Covenant Theology: Blessings, Curses, and Sanctions: Promises Of The Law

A Needful and Necessary Prayer

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Covenant Theology

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2013-08-18

Synopsis: John Weaver expounds 1 Chronicles 16:35, presenting David's prayer as a model for believers to pray beyond personal needs. He emphasizes three petitions: salvation for God's people in all its forms, spiritual unity through like-mindedness, and deliverance from the heathen. The ultimate purpose is God's glory. Weaver argues that most prayers are selfish and fail to encompass the broader body of Christ, and he calls for prayers that align with Scripture and seek the downfall of wickedness and the establishment of righteousness.

[John Weaver] 1 Chronicles 16, verse 35. The title of the message today is a needful and necessary prayer. 1 Chronicles 16, verse 35. Look, if you would, please. 1 Chronicles 16, verse 35. And say ye, save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name and glory in thy praise. So notice I titled this a needful and necessary prayer. I believe it's absolutely true that every child of God prays to his heavenly father.

[John Weaver] Most of the time, however, we probably do not pray a rite, but at least we do pray. Many times we pray selfishly. We pray for our own lusts and desires. Such prayers are usually unanswered, and moreover, they're condemned in Scripture. I want you to hold 1 Chronicles 16, but turn in your Bibles very quickly to the book of James, chapter 4, and look, if you would please, beginning there with verse 1. Hebrews, James, James, chapter 4, and notice, if you would please, verse 1. James 4, verse 1. Look what God says. James 4, verse 1, From whence come wars and fighting among you? Come they not hence even your lust that warn your members? You lust and have not.

[John Weaver] You kill and desire to have and cannot obtain. You fight in war, yet you have not because you ask not. You ask and receive not because you ask amiss. that you may consume it upon your own lust. So God then tells us, first of all, most of the time our prayers are unanswered because, first of all, we really fail to pray. Secondly, when we do pray, we fail to pray aright. And there are many ways in which we fail to pray aright. For instance, we fail oftentimes to pray in faith. We fail to pray according to the will of God or according to the word of God. We fail to pray with forgiveness in our hearts, and we fail to pray unceasingly. There are probably a multitude of areas in which we really fail in our prayer life. But I must confess that probably one of the greatest areas in which we do fail, David hits the nail on the head for us in verse 35 of 1 Chronicles chapter 16. Because most of us, when we pray, we pray for ourselves, our family, and our friends.

[John Weaver] Now, there's nothing wrong with praying for yourself. Your family and your friends, except most of the time we suffer for what is known as tunnel vision, that is, we simply do not see the larger picture. I always try to explain it like this. There is my ministry. There's our ministry. And there's the ministry. My ministry is just a small part of our ministry. And our ministry is still just a small part of the ministry. And so many times we're just so consumed with my ministry or our ministry and we totally fail to see the broader picture of the entire ministry. It is true that our Heavenly Father is concerned with us since we are part and parcel of the ministry. He is certainly concerned with our needs And our desires, that is true.

[John Weaver] He's not going to forget our work of faith and our labor of love. The Bible says in Hebrews chapter six and verse 10, listen carefully, for God is not unrighteous to forget your work of faith and labor of love, which you've showed in his name and that you have ministered to the saints and do minister. So God's not going to forget the little part of my ministry and our ministry.

[John Weaver] But the point I'm trying to make is quite simple. Most of the time, we're not concerned with the greater part. We're not concerned with the whole. We're concerned with the little tiny parts. So let me ask you. When you pray, are your prayers broad enough to include the Christians in this state? Are your prayers broad enough to consider God's people in this country? Are they broad enough to consider God's people in the world? Are your prayers broad enough to consider other ministries and not just our own? In other words, can you see the forest and not just one or two trees? What David does in 1 Chronicles 16 is he gives us a wonderful example what I'm going to call an enlarged prayer. In First Chronicles, chapter 16, David is not just praying for himself or his household, but he's praying for the people of God. And what we need to learn to do is to pray for all of God's people wherever they are located.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to know the context before I ever get to verse 35. The context of 1 Chronicles chapter 16 is a context of rejoicing because the ark of the Lord has been brought into the tabernacle that David has set up for it at Jerusalem. So let's look in 1 Chronicles 16 at the first three verses. The Bible says, So they brought the ark of God and set it in the midst of the tent. that David had pitched for it. And they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. Now, watch this.

[John Weaver] And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread and a good piece of flesh and a flagon of wine. Now, can you imagine the king giving everyone a loaf of bread, a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So it certainly was indeed a time of rejoicing. You have to remember what made this occasion special. It was the very first time David attempted to bring the ark into Jerusalem.

[John Weaver] It was a dismal failure. because they failed to seek the Lord after the proper manner, and what they tried to do was use the way of the Philistines. I want you to hold 1 Chronicles, but turn back in your Bibles to 2 Samuel chapter 6. 2 Samuel chapter 6, and let's begin reading there with verse 1, and we'll read through verse 10. So you're going to see what a dismal failure it was in attempting to bring the ark to Jerusalem the first time. Notice, if you would, 2 Samuel, chapter six, verse one.

[John Weaver] And again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, 30,000. And David arose and went with all the people that were with him from Baal of Judah to bring up, hence, the ark of God, whose name is called by the Lord of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart. and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah, and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.

[John Weaver] Remember, the Philistines had sent it back like this. And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments, made of firwood, even on harps and on psalters and on tembrals and on cornets and on cymbals. And when they came to Nacon's threshing floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God smote him there for his error. And there he died by the ark of God, and David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzzah, And he called the name of the place Perez-Uzza to this day. And David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, how shall the ark of the Lord come to me? And David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David.

[John Weaver] But David carried it aside in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. Now I want you to know what had happened. The Philistines had sent the ark back on a cart. And so David and the people of Israel attempt to bring it back on the card as well. Which was not the God-ordained way of carrying that Ark. If you would turn to your Bibles to 1 Chronicles chapter 15. 1 Chronicles 15 and let's begin looking there at verse 12. David gets it right the second time. It was too bad for us the first time, but he gets it right the second time. 1 Chronicles 15 verse 12, and he said unto them, he's talking to the Levites, you are the chief of the fathers of the Levites. Sanctify yourselves, both you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because you did it not at the first, the Lord our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.

[John Weaver] So the priests and the Levites sanctify themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel. Notice if you would please. David said God smote us because we did it not right the first time. Now, since the ark is now coming into the tabernacle or the tent that David is pitched. I want you to note the rejoicing. Skip down to verse four of First Chronicles, chapter 16. Notice what he does, he appoints the singers and the musicians, verse 4, and he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord and to record and to thank and praise the Lord God of Israel. Asap, the chief, and next him Zechariah, Jael, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattaniah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jael with psalm trees and with harps, and Asap made a sound with But now also in Jehaziel, the priest with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God. Then on that day, David delivered this first psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to note, if you would, please. David not only appointed the musicians. But it was on this day that the ark returned that David handed a copy of this psalm to Asap and to the singers that they might sing.

[John Weaver] Now, once you read in the book of Psalms, you're going to find that the central truths of the psalm that happens to be expressed in 1 Chronicles 16 can also be found in Psalm 96, Psalm 105, and Psalm 106. So, but this psalm was written particularly as a time of rejoicing when the Ark was being brought in correctly to the city of Jerusalem.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to skip down to verse 35, because this is the verse that I want to expound today. This is just one verse of this entire psalm. And say ye, save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together and deliver us from the heathen. that we may give thanks to thy holy name and glory in thy praise. Now, if you look at verse 34, David now commands the giving of thanks to God, O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever. So after he tells us to give thanks to the Lord, in verse 35, he not only gives us certain concepts He even gives us the petitions and the words that we're to use to express those petitions in prayer.

[John Weaver] You know, there's nothing better than quoting Scripture in prayer. One way that we know that we are praying biblically and scripturally is when we quote the Scripture, when we use the words of God Himself. And so David has written this psalm under the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. And notice, if you would, he says, And say, Ye save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. So let me break these petitions down and show you why this is a needful and necessary prayer. First of all, He tells us in verse 35 that we are to pray for the salvation of God's people.

[John Weaver] Now, when you and I think of salvation, we immediately think of what is termed eternal salvation. We think of salvation from punishment and wrath, and certainly that is an aspect of salvation, and I might add, an extremely important aspect of salvation. And we do indeed need to learn to pray for the salvation of God's elect, whoever they are and wherever they may be. I hope you remember the passage in 2 Timothy 2 and verse 10, where the Apostle Paul said this, Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. So Paul said, I endure all things for the elect's sake. So when you read of all of the things that Paul suffered, a night and day in the deep, being stoned, being beaten, facing the enemies day and night, all of these things he said, I endure for the elect's sake that they might be saved. Now, we know that God has an elect. We know because His Word declares very clearly that concept.

[John Weaver] Moreover, I might point out that whenever and wherever I preach, I rely upon this concept. I rely upon this truth. I know that not everybody's going to be saved. And I know that when I preach, there's a lot of people that are going to be upset. There's a lot of people that do not like my preaching. Southern Poverty Law Center doesn't like my preaching. I'm sure the ACLU doesn't like my preaching. A lot of people don't like my preaching. I know that when I preach, some folks are going to get mad, and some folks are going to get upset. But I also know this. Some are going to be glad, and some are going to rejoice. And God is going to save His elect, whoever they may be.

[John Weaver] The doctrine of election is a motivation to evangelism. I want you to hold 1 Chronicles 16, but turn in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Acts chapter 13 and look at verse 48. Acts chapter 13 and verse 48. And I want you to see what the Word of God says so plainly. Acts chapter 13, verse 48. Paul had been preaching to the Jews, and of course, they rebelled and they didn't like it. And he said, well, all right, we'll turn to the Gentiles. Notice, if you would, verse 48. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord.

[John Weaver] And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Now, how many believed? As many as were ordained to eternal life believed. So in this passage some got mad and some got glad. Some rebelled against the truth and some obeyed the truth. So what is it that will keep someone preaching and teaching? The very fact that I know that God has a people somewhere and when the time comes God will use His Word and speak to their hearts. In fact, if you would turn right on over in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians 2, and let me point out the fact that God has not only ordained the end, He's also ordained the means to the end as well. It is true that God has an elect, but God has also ordained the means of reaching those elect. In 2 Thessalonians 2, Notice, if you would please, verse 13 and 14. The Bible says this.

[John Weaver] Paul was writing to these Thessalonican Christians and he says, But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord. Why? Here's why. Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation. But notice, through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth, whereunto He calls you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So did God ordain them? Yes. Did God choose of the salvation? Yes. Did God appoint the means of reaching them? Yes. Through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth, and Paul said, He called you by our gospel. So, yes, we have to pray for the salvation of God's people.

[John Weaver] However, What I want to emphasize today is this. The word salvation is used in a variety of different ways in the Bible. So whenever you see the word salvation in the Bible, it is not always talking about eternal salvation, OK? For instance. It can include a physical deliverance. It can include. delivered from our enemies. Let me show you. Go in your Bibles to 1st Samuel chapter 14. 1st Samuel chapter 14.

[John Weaver] You remember that Jonathan and his armor bearer has wrought a great victory. And Saul had cursed anyone who tasted any food until he had gotten his way upon his enemies. Well, Jonathan wasn't around. Jonathan didn't hear that. And Jonathan dipped the tip of his staff into a honeycomb and put some honey in his mouth. And he ate it. And his eyes were enlightened. And when someone said, you shouldn't have done that, your father placed a curse on anyone who ate. He said, my father has done foolishly. Think what would have happened to all the enemies now if we had been able to eat and have our strength. But look what happened. So anyhow, Saul says he's going to kill Jonathan because of this. In 1 Samuel 14 and verse 45, the Bible says this, And the people said and saw, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid!

[John Weaver] As the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground. For he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not. But note, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? What salvation is he talking about? Defeating the Philistines? Look in your Bibles, if you would, to Psalm 140. Psalm 140 and notice verse 7. Psalm 140 and verse 7. Here it is, Psalm 140 and verse 7. David says, O God, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou has covered my head in the day of battle. Now, what is David talking about when he calls God the strength of his salvation?

