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ISAIAH 50:4

"THE LISTENING SIDE OF PRAYER"

I. PRAYER NOT A MONOLOGUE.
        A. From the ear comes the use of the tongue.
                1. Hear a word before you speak it.
                2. So many do not have taught tongues because they do not
                   have listening ears.

II. MEN MIGHTIEST IN PRAYER HAVE KNOWN GOD WELL.
        A. Three Old Testament mentioned might in prayer. Jer. 15:1 Though Samuel and
           Moses stood before James illustrated Elijah as example of prayer.
        B. These three listeners:
                1. Moses 40 years in wilderness quiet.
                        a. Man invited by artist friend to see painting.
                2. Samuel as a child trained to hear God's voice.
                3. The word of the Lord came to Elijah, I will send rain.
                        a. He had the word, he stood on what he heard.

III. GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH THE WORD.
        A. Study the Bible for the purpose of knowing God.
                1. You can know the Bible without knowing God.
                2. One of David's mighty men.

IV. SUGGESTION FOR STUDYING THE BIBLE.
        A. Time.
                1. One half hour when mind is fresh. Tired mind does not readily absorb.
        B. Time given to Bible itself.
                1. If commentaries are used or helps, do it afterwards, let God speak first.
        C. Read prayerfully.
                1. The same Spirit that inspired will illumine it.
                        a. Sought meaning from scholar. Some simple saint.
        D. Read thoughtfully.
                1. Thoughtfulness lost art. Bright but not thoughtful.
                2. Meditate, ruminate. It will stand a lot.
        E. Three types of reading.
                1. Textual.
                2. TopicaI.
                3. Wide reading.
        Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.