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“And God Waits”
Springfield Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast
March 13, 2008 – Kent H. Ross

Life Need:
       It’s good to see a Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast with Prayer in it.
      Too often they are only civic exercise
      Perhaps it’s because we tend to be embarrassed to bring
           God out into the open too much.
      He’s okay in church (we expect that), though truth be
           known the prayers are often boring, and honestly we
           don’t expect much in the way of God’s intervention.
      Or when we’re in desperate need, emergency prayers
      It’s too bad as we miss tremendous opportunities to
           participate in potentially huge changes

Bible Learning:
       1^st Timothy 2:1-4 – 1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests,
          prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for
          everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we
          may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and
          holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
          4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a
          knowledge of the truth.
       James 5:13-16 – 13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should
          pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
          14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the
          church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the
          name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will
          make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he
          has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your
          sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may
          be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and
          effective.
       2^nd Chronicles 7:14,15: 14 if my people, who are called by
          my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my
          face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from
          heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

          15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the
          prayers offered in this place.

Bible Application:
       1.    We are urged to remember our leaders – national, state,
           community – in prayer to encourage wise use of the power
           they have to make our world, our lives better,
       2.    Prayers are effective when they come from women and
           men who are themselves righteous.
       3.    Four things were told Israel, and Christians today
            a. Humble yourselves – trust not in riches
            b. Pray
            c. Seek God
            d. Turn from wickedness

Life Response:
              Those all seem simple enough, but we also know we
       have trouble complying with them.
              But we know God’s expectations for us in this city,
       in this state of Ohio, in this country, the United States of
       America.
              Now the God of the Universe says he is waiting to hear
       from us, His people, His righteous people, the people who
       really care and believe in Him.
              As Hebrews 11:6 indicates – 6 And without faith it is
       impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to
       him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those
       who earnestly seek him.