[John Weaver] God's protecting hand upon him as he fought the enemy. Has nothing to do with eternal salvation, but it does have to do with a physical deliverance. If you turn right over to Psalm 144 and look at verse 10. Psalm 144 and verse 10. David says it like this. It is he, that is God, that giveth salvation unto kings. who deliver David his servant from the hurtful sword. Very plainly, the salvation that David is talking about here is being delivered. In battle, God has spared him, God has saved him. I want you to turn right over to the book of Jeremiah, chapter eight, Jeremiah, chapter eight. And show you how the word saved is used here, Jeremiah, chapter eight, verses 19 and 20. Jeremiah 8, verse 19 and 20.

[John Weaver] Well, the truth of the matter is in this passage, Judah has been surrounded by her enemies, or the people of God have. Watch what happens. Jeremiah 8, verse 19, Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in the far country. So they've been attacked by their enemies. It's not the Lord in Zion. It's not her king in her.

[John Weaver] Why have they provoked me to anger with their raven images and with their strange vanities? Now, look what the people say. The harvest is past. The summer's ended and we're not saved. What do they mean we're not safe? There's been no deliverance from the oppressing army. They're going to perish. They're going to starve to death. The harvest is over. They could not get out and get it. It's ended and we are not saved. So salvation here has to do with a physical deliverance.

[John Weaver] If you would turn over to the book of Philippians chapter one, Philippians chapter one. And notice, if you would please, what the Apostle Paul says in verse 19. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians. Notice Philippians chapter 1 verse 19. Now this is Paul the Apostle speaking and he says this. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. What? Paul says for I know that this shall turn to my salvation. Was Paul not already saved? Did God not save him when he called him to be an apostle? Well, of course he saved him. If you read this chapter Paul is in prison. And when he says, for I know this will turn to my salvation through your prayer, he's saying, I know that I'll be released from prison through your prayer. So it's called a salvation. So salvation then can refer not only to eternal salvation. But salvation from our enemies, salvation in battle, salvation from prison, And I want to point out, since I am in the book of Philippians, it can also include salvation from what you and I would call physical ills and sickness.

[John Weaver] Look in Philippians chapter 2, and let's begin reading there verse 25, reading about Epaphroditus. Philippians chapter 2, verse 25. Paul says, yet I suppose it necessary to send to you Apaphroditus, my brother and companion in labor and fellow soldier, but your messenger. And he that ministered to my wants, for he longed after you all and was full of heaviness because you had heard that he had been sick. Now, watch, it's Apaphroditus that's sick. Verse 27, for indeed, he was sick nigh unto death.

[John Weaver] In other words, he nearly died. Now, look what Paul says. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore, the Lord, with all gladness, and hold such in reputation, because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me." So I want you to notice, if you would please, Paul said, God had mercy upon Epaphroditus, and God also had mercy upon me. Well, how did God have mercy upon Paul? By sparing Epaphroditus, so Epaphroditus could help working with the Apostle Paul. And so obviously when God healed Epaphroditus, He not only saved Epaphroditus' life, The Apostle Paul, a great deal of agony as well.

[John Weaver] Now, I don't know about you. But if I'm facing any surgery or any difficulty like that, I certainly want to ask the Lord to deliver me and help me and save me. I want to ask the Lord to give the doctors wisdom and discernment. You know, it's a salvation. And let me tell you something, folks, God's people do need to be saved. Now, listen to me. We need to be saved from ourselves. The worst thing that God could ever do to us is just leave us to ourselves. I usually tell people, you know, the enemy would not have to really destroy us if we were just left ourselves because we destroy ourselves. But we need to be delivered from ourselves. We need to be delivered from our sins. We need to be delivered from the servants of Satan. We need to be delivered from our pride.

[John Weaver] from our lethargy and our apathy, and from our cold, hard, unforgiving hearts. And let me point this out. There are saints in prison for the faith's sake and for righteousness' sake. They need to be delivered. There have been a multitude that have been unlawfully, unbiblically, and unconstitutionally imprisoned. I know some now who are in prison that have no more reason to be in prison, then you or I need to be in prison. They've done nothing wrong, but yet they're there because of the faith's sake. You know, here's a problem that we have today. So many people tend to think that if someone is in prison, they must undoubtedly deserve to be there. Well, If that is your opinion, you need to consider that the apostles were imprisoned. Even our Lord was imprisoned. A multitude of saints have been imprisoned. In fact, in Revelation 2 and verse 10, here's what our Lord said. Listen carefully.

[John Weaver] Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried. And you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faintful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." What did he say? Satan shall also cast some of you into prison. I want you to turn over in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 11 very quickly. Hebrews chapter 11. I want you to see this, because if you have the mentality that if someone is in prison, in all probability they deserve to be there, you've got another thing coming. I know that many are in there that have done wicked things. But many are in there who have done absolutely nothing wrong. Notice Hebrews chapter 11, beginning there in verse 35.

[John Weaver] The Bible says, women received their dead raised to life again and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourging, shame over bonds and imprisonment. Skip down to verse 38, of whom the world was not worthy. So here are a multitude that had been imprisoned wrongly And wickedly, obviously, our Lord did not deserve to be in prison. The apostles did not deserve to be imprisoned, the saints did not deserve to be in prison, and yet they were in prison. I want you to look in Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 3. Let me ask you a question based upon this verse. Look at Hebrews 13, verse 3. Look what our Lord commands. Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them.

[John Weaver] And then which suffer adversity as being yourself also in the body. Now, what does God tell us? Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them. If you know a Christian, if you know a saint of God that's in prison, God says you better remember them as being bound with them. And if they're suffering adversity. You better suffer with them. being yourselves also in the same body.

[John Weaver] In other words, what one goes through, we should understand and we should empathize and sympathize with. Now, I have no sympathy for someone who is suffering for his sins and getting what you and I would call the just desserts. But I do have a great deal of sympathy for individuals who've been in prison unlawfully, unbiblically, unconstitutionally. How in the world can you and I fulfill Hebrews chapter 13 in verse 3 if we do not pray for those saints that are in prison?

[John Weaver] I just read this morning, did not have time to read the whole thing, just caught the headlines where a clerk of a judge told a prisoner how to file a motion and get a DNA test because he was sentenced to 70 years for rape that he did not do and did not commit. And he filed and got the DNA test. It proved he was innocent. And the judge that sentenced him got mad at the clerk and fired the clerk. Now, I've got news for you.

[John Weaver] If I'm thrown in prison, I want somebody praying for me. And I've got news for you, if you ever find out that I'm in prison, it is not going to be for violating God's law. It's going to be for obeying God and doing that which is right and holy. I'm just simply saying, if we're going to remember those that are in bonds, we have to learn to pray. And what do we have to learn to pray? We have to learn to pray what David has commanded us in 1 Chronicles 16, verse 35.

[John Weaver] Save thy people, O Lord. Do you realize God's people need to be saved soteriologically, that is, with real, general, eternal salvation? We need to be saved physically. We need to be saved economically. We need to be saved materially. We need to be saved mentally and emotionally. There are multitudes of ways that we need to be saved. So it doesn't matter where you are in your Christian life, or where anyone else is in their Christian life, it is still legitimate, the Apostle Paul, King David says, to pray, save thy people, O Lord. And we all need to be saved in one way or the other.

[John Weaver] Now, go back in your Bibles, if you would, please, to First Chronicles, Chapter 16. I want you to look at verse 35 again, because here's a second petition. He says in verse 35 and saying so, this is what you're supposed to say when you pray, say. Save us, oh, God, of our salvation, here's the second petition and gather us together. So we're not only to pray that God's people will be saved, since salvation belongs to God. He is the one who must save us. We're also to pray, we're commanded to pray, gather us together.

[John Weaver] Now, while that may not be a physical possibility at this moment, it may be in the future. Certainly, we will be gathered together at His coming. The Bible tells us he will gather the wheat into his garner in Luke 3 and verse 17. And in Mark 13, verse 27, the Bible says he shall send his angels and shall gather together his elect from the four winds from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. So certainly in the future, there's going to be a time that we're gathered together. Now, listen carefully, here's what I believe that David means when he says, you pray, say by people, oh God, and gather by people together or gather us together. We may be miles apart physically. But we may be gathered together spiritually. Culturally and intellectually.

[John Weaver] We must learn to think alike, act alike, and be alike. I don't care if you live in California, Idaho, Missouri, Georgia, Florida, if you are God's people, we need to learn to think alike and act alike and be alike. So how do we accomplish such a feat? Well, the answer is wherever we are located, we must be constantly consistently and continually bringing our lives into conformity to the Word of God. Do you realize we cannot act alike unless we believe alike? We cannot have the same Christian culture unless we believe alike. And we cannot believe alike unless each one of us submits his mind to the Word of God. You know, one of the most Frequently asked questions.

[John Weaver] Concerning my travels is this question. What other Christians like the other states? You know, you think of funny California. Socialistic Washington. I got news for you. The Christians in those states. Believe. And think and act just like we do. God has an elect. Everywhere. I never will forget when I first started preaching nearly 50 years ago now, it's been over 48 going on 49, I think. The first time I went up north and preached. I came back, and I never will forget one man, he was a great big fella, one man in our church, the first question he asked me was this, how'd them Yankees treat you? That was his first question, and he asked it just like that. And I said, well, since they were Christians, they treated me the way I should be treated. But it's true.

[John Weaver] If you're in the North, if you're in the South, East, West, it doesn't matter. If you submit your mind to the Word of God, we're going to end up thinking alike.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to listen to me. Can you imagine, can you even conceive in your mind the impact that Christians would have upon our culture, our government, Economics and Hollywood and a host of other subjects, if each one, regardless of its location, simply acted upon biblical truth and biblical principles. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine the Christians rising up and acting biblically and scripturally all over this country? What an impact. We would change our culture back into a biblical and a godly culture. We do not have to be in one wad to accomplish these things.

[John Weaver] People say, well, if we could just get everybody together, it's going to be an impossibility until Christ comes. You don't have to have everyone in one wad. You don't. A big glob. All you'd have to do is learn to think alike and act alike. I want you to consider how we're exhorted to be gathered together in our minds. Let me just read some Scriptures. In Romans 12, 16, God says, Be of one mind, one toward another. Be of one mind, one toward another. Romans 15 and verse 5, Now the God of patience and consolation grants you that you be like minded, one toward another, according to Christ Jesus. Be like-minded. 1 Corinthians 1 and verse 10, the Apostle Paul says, Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing. That there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Now, how can you speak the same thing? You have to have the same mind.

[John Weaver] You have to have the same judgment. You have to believe the same things. In Philippians 2 and verse 2, the Apostle Paul said, Fulfill ye my joy that you be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, being of one mind. In Philippians 3 and verse 16, Nevertheless, whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same things." 1 Peter 4 and verse 1, Forasmuch as Christ has suffered in the flesh, listen carefully, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind. Can you imagine what it would be like? If every Christian submitted his mind to the word of God and had the mind of Christ.

[John Weaver] That we would think alike and we would act alike. So David says, here's what you should pray and say is what you should say in your prayers. Save us, O God of our salvation. That's the first petition. And the second one is this and gather us together. If you look back to verse 35, there's a third petition. And deliver us from the heathen. Wow. And deliver us from the heathen.

[John Weaver] Certainly, David's kingdom was under attack from the Philistines and countless other enemies. Israel in the Old Testament was continually under attack by surrounding kingdoms. But may I point out that the kingdom of God is equally under attack today. Look at the attack that we're having from Islam. Look at the attack we're having from our own government. Look at the attack that we're having from the atheists. Look at the attacks we're having from Christians who are just shooting and fighting with each other. I mean, there's attacks on every hand. Enemies abound on every hand and they're ceasingly endeavoring to eradicate anything and everything that's biblical and Christian. And the Bible teaches very clearly that when the wicked reign, there's only trouble, turmoil, and confusion. All you have to do is look at the present administration and understand that statement. Trouble, turmoil, and confusion. Authority and power in the hands of the wicked only encourages them in their efforts to establish their agenda, their goal, and their kingdom, while at the same time seeking to destroy all that oppose them.

[John Weaver] Do you realize the enemies that are in control in this country are not stupid? They may be rebellious. But they understand if they succeed. They have to destroy Christianity. They have to destroy our culture. They have to destroy the Constitution. And that's exactly what they've been doing. I want you to turn to Proverbs chapter 28. And look, if you would please, at verse 12. Proverbs 28 in verse 12. We'll look at several passages here. Proverbs 28 in verse 12.

