MALAGASY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Song & Gospel
Sunday V after Passover 27 May – 01 June 2019
“PRAY EARNESTLY”
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Introduction: Pray earnestly means ”be zealous and be careful not to be caught by laziness or hopelessness but be disposed to pray.” All the believers and men of God drew strength, the renewing of their mind and the guidance of the Holy Spirit from prayers, and so they could fulfill their work, especially the ministry the Lord assigned them. This was so with Jesus Christ who, Son of God though He was, often withdrew to lonely places to pray (Mark 1:35 / Luke 5:16). And this is how He accomplished his great works which manifested the Glory of God—numerous, wonderful and blessed works through the preaching of the Gospel of God’s Kingdom with strength, power and miraculous signs, « the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes » Rom.1:16. At the end of which He declared: « I finished the work you gave me to do » John 17:4. And it was written that « He has done everything well » Mark 7:37. Since the believer is confronted with struggles and since he may be wrestling with so much worries which affect his faith and hinder his union with God, the word of God urges and encourages him: « Call on Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you will honor Me » Psalm 50:15. « Ask and it will be given to you » Mat.7:7. « Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen » Luke 21:26. « Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you » 1 Pet. 5:7. In this regard the Lord really sends the Holy Spirit to lead and to encourage the believer to pray because « the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans » Rom. 8:26. Prayer has its foundations as follows: God listens to prayers and answers them (1King 18:37-38). – The sincere prayer is strong, that which is done with faith ( Mat. 21:22), in union with Jesus and in keeping the word of God (John 15:7). – The « broken and contrite heart » that God does not despise (Psalm 51:17) can open the heaven (Deut. 28:12). Happy are those who remain in the faith and persevere in prayer, the Kingdom of God is rooted inside them for unending blessings ( Psalm 21:6). Stand firm. Pray earnestly!
Monday 27: Take heart, God listens to prayers.
« Then you will call on Me and come to pray to Me and I will listen to you. » Jer. 29:12. Reading 1 : Mat. 6:5-6. Reading 2 : Jer. 29: 11-14. Preaching : Jer. 29:12. Introduction : Keep on praying because God does not reject the sinner who seeks Him and asks for the true salvation. When David asked for forgiveness from God, he said: « My sacrifice, O God is a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart. You, God, will not despise » Psalm 51:17
Tuesday 28: Keep on, praying strengthens you.
« Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen » Luke 21:36.
Those who do not know God think that prayer is useless and a waste of time. God makes prayer a way and a means through which the believer can be connected with Him without interruption. It is not an external habit but it is the real life of the believer so Jesus encourages it: « Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen » Luke 21:36. When Jesus strugged in prayer in Gethsemane, an angel of God came to strengthen Him (Luke 22:43). The power of the prayer is God listening and answering it. So pray earnestly.
Wednesday 29: Take courage, in order to persevere in prayer.
« Be faithful in prayer » Rom.12:12. Reading 1: Luke 18:1-8. Reading 2: Rom.12:9-12. Preaching : Rom.12:12.
Introduction: Persevering in prayer has a great advantage. The apostle Paul said: « If we endure, we will also reign with Him » 2 Tim.2:12. Remember Hannah who kept on praying in order to have a child and the Lord gave her Samuel (1Sam.1:12). So was the Canaanite woman who bargained with Jesus about her daughter who suffered from demon possession (Mt. 15:22). And above all, there were the apostles and the women who were constantly in prayer as they waited for the Holy Spirit, and it was accomplished (Acts 1:14, Acts 2:23).
Thursday 30: Ascension Day. Persevere in the union with Jesus in his work of intercession.
« After He said this, He was taken up to heaven before their very eyes » Acts 1:9.
Reading 1 : Rom. 8:28-34. Reading 2 : Acts 1: 1-11. Preaching : Acts 1:9.
Introduction : When Jesus ascended on high, He did not come back alone but « He took many captives for God » Psalm 68:18. And He especially performs the priestly ministry of intercession for all who saved as it is written: « Christ Jesus……. is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us » Rom. 8:34. Being in union with Jesus in his intercession ministry is a great assurance for the believer.
Friday 31: Be strong, accomplish the works resulting from prayers.
« Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress » Jas 1:27. Reading 1 : Luke 16: 19-31. Reading 2 : James 1 : 22- 27. Preaching : James 1 : 27.
Introduction : Well-arranged speech and lengthy prayers do not please God according to Mat.6:5-6. Rather, He delights in the prayer demonstrated by acts of love and mercy towards the poor and the needy. Jesus said: « Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me— that is, whoever worships Him—will do the works I have been doing » John 14:12.
Saturday 01: Jesus encourages us to pray.
« Ask and you will receive and your Joy will be complete » John 16:24.
Reading 1 : Zach. 10:1-7. Reading 2 : John 16: 23-28. Preaching : John 16:24.
Introduction : Jesus urges us to pray and He gives us assurance: « Ask and it will be given to you, for everyone who asks receives » Mat. 7:7,8.He says: « I will do whatever you ask in My Name so that the Father may be glorified in the Son » John 14:13. God rejoices in answering prayers.
Nota: This pericop is published in Malagasy, French, English and German and can be seen on the website www.hifi-madanet.org, and on Facebook “HiFi- english”. Listen “hifiradio.org” – Teachings, testimonies, songs in 24/7. © HiFi Madanet