123. Prayers, Unfinished
123. Prayers, Unfinished
123 UNFINISHED PRAYERS
INTRODUCTION Man prone to leave undone tasks; perhaps Dorcas (Acts 9:36-40) left some unfinished garment. The artist or sculptor represented the life of man with an unfinished piece of stone.
I. NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING ABOUT PRAYER 1. Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17.) 2. Pray for everything. (Php 4:6.) 3. Pray for each other. (2 Thessalonians 1:11; Hebrews 13:18; James 5:16.) II. SOME UNFINISHED PRAYERS 1. Pray for health; must obey laws of health.
2. Pray for sick; must help them get well.
3. Pray for the bereaved; comfort them.
4. Pray for success in business; must conform to economic principles.
5. Pray for wisdom (James 1:5); must study.
6. Pray for spiritual growth; must take spiritual food and exercise.
7. Pray for salvation of sinners; must preach gospel to them.
8. Pray for world peace; must work for it.
9. Pray for unity of the church (Ephesians 4:3); must work for the unity of the church.
10. Pray for enemies (Luke 6:27); must work and do good to our enemies.
11. Pray for church to fill its mission; must be a faithful member of it .
CONCLUSION We have a part in answering some of our prayers; if we fail to do our part the prayer is unfinished.
(Editor’s Note: This was the last Sermon Brother Boles preached. It was delivered at Grace Avenue, Nashville Tenn., Jan 6, 1946.)