Spoken Word #03
Prayer
Brian Kocourek
January 26th, 2008
This evening we’ll
continue with our study of Brother Branham’s sermon “The Spoken Word is the Original Seed, and we’ll
pick up at paragraph 4. This evening I would like to
look at this thought that Brother Branham is speaking about prayer, His praying
to know what to speak, and the prayers of the people who were praying for what
they will hear.
PP. 4 “And I been in prayer much this week, and I
would not even get through if I hadn't have cut about maybe a fourth of it, or
maybe a third, away, of what I wish to say to the people. Now, so we thank you
for your fine cooperation of coming to meetings and what you have done for us
and helping us and praying for us.
Here we see that
brother Branham was in prayer the entire week prior to this special meeting
where he spoke for over six hours to the people, and yet as he said they would
not even get through that six plus hours except that he had to delete some of
what he wanted to say in order to cut down the time it would take to say it.
So prayer is an
essential element not only for the ministry but for the people as well.
From God in
Simplicity, brother Branham said, God in simplicity
63-0317M P:21 When a minister
walks into a congregation of people praying in the anointing of the Spirit,
you're bound to hear from heaven. That's just all. There's no way to keep from
it. But if you walk into confusion, then you're so confused, the Spirit's
grieved. And, we don't want that, no. We want to come here to worship. We have
lovely homes that I'm going to speak about just in a minute and so forth at
home, where we visit our friends and take them. This is the house of the Lord.
So we see that prayer
is essential if we are to receive anything from God, because prayer creates an
atmosphere of expectation.
Acts 2:
42 And they continued steadfastly
in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in
prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs
were done by the apostles.
So we see that fellowshipping around the doctrine and the prayers of the
saints set an atmosphere of Godly and reverent fear and once that atmosphere was created then the
supernatural presence of God took over and many signs and wonders took place.
Now, prayer is such a vital part of our worship service that God
recognizes it as an incense offered unto him.
Revelation 8:
3 And another angel came and
stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much
incense, that he should offer it with
the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the
throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of
the angel's hand.
And again we see in Revelation 5: 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts
and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them
harps, and golden vials full of odors,
which are the prayers of saints. Now, those odors are aromatic
in nature, and I think it is interesting in this hour we are now seeing healing
with aromatic therapy, where the aroma helps set the mood of the body to heal
itself.
Over the centuries,
women have used aroma therapy to set an atmosphere for a multitude of purposes.
If they wish to make the home feel inviting, they may boil Cinnamon sticks on
the stove, and that will make the house smell inviting, or perhaps they will
bake cookies or pies in the oven to create a wonderful homey atmosphere. Also
they use perfumes which are nothing less than a liquid aroma they apply to
their skin to attract the attention of others, or perhaps to cover up poor body
hygiene. Whatever the purpose there seems to be a scent that is used to attract
others for a multitude of reasons.
And that leads us to
the first “P” of prayer. And that is Purpose.
For our Prayer to be effectual, we must have a purpose.
We must have specific intentions. We must have an end in view, not accidental
but a designed end. A specific Goal. And without a purpose, our prayer will be just endless chatter, just a form. Vain
repetition as the heathen do.
In James
5: 16 we read, Confess your faults one to another, and pray
one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a
righteous man availeth much.
Romans
12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation;
continuing instant in prayer;
Last night we spoke on this verse concerning the second part where Paul says, patient in
tribulation.
We showed how that there is of necessity that every
child of God must suffer persecution. II Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution.
And we found that the tribulation comes for your stand
for the Word of God.
In
Romans 5:3 Paul says, “We Glory in
tribulations also” Here
we find a principle concerning tribulation which we call the two-fold nature of
tribulation. I call it the two-fold
nature of tribulation because there is a tribulation which comes to us from
divine wrath, and another which comes from divine goodness. The tribulation
which comes from divine Love will only work that which is good for us, even
though for a time it may appear to be otherwise. In the book of Romans and in 1 Peter we get
the key to understanding tribulation in the life of the believer.
