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ACTS 9:11
"BEHOLD HE PRAYETH"
Intro: Mark of conversion -- peculiar meaning for Paul.
I. IMPLIES HE HAD NEVER PRAYED BEFORE.
A. Striking, for he was a Pharisee.
1. Regular in prayer, 9 hours per day.
2. How different does God judge.
B. Real prayer must he spiritual.
1. "God is a Spirit."
C. Soul had never prayed a right prayer.
1. He had never known the Lord Jesus.
a. Only access to God.
b. Wrong target.
2. Never made use of the name of Jesus.
D. His character was contrary to God.
1. Opposed to Son of God.
a. Full of hate and bitterness (persecution).
b. Must not fight God's battles with weapons of ill will.
1. Cannot overcome hate with hate.
2. Love our weapon.
E. Humility absent from life.
1. Self righteous.
II. IT WAS REMARKABLE THAT SUCH A MAN SHOULD NOW PRAY.
A. "Ecce" Behold a mark of admiration.
1. Difficult for proud Pharisee to pray like poor publican.
2. Not half so wonderful that irreligious man should pray as vain
profession.
3. Form religion.
a. Attend church - what value.
b. Bible reading-mind dozing.
c. Word given - mind wondering.
4. Easier to go to church every day than to pray.
5. Hard for those rich in nominal religion to enter kingdom of heaven.
B. Self Righteousness great hindrance to prayer.
1. Publicans and harlots enter kingdom before Pharisee.
C. Religious fervency can become hindrance.
1. Interest in externals.
IIl. IT IS A WONDER THAT SAUL PRAYED.
A. On Damascus road.
1. Man's opinion.
2. God's opinion.
IV. AS SOON AS HE PRAYED HE WAS ACCEPTED BY THE LORD.