GOING AN EXTRA MILE IN PRAYER (PSALM 55:1-23)

 

GOING AN EXTRA MILE IN PRAYER

BIBLE PASSAGE: PSALMS 55:1-23

Picture taken from Google

Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon’s Wisdom FB page

Lesson ideas taken from: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-55

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

MEMORY VERSE

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

PSALMS 55:22

 

INTRODUCTION:

We know that prayer is important in our Christian lives but sometimes or most of the times Christians neglect prayer especially if their lives are smooth sailing and no major struggles. We feel that things seem okay and whether accept it or not, there’s a little self-dependence in us especially if we are good in every aspect of our lives: yourself, family, church and career/work. Then when troubles strike us, our self-dependence burst into pieces and results to a realization that there’s ultimate power we can call. When it’s beyond our control, we bend our knees to prayer. Then the sweetness of prayer flows in our spirit and make us humble unto the Lord. We are so thankful to the Lord for CBT because it urges us to pray. We have one month “Prayer and Devotion,” Dawn Watch, one-week prayer meeting and events prayer time.  

 

Let me ask this question, honestly how many times in a day we talk God in prayer? In Psalms 55:17 says, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”  In your opinion, what led David to pray three times a day? 

 

Colossians 4:12 says, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”

We can see from this verse that prayer needs labor.  Personally, you can notice by yourselves that your flesh doesn’t want you to pray. Your flesh would say after a day work, “Come on, you’re tired; it’s time to lean your back on your soft bed to regain strength for tomorrow.” Is this reality? Yes, it happens and that’s why need to “GO AN EXTRA MILE IN PRAYER.” What does this mean? Going an extra mile means: to make an effort, try very hard to achieve something, to do more than expected or to make special efforts.  Why we need to go an extra mile in prayer?

 

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  BECAUSE OF FEAR (PSALMS 55:1-8)

Life in this world is uncertain and because of this all people have fears. Fears for the future, the life of your kids, the struggles you might face, your health on this pandemic time and many more.

David describes his trouble, misery in oppression. In his prayer verses 1-3:

a)   Hide not Thyself from my supplication.  We sense in David’s prayer that he felt God was distant, as if He were hiding from him. He asked God to attend to me and hear me (verse 2).

Have we felt the same way with David? Are there times we feel God is distant and when we can’t see Him working?  These times can last for a day or for a season, and one of the biggest challenges we face during these times is Satan lying to us. He whispers things like: “Don’t waste your time praying.  God’s not listening.” “God’s forgotten about you and your situation.” “God isn’t working.  He’s left you on your own.”

No matter how long these times last, it’s absolutely crucial that we keep our minds focused on truth so that we don’t easily fall for Satan’s lies. There are many promises in the Bible refute these thoughts in our mind, just fill our minds with God’s Words. Remember the choir we sang last Sunday titled, “When Heaven is Silent.” When heaven is silent, your faintest prayer is heard. When heaven seems distant, the Father hears each word. When God turns His face. He’s leaning close to hear your prayer.  Be still and know He’s there!
 

b)   I mourn in my complaint and make a noise

At the beginning of this psalm, David had a little peace. He was restless, complaining and moaning; and his moans were noisy. He needed help from God. Have you come to a point in your life wherein you feel that your struggles are unbearable; they’re like above your head. Bible reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10;13; there has no problems taken us above that we are able.  Charles Spurgeon says, “What a comfort we may be thus familiar with our God! WE may not complain of Him, but we may complain to Him.

c)    They cast iniquity upon me

At the beginning of this psalm, David had a little peace. He was restless, complaining and moaning; and

In verses 4-8, David was worried and uncertain. He had found that the so-called friends have been plotting against him. Remember Ahitophel? He was a trusted friend of David and yet betrayed him and conspired to Absalom, his son (2 Samuel 15:12, 2 Samuel 15:31, 2 Samuel 17:1-3). His own son and a friend treacherously aimed at his downfall. He knew not which way to turn. Have you felt at times where you don’t know where to turn to?

Overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness. David fears that death is upon him (verses 4-5). He wishes that he could escape from it all. He would like to fly away like a bird, so that he could find a quiet place where he could shelter from the storm (verses 6-8). We can see how helpless David was, his reaction was “escape.” Sometimes one of the reactions of Christians in facing troubles is escape. To find a quiet place is better but we need to face the reality and face the problem with humbleness and faith in God for guidance.

2.  WE HAVE ENEMIES TO BATTLE WITH (PSALMS 55:9-15)

From the repeated reference to the speech of his enemies (verses 3, 9, 11, and 12), we sense this was some kind of whispering attack on David that was serious enough to endanger his life. Here he prayed that God would divide those who spoke evil against him. I have seen violence and strife in the city: The attacks against David may have begun with words but did not end with them. People walked the city day and night causing trouble for David. The crisis at hand was not merely a problem for David, but for God’s people in general. Destruction is in its midst; oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets: The instability and intrigue made the whole city unsafe.