In Romans 8, we are told
that all things work together for our good, and in 1 Peter 1: 6-7 we read ¶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need
be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your
faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried
with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of
Jesus Christ: Notice here
that we see that the trial of our faith is more precious than gold and God has
purposed it in us to bring forth Praise, Honor and Glory. Notice again verse 6:
Wherein ye
greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness
through manifold temptations.
Therefore, God uses these trials if we have a need for them. Where we
have a problem with tribulation is when we do not understand why we are
undergoing them? When we lack understanding concerning the outcome of our
trials, we develop misperceptions of what is taking place, and when we do not
see the good in it, we will no doubt see the bad. Our misunderstanding these
trials is not the fault of the actual trial or tribulation which God has chosen
for us to endure, but rather the misperception comes from our weakness during
the tribulation to understand God is in it. In such a case we fail to
understand the nature, power and operation or (purpose) of the tribulation and
therefore we judge it only according to its outward appearance and our own
perception of what is happening. When this occurs, we think wrongly about what
is happening, when we should be rejoicing in the trial for it is working
something in us that God deems necessary for us to have.
Romans 5:4 “Knowing that Tribulation worketh patience.” Through
tribulation our faults are tried and purified to the highest degree. Whatever
tribulation finds in us, it develops more fully. And therefore the purpose of
the trial or tribulation is to expose where we are carnal, weak, blind, wicked,
haughty, and so forth. Because without
this understanding of how Christ works in us His will, tribulation will only
make us more carnal, more weak, more blind, more wicked and more haughty. On
the other hand, if we are spiritual, then our tribulations will make us strong,
wise, pious, gentle and humble. We will
become more spiritual, more powerful, more wise, more pious, more gentle and
more humble, as we see in Psalm 4:1 “Thou hast enlarged
me when I was in distress.” So
we see here that distress will enlarge what ever condition we are in, whether
in a carnal condition or in a spiritual one. And that is the purpose of the
trials and tribulations.
Message
to the
What
the holy Ghost was Given for
59-1217 24 When men makes fun of you, they're not
making fun of you; they're making fun of Him that sent you. So Jesus said,
"Blessed are ye when men shall say all manner of evil against you,
falsely, for My Name sake. Blessed are you." And again, "All that
live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." For when God made Hisself
known in Christ, they hated Him. Who hated Him worse? The church. The church
hated Him worse. They hated Him worse than the--the drunkard. They hated Him
worse than all the other people. It was the church that hated Him. So
therefore, when you see Kosmos, the world order... "The world knowed Him
not" means the "church (so-called) knew Him not." "He came
to His own and His own received Him not.
Forsaking
All 62-0123 E-39 Now. What do I get in return? We don't
expect... Sometimes I think we ministers make it a little too much flowers for
the convert. "Oh, come to Christ. Everything is lovely." But you see,
it isn't like that in the way that--saying that everything's a flowery bed of
ease, because no Christian... The Bible said, "All that live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution." So if you're not suffering
persecutions for Christ's sake, then
there's something wrong. If the
devil ain't after you, he's got you. That's all, because as long as he's
after you, that's a sign he hasn't got you yet. But if he isn't after you, it's
a sign he has got you. So just remember, as long as he's a-blasting at you,
you're a few jumps ahead of him yet, and just keep on going.
E-40
But all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution. He said, "Rejoice,
and be exceedingly glad for so persecuted they the prophets which was before
you." That's right. Don't go with a hang-down face and
say, "Well, I oughtn't to have done it, I guess they... I just can't stand
for somebody to talk about me, and say I'm old fashion, I'm this, that, or the
other." Oh, you all should be exceedingly glad, happy because of it,
because you can bear the reproach of His Name. And by keeping His commandments,
it caused you to do that.
Jesus made it clear that if we are to stand with Him
and His Word, we will be considered outcasts, and will not be received by the
world.
Matthew
5:10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. (Now, this
word persecuted means: in any way whatever to harass, trouble,
molest one; to persecute; to be maltreated, suffer persecution on account of
something. This does not speak of those who would disagree with your stand but
actually speaks of those who would chase after inorder to accuse, and harass,
and try to inflict suffering in some form or fashion). 11Blessed are ye, when [men] shall
revile you, (that means to use abusive or contemptuous
language when they speak of you or towards you, in order to cast aspersions
against you.) and persecute [you],
and shall say all manner of evil against
you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is]
your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before
you.
