The Address
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Series: Praying Under Pressure
DescriptionPraying Under Pressure #1 “The Address” Mark 14:36Intro: Do you ever find it difficult to pray? ILL – Moose & Dusty… Called on Dusty to Pray.. “Cain’t Do-er.” t/s – Not Reluctance in Public Prayer (shy, inexperienced) Privately, All Alone…Struggling to Pray.. Pressure! Heaviness of Loss…at night, empty house Disappointed with God… Why? Crowds all else out Turmoil of rebellious children, unfaithful spouse, hate-filled household Think of a Season of Life when you struggled to Pray… Praying Under Pressure (Four Weeks, One Verse) • Our Lord’s Person & Passion • His most powerful Lesson concerning Prayer Left the twelve, took three… We needed to Hear! (Mentorship in praying under pressure) Understanding His Pressure Mark 14: 32-34 Read with comment about language • Seldom does Bible describe Lord’s Emotions • Even more unusual for the Lord Himself to Describe! • “Pressed Down” == Gethsemene…Wine Press a) The Fear of physical suffering…humiliation. b) The Weight of all our Sin! (2 Cor. 5) MacClaren – We have to beware of being so little affected that we speculate and seek to analyze rather than to bow adoringly before the mysterious and heart-subduing sight… Holy Ground! Observing His Peace (Mark 14: 42) Exp – After this dark hour in the Garden, praying under pressure, Jesus stepped forward to the Cross with Power & Peace! He had prayed through to Victory! Examining His Prayer (vs. 36…see also, vs. 39) Exp - The Address…. “Abba, Father” Under Pressure, Begin by turning your full focus to Who God Is. Specifically, Address God as Abba, Father; and let the full force of that term of address fill your heart and mind. Abba = Dear Father (Hebrew or Aramaic) The simple speech of a child to his/her father at home. A Common Term of Endearment… “Papa or Daddy” • Jesus used “Abba” when praying under pressure • Jesus Taught His Disciples to use “Abba’, not “Abinu” • Paul retained the word even among Gentiles Gal. 4:6 – the Spirit of His son within cries, Abba! When Praying under pressure, address God as, “Dear Father” This simple Address has a way of clearing our clouded Minds. ILL – Nitrogen Narcosis…. Rapture of the Deep… Breathing gases under pressure….Intoxicated, Confused Pressures of Life can Confuse Us … • God is not Listening (Psalmist == hear me!) • God is not Aware (Psalmist == look….wake up!) • God Does not Care (Psalmist == Have compassion) Abba! Father! Is a term of Endearment…A Claim of Intimacy Access He is listening Attention He Knows Affection He Cares ILL – Jesus put the Disciples in boat for other side…sleep in stern “Wind, waves…boat filling with water…Storm/Fear” “Don’t you Care?” (Accusation in form of Question) When praying under Pressure, Call God your Dear Father. Inv. – How do I know? Find answer in Garden….Committed to Cross |