In verses 12-14 is a reflection on the bitterness of a friend’s betrayal. In verse 15, David is asking to take vengeance. Let death seize them; let them go down alive into hell: This remarkably strong statement from David shows how dangerous the man was to the peace of God’s people and how deeply he had wounded David. It was a strong prayer, but it was a prayer that left vengeance to God, and David refused to take vengeance himself.

Remember the country of Afghanistan, the Afghans always experience a battle. Have we tried to put ourselves on their shoes? Life at war is hard, no peace but unknowingly for some in spiritual aspect, we are on the battle too. Christians don’t see the importance of prayer because they don’t see that they are at war or possible they’re already retreated.  In a battle, prayer is a sign of dependence on God because we can’t do it by yourselves.

3.  TO FIND REST IN GOD (PSALM 55:16-23)

A)   CONFIDENCE ON GOD DESPITE THE ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY (16-19)

¹⁶ As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. ¹⁷ Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. ¹⁸ He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. ¹⁹ God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

 

As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me: David abruptly switched from praying for destruction to declaring calm confidence in God. It’s a further indication that he was able to leave his crisis – and his enemies – in the hands of the LORD, who would save him.

Evening and morning and at noon will I pray: David’s confidence in God was rooted in sincere dependence on God, demonstrated by constant prayer. Together all this gave David the confidence in God to say, He shall hear my voice.

He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: David felt that his soul had been rescued (bought out, redeemed) from turmoil and crisis and into peace. The battle continued (there were still many against him), but his soul was in peace.

God shall hear, and afflict them, even He that abideth of old: David was confident that the eternal God would answer His prayer.

B)    THE TREACHERY OF DAVID’S ENEMY (20-21)

²⁰ He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

²¹ The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him; he has broken his covenant: David’s unnamed enemy was also treacherous, breaking peaceful relationships and breaking agreements with others.

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: Using repetition and vivid images, David showed how dishonorable his unnamed enemy was. In contrast we see how honorable David was in not specifically naming the man.

C)   CONFIDENTLY LEAVING THE MATTER IN GOD’S HANDS (22-23)

²² Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

²³ But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

a.    Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain you: There are few greater burdens to bear than a one-time friend who becomes a treacherous and dangerous enemy. David knew that even this was a burden that God could and should bear.

b.    He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved: David had hope and confidence because he was persuaded that his fate did not rest in the hands of treacherous men. God was still Lord over all, and God had the final word on whether the righteous would be moved or not.

c.    You, O God, shall bring them down into the pit of destruction: The faithful God would not only help and establish the righteous, He would also bring down those bloodthirsty and deceitful men who caused so much trouble among God’s people.

d. But I will trust in You: The psalm appropriately ended with David’s focus upon God, not his enemies. He would trust in Him and not be disappointed.

CONCLUSION:

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. PSALMS 55:22

This prayer of David came in the midst of his very real and serious troubles. His anguish came from a close friend who betrayed him. David’s recourse was prayer, not revenge; he left that to God. He trusted God, knowing his prayer would be heard, knowing his God saves and redeems those who humbly turn to Him. They would not be moved or cast down to destruction as the evil ones would be.

Peter quoted this verse within 1 Peter 3:6-11 to encourage believers to cast their anxieties on God and trust Him because He cares for them. God promises to sustain His children in the midst of the burdens of life. Christ bore our biggest burden, our sin, on the cross already. He is more than able to handle the burdens and troubles we face every day.

 

 

 

THREE TIMES A DAY

THREE TIMES A DAY

(Daniel 6:10; Psalm 55:17)

this picture was taken from Google

September 23, 2018T

Lesson prepared by krisha of Solomon wisdom FB page

Memory verse

PSALM 55:17

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

INTRODUCTION:

Introduction taken: http://heartsongworship.org/abalsamo/DanielAndPraying.html

 

What are the things we do three times a day?  Do we take a shower three times a day? Do we drink coffee three times a day? Do we play games three times a day? I think most of our answers are “eating.” This is the common thing we do and sometimes some of us eat more than thrice. How about in prayer, do we do it three times a day? Is it hard to find a quiet time to pray? Finding the time to pray when you have a regular job and you’re not in your comfort zone is hard. Waking up early thinking the things you needed to do like: preparing for work and cooking for breakfast and your “baon” at work, is hard to focus in prayer especially if you wake up late. Honestly, yes, it’s hard and there’s dilemma but what if you have a rare disease which you couldn’t imagine why you have that? Do you see the urgency to pray? In our lesson for today, let’s see why Daniel prayed three times a day.