Now, this morning I would like to continue on with Romans 12:12 where
Paul said, Rejoicing
in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Now, what did he mean by continuing instant in prayer. Well the word
continuing simply means: ) to adhere to or be devoted to or constant. to be steadfastly attentive unto,
to give unremitting care to a thing; to continue all the time in a place; to
persevere and not to faint; to show one's self courageous for; to be in
constant readiness for one, wait on constantly.
And the thing we are to be ready in is prayer.
The importance of prayer is so under valued by most Christians today.
There was a time when people held a correct value of prayer and they exercised
their God given rights to prayer. For prayer is what holds a people together.
The family that prays together stays together. In our society we undervalue the
things of God terribly, and especially the power of prayer. Therefore, this evening
I would like to list the categories I believe that we should look at concerning
prayer.
·
What is prayer?
·
Why do we Pray?
·
When should we
Pray?
·
How do we do
Pray?
First of all let me say that Prayer is a communion with God. It is a
talking to Him and Him talking back to you. So many time people will get down
on their knees and say a prayer, but saying a prayer is not praying. That is
only reciting empty words which mean nothing to God. Jesus gave us the best
example when it comes time to pray. When
the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, they said, Lord Teach us to pray. They
did not say, Lord, give us a prayer to recite. Let’s just examine for a moment
what Jesus said about prayer.
Matthew 6:1
¶ Take heed that ye do not your alms
before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father
which is in heaven. (The first thing Jesus mentions about prayer is that
it is not to be used as an open exhibition. The people who do that are the ones
who want everyone to know they are spiritual, and they will get what they want,
and that will be their reward. Then He tells us how to pray, or in what manner
to pray. ) 2 Therefore
when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the
hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of
men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (Now, here is
the key to successful prayer.) 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what
thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which
seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5 ¶ And
when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to
pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they
may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
(Now he will answer the where question, where should we pray, where
should we go to have this secret prayer with God?) 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy
closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in
secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
(Now, Jesus will tell us the HOW issue concerning prayer How to pray.) 7 But when ye pray,
use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall
be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be
not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need
of, before ye ask him. 9 ¶ After this
manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
(You see if you are to get anywhere with God you must first
recognize Him for Who He is. Hebrews 11:5 tells us, he that
cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.) 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in
heaven. (This is
acknowledging that God is sovereign, and that He has a plan, and What He has
planned will come to pass.) (Now that we have acknowledged God and His
Sovereignty, that He is the great Sovereign Self existent Immortal King, and
our Father, then we can begin to tell him of the needs that we have.)11 Give us this day our daily bread.(Our daily
bread, those we the physical needs we have). 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (These
are the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs we have. And once we have
admitted our needs, and our weaknesses, then we can begin to ask Him for help
in those areas of our life. )13 And lead us not into temptation,(Here we are
asking for leadership and guidance) but deliver us from evil (and here we are asking
for protection)
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (And
then we again acknowledge that He who is the creator of all things, and He who
is all Wisdom and Power has the wisdom and power to help us in our time of
need.)
14 For if ye forgive men their
trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Here Jesus is telling us that we need to have a contrite heart when we
go to our Father. If we are not willing to forgive, then why should He forgive
us? That is the question. 15 But if ye forgive
not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Then
for the next few moments Jesus speaks of fasting, because prayer and fasting
can go hand in hand. The fasting is a time when you set aside everything that
you might be completely focused upon God. But Jesus is telling us that it is not
to be done to the point like Ghandi who put on
a show for the whole world to see. That is unscriptural prayer and
fasting. 16¶
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:
for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I
say unto you, They have their reward. 17
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 That thou appear not unto men to
fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret,
shall reward thee openly. Brother
Branham said he would fast Twice a week, and the time of fasting, breakfast and
lunch he would do something for the Lord, like go talk to someone about the
things of the Lord, etc. That way your focus is right, and not about what a
hard thing it is to fast. That is hypocritical and really it is works to fast
and make a show of it. What brother Branham did , was to spend that time doing
something for somebody. He took his lunch hour to pray for someone, or to go and
do something nice for someone. And that is what Jess is telling us to do here.
