SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON ~ DECEMBER 12TH

Why Prayer Deserves Priority

LESSON PASSAGES OUTLINE
1. Because God Is Faithful (1 Kings 8:22-24)
2. Because God Listens (1 Kings 8:27-28)
3. Because God Responds (1 Kings 8:38-39)
4. Because Everyone Can (1 Kings 8:43)

BIBLICAL TRUTH - God hears and responds to those who pray earnestly and humbly to Him.

LIFE GOAL - To help adults make earnest, humble praying a daily discipline

Bible Commentary - by John C. Crutchfield, Director of Middle Eastern Studies at Columbia International University (CIU) in Columbia, SC. He & his family worship & serve the Lord at First Baptist Church, Columbia, where he teaches as adult Sunday School class.

No doubt, most Christians would never think of referring to themselves as “practical atheists.” They would point to their firm belief in God as the Scriptures reveal Him. They would attest to their unshakable conviction that Jesus of Nazareth is God’s Son and the Messiah sent by the Heavenly Father to provide the way of salvation for sinners. They would affirm their belief in all the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. How could we ever be considered practical atheists? they would contend.

The answer, of course, resides in the word practical. That is, what are the day-by-day practices of our lives? We ultimately reveal our deepest convictions by the choices we make and actions we take each day. This is especially clear when we look at our daily practices with regard to prayer. Too many of us Christians say that we believe in God, but for a variety of reasons we seldom or never pray.

 What change can you make in your life today that will increase your dependence on daily conversation with God?

Every serious relationship requires commitment and communication. We plan activities with our friends. We take nightly walks or have private talks with our spouses to keep our marriages fresh and to refocus our priorities. We take our children on outings and go on family vacations. In other words, we invest a lot of time, planning, and communication in our important relationships. What does it say if our most important rel