Ch. 1 - Giving whole life to God Ch. 1 - Crying out to God Ch. 2 - Valuing God Ch. 3 - Hearing God’s voice Ch Valuing the presence of God Ch. 7 - Holiness Ch. 7 -Gratitude and commitment

Abraham Isaac Jacob and Esau 12 sons including Joseph Moses Samuel Judges including Gideon, Samson, Deborah etc. Joshua Hundreds of years in Egypt

1 Samuel the story so far.... Hannah gives birth to Samuel and dedicates him to God The people of God lose the Ark of the covenant to the Philistines After seeing the trouble it brings the Philistines return the ark The people of God rededicate themselves to God

1 Samuel 7 2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all. Then all the people of Israel turned back to the LORD. 3 So Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. Turning back to God

1 Samuel 7 2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all. Then all the people of Israel turned back to the LORD. 3 So Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. Turning back to God Getting rid of alternative gods

1 Samuel 7 2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all. Then all the people of Israel turned back to the LORD. 3 So Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. Turning back to God Getting rid of alternative gods Commit to God

1 Samuel 7 2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all. Then all the people of Israel turned back to the LORD. 3 So Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. Turning back to God Getting rid of alternative gods Commit to God Serve

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the LORD for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah Turning back to God Getting rid of alternative gods Commit to God Serve Confession

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the LORD for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah Turning back to God Getting rid of alternative gods Commit to God Serve Confession Intercession

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the LORD for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah Intercession Seeking God’s mercy Encouraging repentance and confession

1 Samuel 7 7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, “ Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. Crying out to God for others Intercession Seeking God’s deliverance Encouraging hope

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “.... I will intercede with the LORD for you.” They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us... ” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. Intercession Praying on behalf of... Those far from God Those in need Those who don’t know God

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “.... I will intercede with the LORD for you.” They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us... ” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. Intercession God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticise, but that we may intercede Oswald Chambers God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticise, but that we may intercede Oswald Chambers

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “.... I will intercede with the LORD for you.” They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us... ” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. Intercession Seeking God’s mercy Seeking God’s deliverance Seeking God’s presence

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “.... I will intercede with the LORD for you.” They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us... ” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. Intercession Because... Some are too weak to pray themselves Some we love don’t know their need Some needs are so great

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “.... I will intercede with the LORD for you.” They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us... ” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. Intercession "Intercession means no more than to bring our brother or sister into the presence of God, to see him or her under the cross of Jesus as a poor human being and sinner in need of grace." Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Life Together" "Intercession means no more than to bring our brother or sister into the presence of God, to see him or her under the cross of Jesus as a poor human being and sinner in need of grace." Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Life Together"

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “.... I will intercede with the LORD for you.” They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us... ” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. Intercession Because God’s mind can be changed Apathy - arrogance - self centredness Rewarded with inactivity

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “.... I will intercede with the LORD for you.” They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us... ” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. Intercession Because God’s mind can be changed Apathy - arrogance - self centredness Rewarded with inactivity Love - humility - confession - urgency - passion Rewarded with intervention

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “.... I will intercede with the LORD for you.” They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us... ” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. Intercession Prayer does not win God to our view; It reveals God’s will to us Leonard Ravenhill Prayer does not win God to our view; It reveals God’s will to us Leonard Ravenhill

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “.... I will intercede with the LORD for you.” They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us... ” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. Intercession Because God loves redeemers The need for intercessionary prayer develops compassionate, redeeming people Otherwise we default to apathy etc.

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “.... I will intercede with the LORD for you.” They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us... ” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. Intercession Because... Spiritual forces are rebuked by passion and dependence on God Spiritual forces are rebuked by passion and dependence on God

Prayer isn't passive, it’s active. Prayer isn't the least we can do, it's the most. Prayer is never secondary, it's always primary. It's not the last recourse when options run out; it’s the first and best recourse. Prayer is the central work which causes all other work to bear fruit. Prayer never wastes time. It redeems time, saves time, invests time, and gives permanence to all else I do. Prayerlessness is the time-waster... Randy Alcorn.

As Jesus said, 'Apart from Me you can do nothing.' Prayer is giving up time I cannot keep to gain eternal impact I cannot lose. There is no greater ministry, no higher calling, no better investment than prayer. Prayer is trusting God that He can accomplish more when I am on my knees than I can accomplish on my feet.” Randy Alcorn.

1 Samuel 7 5 Then Samuel said, “.... I will intercede with the LORD for you.” They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us... ” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. The Intercessor Seeks mercy not judgement Driven by compassion not condemnation Feels other’s need Perseveres

The first step in intercession is to make the definite “act” of union with the stream of God’s love and power.... Making a conscious effort to unite our wills and hearts with the ever flowing river of God will give us a restful energy. The essence and heart of intercession is self offering. The deeper our surrender to God, the more true and powerful will be our intercession.... We offer ourselves to be a way through which God will reach, and save, and bless the whole world. Olive Wyon – The School of prayer p115

Who is God asking us to intercede for? Who needs God’s mercy? Who feels far from God? Who needs deliverance? Who is under spiritual attack?

1 Samuel 7 13 So the Philistines were subdued and they stopped invading Israel’s territory. Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines. 14 The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored, and Israel delivered the neighbouring territory from the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.