach us about trusting in God's sovereignty? ([59:33])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own prayer life. Do you approach prayer with a sense of entitlement, or do you see it as a humble offering to God? How can you shift your mindset to align more with the idea of prayer as a sacrifice? ([47:18])
2. Romans 12:1-2 calls us to be living sacrifices. What are some practical ways you can offer your daily life as a sacrifice to God? Are there specific areas where you struggle with selfish motives? ([48:09])
3. The story of Peter's escape in Acts 12 highlights the power of communal prayer. How can you become more involved in communal prayer within your church? Are there specific prayer groups or events you can join? ([08:42])
4. Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane shows His submission to God's will even in the face of great suffering. How can you practice this kind of submission in your own life, especially when facing difficult situations? ([01:02:04])
5. The sermon emphasized the reality of evil and the need for vigilance. How can you stay spiritually alert and rely on God to deliver you from temptation and evil? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt to help with this? ([01:02:04])
6. Reflect on a time when you felt your prayers were unanswered or when chaos seemed to increase despite your prayers. How can the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 help you trust in God's ultimate plan and sovereignty? ([59:33])
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of recognizing and not trivializing evil. How can you cultivate a more serious awareness of evil in your daily life? Are there specific actions you can take to combat the influence of evil around you? ([01:03:35])
Devotional
Day 1: Prayer as a Humble Offering
Prayer is like smoke from a sacrifice, a humble offering devoid of entitlement, ego, or pride. It is a spiritual act of worship that rises to God as a pleasing aroma. This imagery helps us understand the depth and humility required in our prayers. Just as the Israelites saw the smoke from the altar of incense and knew their prayers were in God's presence, we too can visualize our prayers ascending to God, free from selfish motives.
In the Old Testament, the smoke from the altar of incense symbolized prayers ascending to God. On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, this symbolism was heightened as the incense was taken into the Holy of Holies, signifying that God was not only hearing but also answering their prayers. This concept is echoed in Romans 12, where Paul urges believers to offer their lives as living sacrifices, a spiritual act of worship. Through Jesus Christ, our prayers are transformed and brought confidently before God, free from the Old Testament's symbolic constraints. [47:18]
Psalm 141:2 (ESV): "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!"
Reflection: Think about a recent prayer you offered to God. Was it free from entitlement, ego, or pride? How can you ensure your prayers are humble offerings to God?
Day 2: Living Sacrifices
Romans 12 teaches us to offer our lives as living sacrifices. This means our prayers and actions should be free of selfish motives, reflecting a genuine desire to worship and serve God. Our lives, like the smoke from a sacrifice, should be a continuous offering to God. This concept challenges us to examine our daily lives and ensure that our actions align with our prayers, creating a harmonious spiritual act of worship.
Paul's exhortation in Romans 12:1-2 calls believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is their spiritual worship. This involves a transformation of the mind and a rejection of worldly patterns. By doing so, believers can discern God's will and live in a manner that pleases Him. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous process of offering ourselves to God in humility and service. [48:09]
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: In what ways can you offer your daily actions as a living sacrifice to God? Identify one specific area where you can align your actions more closely with your prayers.
Day 3: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
The story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 and Peter's escape in Acts 12 remind us that God's deliverance may not come in the ways we expect. Our prayers should be offered with trust in God's ultimate plan, even when immediate answers are not evident. This trust requires us to relinquish control and accept that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
Elijah's experience in 1 Kings 19 shows that God's deliverance can come in unexpected ways. After fleeing from Jezebel, Elijah found himself in a state of despair. However, God spoke to him not through a powerful wind, earthquake, or fire, but through a gentle whisper. Similarly, Peter's miraculous escape from prison in Acts 12 highlights the power of communal prayer and God's sovereignty in deliverance. These stories teach us to trust in God's timing and methods, even when they differ from our expectations. [59:33]
1 Kings 19:11-12 (ESV): "And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when God's answer to your prayer was different from what you expected. How can you cultivate trust in God's sovereignty and timing in your current circumstances?