[John Weaver] The Bible says for the righteous men to rejoice, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, the man is hidden. Why is the man hidden? He's trying to stay out of the way because there's trouble, turmoil, confusion. Look in Proverbs 28 and verse 28. When the wicked rise, men hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase. Wow. You want the righteous to increase? Let the wicked perish. Look in Proverbs 29 and verse 2. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Hmm.

[John Weaver] Let me hasten and point this out. I want you to turn in your Bible to Deuteronomy 28. I'm sure that you know this passage. I've preached it so many times before, but I want you to see it. Deuteronomy 28, I want you to see that the reason the heathen are ruling and reigning over us today is because of our own sin and our own rebellion. I ask that you pay special attention to the following curses for disobedience to God and His law. It is not disobedience on the part of the wicked that is condemning us. It's disobedience on the part of the righteous. So look in Deuteronomy 28, begin there with verse 43. Deuteronomy 28, verse 43. Watch carefully.

[John Weaver] The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high. And thou shalt come down very low. He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him. He that is a stranger, the heathen, shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail. Now watch. Moreover, all these curses shall come upon thee, and pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed. Why? Because thou hearkenest not in the voice of the Lord thy God to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee. And they shall be upon thee for a sign, for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever. Now watch. Here's why it's coming. Because thou servest not the Lord by God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things. Therefore thou shalt serve by an enemies, which the Lord shall send against thee in hunger and in thirst and nakedness and one of all things. And he shall put a yoke of iron upon my neck until he destroyed me. Now notice what God said.

[John Weaver] God said, you can either serve me in thankfulness and joy and gladness of heart and obedience, or you can serve your enemies. God's people are going to serve one or the other. We will either serve God or we will serve our enemies. It's just that simple.

[John Weaver] Now, I want to show you, turn in your Bibles to the book of Luke, chapter one, the book of Luke, chapter one. I want you to see what Zacharias said, and by the way, he was the father of John the Baptist. Luke chapter 1, and let's begin reading there with verse 67. Luke chapter 1, verse 67, we'll read through verse 75. Now, I want you to remember Deuteronomy 28. I want you to remember David's prayer Save thy people, O Lord, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen. Now watch. Luke 1, notice if you would, verse 67, And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he

[John Weaver] spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began. Are you looking? that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and remember his holy covenant, the oath which he swore to our father Abraham, that he would grant unto us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our lives.

[John Weaver] Now, someone's going to say, but Brother Weaver, that is going to happen when our Lord comes back. I understand that. But notice, if you would, Zacharias is not talking about the return of the Lord. He's talking about the first coming of the Lord, His birth. Why did He come? To deliver us out of the hand of the enemy. To give us an obedient heart. That we might be delivered out of the hand of our enemies, that we might serve Him without fear.

[John Weaver] in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our lives. Now, I want you to note the prayer of Zacharias is essentially the same prayer as that of David. David's prayer is more abbreviated, yet the essence is the same. Saved by people, O Lord, gather us together and deliver us from the heathen. I don't know about you. But I pray daily. In fact, many times a day that God would deliver us from our enemies, that he would deliver us from the hand of the heathen is a needed and necessary prayer. I want you to go back to First Chronicles 16 in verse 35. I will hit on this in my applications, but I want you to look at it. Here it is, 1 Chronicles 16, notice verse 35, and say ye, save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together and deliver us from the heathen. Why?

[John Weaver] That we may give thanks to thy holy name and glory in thy praise. There's a purpose for this prayer.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to note by way of application, first of all, these three requests flow together toward one end, and that's the glory of God. So we're to pray, save us, O God of our salvation. Gather us together. Deliver us from the heathen. Why? So that we may give God honor and glory. Is that not a prayer worth repeating? Is it not worth beseeching our Heavenly Father? to save His people in every way possible, to gather us together in one mind, and deliver from the heathen, that we may praise Him? Yes. Here's the second application. Listen.

[John Weaver] Christians that are in captivity to sin, Satan and self, are just as bound as those Israelites were who were carried captive into Assyria, and those Judahites were who were carried captive into Babylon. You know what our Lord said in Romans 6 and verse 16? Listen. Romans 6, verse 16, here's what he said. Know ye not that to whom you yield yourself servants to obey, his servants you are whom you obey, for there is sin unto death of obedience unto righteousness. Know ye not that to whom you yield yourself servants to obey, his servants you are.

[John Weaver] So if you're serving your lust, you're a slave to your lust. If you're serving your pride, you're a slave to your pride. If you're serving your laziness and your apathy, you're a servant, you're a slave to your laziness and your apathy. In 2 Peter 2 and verse 19, the word of God says, Of whom a man is overcome of the same as he brought into bondage. Of whom a man is overcome of the same as he brought into bondage.

[John Weaver] So if Robert can jump up and whip me and throw me down and put his knee on my chest or on my throat, guess what? I'm willing to do at that point whatever he says to get him off of me. Because if he overcomes me, I'm in bondage to him at that particular point. The same thing is true with our sins. We do need to be delivered from sin, self, and Satan. Not only that, we also need to be delivered from every system that is contrary to God and His orderly way. God's people need to be delivered from tyranny, despotism, and totalitarianism. We need to be free to serve and honor and worship our Lord as he has ordained. Let me tell you, the command of God to the pharaohs of this world is the same as it was to the pharaoh of Egypt. Let my people go that they may serve me. That's God's command to the pharaohs of this world.

[John Weaver] Thirdly, I want you to understand if we place these three requests together, save us. Gather us, deliver us. It should be easy to see that these three requests speak of the downfall of the wicked and the establishment of the righteous. Do you know what? When you pray, save thy people, O Lord, and gather us together and deliver us from the heathen, you are in essence saying, as our Lord taught us, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

[John Weaver] There's a song that R.L. Peacock sings regularly. I enjoy the song. I enjoy hearing him sing it. I don't know all of it, but one of the stanzas goes like this, or the chorus. I want to see Israel marching. I want to hear that trumpet call. I want to climb up Zion's mountain. I want to see Obablon fall. And I do want it to fall. And how in the world are we going to get it to fall unless we pray, deliver us from the heathen. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth. What we're saying is, Lord, we want Thee to reign supremely and sovereignly. Let all the world know that Thou art God alone. And He is. Jesus Christ is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and God of Gods. Father, we pray today in the name of Jesus Christ that You would indeed help us to pray. Help us to pray aright. And Lord, here is a Very special prayer that we've been commanded to pray. Save thy people, O Lord God of hosts.

[John Weaver] Gather us together and deliver us from the heathen, that we may glory in thy holy name and worship and praise thee. Father, we do ask for deliverance from the enemy. Thou didst say, O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the just. And Father, we ask that that would indeed be done by your grace and by your mercy and through the repentance and obedience and faith of thy people. Make us holy, make us godly, make us obedient. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

[John Weaver] This program was produced by Dominion Ministry. For more information about Pastor Weber's sermons, You may contact Dominion Ministry by mail at 7400 Abercorn, that's A-B-E-R-C-O-R-N Street, Suite 705, PMB 175, Savannah, Georgia, 31406. Or give us a call at 912-925-0990.

[John Weaver] You can also visit our website at www.dominionministry.com

A Needful and Necessary Prayer

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	111713125485
Subject	Covenant Theology
Course	Covenant Theology: Blessings, Curses, and Sanctions: Promises Of The Law
Genre	Sermon
Date	2013-08-18
Dictation Name
Book	Book 042: Covenant Theology: Blessings, Curses, and Sanctions: God's Answer to America's Problems — Chapter 13
Source Timed Segments	69

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Problem of Selfish Prayer

Weaver introduces the need for a prayer that goes beyond personal concerns, noting that most prayers are selfish and unanswered because they are not according to God's will.

1 Chronicles 16, verse 35. The title of the message today is "A Needful and Necessary Prayer." 1 Chronicles 16, verse 35. Look, if you would, please. 1 Chronicles 16, verse 35:

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 16:35

"And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise."

So notice I titled this "A Needful and Necessary Prayer." I believe it's absolutely true that every child of God prays to his heavenly Father. Most of the time, however, we probably do not pray aright, but at least we do pray. Many times we pray selfishly. We pray for our own lusts and desires. Such prayers are usually unanswered, and moreover, they're condemned in Scripture. I want you to hold 1 Chronicles 16, but turn in your Bibles very quickly to the book of James, chapter 4, and look, if you would please, beginning there with verse 1. Hebrews, James—James, chapter 4, and notice, if you would please, verse 1. James 4, verse 1. Look what God says. James 4, verse 1: "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not."

"Ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." So God then tells us, first of all, most of the time our prayers are unanswered because, first of all, we really fail to pray. Secondly, when we do pray, we fail to pray aright. And there are many ways in which we fail to pray aright. For instance, we fail oftentimes to pray in faith. We fail to pray according to the will of God or according to the word of God. We fail to pray with forgiveness in our hearts, and we fail to pray unceasingly. There are probably a multitude of areas in which we really fail in our prayer life. But I must confess that probably one of the greatest areas in which we do fail, David hits the nail on the head for us in verse 35 of 1 Chronicles chapter 16. Because most of us, when we pray, we pray for ourselves, our family, and our friends.

Now, there's nothing wrong with praying for yourself, your family, and your friends, except most of the time we suffer from what is known as tunnel vision, that is, we simply do not see the larger picture. I always try to explain it like this. There is my ministry. There's our ministry. And there's the ministry. My ministry is just a small part of our ministry. And our ministry is still just a small part of the ministry. And so many times we're just so consumed with my ministry or our ministry and we totally fail to see the broader picture of the entire ministry. It is true that our Heavenly Father is concerned with us since we are part and parcel of the ministry. He is certainly concerned with our needs and our desires, that is true.

The Context of 1 Chronicles 16: Rejoicing at the Ark's Return

The historical context is David bringing the ark to Jerusalem correctly the second time, after a failed first attempt due to not seeking God's due order.

Now, I want you to know the context before I ever get to verse 35. The context of 1 Chronicles chapter 16 is a context of rejoicing because the ark of the Lord has been brought into the tabernacle that David has set up for it at Jerusalem. So let's look in 1 Chronicles 16 at the first three verses. The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 16:1-3

"So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord."

Now, watch this.

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 16:1-3

"And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine."

Now, can you imagine the king giving everyone a loaf of bread, a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine? So it certainly was indeed a time of rejoicing. You have to remember what made this occasion special. It was the very first time David attempted to bring the ark into Jerusalem.

It was a dismal failure, because they failed to seek the Lord after the proper manner, and what they tried to do was use the way of the Philistines. I want you to hold 1 Chronicles, but turn back in your Bibles to 2 Samuel chapter 6. 2 Samuel chapter 6, and let's begin reading there with verse 1, and we'll read through verse 10. So you're going to see what a dismal failure it was in attempting to bring the ark to Jerusalem the first time. Notice, if you would, 2 Samuel chapter 6, verse 1.

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 6:1-10

"Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart."

Remember, the Philistines had sent it back like this. "And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David."

"But David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite." Now I want you to know what had happened. The Philistines had sent the ark back on a cart. And so David and the people of Israel attempt to bring it back on the cart as well, which was not the God-ordained way of carrying that ark. If you would turn to your Bibles to 1 Chronicles chapter 15. 1 Chronicles 15 and let's begin looking there at verse 12. David gets it right the second time. It was too bad for us the first time, but he gets it right the second time. 1 Chronicles 15 verse 12: "And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order."

So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. Notice, if you would please. David said God smote us because we did it not right the first time. Now, since the ark is now coming into the tabernacle or the tent that David has pitched, I want you to note the rejoicing. Skip down to verse 4 of 1 Chronicles chapter 16. Notice what he does, he appoints the singers and the musicians. Verse 4:

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 15:12-13

"And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals; Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God. Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren."

Now, I want you to note, if you would, please. David not only appointed the musicians, but it was on this day that the ark returned that David handed a copy of this psalm to Asaph and to the singers that they might sing. Now, once you read in the book of Psalms, you're going to find that the central truths of the psalm that happens to be expressed in 1 Chronicles 16 can also be found in Psalm 96, Psalm 105, and Psalm 106. So this psalm was written particularly as a time of rejoicing when the ark was being brought in correctly to the city of Jerusalem.

