Message Notes

(I) FACING STRUGGLES IN PRAYER

1. Struggling with God hiding His face

“How long would you hide your face from me?” Psalm 13:1

2. Struggling with the waiting aspect

“How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long…How long…” Psalm 13:1-2

3. Struggling with our emotions

a) Feelings of sorrow

“Having sorrow in my heart daily?…” Psalm 13:2

b) Fear of death

“Lest I sleep the sleep of death…” Psalm 13:4

(II) REASONS WHY PRAYERS ARE NOT ANSWERED

1. When we pray wrongly

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:3

2. When there is a sin problem

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God and your sin have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2

(III) MAKING APPROPRIATE PRAYERS TO OUR KING

1. Manner of prayer

“Consider and hear me, O Lord, my God.” Psalm 13:3

a) Petitioning

b) Pleading

2. Considerations to bear in mind in prayer

a) Thought through prayers

“How long shall I take counsel in my own soul…” Psalm 13:2

“Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditations.” Psalm 5:1

b) God’s mercy as the basis

“In your mercy…” Psalm 13:5

“Have mercy of me, O Lord! Consider my trouble from those who hate me…that I may tell of all Your praise.” Psalm 9:13

3. Interactive approach in prayer – Seeking enlightenment

“Enlighten my eyes…” Psalm 13:3

(IV) RESULTS OF GOD ENLIGHTENING US IN ANSWER TO PRAYER

1. Sense of assurance

“Because He has dealt bountifully with me” Psalm 13:6

2. Deepening trust

“But I have trusted in Your mercy…” Psalm 13:5

3. Rejoicing in the Lord

“My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation” Psalm 13:5