By Rev. James Groce
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah
they came to seek the LORD. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help. 2 Chronicles 20:3-9
1. PREPARATION: “Set himself to seek the Lord” (Verse 3). We cannot look for answers to our prayers unless we are meeting the conditions laid down in His Word.
2. PROCLAIMED A FAST: This kind cometh not out, but by prayer and fasting. Something’s require the fasting prayer to produce results.
a. Ezra 8:21, for Direction.
b. Jer. 36:9, against idolatry.
c. Dan. 9:3, for confession.
d. 2 Chron 20:3, for help.
3. UNITY: “Gathered themselves together” (Verse 4). The more sticks on the fire the brighter and hotter it burns.
4. TELL HIM: “Ask help of the Lord” (Verse 4). Jehoshaphat stands like a beggar knocking at the door, and will not go away until he is answered.
5. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF JEHOSHAPHAT’S PRAYER:
a. His prayer was reverent. He recognized God’s power, might, majesty and holiness.
b. In his prayer he reminds God of what He has done in the past. Past victories lead us to hope for present ones. Past healings help us to believe for them now also. Past answers help us to receive new ones today. He who has blessed will bless; He who has led will lead.
c. He reminds God of the relationship they have together. “Our God,” “My God.” A woman may forget her child, and a father neglect his offspring, but the Lord will not forget His own.
d. He pleads the promise of God. (See verse 9). It’s like having a black check that has been endorsed.
e. His prayer was to the point. He did not ramble, he knew what he wanted, and waited for what he asked.
f. His prayer was humble. “We have no might.” When we are weak, then are we strong.
g. His prayer was earnest. “Neither know we what to do.” Desperation usually means deliverance. “The effectual FERVENT prayer…”
h. His prayer was expectant. “Our eyes are upon Thee.” “Judah stood” (Verses 12 and 13). When you pray believe that you receive…
This material was provided to the Apostolic Information Service by Rev. James Groce, pastor of Calvary Apostolic Tabernacle in Cantonment, FL.