First Petition: 'Save Us, O God of Our Salvation'

Salvation in Scripture includes eternal salvation, physical deliverance, deliverance from enemies, and healing. Believers must pray for God's people to be saved in every sense.

Now, when you and I think of salvation, we immediately think of what is termed eternal salvation. We think of salvation from punishment and wrath, and certainly that is an aspect of salvation, and I might add, an extremely important aspect of salvation. And we do indeed need to learn to pray for the salvation of God's elect, whoever they are and wherever they may be. I hope you remember the passage in 2 Timothy 2 and verse 10, where the Apostle Paul said this: "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." So Paul said, "I endure all things for the elect's sakes." So when you read of all of the things that Paul suffered—a night and a day in the deep, being stoned, being beaten, facing the enemies day and night—all of these things he said, "I endure for the elect's sakes that they might be saved." Now, we know that God has an elect. We know because His Word declares very clearly that concept.

Moreover, I might point out that whenever and wherever I preach, I rely upon this concept. I rely upon this truth. I know that not everybody's going to be saved. And I know that when I preach, there's a lot of people that are going to be upset. There's a lot of people that do not like my preaching. Southern Poverty Law Center doesn't like my preaching. I'm sure the ACLU doesn't like my preaching. A lot of people don't like my preaching. I know that when I preach, some folks are going to get mad, and some folks are going to get upset. But I also know this. Some are going to be glad, and some are going to rejoice. And God is going to save His elect, whoever they may be.

The doctrine of election is a motivation to evangelism. I want you to hold 1 Chronicles 16, but turn in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Acts chapter 13 and look at verse 48. Acts chapter 13 and verse 48. And I want you to see what the Word of God says so plainly. Acts chapter 13, verse 48. Paul had been preaching to the Jews, and of course, they rebelled and they didn't like it. And he said, "Well, all right, we'll turn to the Gentiles." Notice, if you would, verse 48: "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord."

"And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." Now, how many believed? As many as were ordained to eternal life believed. So in this passage some got mad and some got glad. Some rebelled against the truth and some obeyed the truth. So what is it that will keep someone preaching and teaching? The very fact that I know that God has a people somewhere and when the time comes God will use His Word and speak to their hearts. In fact, if you would turn right on over in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians 2, and let me point out the fact that God has not only ordained the end, He's also ordained the means to the end as well. It is true that God has an elect, but God has also ordained the means of reaching those elect. In 2 Thessalonians 2, notice, if you would please, verse 13 and 14. The Bible says this.

Paul was writing to these Thessalonian Christians and he says, "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." So did God ordain them? Yes. Did God choose them to salvation? Yes. Did God appoint the means of reaching them? Yes. Through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, and Paul said, "He called you by our gospel." So, yes, we have to pray for the salvation of God's people.

However, what I want to emphasize today is this. The word salvation is used in a variety of different ways in the Bible. So whenever you see the word salvation in the Bible, it is not always talking about eternal salvation, OK? For instance, it can include a physical deliverance. It can include being delivered from our enemies. Let me show you. Go in your Bibles to 1 Samuel chapter 14. 1 Samuel chapter 14.

You remember that Jonathan and his armourbearer had wrought a great victory. And Saul had cursed anyone who tasted any food until he had gotten his way upon his enemies. Well, Jonathan wasn't around. Jonathan didn't hear that. And Jonathan dipped the tip of his staff into a honeycomb and put some honey in his mouth. And he ate it. And his eyes were enlightened. And when someone said, "You shouldn't have done that, your father placed a curse on anyone who ate," he said, "My father has done foolishly. Think what would have happened to all the enemies now if we had been able to eat and have our strength." But look what happened. So anyhow, Saul says he's going to kill Jonathan because of this. In 1 Samuel 14 and verse 45, the Bible says this:

Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 14:45

"And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not."

But note:

Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 14:45

"Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel?"

What salvation is he talking about? Defeating the Philistines. Look in your Bibles, if you would, to Psalm 140. Psalm 140 and notice verse 7. Psalm 140 and verse 7. Here it is, Psalm 140 and verse 7. David says, "O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle." Now, what is David talking about when he calls God the strength of his salvation?

Scripture Reading — Psalm 140:7

God's protecting hand upon him as he fought the enemy. It has nothing to do with eternal salvation, but it does have to do with a physical deliverance. If you turn right over to Psalm 144 and look at verse 10. Psalm 144 and verse 10. David says it like this: "It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword." Very plainly, the salvation that David is talking about here is being delivered in battle. God has spared him, God has saved him. I want you to turn right over to the book of Jeremiah, chapter 8. Jeremiah chapter 8. And show you how the word saved is used here. Jeremiah chapter 8, verses 19 and 20. Jeremiah 8, verse 19 and 20.

Well, the truth of the matter is in this passage, Judah has been surrounded by her enemies, or the people of God have. Watch what happens. Jeremiah 8, verse 19: "Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her?" So they've been attacked by their enemies. "Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities?" Now, look what the people say. "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." What do they mean "we are not saved"? There's been no deliverance from the oppressing army. They're going to perish. They're going to starve to death. The harvest is over. They could not get out and get it. It's ended and we are not saved. So salvation here has to do with a physical deliverance.

If you would turn over to the book of Philippians chapter 1. Philippians chapter 1. And notice, if you would please, what the Apostle Paul says in verse 19. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians. Notice Philippians chapter 1 verse 19. Now this is Paul the Apostle speaking and he says this: "For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." What? Paul says "for I know that this shall turn to my salvation." Was Paul not already saved? Did God not save him when he called him to be an apostle? Well, of course he saved him. If you read this chapter Paul is in prison. And when he says, "For I know this will turn to my salvation through your prayer," he's saying, "I know that I'll be released from prison through your prayer." So it's called a salvation. So salvation then can refer not only to eternal salvation, but salvation from our enemies, salvation in battle, salvation from prison. And I want to point out, since I am in the book of Philippians, it can also include salvation from what you and I would call physical ills and sickness.

Look in Philippians chapter 2, and let's begin reading there verse 25, reading about Epaphroditus. Philippians chapter 2, verse 25. Paul says,

Scripture Reading — Philippians 2:25-30

"Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick."

Now, watch, it's Epaphroditus that's sick. Verse 27:

Scripture Reading — Philippians 2:25-30

"For indeed he was sick nigh unto death."

In other words, he nearly died. Now, look what Paul says.

Scripture Reading — Philippians 2:25-30

"But God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me."

So I want you to notice, if you would please, Paul said, "God had mercy upon Epaphroditus, and God also had mercy upon me." Well, how did God have mercy upon Paul? By sparing Epaphroditus, so Epaphroditus could help working with the Apostle Paul. And so obviously when God healed Epaphroditus, He not only saved Epaphroditus' life, but He saved the Apostle Paul a great deal of agony as well.

Now, I don't know about you. But if I'm facing any surgery or any difficulty like that, I certainly want to ask the Lord to deliver me and help me and save me. I want to ask the Lord to give the doctors wisdom and discernment. You know, it's a salvation. And let me tell you something, folks, God's people do need to be saved. Now, listen to me. We need to be saved from ourselves. The worst thing that God could ever do to us is just leave us to ourselves. I usually tell people, you know, the enemy would not have to really destroy us if we were just left to ourselves because we destroy ourselves. But we need to be delivered from ourselves. We need to be delivered from our sins. We need to be delivered from the servants of Satan. We need to be delivered from our pride.

From our lethargy and our apathy, and from our cold, hard, unforgiving hearts. And let me point this out. There are saints in prison for the faith's sake and for righteousness' sake. They need to be delivered. There have been a multitude that have been unlawfully, unbiblically, and unconstitutionally imprisoned. I know some now who are in prison that have no more reason to be in prison than you or I need to be in prison. They've done nothing wrong, but yet they're there because of the faith's sake. You know, here's a problem that we have today. So many people tend to think that if someone is in prison, they must undoubtedly deserve to be there. Well, if that is your opinion, you need to consider that the apostles were imprisoned. Even our Lord was imprisoned. A multitude of saints have been imprisoned. In fact, in Revelation 2 and verse 10, here's what our Lord said. Listen carefully.

"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." What did he say? "Satan shall also cast some of you into prison." I want you to turn over in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 11 very quickly. Hebrews chapter 11. I want you to see this, because if you have the mentality that if someone is in prison, in all probability they deserve to be there, you've got another thing coming. I know that many are in there that have done wicked things. But many are in there who have done absolutely nothing wrong. Notice Hebrews chapter 11, beginning there in verse 35.

The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 11:35-38

"Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment."

Skip down to verse 38:

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 11:35-38

"Of whom the world was not worthy."

So here are a multitude that had been imprisoned wrongly and wickedly. Obviously, our Lord did not deserve to be in prison. The apostles did not deserve to be imprisoned, the saints did not deserve to be in prison, and yet they were in prison. I want you to look in Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 3. Let me ask you a question based upon this verse. Look at Hebrews 13, verse 3. Look what our Lord commands. "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them."

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 13:3

"And them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."

Now, what does God tell us?

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 13:3

"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them."

If you know a Christian, if you know a saint of God that's in prison, God says you better remember them as being bound with them. And if they're suffering adversity, you better suffer with them, being yourselves also in the same body. In other words, what one goes through, we should understand and we should empathize and sympathize with. Now, I have no sympathy for someone who is suffering for his sins and getting what you and I would call the just desserts. But I do have a great deal of sympathy for individuals who've been in prison unlawfully, unbiblically, unconstitutionally. How in the world can you and I fulfill Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 3 if we do not pray for those saints that are in prison?

I just read this morning, did not have time to read the whole thing, just caught the headlines where a clerk of a judge told a prisoner how to file a motion and get a DNA test because he was sentenced to 70 years for rape that he did not do and did not commit. And he filed and got the DNA test. It proved he was innocent. And the judge that sentenced him got mad at the clerk and fired the clerk. Now, I've got news for you. If I'm thrown in prison, I want somebody praying for me. And I've got news for you, if you ever find out that I'm in prison, it is not going to be for violating God's law. It's going to be for obeying God and doing that which is right and holy. I'm just simply saying, if we're going to remember those that are in bonds, we have to learn to pray. And what do we have to learn to pray? We have to learn to pray what David has commanded us in 1 Chronicles 16, verse 35.

"Save thy people, O Lord." Do you realize God's people need to be saved soteriologically, that is, with real, general, eternal salvation? We need to be saved physically. We need to be saved economically. We need to be saved materially. We need to be saved mentally and emotionally. There are multitudes of ways that we need to be saved. So it doesn't matter where you are in your Christian life, or where anyone else is in their Christian life, it is still legitimate, the Apostle Paul, King David says, to pray, "Save thy people, O Lord." And we all need to be saved in one way or the other.

Second Petition: 'Gather Us Together'

This petition is for spiritual unity—being gathered together in mind and judgment through submission to God's Word, even when physically separated.

Now, go back in your Bibles, if you would, please, to 1 Chronicles chapter 16. I want you to look at verse 35 again, because here's a second petition. He says in verse 35, "And say ye"—this is what you're supposed to say when you pray—"Say, Save us, O God of our salvation." Here's the second petition: "and gather us together." So we're not only to pray that God's people will be saved, since salvation belongs to God—He is the one who must save us—we're also to pray, we're commanded to pray, "gather us together." Now, while that may not be a physical possibility at this moment, it may be in the future. Certainly, we will be gathered together at His coming. The Bible tells us He will gather the wheat into His garner in Luke 3 and verse 17. And in Mark 13, verse 27, the Bible says He shall send His angels and shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. So certainly in the future, there's going to be a time that we're gathered together. Now, listen carefully, here's what I believe that David means when he says, "You pray, say, Save thy people, O God, and gather thy people together" or "gather us together." We may be miles apart physically, but we may be gathered together spiritually, culturally, and intellectually.

