HOW TO GET GOD’S EAR

TEXT- 1 TIMOTHY 2:5-8

INTRODUCTION

This morning I am going to continue with my series of messages from the book of First Timothy where we have been studying in chapter two about the members of the church.

The last several weeks we have seen what Paul has said about the men in the church and how they are to be leaders and examples to the rest of the congregation in the area of prayer.

This morning we are going to conclude this section on prayer.

Our text is found in 1 Timothy 2:5-8 and the title of my message is, "How To Get God’s Ear".

An incident took place in 1968 on an airliner bound for New York. It was a routine flight, and normally a boring affair. Descending to the destination, however, the pilot realized the landing gear refused to engage. He worked the controls back and forth, trying again and again to make the gear lock down into place, but to no avail. He then asked the control tower for instructions as he circled the landing field. In response to the crisis, airport personnel sprayed the runway with foam as fire trucks and other emergency vehicles moved into position. Disaster was only minutes away. The passengers, meanwhile, were told of each maneuver in that calm, cheery voice pilots manage to use at times like this. Flight attendants glided about the cabin looking as though nothing was wrong. Passengers were told to place their heads between their knees and grab their ankles just before impact. It was one of those i-can't- believe-this-is-happening-to-me experiences. There were tears, and a few screams of despair. The landing was now seconds away. Suddenly the pilot announced over the intercom: "We are beginning our final descent. At this moment in accordance with international aviation codes established at geneva, it is my obligation to inform you that if you believe in God, you should commence praying.' I'm happy to report that the belly landing occurred without a hitch. No one was injured, except the plane which experienced extensive damage. In fact, a relative of one of the passengers called the airline the very next day and asked about the prayer rule the pilot had quoted. But no one volunteered any information on the subject except to say that they had, "no comment."

Isn't it amazing that the only thing that brought out into the open a "secret rule" was crisis.

Pushed to the brink, back to the wall, right down to the wire, all escape routes closed...only then does our society crack open a hint of recognition that God just might be there and--"if you believe...you should commence praying."

For the last several weeks I have been announcing, printing in the bulletin and encouraging our church members to sign-up for our nine hour national day of prayer vigil. All that is required is for you to take fifteen minutes out of your day to pray to the Lord. We have even provided specially prepared prayer guides for those who might not be able to think of things to prayer for. Yet, in spite of this we still can not find enough people to make our nine hour prayer vigil complete.

I guess for some people it has to take a disaster to bring them to their knees in prayer to God.

So, this morning I would like us to consider what our text says about how to get God’s ear.