Today we are men of many things. We are Men of Power, Men of Prestige, and most of all, Men Of Pride. Our sinful nature lets pride sneak in and corrupt us on a daily basis. I come to you as a broken man, ready to take up arms with the mighty power that Christ Jesus gave us to fight the battle with pride. God wants us to be Men Of Prayer. I had a wonderful friend teach me how to be a Man of Prayer. I heard in a sermon some time back that prayer is the Ultimate Weapon in the war against Satan. If you want to fight, here is some ammunition from the Sword of the Spirit to get you started:
Matthew 7:7-11 [+/-]Matthew 7:7-11
[7]"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will
find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [8]For everyone
who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the
one who knocks it will be opened. [9]Or which one of you,
if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
[10]Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?
[11]If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts
to your children, how much more will your Father who is in
heaven give good things to those who ask him! (ESV)
Luke 18:1 [+/-]Luke 18:1
[18:1]And he told them a parable to the effect that they
ought always to pray and not lose heart. (ESV)
John 15:7-8 [+/-]John 15:7-8
[7]If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask
whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8]By this
my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so
prove to be my disciples. (ESV)
John 15:24 [+/-]John 15:24
[24]If I had not done among them the works that no one
else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they
have seen and hated both me and my Father. (ESV)
Acts 4:31 [+/-]Acts 4:31
[31]And when they had prayed, the place in which they
were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God
with boldness. (ESV)
Romans 12:2 [+/-]Romans 12:2
[2]Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may
discern what is the will of God, what is good and
acceptable and perfect. (ESV)
Ephesians 1:15-18 [+/-]Ephesians 1:15-18
[15]For this reason, because I have heard of your faith
in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,
[16]I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you
in my prayers, [17]that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of
revelation in the knowledge of him, [18]having the eyes of
your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope
to which he has called you, what are the riches of his
glorious inheritance in the saints, (ESV)
Ephesians 3:1-7 [+/-]Ephesians 3:1-7
[3:1]For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ
Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles-- [2]assuming that you have
heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to
me for you, [3]how the mystery was made known to me by
revelation, as I have written briefly. [4]When you read
this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of
Christ, [5]which was not made known to the sons of men in
other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy
apostles and prophets by the Spirit. [6]This mystery is
that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same
body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through
the gospel.
[7]Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the
gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of
his power. (ESV)
Ephesians 6:18 [+/-]Ephesians 6:18
[18]praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer
and supplication. To that end keep alert with all
perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (ESV)
Philippians 1:9-11 [+/-]Philippians 1:9-11
[9]And it is my prayer that your love may abound more
and more, with knowledge and all discernment, [10]so that
you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and
blameless for the day of Christ, [11]filled with the fruit
of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the
glory and praise of God. (ESV)
Colossians 4:2 [+/-]Colossians 4:2
[2]Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it
with thanksgiving. (ESV)
1 Thessalonians 5:16 [+/-]1 Thessalonians 5:16
[16]Rejoice always, (ESV)
2 Thessalonians 3:1 [+/-]2 Thessalonians 3:1
[3:1]Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of
the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among
you, (ESV)
1 Timothy 2:1 [+/-]1 Timothy 2:1
[2:1]First of all, then, I urge that supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all
people, (ESV)
James 5:16 [+/-]James 5:16
[16]Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray
for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a
righteous person has great power as it is working. (ESV)
I challenge every man in our Church to take up arms and fight the battle. Prayer is probably the least often used and the most needed weapon in the battle for men’s souls. Are you a Man Of Pride, Prestige, etc. or are you a Man Of Prayer. See you on the battlefield!
Mark Flowers
Men’s Ministry
