May: Prayer Sacrifice

Welcome to May

Our Month of Prayer Sacrifice!

Let's study the writeup below

PRAYER AS A SACRIFICE

Prayer is an essential aspect of the Christian life. It is through prayer that we communicate with God, seek His guidance, and find solace in times of trouble. However, prayer is not just a means of communication; it is also a form of sacrifice. In this month's Bible Study plan, we will explore the biblical concept of prayer as a sacrifice and why it is so significant.

Prayer as a sacrifice is rooted in the Old Testament. In the book of Psalms, King David writes, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!" (Psalm 141:2, ESV). In this verse, David compared his prayers to the incense used in the temple as a form of sacrifice. The smoke from the incense was seen as a symbol of the prayers rising up to God.

Just like Hillsong sang: Like Incense (Sometimes By Step)

May my prayer like incense rise before You

The lifting of my hands as sacrifice

Oh Lord Jesus turn Your eyes upon me

For I know there is mercy in Your sight

Listen and download Like Incense (Sometimes By Step) below

Similarly, in the book of Daniel, we see prayer described as a sacrifice. When Daniel was thrown into the lions' den for disobeying King Darius decree, he continued to pray to God, even though he knew it could mean his death. In Daniel 6:10, we read that "he got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously" (ESV). This act of prayer was seen as a sacrifice, as Daniel was willing to risk his life to continue communicating with God.

In the New Testament, prayer as a sacrifice is expanded further. In Romans 12:1, the Apostle Paul writes, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (ESV). In this verse, Paul is calling us to offer our whole selves to God as a form of sacrifice. Prayer is seen as one of the ways in which we can present ourselves to God.

So, why is prayer considered a sacrifice? There are several reasons for this:

1. Prayer requires time and effort. It is not always easy to set aside time to pray, especially in today's busy world. However, by doing so, we are sacrificing our time and putting aside other distractions to focus on our relationship with God.

2. Prayer requires humility. In James 4:10, we read, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you" (ESV). By coming to God in prayer, we are acknowledging our dependence on Him and our need for His guidance and support. We are sacrificing our pride and ego to submit to God's will.

3. Prayer requires faith. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him" (ESV). By praying, we are putting our faith in God and trusting that He will hear and answer our prayers. This act of faith is a sacrifice in itself.

4. Acts 10:1-3 is a powerful example of how prayer as a sacrifice can bring about abundant revelation and answers to all life issues. In this passage, we read about Cornelius, a devout man who prayed regularly and gave generously to the needy. As a result of his prayers and sacrificial lifestyle, an angel appeared to him and told him to send for Peter, who would share the gospel with him. Through Cornelius' obedience to this instruction, he and his household were saved and baptized. This story illustrates the power of prayer as a sacrifice to bring about divine intervention and guidance in our lives.

5. Prayer requires obedience. In John 14:15, Jesus says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (ESV). By praying, we are obeying Jesus' command to seek God's will and to communicate with Him regularly. This act of obedience is a sacrifice, as it requires us to put aside our own desires and submit to God's will.

Prayer is not just a means of communication with God; it is also a form of sacrifice. Through prayer, we are sacrificing our time, ego, resource, and ultimately ourselves to God.

HERE'S THE BIBLE STUDY PLAN FOR MAY:

Remain blessed!