I Kings 13:6

"And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Entreat now the face of the Lord thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. and the mand of God besought the Lord, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before."

The chapter of the 'Old Prophet'. A sermon that me and my father have savored for years of the young prophet and the old prophet. I never would have dreamed how relevant it would become in the current status of the SBC. But for me, it was always a warning of what not to allow, nor of what to become. The young prophet had come out of Judah to denounce the altar, the image and the king of Israel. the king stretched out his hand to issue a command to seize the young man. And when he did, his hand dried up so that he could not draw it into him. The altar was also upended and the ashes poured out. And the king answered and said unto the man of God - answered him for what? the prophet had said nothing to him; Was there more dialogue between the two? One of those unknowable answers until we are home. Entreat now the face of the Lord thy god - when peopel get in trouble and difficulties arise, they want prayer warriors to call out on their behalf; Notice the term, 'Thy God'; not "My God', but 'thy', a pvery revealing thought of personal relationship. Listen to people of how they refer to our God, by the pronoun that they use. But he is being asked to 'entreat the Lord'. You and I are given a great opportunity to entreat Him. Let us be constant at it and not miss the opportunity. Pray for me - it is rare but the doors do open at times, when we are called upon to do such thingss; And even though prayer be the most neglected resource of God's people, we are still beseeched to pray. Let us not forget the weight that is set upon us for prayer. the whole human race is in need of an intercessor. Those that are in sin and lost, need a prayer; those that are hurting, need a prayer; those that need answers, need a prayer; those that are sick and dying, need a prayer; those families that are crumbling, need a prayer; Oh, how many need a prayer. Are you praying? Are you holding up the brothers and sisters in Chrsit? Are you crying out to God for the lost? Are you offer prayer for a nation? Samuel said it and we should echo it: 'God forbid it me, that I should cease praying for you'. And what shall I say to those that read these words, "Pray for me". that my hand may be restored me again - God was going to judge the people over his sins and when he asks for prayer, what is it for? It is for his hand to be restored. Does this not reveal his true selfish interest? He cares not for the things of God, only for his own selfish ends. But let us see at least his faith. He believed that the prophet was able to restore his hand. too many are skeptical and unbelieving of God's own people let alone the lost, and wretched to believe that He is able to do all things, including restoring a hand to physical health. And the man of God besought the Lord - the young prophet in the midst of his task grants this petition of mercy; We msut tell the truth to those around us, they are lost and perishing and sinking into hell. Let us not lose heart to say, "Well, let them sink, they deserve it". For we all deserve it, let us beseech Him for them. They are afflicted and in darkness, 'and such were some of you', let us cry out ot God for them. The greater work of God is always done, when we see this act of mercy demonstrate to those that are being judged by God. God's anger was against Jeroboam and the people, and yet when afflicted and prayed for, God heals and restores. Does this not show how merciful and gracious He is? Let us never doubt that God desires to show Himself merciful to those that don't deserve it. And the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before - who else is able to do such things, but our God; He is able to to restore for He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Look upon His great works and consider His desire toward us and this present world. Is it not to heal and restore our broken relationship? Let us cry out to him to heal us again. We are blighted, marred, crippled, vexed and we deserve it all, yet He is merciful to heal. 'Will You not revive us again, O Lord?" I will entreat Him, pray unto Him for them, beseech the Lord for His mercies which fail not; and wait for Him Who is able to do all things and see if He will not bless and heal us again for His glory.