March 22,2015 | The Bait of Satan vs. Prayers of Saints

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Today we will be discussing about, "The Bait of Satan vs. Prayers of Saints"

Exodus 8:25-28, “25 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” 26 But Moses said, “It would not be right to do so, for the offerings we shall sacrifice to the Lord our God are an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice offerings abominable to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not stone us? 27 We must go three days' journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as he tells us.” 28 So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away. Plead for me.””

"But don't go too far..."

Satan is like pharaoh. He doesn't want us to go too deep into God. He is trying to keep us away from being close to God. He was torturing people mentally and physically. 

Prayer-life is the most important aspect of our Christian life. 

He is keeping churches away from praying. 

When we are connected with God, we have power. But enemy wants us to be disconnected with God. 

When we are not praying we aren't listening to God. 

Different types of baits by Satan against prayer:

1. Enemy wants us to study, read and talk about prayer but never put it into practice. 

Matthew 15:8, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me”

How much time do we take to clean our inner self vis-a-vis cleaning our house? 

We need to be listening and acting disciples of the Lord. 

2. Satan brings discouragement to us. 

Many people give up praying halfway because answer may not quickly. 

Luke 18:1, “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”

Daniel 10:12, “Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.”

God heard Daniel from the time he was praying. 

When we pray we believe. We walk in faith and not by sight. 

Psalm 34:15, “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.”

Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

Isaiah 40:31, “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” 

1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”

3. Satan will make us give God the 2nd place. 

In our lives we have many things are primary and more valuable than God. But that becomes and idol. God needs to be #1. 

Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Illustration: a lady bought a speaking parrot. At home he didn't talked. She brought back to pet shop. He asked if there is a mirror, she did. Next day she was recommended a ladder. Third day he recommended, swinging. The next day she was really sad and frustrated. She said parrot died. 

Did he ever said anything before parrot died, she said yes. "Don't they sell any food in pet shop?"

In life we are running after swing, ladder etc but we are forgetting important things.

All things of worlds have become priority in our lives and prayer as well as God has become secondary. 

Illustration: there are so many pigeons is our city, do we care? No! Only God cares. 

We are putting worldly things on priority and God as secondary. 

God will bless and provide. Don't have any idols in your lives. We must give time to God and allow God to work: 

4. Our enemy cause people not to forgive one another in the body of Christ. 

Enemy knows how to hinder our prayers. 

Mark 11:25, “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” 

Forgiveness is the key. God will not listen to our prayer is we don't forgiveness. 

Reconciliation is tougher. 

Unforgiving spirit stops the power of prayer. 

James 3:16, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

Luke 23:32-34, “Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[a] And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Acts 7:59-60, “59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

We all are precious in the sight of God. Love one another and forgive one another. 

Dr. S.I. McMillan once told, the two greatest causes of the physical problems are guilt and resentment. “It’s not so much what you eat, it’s what eats you that matters.” 

Resentment makes you unhealthy. Physical / emotional consequences. Leads to depression / stress / fatigue. Matthew 5:43-45

5. Satan causes strife among family members so it becomes difficult to pray.

We see so many times we have arguments within the family

1 Peter 3:7, “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

Love one another. Read bible what it says.

God is ready to hear our prayers. 

Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

We encourage all of you to seek Lord if you are still trying to know Him. God is good and He loves you. Put your trust in Him and He will deliver. We hope you enjoyed today’s service. God Bless!

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