Romans 260: Romans 8 - The Right Attitude For Prayer: We Don’t Know How to Pray

Welcome To

BARAH MINISTRIES

a Christian Church

Rory Clark

Pastor-Teacher

 

Good Morning!

 

Welcome to Barah Ministries…a Christian Church based in Mesa, AZ…my name is Pastor Rory Clark.  Barah Ministries teaches the Word of God from God’s perspective and not from a human perspective.  We want to know what God has to say to us though His Word and we’re convinced He knows exactly what He’s talking about.

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

The Right Attitude For Prayer:  We Don’t Know How to Pray

 

It is quite natural in the human realm, to wonder exactly where we rank.  When we watch the championship games in our favorite sports, we see the winning team showered with glory and we see the losing team with sourpuss faces, groaning, even though they have just accomplished something magnificent…a trip to the championship game.  The world tells the runner-up…“The team in second place is the first LOSER!”

 

The Lord’s apostles were not immune to their own humanity in the desire to know their rank with the Lord…the pecking order…and in John, Chapter 13, Verse 23, the apostle described himself this way…

 

John 13:23

There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom (John,) one of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved.

 

You go John!  Actually, that is a fitting description of all of us!  Mark, Chapter 9, Verses 33 to 35…

 

Mark 9:33

Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum (Kfer-Nahum…the village of Nahum); and when Jesus was in the house, He began to question the apostles, “What were you discussing on the way here?”

Mark 9:34

But the apostles kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.

 

Mark 9:35

Sitting down, Jesus called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, and all of you do, he shall be last of all and the servant of all.”

 

In the Lord’s pecking order, the greatest among you will be your servant.  The Lord instructs us how to look at life…Luke, Chapter 14, Verses 7 to 11…

 

Luke 14:7

And Jesus began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how the guests had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them…

 

Luke 14:8

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by the host…”

 

Luke 14:9

“…and he who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you will have to proceed to occupy the last place.”

 

Luke 14:10

“But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you.”

 

Luke 14:11

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

 

In God’s plan the pecking order is clear…the servants will be first in line. 

Welcome to a place where you can learn how to love and serve the Lord through the study of His Word.

 

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

BLESSINGS

Laura Story 

 

The opening song for this lesson is BLESSINGS by Laura Story.

 

OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

We’re grateful, Heavenly Father, for the privilege of studying Your absolute truth...the Word of God…

 

Father, we know that You and Your Word are the only realities that make sense in this lost an dying world…everything else pales in comparison to Your ways and Your truths…we thank you for the glimpse of unity You give us by allowing us to be a part of THIS Body of Christ at Barah Ministries…we love it that you let us learn together and work together and grow together in the knowledge of You and Your Son and Your Holy Spirit…

 

Help us to serve You in the way You want to be served…make us great… give us the courage to go into the world wooing disciples and encouraging them to do what You command…let our knowledge of You be followed by action in the world…let us shine as the “lights of the world,” and send us forth to do Your will by telling everyone about the salvation power of the shed blood of Your Savior Son…

 

We ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit in Christ’s name... Amen.

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

The Right Attitude For Prayer:  We Don’t Know How to Pray

 

“Pastor, when I pray, what do I say?”  I’ve heard that for many years from Christian lips.  It’s as if there is a right way to pray, and if you don’t follow the exact prayer procedure, your prayers won’t get above the ceiling.  In fact, it is as if you don’t have the right words to say to God when you pray, that God will strike you down…or God will ignore you.  In this lesson, we’d like to dispel that mythology. 

 

Let’s begin this lesson by taking the offering.  In just a few moments we’ll welcome up Deacon Denny Goodall.

 

THE OFFERING

Deacon Denny Goodall

 

BARAH MINISTRIES FINANCIAL POLICY

We choose not to charge for the things we provide to help you study the Word of God.  We wish to reflect God’s grace.  Help yourselves to bibles, to music, to books, to pamphlets, to anything that would help you, a family member, or a friend learn about God.  No price appears on any material from Barah Ministries so that anyone who wants to learn about God can do so free of charge.

 

BARAH MINISTRIES FINANCIAL POLICY

 

Even though the materials are free of charge, they are not free of cost.  We appreciate the financial support you provide which allows us to share the Word of God with the hearers God brings to listen.  Please be generous in your support of God’s work through this ministry.