We must learn to think alike, act alike, and be alike. I don't care if you live in California, Idaho, Missouri, Georgia, Florida—if you are God's people, we need to learn to think alike and act alike and be alike. So how do we accomplish such a feat? Well, the answer is wherever we are located, we must be constantly, consistently, and continually bringing our lives into conformity to the Word of God. Do you realize we cannot act alike unless we believe alike? We cannot have the same Christian culture unless we believe alike. And we cannot believe alike unless each one of us submits his mind to the Word of God. You know, one of the most frequently asked questions

concerning my travels is this question: "What are other Christians like in the other states?" You know, you think of funny California, socialistic Washington. I got news for you. The Christians in those states believe and think and act just like we do. God has an elect everywhere. I never will forget when I first started preaching nearly 50 years ago now, it's been over 48 going on 49, I think. The first time I went up north and preached, I came back, and I never will forget one man—he was a great big fella—one man in our church, the first question he asked me was this: "How'd them Yankees treat you?" That was his first question, and he asked it just like that. And I said, "Well, since they were Christians, they treated me the way I should be treated." But it's true.

If you're in the North, if you're in the South, East, West, it doesn't matter. If you submit your mind to the Word of God, we're going to end up thinking alike. Now, I want you to listen to me. Can you imagine, can you even conceive in your mind the impact that Christians would have upon our culture, our government, economics, and Hollywood and a host of other subjects, if each one, regardless of his location, simply acted upon biblical truth and biblical principles? Can you imagine that? Can you imagine the Christians rising up and acting biblically and scripturally all over this country? What an impact. We would change our culture back into a biblical and a godly culture. We do not have to be in one wad to accomplish these things.

People say, "Well, if we could just get everybody together," it's going to be an impossibility until Christ comes. You don't have to have everyone in one wad. You don't. A big glob. All you'd have to do is learn to think alike and act alike. I want you to consider how we're exhorted to be gathered together in our minds. Let me just read some Scriptures. In Romans 12:16, God says, "Be of the same mind one toward another." Be of one mind, one toward another. Romans 15 and verse 5: "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus." Be like-minded. 1 Corinthians 1 and verse 10, the Apostle Paul says, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." Now, how can you speak the same thing? You have to have the same mind.

You have to have the same judgment. You have to believe the same things. In Philippians 2 and verse 2, the Apostle Paul said, "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." In Philippians 3 and verse 16, "Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." 1 Peter 4 and verse 1, "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind." Can you imagine what it would be like if every Christian submitted his mind to the word of God and had the mind of Christ? That we would think alike and we would act alike. So David says, "Here's what you should pray and say is what you should say in your prayers. Save us, O God of our salvation." That's the first petition. And the second one is this: "and gather us together." If you look back to verse 35, there's a third petition: "and deliver us from the heathen." Wow. "And deliver us from the heathen."

Third Petition: 'Deliver Us from the Heathen'

Believers must pray for deliverance from wicked rulers and systems, recognizing that the reign of the wicked brings trouble and that disobedience leads to serving enemies.

Certainly, David's kingdom was under attack from the Philistines and countless other enemies. Israel in the Old Testament was continually under attack by surrounding kingdoms. But may I point out that the kingdom of God is equally under attack today. Look at the attack that we're having from Islam. Look at the attack we're having from our own government. Look at the attack that we're having from the atheists. Look at the attacks we're having from Christians who are just shooting and fighting with each other. I mean, there's attacks on every hand. Enemies abound on every hand and they're unceasingly endeavoring to eradicate anything and everything that's biblical and Christian. And the Bible teaches very clearly that when the wicked reign, there's only trouble, turmoil, and confusion. All you have to do is look at the present administration and understand that statement. Trouble, turmoil, and confusion. Authority and power in the hands of the wicked only encourages them in their efforts to establish their agenda, their goal, and their kingdom, while at the same time seeking to destroy all that oppose them.

Do you realize the enemies that are in control in this country are not stupid? They may be rebellious. But they understand if they succeed, they have to destroy Christianity. They have to destroy our culture. They have to destroy the Constitution. And that's exactly what they've been doing. I want you to turn to Proverbs chapter 28. And look, if you would please, at verse 12. Proverbs 28 and verse 12. We'll look at several passages here. Proverbs 28 and verse 12.

The Bible says, "When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden." Why is the man hidden? He's trying to stay out of the way because there's trouble, turmoil, confusion. Look in Proverbs 28 and verse 28: "When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase." Wow. You want the righteous to increase? Let the wicked perish. Look in Proverbs 29 and verse 2: "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." Hmm. Let me hasten and point this out. I want you to turn in your Bible to Deuteronomy 28. I'm sure that you know this passage. I've preached it so many times before, but I want you to see it. Deuteronomy 28, I want you to see that the reason the heathen are ruling and reigning over us today is because of our own sin and our own rebellion. I ask that you pay special attention to the following curses for disobedience to God and His law. It is not disobedience on the part of the wicked that is condemning us. It's disobedience on the part of the righteous. So look in Deuteronomy 28, begin there with verse 43. Deuteronomy 28, verse 43. Watch carefully.

"The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail." Now watch. "Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever." Now watch. Here's why it's coming. "Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee." Now notice what God said.

God said, you can either serve me in thankfulness and joy and gladness of heart and obedience, or you can serve your enemies. God's people are going to serve one or the other. We will either serve God or we will serve our enemies. It's just that simple.

Now, I want to show you, turn in your Bibles to the book of Luke, chapter 1. The book of Luke, chapter 1. I want you to see what Zacharias said, and by the way, he was the father of John the Baptist. Luke chapter 1, and let's begin reading there with verse 67. Luke chapter 1, verse 67, we'll read through verse 75. Now, I want you to remember Deuteronomy 28. I want you to remember David's prayer: "Save thy people, O Lord, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen." Now watch. Luke 1, notice if you would, verse 67: "And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he

spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life." Now, someone's going to say, "But Brother Weaver, that is going to happen when our Lord comes back." I understand that. But notice, if you would, Zacharias is not talking about the return of the Lord. He's talking about the first coming of the Lord, His birth. Why did He come? To deliver us out of the hand of the enemy. To give us an obedient heart. That we might be delivered out of the hand of our enemies, that we might serve Him without fear.

In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our lives. Now, I want you to note the prayer of Zacharias is essentially the same prayer as that of David. David's prayer is more abbreviated, yet the essence is the same. "Save thy people, O Lord, gather us together and deliver us from the heathen." I don't know about you. But I pray daily. In fact, many times a day that God would deliver us from our enemies, that he would deliver us from the hand of the heathen. It is a needed and necessary prayer. I want you to go back to 1 Chronicles 16 in verse 35. I will hit on this in my applications, but I want you to look at it. Here it is, 1 Chronicles 16, notice verse 35: "And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen." Why?

The Purpose: God's Glory and Praise

The three petitions aim at enabling God's people to give thanks and glory in His praise, aligning with the Lord's Prayer for God's kingdom to come.

"That we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise." There's a purpose for this prayer. Now, I want you to note by way of application, first of all, these three requests flow together toward one end, and that's the glory of God. So we're to pray, "Save us, O God of our salvation. Gather us together. Deliver us from the heathen." Why? So that we may give God honor and glory. Is that not a prayer worth repeating? Is it not worth beseeching our Heavenly Father to save His people in every way possible, to gather us together in one mind, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may praise Him? Yes. Here's the second application. Listen.

Christians that are in captivity to sin, Satan, and self are just as bound as those Israelites were who were carried captive into Assyria, and those Judahites were who were carried captive into Babylon. You know what our Lord said in Romans 6 and verse 16? Listen. Romans 6, verse 16, here's what he said: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are.

So if you're serving your lust, you're a slave to your lust. If you're serving your pride, you're a slave to your pride. If you're serving your laziness and your apathy, you're a servant, you're a slave to your laziness and your apathy. In 2 Peter 2 and verse 19, the word of God says, "For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." Of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

So if Robert can jump up and whip me and throw me down and put his knee on my chest or on my throat, guess what? I'm willing to do at that point whatever he says to get him off of me. Because if he overcomes me, I'm in bondage to him at that particular point. The same thing is true with our sins. We do need to be delivered from sin, self, and Satan. Not only that, we also need to be delivered from every system that is contrary to God and His orderly way. God's people need to be delivered from tyranny, despotism, and totalitarianism. We need to be free to serve and honor and worship our Lord as He has ordained. Let me tell you, the command of God to the pharaohs of this world is the same as it was to the pharaoh of Egypt: "Let my people go, that they may serve me." That's God's command to the pharaohs of this world.

Applications: Praying for Deliverance and Righteousness

Weaver applies the prayer to modern captivity to sin, the need for deliverance from tyranny, and the ultimate downfall of the wicked and establishment of the righteous.

Now, I want you to note by way of application, first of all, these three requests flow together toward one end, and that's the glory of God. So we're to pray, "Save us, O God of our salvation. Gather us together. Deliver us from the heathen." Why? So that we may give God honor and glory. Is that not a prayer worth repeating? Is it not worth beseeching our Heavenly Father to save His people in every way possible, to gather us together in one mind, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may praise Him? Yes. Here's the second application. Listen.

Thirdly, I want you to understand if we place these three requests together—"Save us. Gather us. Deliver us"—it should be easy to see that these three requests speak of the downfall of the wicked and the establishment of the righteous. Do you know what? When you pray, "Save thy people, O Lord, and gather us together and deliver us from the heathen," you are in essence saying, as our Lord taught us, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." There's a song that R.L. Peacock sings regularly. I enjoy the song. I enjoy hearing him sing it. I don't know all of it, but one of the stanzas goes like this, or the chorus: "I want to see Israel marching. I want to hear that trumpet call. I want to climb up Zion's mountain. I want to see Babylon fall." And I do want it to fall. And how in the world are we going to get it to fall unless we pray, "Deliver us from the heathen. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth." What we're saying is, "Lord, we want Thee to reign supremely and sovereignly. Let all the world know that Thou art God alone." And He is. Jesus Christ is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and God of Gods. Father, we pray today in the name of Jesus Christ that You would indeed help us to pray. Help us to pray aright. And Lord, here is a very special prayer that we've been commanded to pray. "Save thy people, O Lord God of hosts.

Gather us together and deliver us from the heathen, that we may glory in thy holy name and worship and praise thee." Father, we do ask for deliverance from the enemy. Thou didst say, "O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just." And Father, we ask that that would indeed be done by your grace and by your mercy and through the repentance and obedience and faith of thy people. Make us holy, make us godly, make us obedient. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

The Necessity of Enlarged Prayer

Summary: Believers must pray beyond personal and local concerns to include all of God's people everywhere, avoiding tunnel vision.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Most of the time, we're not concerned with the greater part. We're not concerned with the whole. We're concerned with the little tiny parts.'

Salvation in Its Many Biblical Senses

Summary: Salvation in Scripture is not limited to eternal salvation but includes physical deliverance, healing, and rescue from enemies and prison.

Evidence: Weaver cites 1 Samuel 14:45, Psalm 140:7, Jeremiah 8:20, and Philippians 1:19 to show salvation as deliverance from battle, enemies, and prison.

Spiritual Unity Through Like-Mindedness

Summary: Being gathered together means thinking and acting alike by submitting to God's Word, not necessarily physical assembly.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'We may be miles apart physically, but we may be gathered together spiritually, culturally, and intellectually.'

Deliverance from the Wicked and Their Systems

Summary: Christians must pray for deliverance from heathen rulers and systems, recognizing that disobedience to God leads to serving enemies.

Evidence: Weaver references Deuteronomy 28:43-48, stating, 'God said, you can either serve me in thankfulness and joy and gladness of heart and obedience, or you can serve your enemies.'

The Glory of God as the Ultimate Purpose of Prayer

Summary: The three petitions are directed toward enabling God's people to give thanks and praise, aligning with the Lord's Prayer.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'That we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. There's a purpose for this prayer.'

The Doctrine of Election as Motivation for Evangelism

Summary: God's election of a people ensures that preaching will be effective, motivating believers to endure and pray for the salvation of the elect.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'The doctrine of election is a motivation to evangelism... God is going to save His elect, whoever they may be.'

Key Arguments

Most prayers are selfish and fail to align with God's will.

Summary: Weaver argues that believers often pray for their own lusts and fail to pray in faith, according to God's will, or with forgiveness.

Evidence: He cites James 4:1-3 and says, 'Most of the time, however, we probably do not pray aright... we pray for our own lusts and desires.'

David's prayer in 1 Chronicles 16:35 is a model for enlarged, biblical prayer.

