Genesis 32:6
God wants us to pray and He knows what it takes to motivate us, and He loves us despite our unworthiness.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the various motivations for prayer, illustrating how desperation, fear, great needs, and love can drive individuals to seek God. He highlights Jacob's recognition of his unworthiness yet his approach to God, reminding us that God's responses to our prayers are based on His mercy rather than our worthiness. Smith encourages believers to reflect on God's past mercies and the truths He has revealed, asserting that prayer should be grounded in God's Word rather than our own goodness. Ultimately, he calls for a deeper relationship with God, where prayer is not just about requests but also about communion.
Text
"PRAYER"
I. "MOTIVATIONS TO PRAY." "WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MOTIVATE?"
A. Some motivated by desperation.
1. These were troubling days for Jacob.
a. Laban had just departed.
b. Esau is on his way with 400 men.
2. There doesn't seem to be any human way out.
3. What does an extremely resourceful person do?
B. Some motivated by fear "I fear."
1. He feared for the safety of his family.
2. It takes frightening situations to prompt people to pray some times.
C. Some motivated by great needs.
1. They can't control a situation any more.
2. They have run out of money and credit.
D. Some motivated by love.
1. I wonder how shocked God would be if some day you would just say "Hello
Father, I really don't need anything, but I just thought I would like to
talk with You for a while."
E. Men should pray, God wants us to pray and He knows what it takes to motivate
you. Why not make it easy on yourself?
II. WORTHINESS AND PRAYER "I AM NOT WORTHY."
A. Jacob realized unworthiness yet he came.
1. Some let their unworthiness keep them away.
2. God's answers to prayers not predicted upon your worthiness. His love and
mercy.
B. The least of Thy mercies.
1. "With my staff I passed over this Jordan."
2. He realized present prosperity due to God's mercy.
a. Worked hard for 20 years.
3. Think of all of God's mercies to you. Which of them are you worthy of?
C. "Of all the truth, which you showed."
1. God had given to Jacob some glorious truths.
a. The greatest being, that he would be in the ancestry of the Christ
child.
2. Think of the great truths God has shown to you today.
a. That He loves you.
b. He sent His son to die for you.
c. That He will cleanse you from your sin and guilt.
d. That He will abide in your life.
e. That He wants you to dwell with Him forever.
Which of these truths are you worthy of?
III. THE BASIS OF PRAYER "GOD'S WORD."
A. This must always be the basis, never my goodness.
B. vs. 9 The Lord which saidst.
1. Lord you got me into this mess vs. 12 "And Thou saidst."
2. Jacob was holding God to His Word.
C. God has said some pretty wonderful things about you and about prayer 33:4.
Sermon Outline
- MOTIVATIONS TO PRAY
- Motivated by Desperation
- Motivated by Fear
- Motivated by Great Needs
- Motivated by Love
- Why Not Make It Easy on Yourself
Key Quotes
“I wonder how shocked God would be if some day you would just say 'Hello Father, I really don't need anything, but I just thought I would like to talk with You for a while.'” — Chuck Smith
“With my staff I passed over this Jordan.” — Chuck Smith
“Of all the truth, which you showed.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should pray because God wants us to, and He knows what it takes to motivate us.
- We can pray without feeling worthy, because God's love and mercy are not based on our worthiness.
- God's Word is the basis of prayer, and it is what we hold Him to when we pray.