 

LESSON POINTS:

1.   DANIEL KNEW HOW DIFFICULT IT WOULD BE TO RESIST THE OPPOSITION AND REALIZED HE COULD ONLY FIND STRENGTH IN GOD (DANIEL 6:6-9).

 

-      In the Old Testament book of Daniel, we read that he lived under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar in the Babylonian empire. Daniel was an Israelite who followed the laws God had handed over to Moses. King Nebuchadnezzar did not follow Daniel's God in any way, shape or form, and while captive in Babylon Daniel was asked to do certain things he knew were not pleasing to his God. He did not conform to the requests of his captors to eat foods he knew were forbidden by God, nor did he relent in his desire to continue praying and worshiping with the Lord. Instead, we read that he prayed before the Lord three times a day although he was living during a difficult regime and very trying circumstances. How many of us can say the same? What do you do when pressed on all sides? Complain to your spouse/friends like everyone else? Mumble under your breath? Do you conform ever so slightly to the behavior of those around you?

Not so with Daniel. Here was a man truly set with his heart on God regardless of the prospect of certain death and many difficulties. He didn't succumb to the requests of a foreign King. He could have. It would have been easier to do that rather than risk the possibility of death, but no, not Daniel. He remained steadfast and firm in his desire to follow the Lord. So how did Daniel remain so sure in his walk? He prayed to his God; our God, three times a day. Not just a quick morning prayer before setting off to work, or an even quicker prayer before sleep. No, he prayed long and hard three times a day.

 

-      In this world we live, we know how hard to live in accordance with God’s will. Maybe we thought, the heroes of faith in the Bible hadn’t suffered the dilemma of living in this world as we live in this kind of modern world. Their experiences are the same as ours: working every day with our co-workers with a different spiritual view, the dress we need to wear for the nature of our work, the way we make “pakikisama” (Filipino culture) in order to have a good working atmosphere, and the jobs or any paper work our boss wants us to do which are against our conscience. These are just simple things compare to the experience Daniel had experienced; he was ordered to pray to a statue.

 

-      As I always mention in some of our lessons, my first time to experience working outside the Christian company was very hard but I treat those are part of my Christian life. Before, since I received Christ my Savior, I have been surrounded by Christian people, I lived with the same house with my pastor and his family, I also lived in the church as a full-time worker for so long. And after so many years of praying, my family became Christians as well, so I decided to live with them and also for financial reasons and my plan to study. Then I worked in Christian schools. Since that time, I have told myself “this is my world, my Christian world.” These, working in a different company was really hard for me. I once wrote a lesson titled, “The World Outside my World.” These experiences help me understand Christians and we couldn’t live in a Christian way with our own strength; we need God.

 

-      Daniel knew he was fighting against the leaders, therefore, he cannot do it by himself. Another lesson that can see in this situation is when we knew that in this life we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness (Eph.6:12) then we would lean on the Lord and be prayerful, but we are not that sensitive with the urgency of prayer in our lives. Daniel saw the urgency that was the reason why he prayed three times a day.

 

-      Prayerlessness is pride. Revelation 3:17 says, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

These are penetrating words from Jesus to his people, specifically the church in Laodicea, who were a self-sufficient people, or so they thought. They thought they had it all together. They thought they had all that they needed. “You say, I am rich,” Jesus says, “I have prospered. I need nothing.” It’s a pretty potent picture of pride in Revelation 3:17, a people who think they can do it on their own, a people who think they have all they need, a people who were prayer less, who were not pursuing God, who were prideful before him.

 

When we do not pray, we show that we believe we are self-sufficient. God help us to see that apart from Him we can do nothing. Like Daniel, God helped him to see that apart from Him He can do nothing and that’s why he prayed three times a day.

 

2.   HE KNEW HE WAS JUST AS HUMAN AS THE OTHERS WHO WERE IN CAPTIVITY AND JUST AS PRONE TO SIN AS THEY WERE (DANIEL 6:3).

 

-      Are we strong all the time? No, we are not! We are all prone to stumble and the Bible warns us in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he falls.”

-      Daniel was in his native country and he was in a faraway country. He was taken captive by the enemy. Most of the Christians when they are in another country they compromise on how the people live in that country but it’s not the case with Daniel. He didn’t compromise his faith even though for the sake of his life. Also, he was given the task of being a president and this position is prone to sin, but he has remained faithful.

 

-      He had that strong faith not having that by himself but because on how treated his prayer life well. Prayer is power.

 

-      The power of prayer does not flow from us; it is not special words we say or the special way we say them or even how often we say them. The power of prayer is not based on a certain direction we face or a certain position of our bodies. The power of prayer comes from the omnipotent One who hears our prayers and answers them.