Summary: The prayer includes petitions for salvation, gathering, and deliverance, and it is given as a command to say these words.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'David has written this psalm under the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. And notice, if you would, he says, "And say ye, Save us..."'

Salvation in the Bible encompasses more than eternal salvation.

Summary: Weaver demonstrates through multiple Scriptures that salvation can refer to physical deliverance, healing, and rescue from enemies.

Evidence: He references 1 Samuel 14:45, Psalm 140:7, Jeremiah 8:20, Philippians 1:19, and Philippians 2:27.

Spiritual gathering requires like-mindedness through submission to Scripture.

Summary: Believers can be gathered together in mind and judgment even when physically separated by conforming to God's Word.

Evidence: Weaver cites Romans 12:16, 15:5, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:2, and 1 Peter 4:1 to support the call to be of the same mind.

Disobedience to God leads to serving enemies.

Summary: Weaver argues from Deuteronomy 28 that the reason the heathen rule over God's people is their own sin and rebellion.

Evidence: He reads Deuteronomy 28:43-48 and concludes, 'God's people are going to serve one or the other. We will either serve God or we will serve our enemies.'

The prayer for deliverance aligns with the Lord's Prayer and seeks the downfall of the wicked.

Summary: Praying 'deliver us from the heathen' is essentially praying 'Thy kingdom come' and desiring the establishment of the righteous.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'When you pray, "Save thy people, O Lord, and gather us together and deliver us from the heathen," you are in essence saying, as our Lord taught us, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."'

Scripture References

1 Chronicles 16:35

Context: The central text of the sermon, containing the three petitions: save us, gather us, deliver us.

James 4:1-3

Context: Used to show that prayers are often unanswered because they are selfish and asked amiss.

Hebrews 6:10

Context: Cited to assure that God does not forget the work and labor of love of His people.

1 Chronicles 16:1-3

Context: Describes the rejoicing when the ark was brought into the tent David pitched.

2 Samuel 6:1-10

Context: Recounts the first failed attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem, resulting in Uzzah's death.

1 Chronicles 15:12-13

Context: David acknowledges the first failure was because they did not seek God after the due order.

1 Chronicles 16:4-7

Context: David appoints singers and musicians and delivers a psalm of thanks to Asaph.

2 Timothy 2:10

Context: Paul endures all things for the elect's sake that they may obtain salvation.

Acts 13:48

Context: As many as were ordained to eternal life believed, showing election as motivation for evangelism.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

Context: God chose believers to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, called by the gospel.

1 Samuel 14:45

Context: Jonathan's victory over the Philistines is called a 'great salvation,' meaning physical deliverance.

Psalm 140:7

Context: David calls God the strength of his salvation in the day of battle, referring to physical protection.

Psalm 144:10

Context: God gives salvation to kings, delivering David from the hurtful sword.

Jeremiah 8:19-20

Context: The people lament they are not saved, meaning no deliverance from the oppressing army.

Philippians 1:19

Context: Paul says his imprisonment will turn to his salvation through prayer, meaning release from prison.

Philippians 2:25-30

Context: Epaphroditus was sick nigh unto death, but God had mercy on him, sparing his life as a form of salvation.

Revelation 2:10

Context: The devil will cast some into prison, and believers are to be faithful unto death.

Hebrews 11:35-38

Context: Saints were imprisoned and tortured, of whom the world was not worthy.

Hebrews 13:3

Context: Believers are commanded to remember those in bonds as bound with them.

Deuteronomy 28:43-48

Context: Curses for disobedience include serving enemies, showing that sin leads to heathen rule.

Historical References

David's first failed attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem

Context: David initially used a cart like the Philistines instead of the Levites carrying it, resulting in Uzzah's death.

The Philistines returning the ark on a cart

Context: The Philistines had sent the ark back on a cart, and David imitated their method instead of following God's order.

Jonathan's victory over the Philistines

Context: Jonathan and his armor-bearer wrought a great victory, and the people rescued him from Saul's curse, calling it a great salvation.

The Babylonian captivity

Context: Weaver compares Christians in captivity to sin to Israelites carried captive to Assyria and Judahites to Babylon.

Pharaoh of Egypt

Context: God's command to Pharaoh, 'Let my people go, that they may serve me,' applies to modern tyrants.

Important Quotes

Most of the time, however, we probably do not pray aright, but at least we do pray. Many times we pray selfishly. We pray for our own lusts and desires.

Significance: Introduces the problem of selfish prayer that the sermon seeks to correct.

Most of the time, we're not concerned with the greater part. We're not concerned with the whole. We're concerned with the little tiny parts.

Significance: Highlights the need for an enlarged prayer that encompasses all of God's people.

The doctrine of election is a motivation to evangelism.

Significance: Counters the common objection that election hinders evangelism.

We may be miles apart physically, but we may be gathered together spiritually, culturally, and intellectually.

Significance: Explains the second petition as spiritual unity through like-mindedness.

God said, you can either serve me in thankfulness and joy and gladness of heart and obedience, or you can serve your enemies.

Significance: Summarizes the consequence of disobedience from Deuteronomy 28.

When you pray, 'Save thy people, O Lord, and gather us together and deliver us from the heathen,' you are in essence saying, as our Lord taught us, 'Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'

Significance: Connects David's prayer to the Lord's Prayer, showing its enduring relevance.

Discussion Questions

In what ways do our prayers tend to be selfish or limited to our immediate circle, and how can we broaden them to include all of God's people?

Context: Weaver emphasizes that most prayers suffer from tunnel vision, focusing only on 'my ministry' or 'our ministry.'

How does understanding the various biblical meanings of 'salvation' (eternal, physical, deliverance from enemies) affect the way we pray for ourselves and others?

Context: Weaver provides multiple Scripture examples showing salvation is not always eternal.

What does it mean to be 'gathered together' spiritually, and how can we pursue like-mindedness with believers in other locations?

Context: Weaver explains that being gathered together is about thinking and acting alike through submission to Scripture.

Why does Weaver argue that the rule of the wicked is a result of the disobedience of God's people, and how should this shape our prayers?

Context: He cites Deuteronomy 28 to show that serving enemies is a curse for not serving God with joy.

How can we practically remember and pray for imprisoned saints as commanded in Hebrews 13:3?

Context: Weaver challenges the assumption that all prisoners deserve their fate and calls for empathy and prayer.

In what ways does praying 'deliver us from the heathen' align with praying 'Thy kingdom come,' and what does this imply about our desire for cultural change?

Context: Weaver connects the two prayers, suggesting a longing for the downfall of wicked systems.

Applications

Pray biblically by using Scripture in prayer.

Summary: Weaver encourages quoting Scripture in prayer as a way to ensure we are praying according to God's will.

Evidence: He says, 'There's nothing better than quoting Scripture in prayer. One way that we know that we are praying biblically and scripturally is when we quote the Scripture.'

Broaden your prayers to include all of God's people.

Summary: Believers should pray for Christians in their state, country, and world, not just their own ministry.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'When you pray, are your prayers broad enough to include the Christians in this state? ... Are they broad enough to consider God's people in the world?'

Pray for the salvation of God's elect in every sense.

Summary: Pray for eternal salvation of the elect, as well as physical, economic, and emotional deliverance for God's people.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'We do indeed need to learn to pray for the salvation of God's elect, whoever they are and wherever they may be.'

Seek spiritual unity by submitting to God's Word.

Summary: To be gathered together, believers must bring their lives into conformity to Scripture, resulting in like-mindedness.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'We cannot believe alike unless each one of us submits his mind to the Word of God.'

Pray for deliverance from wicked rulers and systems.

Summary: Believers should daily pray for deliverance from the heathen, recognizing that the wicked seek to destroy Christianity.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'I pray daily. In fact, many times a day that God would deliver us from our enemies, that he would deliver us from the hand of the heathen.'

Remember and pray for imprisoned saints.

Summary: Obey Hebrews 13:3 by remembering those in bonds as if bound with them, praying for their deliverance.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'How in the world can you and I fulfill Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 3 if we do not pray for those saints that are in prison?'

Pray for the downfall of the wicked and the establishment of the righteous.

Summary: The three petitions together imply a desire for God's kingdom to come and the wicked to be overthrown.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'What we're saying is, "Lord, we want Thee to reign supremely and sovereignly. Let all the world know that Thou art God alone."'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T19:04:36Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T12:16:18Z