 

Let’s welcome up Deacon Denny Goodall.

 

THE OFFERING

Deacon Denny Goodall

 

OFFERING VERSE

 

Hebrews 13:2

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

 

OFFERING

FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE

Dave McClure, Instrumental

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

The Right Attitude For Prayer:  We Don’t Know How to Pray

 

The right question to ask is this…“Pastor, when I pray, what should my attitude be?”  Let’s look at and listen to the fourth passage in Romans Chapter 8, Verses 26 to 30…for a bit of guidance…

 

Romans 8:26

In the same way God the Holy the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but God the Holy Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…

 

Romans 8:27

…and God the Father who searches the hearts knows what the mind of God the Holy Spirit is, because the Holy Spirit intercedes for the saints (believers in Christ) according to the will of God the Father.

 

Romans 8:28

And we know that God the Father causes all things to work together for good to those who love God the Father, to those who are called according to the Father’s purpose.

 

Romans 8:29

For those whom God the Father foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son (the Lord Jesus Christ), so that the Lord  would be the firstborn among many brethren…

 

Romans 8:30

…and these whom God the Father predestined, He also called; and these whom God the Father called, He also justified; and these whom God the Father justified, He also glorified.

 

What’s the right attitude for prayer?  The attitude of infirmity…that we don’t know how!  Humility is the right attitude.  God Himself tells us we don’t know how to pray!  But the good news is God gives us a helper…Romans Chapter 8, Verse 26…

 

Romans 8:26

In the same way (by the agency of the first fruits God the Father has given us), this God the Holy the Spirit, also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but God the Holy Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…

 

Just as a wife is called a helper, as in Genesis, Chapter 2, Verse 18…

 

Genesis 2:18

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”

 

…God the Holy Spirit is called the Helper…John, Chapter 15, Verse 26…

 

John 15:26

“When the Helper comes, whom I (the Lord Jesus Christ) will send to you from God the Father, that is God the Holy Spirit of Truth, who proceeds from God the Father, the Spirit will testify about Me (the Lord Jesus Christ)…”

 

A believer in Christ is emulate God the Holy Spirit in this way…we are to testify concerning Jesus…we are not to be monastic…shying away from and separating ourselves from the world…instead we are to step up to and to speak out in the world, spreading the gospel message…the good news concerning what the Lord Jesus Christ did for all mankind at the Cross.  We do this with confidence knowing we have a helper…John, Chapter 16, Verses 5 to 15…

 

John 16:5

“But now I (the Lord Jesus Christ) am going to God the Father who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’”

 

John 16:6

“But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.”

 

John 16:7

“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (God the Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go away, I will send Him to you.”

 

John 16:8

“And God the Holy Spirit, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…”

 

John 16:9

“…concerning sin, because sinners do not believe in Me…”

 

John 16:10

“…and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me…”

 

John 16:11

“…and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged.”

 

John 16:12

“I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”

 

John 16:13

“But when He, God the Holy Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and God the Holy Spirit will disclose to you what is to come.”

 

John 16:14

“God the Holy Spirit will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.”

 

John 16:15

“All things that God the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.”

 

Let’s take a music break and we’ll see what this means…

 

MUSIC BREAK

EVERY MAN

Casting Crowns

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

The Right Attitude For Prayer:  We Don’t Know How to Pray

 

What is the right attitude for prayer?  Do what you do, inadequate as it may be, and let God the Holy Spirit do the rest for you!  Romans Chapter 8, Verse 26…

 

Romans 8:26

In the same way (by the agency of the first fruits God the Father has given us), this God the Holy the Spirit, also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but God the Holy Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…

 

Let’s look at the different parts of the first verse of the new passage…

 

God the Holy Spirit Helps Our Weakness

 

What is our weakness?  It’s a permanent infirmity.  The flesh.  We are nothing but weaknesses…we don’t know God…we don’t know His Word…we don’t know what to ask Him for…we don’t know how to relate to Him…we don’t know how to obey Him.

 

We Don’t Know How to Pray as We Should

 

So come as you are…God doesn’t need an eloquent orator.

