Lesson 7 - What Happens When You Pray

 By Ruth Mahoney Swaim

Before we get to the things that are set in motion when you start to pray, I begin today's lesson with a short exhortation on the importance of prayer. It seems to be the subject that we talk about the most and practice the least.

E. M. Bounds says: "He who does not pray, robs himself of God's help and places God where He cannot help man."

God works through the prayers of His people and when they fail Him at this point, decline and deadness ensue.

Many denominational churches are a case in point. All started with great sparks of revival where prayer was the center of the movement, then they degenerated into programs and finally monuments. They become all work and no prayer and finally deny even the inerrant Word of God.

Effective preaching or teaching is conditional on effective praying. There is a direct correlation to the depth of prayer and the depth of the message or movement.

It was after Jesus spent the entire night in prayer that the scripture says
He came down off the mountain and then chose the twelve disciples,healed all who came to Him and then preached the sermon of the Beatitudes.
(Luke 6:12-49) After spending the night in prayer Jesus certainly, to say the least, had a very productive day.

It comes no other way. You can study until your eyes grow dim, and you can haveall the talent and natural ability possible, but if you don't spend time with God you will produce no lasting fruit and your message will be sounding brass and tinkling cymbal. It may sound good to the ear but will have no eternal effect.

There is also a direct correlation to the depth of prayer and the depth of praise and worship. Benny Hinn likens prayer and praise to your very breath. When you breathe in, that is prayer. What you breathe out is praise. These two activities are your very life, not only in the natural but in the spiritual.

In an earlier teaching* we've already ascertained that God has, of His own motion, placed Himself under the law of prayer and has obligated Himself to answer the prayers of men. He has ordained prayer as a means whereby He will do things through men as they pray which He would not otherwise do.

If prayer puts God to work on earth, then by the same token, prayerlessness rules God out of the world's affairs and prevents Him from working.

So now we get down to the subject of what happens when you pray.

Three entities go to work when you pray. 

I. Prayer Puts GOD to Work

Jesus said "When you pray SAY Our Father...." Luke 11:2.

The Holy Spirit moves on us to pray and we address the Father through Jesus and instantly Heaven goes into action. God the Holy Spirit starts to work. The Holy Spirit is the 'doer' of the Godhead. He's the action member.

"In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee; for thou wilt answer me."

Psalms 86:7

"He shall call upon me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him." Psalms 91:15

These verses indicate that the minute we pray, He hears. They also indicate that

the minute He hears, He goes into action.

The following verse tells us that even before we start to mouth the prayers, He will answer. It's as if He stands on tiptoe listening intently, wanting to intervene into a situation but must wait for our invitation.

"It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24

I have heard several ministers give the following quote: "Nothing happens in the

Kingdom of God until something is said or spoken." We must speak it before God starts to work. He waits for our declaration or prayer. You remember when the Lord was teaching the disciples how to pray in Luke 11:2, He said "When you pray,SAY, Our Father which art in Heaven..."

Further down in vs 9 He says: "ASK, and it shall be given you..." Even though the Father knows what we need He waits for us to speak, to say, to pray. He will

not go back on His own principle. He gave us the dominion on earth and He will
not enter without that invitation.

So, when you pray the first thing that happens is that God goes into action.

II. Prayer Puts the ANGELS to Work

When the angelic is involved it very often involves warfare.

Therefore when the angels are called in, it can mean you are in trouble. You remember when Daniel was praying; there was some concentrated warfare going on and the angels were wrestling and warring against some very powerful princes of the air, demonic kingdoms of power over Persia .

 "Then said he unto me, Fear not Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the king's of Persia ." Daniel 10:12,13

Another incident in Exodus 23 tells of an angel of the Lord who went before the

children of Israel and brought them to confront the Amorites, the Hittites and all
those other "ites."

I often hear people say they want to see angels. If angels are involved it may

mean you are in a situation in which you'd rather not be.

The Apostles in Acts 5:18, 19 were freed from prison by an angel.

Peter in Acts 12:5-9 was set free by an angel of the Lord. It's interesting to note that an angel never does for you what you can do for yourself. He instructed Peter to "Arise quickly...gird yourself and tie on your sandals...put on your garment and follow me." The angel led him out of prison and then "immediately the angel departed from him." The scripture also says (Acts 12:5) that "constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church."

He always stands ready to put angels at our disposal but He never carelessly just sends them along for our amusement. He sends them when we need them.

Remember, He is faithful. He will send the help we need when we need it and

when we pray.

You remember the story of Sarah casting out the bondwoman, Hagar, who was pregnant with a child by Abraham. Hagar had fled from Sarah because of mistreatment and she was wandering in the wilderness. 

 "And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in theway to Shur." Genesis 16:7

Hagar was in a very bad way, no where to go, no one to help. Then the angel of

the Lord came, gave her instruction on what to do, how to act and restored her to the bosom of Sarah.

"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Psalms 34:7

This verse very clearly indicates that the angel delivers you from something.

Therefore, you are obviously in a dire situation from which you need deliverance.

Being frail human beings, most of us would really rather not be in any situation that requires this miraculous deliverance. We, however, have this wonderful promise from the Lord, that He will always be there to deliver us and help in time of need.

"...and, lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:20.

I'm sure you've heard this quote many times: "The Lord may not be early but He is never too late."

To emphasize this second point, in time of need God will put the angels to work.

III. Prayer Puts YOU to Work

You go to prayer about something and God hears you. You suddenly begin to feel Him dealing with something in your life. Uh oh, God is up to something!