Clean Transcript

A Needful and Necessary Prayer

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

1 Chronicles 16, verse 35. The title of the message today is "A Needful and Necessary Prayer." 1 Chronicles 16, verse 35. Look, if you would, please. 1 Chronicles 16, verse 35: "And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise." So notice I titled this "A Needful and Necessary Prayer." I believe it's absolutely true that every child of God prays to his heavenly Father.
#1 | 0:02 to 0:49 | cleaned
Most of the time, however, we probably do not pray aright, but at least we do pray. Many times we pray selfishly. We pray for our own lusts and desires. Such prayers are usually unanswered, and moreover, they're condemned in Scripture. I want you to hold 1 Chronicles 16, but turn in your Bibles very quickly to the book of James, chapter 4, and look, if you would please, beginning there with verse 1. Hebrews, James—James, chapter 4, and notice, if you would please, verse 1. James 4, verse 1. Look what God says. James 4, verse 1: "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not."
#2 | 0:51 to 1:45 | cleaned
"Ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." So God then tells us, first of all, most of the time our prayers are unanswered because, first of all, we really fail to pray. Secondly, when we do pray, we fail to pray aright. And there are many ways in which we fail to pray aright. For instance, we fail oftentimes to pray in faith. We fail to pray according to the will of God or according to the word of God. We fail to pray with forgiveness in our hearts, and we fail to pray unceasingly. There are probably a multitude of areas in which we really fail in our prayer life. But I must confess that probably one of the greatest areas in which we do fail, David hits the nail on the head for us in verse 35 of 1 Chronicles chapter 16. Because most of us, when we pray, we pray for ourselves, our family, and our friends.
#3 | 1:46 to 2:56 | cleaned
Now, there's nothing wrong with praying for yourself, your family, and your friends, except most of the time we suffer from what is known as tunnel vision, that is, we simply do not see the larger picture. I always try to explain it like this. There is my ministry. There's our ministry. And there's the ministry. My ministry is just a small part of our ministry. And our ministry is still just a small part of the ministry. And so many times we're just so consumed with my ministry or our ministry and we totally fail to see the broader picture of the entire ministry. It is true that our Heavenly Father is concerned with us since we are part and parcel of the ministry. He is certainly concerned with our needs and our desires, that is true.
#4 | 2:57 to 3:58 | cleaned
He's not going to forget our work of faith and our labor of love. The Bible says in Hebrews chapter 6 and verse 10, listen carefully: "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." So God's not going to forget the little part of my ministry and our ministry.
#5 | 3:58 to 4:23 | cleaned
But the point I'm trying to make is quite simple. Most of the time, we're not concerned with the greater part. We're not concerned with the whole. We're concerned with the little tiny parts. So let me ask you. When you pray, are your prayers broad enough to include the Christians in this state? Are your prayers broad enough to consider God's people in this country? Are they broad enough to consider God's people in the world? Are your prayers broad enough to consider other ministries and not just our own? In other words, can you see the forest and not just one or two trees? What David does in 1 Chronicles 16 is he gives us a wonderful example of what I'm going to call an enlarged prayer. In 1 Chronicles chapter 16, David is not just praying for himself or his household, but he's praying for the people of God. And what we need to learn to do is to pray for all of God's people wherever they are located.
#6 | 4:24 to 5:44 | cleaned
Now, I want you to know the context before I ever get to verse 35. The context of 1 Chronicles chapter 16 is a context of rejoicing because the ark of the Lord has been brought into the tabernacle that David has set up for it at Jerusalem. So let's look in 1 Chronicles 16 at the first three verses. The Bible says, "So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord." Now, watch this.
#7 | 5:44 to 6:27 | cleaned
"And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine." Now, can you imagine the king giving everyone a loaf of bread, a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine? So it certainly was indeed a time of rejoicing. You have to remember what made this occasion special. It was the very first time David attempted to bring the ark into Jerusalem.
#8 | 6:28 to 7:04 | cleaned
It was a dismal failure, because they failed to seek the Lord after the proper manner, and what they tried to do was use the way of the Philistines. I want you to hold 1 Chronicles, but turn back in your Bibles to 2 Samuel chapter 6. 2 Samuel chapter 6, and let's begin reading there with verse 1, and we'll read through verse 10. So you're going to see what a dismal failure it was in attempting to bring the ark to Jerusalem the first time. Notice, if you would, 2 Samuel chapter 6, verse 1.
#9 | 7:05 to 7:43 | cleaned
"Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart."
#10 | 7:43 to 8:10 | cleaned
Remember, the Philistines had sent it back like this. "And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David."
#11 | 8:11 to 9:07 | cleaned
"But David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite." Now I want you to know what had happened. The Philistines had sent the ark back on a cart. And so David and the people of Israel attempt to bring it back on the cart as well, which was not the God-ordained way of carrying that ark. If you would turn to your Bibles to 1 Chronicles chapter 15. 1 Chronicles 15 and let's begin looking there at verse 12. David gets it right the second time. It was too bad for us the first time, but he gets it right the second time. 1 Chronicles 15 verse 12: "And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order."
#12 | 9:08 to 10:14 | cleaned
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. Notice, if you would please. David said God smote us because we did it not right the first time. Now, since the ark is now coming into the tabernacle or the tent that David has pitched, I want you to note the rejoicing. Skip down to verse 4 of 1 Chronicles chapter 16. Notice what he does, he appoints the singers and the musicians. Verse 4: "And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals; Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God. Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren."
#13 | 10:15 to 11:32 | cleaned
Now, I want you to note, if you would, please. David not only appointed the musicians, but it was on this day that the ark returned that David handed a copy of this psalm to Asaph and to the singers that they might sing.
#14 | 11:32 to 11:53 | cleaned
Now, once you read in the book of Psalms, you're going to find that the central truths of the psalm that happens to be expressed in 1 Chronicles 16 can also be found in Psalm 96, Psalm 105, and Psalm 106. So this psalm was written particularly as a time of rejoicing when the ark was being brought in correctly to the city of Jerusalem.
#15 | 11:54 to 12:25 | cleaned
Now, I want you to skip down to verse 35, because this is the verse that I want to expound today. This is just one verse of this entire psalm. "And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise." Now, if you look at verse 34, David now commands the giving of thanks to God: "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." So after he tells us to give thanks to the Lord, in verse 35, he not only gives us certain concepts, he even gives us the petitions and the words that we're to use to express those petitions in prayer.
#16 | 12:25 to 13:20 | cleaned
You know, there's nothing better than quoting Scripture in prayer. One way that we know that we are praying biblically and scripturally is when we quote the Scripture, when we use the words of God Himself. And so David has written this psalm under the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. And notice, if you would, he says, "And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise." So let me break these petitions down and show you why this is a needful and necessary prayer. First of all, He tells us in verse 35 that we are to pray for the salvation of God's people.
#17 | 13:22 to 14:11 | cleaned
Now, when you and I think of salvation, we immediately think of what is termed eternal salvation. We think of salvation from punishment and wrath, and certainly that is an aspect of salvation, and I might add, an extremely important aspect of salvation. And we do indeed need to learn to pray for the salvation of God's elect, whoever they are and wherever they may be. I hope you remember the passage in 2 Timothy 2 and verse 10, where the Apostle Paul said this: "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." So Paul said, "I endure all things for the elect's sakes." So when you read of all of the things that Paul suffered—a night and a day in the deep, being stoned, being beaten, facing the enemies day and night—all of these things he said, "I endure for the elect's sakes that they might be saved." Now, we know that God has an elect. We know because His Word declares very clearly that concept.
#18 | 14:12 to 15:28 | cleaned
Moreover, I might point out that whenever and wherever I preach, I rely upon this concept. I rely upon this truth. I know that not everybody's going to be saved. And I know that when I preach, there's a lot of people that are going to be upset. There's a lot of people that do not like my preaching. Southern Poverty Law Center doesn't like my preaching. I'm sure the ACLU doesn't like my preaching. A lot of people don't like my preaching. I know that when I preach, some folks are going to get mad, and some folks are going to get upset. But I also know this. Some are going to be glad, and some are going to rejoice. And God is going to save His elect, whoever they may be.
#19 | 15:29 to 16:15 | cleaned
The doctrine of election is a motivation to evangelism. I want you to hold 1 Chronicles 16, but turn in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Acts chapter 13 and look at verse 48. Acts chapter 13 and verse 48. And I want you to see what the Word of God says so plainly. Acts chapter 13, verse 48. Paul had been preaching to the Jews, and of course, they rebelled and they didn't like it. And he said, "Well, all right, we'll turn to the Gentiles." Notice, if you would, verse 48: "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord."
#20 | 16:16 to 17:00 | cleaned
"And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." Now, how many believed? As many as were ordained to eternal life believed. So in this passage some got mad and some got glad. Some rebelled against the truth and some obeyed the truth. So what is it that will keep someone preaching and teaching? The very fact that I know that God has a people somewhere and when the time comes God will use His Word and speak to their hearts. In fact, if you would turn right on over in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians 2, and let me point out the fact that God has not only ordained the end, He's also ordained the means to the end as well. It is true that God has an elect, but God has also ordained the means of reaching those elect. In 2 Thessalonians 2, notice, if you would please, verse 13 and 14. The Bible says this.
#21 | 17:00 to 18:07 | cleaned
Paul was writing to these Thessalonian Christians and he says, "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." So did God ordain them? Yes. Did God choose them to salvation? Yes. Did God appoint the means of reaching them? Yes. Through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, and Paul said, "He called you by our gospel." So, yes, we have to pray for the salvation of God's people.
#22 | 18:08 to 18:59 | cleaned
However, what I want to emphasize today is this. The word salvation is used in a variety of different ways in the Bible. So whenever you see the word salvation in the Bible, it is not always talking about eternal salvation, OK? For instance, it can include a physical deliverance. It can include being delivered from our enemies. Let me show you. Go in your Bibles to 1 Samuel chapter 14. 1 Samuel chapter 14.
#23 | 19:00 to 19:40 | cleaned
You remember that Jonathan and his armourbearer had wrought a great victory. And Saul had cursed anyone who tasted any food until he had gotten his way upon his enemies. Well, Jonathan wasn't around. Jonathan didn't hear that. And Jonathan dipped the tip of his staff into a honeycomb and put some honey in his mouth. And he ate it. And his eyes were enlightened. And when someone said, "You shouldn't have done that, your father placed a curse on anyone who ate," he said, "My father has done foolishly. Think what would have happened to all the enemies now if we had been able to eat and have our strength." But look what happened. So anyhow, Saul says he's going to kill Jonathan because of this. In 1 Samuel 14 and verse 45, the Bible says this: "And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not." But note: "Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel?" What salvation is he talking about? Defeating the Philistines. Look in your Bibles, if you would, to Psalm 140. Psalm 140 and notice verse 7. Psalm 140 and verse 7. Here it is, Psalm 140 and verse 7. David says, "O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle." Now, what is David talking about when he calls God the strength of his salvation?
#24 | 19:40 to 20:46 | cleaned
God's protecting hand upon him as he fought the enemy. It has nothing to do with eternal salvation, but it does have to do with a physical deliverance. If you turn right over to Psalm 144 and look at verse 10. Psalm 144 and verse 10. David says it like this: "It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword." Very plainly, the salvation that David is talking about here is being delivered in battle. God has spared him, God has saved him. I want you to turn right over to the book of Jeremiah, chapter 8. Jeremiah chapter 8. And show you how the word saved is used here. Jeremiah chapter 8, verses 19 and 20. Jeremiah 8, verse 19 and 20.
#25 | 20:47 to 21:37 | cleaned
Well, the truth of the matter is in this passage, Judah has been surrounded by her enemies, or the people of God have. Watch what happens. Jeremiah 8, verse 19: "Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her?" So they've been attacked by their enemies. "Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities?" Now, look what the people say. "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." What do they mean "we are not saved"? There's been no deliverance from the oppressing army. They're going to perish. They're going to starve to death. The harvest is over. They could not get out and get it. It's ended and we are not saved. So salvation here has to do with a physical deliverance.
#26 | 21:37 to 22:36 | cleaned
If you would turn over to the book of Philippians chapter 1. Philippians chapter 1. And notice, if you would please, what the Apostle Paul says in verse 19. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians. Notice Philippians chapter 1 verse 19. Now this is Paul the Apostle speaking and he says this: "For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." What? Paul says "for I know that this shall turn to my salvation." Was Paul not already saved? Did God not save him when he called him to be an apostle? Well, of course he saved him. If you read this chapter Paul is in prison. And when he says, "For I know this will turn to my salvation through your prayer," he's saying, "I know that I'll be released from prison through your prayer." So it's called a salvation. So salvation then can refer not only to eternal salvation, but salvation from our enemies, salvation in battle, salvation from prison. And I want to point out, since I am in the book of Philippians, it can also include salvation from what you and I would call physical ills and sickness.
#27 | 22:36 to 23:01 | cleaned
Look in Philippians chapter 2, and let's begin reading there verse 25, reading about Epaphroditus. Philippians chapter 2, verse 25. Paul says, "Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick." Now, watch, it's Epaphroditus that's sick. Verse 27: "For indeed he was sick nigh unto death."
#28 | 23:02 to 23:35 | cleaned
In other words, he nearly died. Now, look what Paul says. "But God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me." So I want you to notice, if you would please, Paul said, "God had mercy upon Epaphroditus, and God also had mercy upon me." Well, how did God have mercy upon Paul? By sparing Epaphroditus, so Epaphroditus could help working with the Apostle Paul. And so obviously when God healed Epaphroditus, He not only saved Epaphroditus' life, but He saved the Apostle Paul a great deal of agony as well.
#29 | 23:36 to 25:03 | cleaned
Now, I don't know about you. But if I'm facing any surgery or any difficulty like that, I certainly want to ask the Lord to deliver me and help me and save me. I want to ask the Lord to give the doctors wisdom and discernment. You know, it's a salvation. And let me tell you something, folks, God's people do need to be saved. Now, listen to me. We need to be saved from ourselves. The worst thing that God could ever do to us is just leave us to ourselves. I usually tell people, you know, the enemy would not have to really destroy us if we were just left to ourselves because we destroy ourselves. But we need to be delivered from ourselves. We need to be delivered from our sins. We need to be delivered from the servants of Satan. We need to be delivered from our pride.
