THE PRAYER OF SORROW (2 OF 3)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Luke22:30, Luke22:39, Luke22:41-55
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The Prayer of Sorrow (2 of 3)
Series: Touching Heaven
Jeff Strite
Luke 22:39-55
OPEN: A minister noticed a young boy kneeling off to the side of the room after youth group and praying very fervently. As the preacher came within earshot of the boy, he was surprised to hear the boy saying: ''Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo.''
After the boy finished his praying the preacher approached him and said, ''Son, I was very pleased to see you praying so devoutly, but I couldn't help but overhear you saying something like 'Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo.' What was that all about?''
The boy replied, ''Well, I just finished taking my geography test in school, and I have been praying as hard as I can that God would make Tokyo the Capital of France.''
APPLY: How many of you think that boy's prayers will change the Capital of France to Tokyo?
Not going to happen is it?
Now I'm going to say something next that I find very uncomfortable, and so I want to say something before I get into the body of the sermon itself. I want to make it very clear that I'm a strong believer in prayer. I believe that prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have and that prayer can give us the power to change the circumstances of our lives.
I BELIEVE THAT.
I'VE SEEN THAT
And I KNOW THAT IT'S TRUE.
But I also know, there are going to be times when prayer will NOT change what's going to happen. I mean, God can do whatever He wants to do, and He can change whatever He desires to change. But let's face it, unless God really has a good reason to do otherwise: Tokyo will always be the capital of Japan… not France.
And so when I was pondering this text for the sermon this week, and I observed this prayer by Jesus that wasn't going to be answered by the Father, I found myself asking the following three questions
1. What happens when God doesn't answer my prayers the way I want them answered?
2. What do I do when God says no?
3. What good does it do for me to pray if I'm pretty sure those prayers may n ...
Series: Touching Heaven
Jeff Strite
Luke 22:39-55
OPEN: A minister noticed a young boy kneeling off to the side of the room after youth group and praying very fervently. As the preacher came within earshot of the boy, he was surprised to hear the boy saying: ''Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo.''
After the boy finished his praying the preacher approached him and said, ''Son, I was very pleased to see you praying so devoutly, but I couldn't help but overhear you saying something like 'Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo.' What was that all about?''
The boy replied, ''Well, I just finished taking my geography test in school, and I have been praying as hard as I can that God would make Tokyo the Capital of France.''
APPLY: How many of you think that boy's prayers will change the Capital of France to Tokyo?
Not going to happen is it?
Now I'm going to say something next that I find very uncomfortable, and so I want to say something before I get into the body of the sermon itself. I want to make it very clear that I'm a strong believer in prayer. I believe that prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have and that prayer can give us the power to change the circumstances of our lives.
I BELIEVE THAT.
I'VE SEEN THAT
And I KNOW THAT IT'S TRUE.
But I also know, there are going to be times when prayer will NOT change what's going to happen. I mean, God can do whatever He wants to do, and He can change whatever He desires to change. But let's face it, unless God really has a good reason to do otherwise: Tokyo will always be the capital of Japan… not France.
And so when I was pondering this text for the sermon this week, and I observed this prayer by Jesus that wasn't going to be answered by the Father, I found myself asking the following three questions
1. What happens when God doesn't answer my prayers the way I want them answered?
2. What do I do when God says no?
3. What good does it do for me to pray if I'm pretty sure those prayers may n ...
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