 

<LILA AND THE CATS>

 

PRAYER:  OUR PROBLEM AND GOD’S SOLUTION

 

We Don’t Know How                           God Knows How

We are Unable                                      God is Able

We are Inadequate                                God is Adequate

We are Ignorant                                    God is Wise

We are Needy                                       God Provides

We are Limited                                     God is Unlimited

 

God the Holy Spirit Himself Intercedes for Us

 

The Spirit is within us…God the Holy Spirit intercedes from the inside out because He is indwelling us and He knows everything about us…even things we don’t know about ourselves.  God the Holy Spirit knows you better than you know yourself.

 

The Lord Jesus Christ intercedes for us in prayer from the right hand of His Father.  The Lord Jesus Christ is on our side in prayer…Romans, Chapter 8, Verses 33 and 34…

 

Romans 8:33

Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies…

 

Romans 8:34

…who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather He who was raised from the dead, He who is at the right hand of God the Father, who also keeps on interceding for us.

 

The Lord Jesus Christ advocates for us…He asks His Father for things that benefit us…He uses His influence with the Father for us…First John, Chapter 2, Verses 1 and 2…

 

First John 2:1

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, and we do, we have an Advocate with God the Father… Jesus Christ, the ONLY righteous One…

 

First John 2:2

…and this Advocate, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, is the propitiation for our sins; and not for our sins only (as believers in Christ), but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

Every time you pray, God the Holy Spirit takes what you want, communicates it effectively to God the Father, while the Lord Jesus Christ, is also telling His Father of our need, and God the Father grants the blessing…John, Chapter 16, Verse 19 to 24…

John 16:19

Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me?’”

 

John 16:20

“Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.”

 

John 16:21

“Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.”

 

John 16:22

“Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”

 

John 16:23

“In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.”

 

John 16: 24

“Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”

 

We need certain things…often we can’t get our real desires to our thoughts…and if we get our real desires to our thoughts, we can’t put the desire into words.  Romans Chapter 8, Verse 26…

 

Romans 8:26

In the same way (by the agency of the first fruits God the Father has given us), this God the Holy the Spirit, also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but God the Holy Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…

 

God the Holy Spirit does the praying for us…Psalm 44, Verse 21…the “b” part…

 

Psalm 44:21b

For He knows the secrets of the heart.

 

First Corinthians, Chapter 2, Verse 21…

 

First Corinthians 2:21

For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?

 

God the Holy Spirit is our spiritual translator when we are praying.

 

Look at His role in salvation.  You hear the gospel message…your request for salvation sends up a weak positive signal that is not effective for salvation…God the Holy Spirit plucks the signal out of the air…translates it…signs it…it’s called the sealing ministry of God the Holy Spirit…and He “FedEXes” your salvation request to the throne room of heaven.  His signature is a guarantee that you are saved and a guarantee of all the things you hope for in the future...

 

With Groanings Too Deep For Words

 

The Spirit groans in intercession…His intercessions are so deep, they can’t be uttered…words cannot contain the thoughts of the Spirit…we don’t really know what we want or what we need but He does…and He gets it for us.

 

God the Father is the Source of all blessings…the Lord Jesus Christ is the Channel for all blessings…God the Holy Spirit is the Agent of all blessings.

Romans Chapter 8, Verse 26…

 

Romans 8:26

In the same way (by the agency of the first fruits God the Father has given us), this God the Holy the Spirit, also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but God the Holy Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…

 

We’ve scratched the surface…in our next lesson we’ll take a deeper dive on this subject.

 

When the Lord Jesus Christ

Promises Salvation, It’s a Guarantee!

 

Romans 3:10

…as it is written, “There is no creature who is righteous, not even one”

 

Romans 5:8

But God the Father demonstrates His own unconditional love toward all mankind, in that while we were yet sinners (as unbelievers), Christ died instead of us.

 

John 3:17

For God the Father did not send the Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) into the world to condemn the world, but the Father sent His Son into the world that the world might be saved through believing in Him.

 

John 1:12

But as many as received the Lord (taking advantage of the free gift of salvation), to them He gave the right (once and for all time) to become children of God…to those who believe in Christ’s name…

 

CLOSING SONG

HERO

June Murphy

 

CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

          THANKS- INTERCESSION- PETITION

 

We pray that You protect our steps as we go out into the world, Father…and that you keep us on the narrow way, completely dependent on You and Your Guiding, Mentoring Spirit…we ask this in Christ’s name, Amen.

 

Thanks for coming!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for listening!

 

www.barahministries.com