Very often you go to Him for one thing and He says "OK, that's fine but I am

interested in something else in your life. First, there is something we need to work on." And your part of the process is to surrender and obey. This can mean some severe wrestling on your part. Sometimes the process God starts when we pray involves change...big time!

The story of the paralytic in Luke 5:17 illustrates this.

They brought this man to the house where Jesus was visiting that day and had to let him down through the roof. The man wanted healing but Jesus first says to him "Man, your sins are forgiven you." Why? Because the man had a sin problem and that needed to be dealt with. It was when he had faced his need for repentance that Jesus then said to the man "Take up your bed and walk."

Practical Example: I applied for and was hired by a large corporation as the secretary to one of the corporate executives. I was not in that job very long

before I realized that I did not like it. I was not suited to the job and with every fiber of my being I wanted out. Also, I was involved in ministry and wanted only a part time job so that I could be free to accept speaking engagements.

When I would go to the Lord about it, all I could get was "wait". I didn't want to wait, I wanted out. But, the heavens were brass. I could get no answer and no relief. So I was stuck.

My only directive: WAIT.

I then began to develop relationships within the company, even leading one employee to the Lord. The Lord began to give me favor even though I was still in the job I disliked.

Within a few months the secretary to the President of the corporation took a one month vacation and they came to me, asking if I would fill that position during her absence. I accepted this assignment and much to my surprise, I enjoyed the job and got to know the 'big boss' as well as other executives in the 'upper echelons' of the company.

Within a few months the President's secretary resigned and I was offered the job. I was reluctant to accept the offer but circumstances were lining up which indicated I should seriously consider the position.

John, my husband, was suddenly hit with serious illness. It became necessary for me to refuse speaking engagements in order to be closer to home and this, of course, eliminated needed income. Finally, after much wrestling within my own spirit and some counsel, I accepted the position. John was soon forced into early retirement and I became the main 'bread winner'.

What was happening? Well, first of all God was preparing me for a new position

which, among other things, would make up for the lost revenue. That was the
place He had waiting for me and ultimately the job from which I retired 10 years
later. It was a miraculous provision from the Lord, both at the time and for later
pension income.

Second, and most importantly, God was teaching me to hear His voice, wait on Him and see His salvation. As the Lord dealt with me about waiting and trusting, after much wrestling, arguingand stubborn resistance, I finally surrendered.

If you inquire of Him and are willing to obey, you will see the salvation of the Lord. He knows what He is doing. He knows the beginning and the end and He

graciously involves you as part of the process. Also, He is always at work, shaping you and forming you into the vessel or instrument to fulfill the purpose for which you were born.

I love the scripture in Psalms 37: 23: "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord..." I have often heard it quoted: "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (and the stops)." This is certainly true. He can order the stops (and the waits) as well as the steps.

Then the rest of this verse and Vs 24 tells us the outcome..."and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand." You see, once you are walking in the steps which He has ordered it brings delight and joy.

Then He says something very precious. "Though he fall".

Wow! Even when we stumble, and we all do, He doesn't cast us aside. He comes along side and lifts us up with His hand. Even though we often demur, balk at His leading, complain and try to turn back, He is faithful to keep leading us, keep lifting us up,holding us by the hand and taking us on into the purpose He has set for us.

Here's the point. My part in the process was to hear, to wait and to obey.

Even though I had prayed to be delivered out of the situation, God was at work
teaching me to learn obedience, patience and trust in Him.

I am so glad He isn't a Santa Clause who simply hands us everything we think we want. He always has a wonderful plan for us and longs to bestow it on us if we will trust Him.

Very often, as in the case of Joseph (Genesis 41), there is timing involved as well as a learning process needed to prepare us for the position or calling He has for us.

 "That the man (or woman) of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." II Timothy 3:17

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will WORKING in you that

which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ." Hebrews 13:20,21

"But let patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ASK of God, that giveth

to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
James 1:4,5

We are still talking about how Prayer puts YOU to work.

Very often when you pray, and God starts a process, it may seem hopeless. In fact, often after you've prayed, things get  worse. You may wish you had never prayed. 

What is involved here is surrender TO Him and trust IN Him.

Your first reaction will be to take matters into your own hands and 'get this thing fixed.' But listen, the treasures and adventures He will show you in this process will begreater than you ever expected.

He may be, even now, taking you through some things. Keep your eyes fixed on

Him. Don't turn back, keep on praying. Keep on listening and keep on obeying.
He doesn't leave you rudderless.

He will guide. "...lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20

Even if you stumble and feel like giving up, He's right there. Pray some more. Let Him finish the job and give you the full answer. It may be more than you ever asked for or dreamed.

"And I will give thee the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name,

am the God of Israel."  Isaiah 45:3

You see, most of the tests and experiences God takes you through are very

private. He deals with you in secret. It's between you and Him. It's in the dark,
hidden places that you find treasure. Sometimes you have to dig for it and even when you find it, you may not, at that moment, recognize it as a treasure. The waiting process can be long and dark but with the Lord you always come out with treasure.

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

My Dad, who is now with the Lord, said to me once: "You know Ruth, it's easy to run and not be weary. The hardest part is to walk and not faint."

I have found that to be true. To wait, keep walking and not faint tries our souls,

but it also brings the greatest reward. As the old saying goes: "Keep on Keeping
on."

"And He walks with Me and He talks with Me, And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known."

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I now lift my heart and voice to you in prayer. I hold

________ before you and ask you to hear my request and begin the work
necessary. I surrender to you and give you complete freedom to answer my prayer in your way. You know the beginning from the end and I trust your faithfulness to me. Amen.

*Why Do We Pray?

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