The ACTS of Prayer

byBrian Birdow

Sermon text: Ezra 9www.cmcoc.org

Adoration

• A deep love and respect

• Worship; veneration

• Reverence, regard

• High esteem

Adoration

• Ezra 9:4 Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice.

• Ezra 9:5 And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having torn my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,

Adoration for God the FatherBecause HE gave!Because HE gave!

• John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

• Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;

Adoration--- because of creation

• Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.

• Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and deity; so that they are without excuse:

Why Adoration?--Creation

• Job 38:31 Can you bind the cluster of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

• Job 38:32 Can you bring forth Mazzaroth in its season? or can you guide Arcturus with its children?

• Job 38:33 Know you the ordinances of heaven? can you set their dominion in the earth?

Why Adoration---Statues• Psalms 19:7-10 The law of the LORD is

perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

• The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Confession• A formal admission of one’s sins with repentance

and desire of forgiveness.

• A formal statement admitting that one is guilty of a crime.

• A statement of faith…Acts 8:37, 1 Tim. 6:13

• An admission or acknowledgement that one has done something that one is ashamed or embarrassed about:

Confession + Repentance

• Ezra 10:11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the foreign wives.

Confession + Repentance

• Jeremiah 3:13 Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the LORD your God, and have scattered your favors to the strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed my voice, says the LORD.

• Jeremiah 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, says the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one from a city, and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

Confession + Repentance• 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the

light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.

• 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

• 1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Confession + Repentance• Proverbs 28:13 He that covers his sins

shall not prosper: but whosoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.

• James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Thanksgiving

• Ezra 9:13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that you our God has punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and has given us such deliverance as this;

• Ezra 9:14 Should we again break your commandments, and join in marriage with the people of these abominations? would not you be angry with us till you had consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?

Thanksgiving

• 1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

• Psalms 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto your name, O most High:

Thanksgiving

• Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God, even the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

• Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgivingthanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Supplication

• A request or petition

• The action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.

• Asking God for something—generally a request for the person praying

• Asking GOD to supply YOU with what YOU need

Supplication

• Psalms 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: you have delivered me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

• Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before my face.

Supplication

• James 4:2 You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not.

• James 4:3 You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it upon your lusts.

Notice Ezra!

• Ezra 9:5 And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having torn my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,

• Ezra 9:6 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my God: for our iniquities have risen higher than our head, and our trespass has grown up unto the heavens.