19 ¶
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not
break through nor steal: 21 For where
your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Prayer is not a one sided thing. When we pray we should plan to take
enough time not only for us to talk with God and tell Him all about. And if we
truly believe that God will hear our prayer, then Jesus said, ask what you will
believing that you will receive. But James said, JAMES 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye
ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts. That means we must ask according to what God
has already laid down in His Word. We must not ask for anything outside His
Word.
Get the people to Believe 52-0717
E-58 We realize that prayer changes things. Prayer
changes a sinner to a Christian. Prayer changes a sick man into a well man.
Angel of the Lord 53-0604
E-20 Prayer
changes things. It's the most powerful
force that God ever put in the hands of man, is a sincere prayer offered to
God. Jesus said, "Whatever you ask the Father in My Name, that I'll
do."
Faith 56-0427 E-5
Prayer changes things. Prayer changes death to life. Prayer changes sickness to
health, changes sinners to saints. It's prayer. You may laugh too much. You may
shout too much. You may eat too much, but you'll never pray too much. The Bible
said, "I would that man pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands." So
you'll never be able to pray too much.
James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the
elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the
name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of
faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have
committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess [your] faults one to
another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent
prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like
passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it
rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave
rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given
you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For
every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that
knocketh it shall be opened. 11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a
father, will he give him a stone? or if [he ask] a fish, will he for a fish
give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how
much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask
him?
Matthew 21:21
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and
doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also
if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the
sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer,
believing, ye shall receive.
Luke 6:12
¶ And it came to pass in those days,
that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to
God.
Luke 22:39 ¶ And
he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his
disciples also followed him. 40 And when he was at the place, he said unto
them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41 And he was withdrawn from them
about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou
be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be
done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were
great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose up from
prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46
And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
Acts 3:1 ¶ Now
Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, [being]
the ninth [hour]. ninth: the ninth hour corresponds to our 3 o'clock in
the afternoon; for the sixth hour of the Jews coincides with the twelfth of the
day as divided by our method, and the first hour of the day is 6 A.M. to us.
Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the
disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word
of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven
men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to
the ministry of the word.
Acts 12:5
¶ Peter therefore was kept in prison:
but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Corinthians 7:4
The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the
husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5
Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that
ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that
Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto
with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Philippians 1:19 For I know that this shall
turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus
Christ,
Philippians 4:6 Be
careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
Colossians 4:2 ¶
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would
open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I
am also in bonds:
I Timothy 4:4
For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be
received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and
prayer.
I Peter 4:7 ¶ But
the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
I Thessalonians 5:16 ¶
Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the
Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all
appearance of evil. 23 ¶ And the very
God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul
and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to
them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute
you;
Matthew 9:37
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly [is] plenteous, but the
labourers [are] few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,
that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Matthew 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he
went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was
there alone.
Matthew 26:36 ¶ Then cometh Jesus with them
unto a place called
Matthew 26:40 And
he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter,
What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye
enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is]
weak.
Mark 6:46 And
when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
Mark 11:24 Therefore
I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye
receive [them], and ye shall have [them]. 25
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that
your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your
Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Mark 13:33
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Luke 6:12 ¶ And it came to pass in those days, that he
went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Luke 6:28 Bless
them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luke 9:28 ¶ And it came to pass about an eight days after
these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to
pray. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his
countenance was altered, and his raiment [was] white [and] glistering.
Luke 18:1 ¶ And
he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and
not to faint;
Luke 21:36 Watch
ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all
these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Acts 10:9 ¶ On the morrow, as they went on
their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to
pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have
eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
Romans 8:26 ¶ Likewise the Spirit also
helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:
but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth
what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints
according to [the will of] God. 28 And
we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to [his] purpose.
I CORINTHIANS 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it
comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
I TIMOTHY 2:8 I
will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath
and doubting
PSALMS 55:17 Evening,
and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my
voice.
DANIEL 6:10 Now
when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his
windows being open in his chamber toward