Crying Out to the Heart of God

Series: The Five Essentials to Answered Prayer #5
Scripture Reading: James 5:13-18
Date: June 22, 2003
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Dwayne Mercer

The Principle
1.) We should pray out of conviction instead of prayer in crisis.  IN essence, we should focus on pre-emptive praying instead of last-minute-on-the-run praying.
2.) Much of our prayers lack passion.  Crying out to God may be an experience we're missing out on.
3.) Verse 17 states that Elijah prayed earnestly
4.) Crying out to God requires humility
5.) The anointing oil James write about is the Holy Spirit
6.) Cry out to God and He will heal your pain
7.) "He who does not pray in fervency does not really pray at all" (Charles Spurgeon)

The Purpose
1.) An act of humility - "God gives grace to the humble"
2.) Builds faith
3.) Gives great courage
4.) Reveals what you want and need God to do
5.) Reveals what is important to you - "pour out our heart to God"
6.) Allows us to examine our hearts
7.) battles Satan

The Particulars
1.) Crying out under trials and suffering - Psalm 107:6 "Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress."
2.) Crying out in desperation - look at the life of Hannah and her plea for a child (Samuel)
3.) Crying out for others - intercessory prayer
4.) Crying out in guilt - for cleansing in our hearts
5.) Crying out for spiritual power - "for the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power"
6.) Crying out for a blessing - take a look at Jacob's life
7.) Crying out when you feel too much pain to pray - "the Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words"

The Power
1.) Notice the result and power of your prayers when you cry out to God
2.) How often have you heard your own voice crying out to God in anguish, in sadness, or in joy?  We should take opportunity to pray out loud, from our heart, to God
3.) God sees (even looks for) those who have a crying heart and those who cry out to Him in need