Luke 1:37 - For with God nothing shall be impossible.

 

3.   HE RELIED ON THE LORD FOR THE GRACE TO WALK IN TRUTH AND NOT SUBMIT into THE REQUESTS OF LEADERS AROUND HIM (DANIEL 6:11).

 

-      It’s hard to stand in the truth if all people are against you. Have you seen the struggles Daniel had? This was not just a simple struggle; it was huge. I remember some situations in our church wherein we were devastated and hopeless with one simple struggle we experience. Our countenance is already sorrowful. Compare to Daniel, his struggles were the leaders of the government, but he didn’t lose hope. He continued praying.

-      After He heard that the writing was signed, he went to his house and prayed. Daniel 6:10-11

¹⁰ Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

¹¹ Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

Tagalog (Daniel6:10) At nang maalaman ni Daniel na ang kasulatan ay nalagdaan ng pangalan siya'y pumasok sa kaniyang bahay (ang kaniya ngang mga dungawan ay bukas sa dakong Jerusalem); at siya'y lumuhod ng kaniyang mga tuhod na makaitlo isang araw, at dumalangin, at nagpasalamat sa harap ng kaniyang Dios, gaya ng kaniyang dating ginagawa.

 

As humans this problem Daniel had is a worrisome, right? We can see that Daniel went to his house right away to pray. Some of us or most of us, the reaction we do is cry, very emotional and talk to people who we think would help us solve the problem. It’s okay to cry but it’s better to cry in prayer. When we pray, we become less worry. Bible says in Philippians 4:6-7,

Tagalog: “Huwag kayong mabalisa patungkol sa anumang bagay. Sa halip, ipaalam ninyo ang inyong mga kahilingan sa Diyos na may pasasalamat sa pamamagitan ng panalangin at ng panalanging may paghiling. ⁷ At ang kapayapaang mula sa Diyos, na higit sa anumang pang-unawa, ang siyang mag-iingat sa inyong mga puso at pag-iisip sa pamamagitan ni Cristo Jesus.”

 

Another thing, in the last line of verse 10 we can see that the three times of prayer Daniel did it says, “as he did aforetime” which means he just not did it every time he was in trials or problems. He did it often. What lesson we could get on this? Whether we accept it or not, we only have the frequent prayer time if we are under trials and there’s urgent need we ask God to answer. I hope this verse would give us the thinking that talking to God in prayer is not occasionally done but often.

 

4.   HE PROBABLY KNEW IF HE DIDN’T PRAY OFTEN, HE WOULD BE WEAK AND INEFFECTIVE IN HIS WITNESS AS WELL (DANIEL 6:4- 5)

 

-      I know every one of us could relate on this, “A day without prayer is incomplete.” Our life here in earth is not perfect. Personally, we can see that our everyday life is not always prepared and began with prayer. We can compare those days with prayer and nothing can compare the day with prayer. The Holy Spirit urges us to pray too and if we don’t, we feel gloomy inside. Prayer prepares us facing the day with spiritual thoughts in mind so that even negative things happen, your heart is ready.

 

-      Daniel was supported by prayer and we can see in verses 4and 5 that his co-workers found no fault against him. He becomes faithful in his work and God’s guidance was there. He became faithful because he was prayerful.

 

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

 

-      He was committed to walk with god and prayer was where he knew he would gather the strength to continue to be faithful (Daniel 6:11).

Christians love to commit in a certain ministry especially if it is new-opened ministry but when times pass the commitment is longer there. Most Christians are having a hard time to continue. Yes! It’s hard to continue because we have no strength to continue. We need God that’s why prayer is very important in our lives. Like Daniel, we see in the verses we read that He always in prayer because the strength is from above.

 

-      Rice is life for Filipinos; rice flows in our blood. We can’t make it a few days without rice. It makes us stay strong in a few hours of working so it’s a bit cheaper, you’re no longer need a snack between meals. That’s the reason why we buy a sack of rice if we have extra budget for future use especially in times like this, pandemic. Why I say this? My point is we are afraid to get starving; we need rice. What if our mindset of prayer is like the food we need to take in and if we don’t partake we’ll be weak? Great possible, we all become prayerful like Daniel; we pray three times a day.

 

 

 CONCLUSION:

Daniel’s godly lifestyle confirms the significance of drawing close to God in prayer three times per day.  He believed it was so important that even under the threat of death he would not stop praying three times per day.  Daniel 6:10 records his mindset and practice; let’s read again: “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”  We already knew how he was arrested for this and thrown into the lion’s den, and yet was delivered by God and restored to his place at the side of the king. 

 

If Daniel felt it was worthy to risk death to keep praying three times per day, it’s worth considering that this should be the modern Christian’s practice as well.