Lesson Six
                                The "Why" Of Prayer (Part 2)
                               (The Providence Of God)

INTRODUCTION:  To study prayer is to study God's providence; they both go hand in hand.

I. WHAT IS THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD?
A. Providence is "the working of God through His provision in the natural and spiritual   realms, and yet it is a control that violates neither the sovereignty of the human will nor   the divine natural and spiritual laws" (Homer Hailey, "Providence And The Problem Of   Evil,"  Florida College Annual Lectures, 1987, pg. 139)
  1. The english word "providence" comes  from a greek word which expresses the    idea of "forethought"; thus, God used forethought in creating a universe.   He    can control and use according to his purpose.
  B. Again, we emphasize that providence deals with God's non-miraculous control of natural   law and circumstance to bring about His purpose.

II. GOD IS IN CONTROL
A. God is personally involved in the operation of the universe now
  1. Consider Acts 17:24-28:
   a. God gives breath to all
   b. God determines the times of the people
   c. God controls the bounds of their habitation
   d. In God we live and move
  2. Consider Nehemiah 9:
   a. God created the world and preserves it (vs. 6).  That God is able to control     what He has created involves providence.
   b. God accomplishes His purpose (vs. 7-8).  This also demonstates his     operation in the universe He's created.
  3. God rules in the kingdoms of men - Dan. 4:25
B. God is concerned for man - Matt. 6:25-32
  1. God notices and feeds the birds and clothes the grass of the field.
  2. Will He not care for and provide for man?  Matt. 10:29-31
C. God has the power to answer my prayers - Jere. 32:17; Eph. 3:20
D. God's will can be altered
  1. Our prayers can change God's mind in the doing or not doing of certain things.
  2. Examples:
   a. Abraham's prayer for Sodom - Gen. 18:23-33
   b. Moses's prayer for Israel - Exod. 32:9-14
   c. The prayer for Nineveh - Jonah 3
E. God doesn't do for man what he can do for himself
  1. We pray for "daily bread" (Matt. 6:9-13); and we must work for it - Eph.    4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10
  2. We pray for healing when sick, but we should also seek medical help -    James 5:14-15

III. WHAT WE DO AND DON'T KNOW ABOUT HOW GOD WORKS
A. What we do know:
  1. God answers prayer without violating human will.  We can pray that  an individual   will be saved, but that person must respond to the gospel.
  2. God answers prayer without violating/altering natural law.
   a. God may simply bless me with the means to obtain what I ask for - i.e.,     good health to work for food, clothing, etc.
   b. God may use other people or circumstances for my good or to     accomplish some purpose.
    1) Pray for patience and, through trials I develop it
    2) Pray for wisdom and, by an aged saint have wisdom given to me.
B. What we don't know regards the specifics of how God works - cf. Esther 4:4; Philemon   15
C. Joseph's life, with its afflictions and blessings, presents another excellent example of   how God's providence works in one's life - Genesis 50:20

CONCLUSION:  What a comfort it is for Christians to know their God is in control, working and           accomplishing His will for their good, and that our prayers can be a powerful means                              toward that end.

QUESTIONS

1. What is "providence"?


2. Outline what you learn about God in Acts 17:24-28.






3. What can we learn about God's providence from Nehemiah 9:6-8?






4. Yes or No.  Can God's will ever be altered?  Explain.





5. Does God's providence in my life exclude any activity on my part?  Explain.









6. Explain this statement:  "God answers prayer without violating human will."







7. Explain this statement:  "God answers prayer without violating natural law."