Day 4: Recognizing the Reality of Evil
We must recognize the reality of evil and not trivialize it. Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane and His teachings emphasize the need for vigilance and reliance on God to deliver us from temptation and evil. This awareness helps us stay spiritually alert and dependent on God, acknowledging that evil is a real and present danger that requires divine intervention.
Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, where He asked the Father to take the cup of suffering from Him yet submitted to God's will, serves as a powerful example of recognizing the reality of evil and relying on God for deliverance. His ultimate sacrifice on the cross underscores the seriousness of evil and the need for redemption. As believers, we are called to be vigilant, recognizing that we are in a spiritual battle and must rely on God's strength to overcome temptation and evil. [01:02:04]
Matthew 26:41 (ESV): "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to be more vigilant against temptation and evil? How can you rely more on God's strength to overcome these challenges?
Day 5: The Power of Communal Prayer
The power of communal prayer is evident in the story of Peter's deliverance. When the church gathers to pray, miracles can happen. This unity in prayer strengthens our faith and brings us closer to God's will, emphasizing the importance of praying together as a community. Communal prayer not only brings about divine intervention but also fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose among believers.
In Acts 12, Peter's miraculous escape from prison was a direct result of the church's fervent prayers. This story highlights the importance of coming together as a community to seek God's intervention. When believers unite in prayer, they create a powerful spiritual force that can bring about miraculous outcomes. Communal prayer also strengthens the bonds between believers, fostering a sense of unity and shared faith. [01:08:42]
Acts 12:5 (ESV): "So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church."
Reflection: How can you participate more actively in communal prayer within your church or community? Identify a specific prayer need that you can bring to your community for collective prayer.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Prayer is something that you can discuss one way and then you can turn it a little bit and you can discuss it or see it in a completely different light. And so today we are going to be talking about prayer as smoke. And what does that mean?" [41:12] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I want you to know this. That a sacrifice lacks entitlement. A sacrifice lacks ego, pride, greed, or any other emotion. The sacrifice is freely given as a symbol of worship. And the smoke that comes from it is all that is left of what was offered." [48:09] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We know this, that Jesus is what brings us near to the throne room of God. But it's something that we need to be reminded of often. That it is only because of the sacrifice of Jesus that we can with confidence go before God wherever we pray." [49:28] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We pray every day, or we pray once a week, or even maybe we pray once a month. I want us to look at this as us being sacrificed. As us laying down our lives on the altar just as Jesus laid His life on the altar. And was sacrificed for us." [50:36] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "See, the reality is that God does not instantly remove evil in accordance with our timelines or our expectations. Evil is an insidious force that worms its way into our lives and it requires God to get it out." [01:01:33] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "See, I want us to view prayer through this very unique lens. That prayer is smoke from a sacrifice offered to God. I want you to know this. That a sacrifice lacks entitlement. A sacrifice lacks ego, pride, greed, or any other emotion. The sacrifice is freely given as a symbol of worship." [47:18] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "See, we do not have the laws and the limits of the Old Testament worshipers. We have been freed of that symbolism. And we've been freed through the reality of Jesus Christ. The entire book of Hebrews, very complicated, very complex in its education, is teaching us, New Testament Christians, a very important rule. That the Old Testament is a shadow to the reality that is Jesus Christ." [48:52] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "See, I'm reminded of a passage in the second most holy book that we have The Lord of the Rings. If I could I would have you turn over in The Lord of the Rings to this passage. It is one of my favorite passages. In the movie Pippin says this but in the book Frodo is the one who actually says this and Gandalf is expositing a lot of information to Frodo about all the horrible evil things that are going to happen that are happening and all the things that Frodo says. And Frodo has to do." [54:33] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "See, the evil one the accuser Satan the devil and evil both specific and general it is real and it is active. See one of the more devious sides of our modern culture is the relativism of evil and the only way I can explain this is by talking about my little pony." [01:04:08] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "See, prayer as a cry for deliverance in the book of Acts in chapter 12 we have this story of James the brother of John and he is being killed or he is killed by Herod and Peter is immediately arrested alright and everybody assumes the worst with Peter everyone assumes that he will be the church's next martyr so the church begins to pray and God sends an angel to rescue Peter." [01:07:41] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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