Does Prayer Work: A Prayer for Wisdom

Does Prayer Work: A Prayer for Wisdom

1 Kings 3:3-14
Sunday, May 30, 2021

Pastor Mike Bailey

Introduction

Our struggles are real. Our pain does hurt. Our needs require real solutions. And like many people, we take our struggles to God in prayer. But is God listening? Does He hear our pleas and care about our needs? Are there conditions to whether or not He will hear our prayers and answer them? How do we know prayer works or that God listens? God has gifted us with a direct line of communication with Him through the Holy Spirit, but how do we know we are really connected to God and how do we know His response? This message series will answer real questions you have about prayer.

May 16 – Does Prayer Work: A Prayer of Service

May 23 – Does Prayer Work: A Prayer of Hopelessness

May 30 – Does Prayer Work: A Prayer of Wisdom

June 6 – Does Prayer Work: A Prayer of Deliverance

June 13 – Does Prayer Work: A Prayer of Thanksgiving

June 20 – Does Prayer Work: A Prayer of Sorrow

IMPACT Church 101 E. First Ave. Parkesburg, PA 19365
(610) 857-3887 [email protected]

1. It’s not just about being .

Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. Romans 1:22

Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. Proverbs 12:15

a. – facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education.

b. – the soundness of an action or decision regarding the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:17

How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! Proverbs 16:16

Notes:

2. Solomon was on the path. (3-4)

“If you love me, obey my commandments.” John 14:15

a. He let his love of God him.

The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27

I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. Jeremiah 10:23

b. His love of God was .

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 2 John 1:6 (ESV)

Notes:

3. Therefore, Solomon found himself in a to ask. (5-6)

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16

a. He recognized blessings come from.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8

b. He recognized the blessings were.

“In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” Matthew 5:45

For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalm 84:11

Notes:

4. Solomon’s understating of God dictated his . (7-9)

Do everything without complaining and arguing,  so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:14-15

a. He was a humble .

And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

b. He was a humble .

“What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 23:1

5. God looks at more than just the . (10-14)

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

a. He knows what was asked for.

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” Malachi 3:10

b. He knows what you with the answered prayer.

Closing: Is your prayer life focused on the right things?