Message Notes

YAG RETREAT
Saturday, 2 June 2007
Session #9
ENCOURAGEMENT TO PURSUE THE CULTIVATION OF A STRONG
PRAYER-LIFE (A short list of words of encouragement)

1. God will hear and answer Prayers          Psalm 3:4; 4:3; 6:8-9
2. God will sustain          Psalm 3:5
3.Freed from fear          Psalm 6
4. God will set apart those who seek Him          Psalm 4:3
5. He will grant great and special joy          Psalm 4:7; 5:11; 16:11
6. God will especially Surround with His shield of favour          Psalm 5:12
7. God will be a special Refuge

a) For the oppressed          Psalm 9:9a

b) For the troubled          Psalm 9:9b

8. God will never forsake His own          Psalm 9:10
9. God will never forget His own          Psalm 9:12
10. God truly Upholds the upright          Psalm 11:7b
11. God Deals bountifully          Psalm 13:6
12. God Gives counsel          Psalm 16:7
13. God Shows path of life          Psalm 16:11
14. God Shows marvelous lovingkindness          Psalm 17:7
15. God gives Tremendous Strength          Psalm 18:1, 32

YAG Retreat (31 May- 2 June 2007)
Appendix #1
CLASSIC TEXTS: “Unanswered Prayer”

1. Moses’ prayer to enter into the land of           Deuteronomy 3:23-28
2. Habakkuk’s prayer concerning Judah          Habakkuk 1
3. Jeremiah’s prayer for Judah          Jeremiah 15
4. Daniel’s prayer for further prophetic insight          Daniel 12:8-13
5. Paul’s prayer concerning his infirmity          2 Corinthians 12
6. Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane          Matthew 26:36-46

Important Features Observed

1. Request(s) made

a) Sincerity

b) Earnestness

c) Faith

d) Good existing relationship

e) Hope

2. Answer different from that which is expected/hoped for

a) Request denied

b) God’s greater wisdom and will to be understood

c) The petitioner is expected to comprehend and accept God’s word

3. An alternative offered

a) God’s revealed word/will

b) Promise of His mercy/grace

4. Comprehension of God’s answer

a) Will require wisdom

b) Will require faith

c) Will require submission

d) Will require strength

e) Will require depth

YAG RETREAT (31 May- 2 June 2007)
Appendix #2
Classic Texts: The Hiding of God’s Face
Man’s Perspective: –

Job

Why do Your hide Your face, and regard me as Your enemy?

Job 13:24

Isaiah

Truly You are God, who hide Yourself, O God of Israel, the Saviour!

Isaiah 45:15

David

Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble?

Psalm 10:1

Sons of Korah

Why do Your hide Your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression?

Psalm 44:24

LORD, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me

Psalm 88:14

Ethan the Ezrahite

How long, LORD? Will You hide Your face forever?

Psalm 89:46

God’s Perspective

1. God’s Sovereign prerogative

When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear; your hands are full of blood

Isaiah 1:15

2. Anger

For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, And he went backsliding in the way of his heart

Isaiah 57:17