Is Grass Growing On Your Path?
September 5, 2021 MW
Acadiana Baptist Church
IS GRASS GROWING ON YOUR PATH?
Psalm 5:1-3
INTRODUCTION:
Early African converts to Christianity were taught the importance of private prayer. Each one had a separate part of the thicket where they would pour their hearts out to God. Over time, the path to these spots would become a well-worn trail. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon very apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, “Brother, the grass grows on your path.”
If there is one thing that every believer MUST learn to master, it is prayer. Prayer was my first discovery of true faith. When told how to be saved, I was told that I needed to pray. I simply asked how do I pray? I was told that prayer is nothing more than a conversation with God and it is just as real as the conversation that I was having at that very moment. Prayer has become one of the most misunderstood principles in the Christian life. When we view God as the lucky rabbit’s foot and our prayer life is treated like a break in case of emergency all sorts of problems abound. When we EXPECT God to do EXACTLY what we ask, we are treating God like our servant. When God does NOT answer as we expected, we think God failed us and then our faith can become very jaded.
From the beginning of time, men have prayed, Genesis 4:26. In all type of places, at all times, and in every conceivable situation, men have prayed. As long as there are tests in school, there will always be prayer in schools. We are bombarded daily with so many voices and vices and we must discipline ourselves to push those things aside and through prayer seek the still small voice of God.
According to our text, we must give God our WAKING thoughts. Start the day with the Lord and see how your day goes. Give God your WAITING thoughts, your WHISPERING thoughts and at days end give Him your WANING thoughts too.
BODY: Let’s learn about prayer…
I. THE DEFINITION OF PRAYER vs. 1
Note: Webster’s defines prayer as, “In a general sense, the act of asking for a favor, and particularly with earnestness. 1. In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God’s glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for his mercies and benefits.” However, let’s get a little more specific.
A. Is NOT about impression, information, or isolation it is an INVITATION
B. Is Work—not for the lazy, requires discipline
C. Is a Battle—Satan opposes our prayers
D. Is Powerful—no greater power
E. Is the Christians Wardrobe—need to never fear becoming cold and indifferent like the world
II. THE DIRECTION OF PRAYER vs. 2, 1 Peter 3:7, Romans 8:26
Note: Sometimes I think this world would end if people didn’t have Dear Abby, Dr. Phil or Dave Ramsey to help us fix things. We have A LOT of cries for help horizontally and sadly not enough cries for help vertically. Notice, the direction of the Psalmist’s help.
A. God has the Ability to Hear
• limited by our sin
• limited by our silliness (and let us not choke on it amen.)
B. God has the Ability to Help
• limited by His Will…NOT His ability
III. THE DISCIPLINE OF PRAYER vs. 3, Luke 18:1
Note: The Psalmist prayed in the morning, he even says it twice but the key word is when he says “WILL”. He knew the Lord would hear his voice not as in maybe but DEFINITELY! This takes great discipline to stay the course in prayer!
A. Physical Discipline—to give yourself the time to pray
B. Mental Discipline—to stay focused
C. Spiritual Discipline—keep confessed before the Lord
CONCLUSION:
Is grass growing on your path?