#30 | 25:05 to 25:43 | cleaned
From our lethargy and our apathy, and from our cold, hard, unforgiving hearts. And let me point this out. There are saints in prison for the faith's sake and for righteousness' sake. They need to be delivered. There have been a multitude that have been unlawfully, unbiblically, and unconstitutionally imprisoned. I know some now who are in prison that have no more reason to be in prison than you or I need to be in prison. They've done nothing wrong, but yet they're there because of the faith's sake. You know, here's a problem that we have today. So many people tend to think that if someone is in prison, they must undoubtedly deserve to be there. Well, if that is your opinion, you need to consider that the apostles were imprisoned. Even our Lord was imprisoned. A multitude of saints have been imprisoned. In fact, in Revelation 2 and verse 10, here's what our Lord said. Listen carefully.
#31 | 25:43 to 26:48 | cleaned
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." What did he say? "Satan shall also cast some of you into prison." I want you to turn over in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 11 very quickly. Hebrews chapter 11. I want you to see this, because if you have the mentality that if someone is in prison, in all probability they deserve to be there, you've got another thing coming. I know that many are in there that have done wicked things. But many are in there who have done absolutely nothing wrong. Notice Hebrews chapter 11, beginning there in verse 35.
#32 | 26:48 to 27:42 | cleaned
The Bible says, "Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment." Skip down to verse 38: "Of whom the world was not worthy." So here are a multitude that had been imprisoned wrongly and wickedly. Obviously, our Lord did not deserve to be in prison. The apostles did not deserve to be imprisoned, the saints did not deserve to be in prison, and yet they were in prison. I want you to look in Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 3. Let me ask you a question based upon this verse. Look at Hebrews 13, verse 3. Look what our Lord commands. "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them."
#33 | 27:43 to 28:59 | cleaned
"And them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." Now, what does God tell us? "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them." If you know a Christian, if you know a saint of God that's in prison, God says you better remember them as being bound with them. And if they're suffering adversity, you better suffer with them, being yourselves also in the same body.
#34 | 28:59 to 29:52 | cleaned
In other words, what one goes through, we should understand and we should empathize and sympathize with. Now, I have no sympathy for someone who is suffering for his sins and getting what you and I would call the just desserts. But I do have a great deal of sympathy for individuals who've been in prison unlawfully, unbiblically, unconstitutionally. How in the world can you and I fulfill Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 3 if we do not pray for those saints that are in prison?
#35 | 29:52 to 30:50 | cleaned
I just read this morning, did not have time to read the whole thing, just caught the headlines where a clerk of a judge told a prisoner how to file a motion and get a DNA test because he was sentenced to 70 years for rape that he did not do and did not commit. And he filed and got the DNA test. It proved he was innocent. And the judge that sentenced him got mad at the clerk and fired the clerk. Now, I've got news for you.
#36 | 30:51 to 31:17 | cleaned
If I'm thrown in prison, I want somebody praying for me. And I've got news for you, if you ever find out that I'm in prison, it is not going to be for violating God's law. It's going to be for obeying God and doing that which is right and holy. I'm just simply saying, if we're going to remember those that are in bonds, we have to learn to pray. And what do we have to learn to pray? We have to learn to pray what David has commanded us in 1 Chronicles 16, verse 35.
#37 | 31:18 to 31:54 | cleaned
"Save thy people, O Lord." Do you realize God's people need to be saved soteriologically, that is, with real, general, eternal salvation? We need to be saved physically. We need to be saved economically. We need to be saved materially. We need to be saved mentally and emotionally. There are multitudes of ways that we need to be saved. So it doesn't matter where you are in your Christian life, or where anyone else is in their Christian life, it is still legitimate, the Apostle Paul, King David says, to pray, "Save thy people, O Lord." And we all need to be saved in one way or the other.
#38 | 31:59 to 32:44 | cleaned
Now, go back in your Bibles, if you would, please, to 1 Chronicles chapter 16. I want you to look at verse 35 again, because here's a second petition. He says in verse 35, "And say ye"—this is what you're supposed to say when you pray—"Say, Save us, O God of our salvation." Here's the second petition: "and gather us together." So we're not only to pray that God's people will be saved, since salvation belongs to God—He is the one who must save us—we're also to pray, we're commanded to pray, "gather us together."
#39 | 32:46 to 33:18 | cleaned
Now, while that may not be a physical possibility at this moment, it may be in the future. Certainly, we will be gathered together at His coming. The Bible tells us He will gather the wheat into His garner in Luke 3 and verse 17. And in Mark 13, verse 27, the Bible says He shall send His angels and shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. So certainly in the future, there's going to be a time that we're gathered together. Now, listen carefully, here's what I believe that David means when he says, "You pray, say, Save thy people, O God, and gather thy people together" or "gather us together." We may be miles apart physically, but we may be gathered together spiritually, culturally, and intellectually.
#40 | 33:18 to 34:09 | cleaned
We must learn to think alike, act alike, and be alike. I don't care if you live in California, Idaho, Missouri, Georgia, Florida—if you are God's people, we need to learn to think alike and act alike and be alike. So how do we accomplish such a feat? Well, the answer is wherever we are located, we must be constantly, consistently, and continually bringing our lives into conformity to the Word of God. Do you realize we cannot act alike unless we believe alike? We cannot have the same Christian culture unless we believe alike. And we cannot believe alike unless each one of us submits his mind to the Word of God. You know, one of the most frequently asked questions
#41 | 34:09 to 34:49 | cleaned
concerning my travels is this question: "What are other Christians like in the other states?" You know, you think of funny California, socialistic Washington. I got news for you. The Christians in those states believe and think and act just like we do. God has an elect everywhere. I never will forget when I first started preaching nearly 50 years ago now, it's been over 48 going on 49, I think. The first time I went up north and preached, I came back, and I never will forget one man—he was a great big fella—one man in our church, the first question he asked me was this: "How'd them Yankees treat you?" That was his first question, and he asked it just like that. And I said, "Well, since they were Christians, they treated me the way I should be treated." But it's true.
#42 | 34:50 to 35:48 | cleaned
If you're in the North, if you're in the South, East, West, it doesn't matter. If you submit your mind to the Word of God, we're going to end up thinking alike. Now, I want you to listen to me. Can you imagine, can you even conceive in your mind the impact that Christians would have upon our culture, our government, economics, and Hollywood and a host of other subjects, if each one, regardless of his location, simply acted upon biblical truth and biblical principles? Can you imagine that? Can you imagine the Christians rising up and acting biblically and scripturally all over this country? What an impact. We would change our culture back into a biblical and a godly culture. We do not have to be in one wad to accomplish these things.
#43 | 35:50 to 36:50 | cleaned
People say, "Well, if we could just get everybody together," it's going to be an impossibility until Christ comes. You don't have to have everyone in one wad. You don't. A big glob. All you'd have to do is learn to think alike and act alike. I want you to consider how we're exhorted to be gathered together in our minds. Let me just read some Scriptures. In Romans 12:16, God says, "Be of the same mind one toward another." Be of one mind, one toward another. Romans 15 and verse 5: "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus." Be like-minded. 1 Corinthians 1 and verse 10, the Apostle Paul says, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." Now, how can you speak the same thing? You have to have the same mind.
#44 | 36:53 to 38:10 | cleaned
You have to have the same judgment. You have to believe the same things. In Philippians 2 and verse 2, the Apostle Paul said, "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." In Philippians 3 and verse 16, "Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." 1 Peter 4 and verse 1, "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind." Can you imagine what it would be like if every Christian submitted his mind to the word of God and had the mind of Christ?
#45 | 38:11 to 38:20 | cleaned
That we would think alike and we would act alike. So David says, "Here's what you should pray and say is what you should say in your prayers. Save us, O God of our salvation." That's the first petition. And the second one is this: "and gather us together." If you look back to verse 35, there's a third petition: "and deliver us from the heathen." Wow. "And deliver us from the heathen."
#46 | 38:20 to 39:18 | cleaned
Certainly, David's kingdom was under attack from the Philistines and countless other enemies. Israel in the Old Testament was continually under attack by surrounding kingdoms. But may I point out that the kingdom of God is equally under attack today. Look at the attack that we're having from Islam. Look at the attack we're having from our own government. Look at the attack that we're having from the atheists. Look at the attacks we're having from Christians who are just shooting and fighting with each other. I mean, there's attacks on every hand. Enemies abound on every hand and they're unceasingly endeavoring to eradicate anything and everything that's biblical and Christian. And the Bible teaches very clearly that when the wicked reign, there's only trouble, turmoil, and confusion. All you have to do is look at the present administration and understand that statement. Trouble, turmoil, and confusion. Authority and power in the hands of the wicked only encourages them in their efforts to establish their agenda, their goal, and their kingdom, while at the same time seeking to destroy all that oppose them.
#47 | 39:19 to 40:35 | cleaned
Do you realize the enemies that are in control in this country are not stupid? They may be rebellious. But they understand if they succeed, they have to destroy Christianity. They have to destroy our culture. They have to destroy the Constitution. And that's exactly what they've been doing. I want you to turn to Proverbs chapter 28. And look, if you would please, at verse 12. Proverbs 28 and verse 12. We'll look at several passages here. Proverbs 28 and verse 12.
#48 | 40:35 to 41:32 | cleaned
The Bible says, "When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden." Why is the man hidden? He's trying to stay out of the way because there's trouble, turmoil, confusion. Look in Proverbs 28 and verse 28: "When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase." Wow. You want the righteous to increase? Let the wicked perish. Look in Proverbs 29 and verse 2: "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." Hmm.
#49 | 41:34 to 42:09 | cleaned
Let me hasten and point this out. I want you to turn in your Bible to Deuteronomy 28. I'm sure that you know this passage. I've preached it so many times before, but I want you to see it. Deuteronomy 28, I want you to see that the reason the heathen are ruling and reigning over us today is because of our own sin and our own rebellion. I ask that you pay special attention to the following curses for disobedience to God and His law. It is not disobedience on the part of the wicked that is condemning us. It's disobedience on the part of the righteous. So look in Deuteronomy 28, begin there with verse 43. Deuteronomy 28, verse 43. Watch carefully.
#50 | 42:11 to 43:39 | cleaned
"The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail." Now watch. "Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever." Now watch. Here's why it's coming. "Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee." Now notice what God said.
#51 | 43:42 to 44:32 | cleaned
God said, you can either serve me in thankfulness and joy and gladness of heart and obedience, or you can serve your enemies. God's people are going to serve one or the other. We will either serve God or we will serve our enemies. It's just that simple.
#52 | 44:32 to 45:13 | cleaned
Now, I want to show you, turn in your Bibles to the book of Luke, chapter 1. The book of Luke, chapter 1. I want you to see what Zacharias said, and by the way, he was the father of John the Baptist. Luke chapter 1, and let's begin reading there with verse 67. Luke chapter 1, verse 67, we'll read through verse 75. Now, I want you to remember Deuteronomy 28. I want you to remember David's prayer: "Save thy people, O Lord, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen." Now watch. Luke 1, notice if you would, verse 67: "And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he
#53 | 45:16 to 46:08 | cleaned
spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life."
#54 | 46:10 to 47:11 | cleaned
Now, someone's going to say, "But Brother Weaver, that is going to happen when our Lord comes back." I understand that. But notice, if you would, Zacharias is not talking about the return of the Lord. He's talking about the first coming of the Lord, His birth. Why did He come? To deliver us out of the hand of the enemy. To give us an obedient heart. That we might be delivered out of the hand of our enemies, that we might serve Him without fear.
#55 | 47:12 to 47:31 | cleaned
In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our lives. Now, I want you to note the prayer of Zacharias is essentially the same prayer as that of David. David's prayer is more abbreviated, yet the essence is the same. "Save thy people, O Lord, gather us together and deliver us from the heathen." I don't know about you. But I pray daily. In fact, many times a day that God would deliver us from our enemies, that he would deliver us from the hand of the heathen. It is a needed and necessary prayer. I want you to go back to 1 Chronicles 16 in verse 35. I will hit on this in my applications, but I want you to look at it. Here it is, 1 Chronicles 16, notice verse 35: "And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen." Why?
#56 | 47:32 to 48:35 | cleaned
"That we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise." There's a purpose for this prayer.
#57 | 48:35 to 49:05 | cleaned
Now, I want you to note by way of application, first of all, these three requests flow together toward one end, and that's the glory of God. So we're to pray, "Save us, O God of our salvation. Gather us together. Deliver us from the heathen." Why? So that we may give God honor and glory. Is that not a prayer worth repeating? Is it not worth beseeching our Heavenly Father to save His people in every way possible, to gather us together in one mind, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may praise Him? Yes. Here's the second application. Listen.
#58 | 49:06 to 49:35 | cleaned
Christians that are in captivity to sin, Satan, and self are just as bound as those Israelites were who were carried captive into Assyria, and those Judahites were who were carried captive into Babylon. You know what our Lord said in Romans 6 and verse 16? Listen. Romans 6, verse 16, here's what he said: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are.
#59 | 49:36 to 50:42 | cleaned
So if you're serving your lust, you're a slave to your lust. If you're serving your pride, you're a slave to your pride. If you're serving your laziness and your apathy, you're a servant, you're a slave to your laziness and your apathy. In 2 Peter 2 and verse 19, the word of God says, "For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." Of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
#60 | 50:42 to 50:53 | cleaned
So if Robert can jump up and whip me and throw me down and put his knee on my chest or on my throat, guess what? I'm willing to do at that point whatever he says to get him off of me. Because if he overcomes me, I'm in bondage to him at that particular point. The same thing is true with our sins. We do need to be delivered from sin, self, and Satan. Not only that, we also need to be delivered from every system that is contrary to God and His orderly way. God's people need to be delivered from tyranny, despotism, and totalitarianism. We need to be free to serve and honor and worship our Lord as He has ordained. Let me tell you, the command of God to the pharaohs of this world is the same as it was to the pharaoh of Egypt: "Let my people go, that they may serve me." That's God's command to the pharaohs of this world.
#61 | 50:55 to 51:40 | cleaned
Thirdly, I want you to understand if we place these three requests together—"Save us. Gather us. Deliver us"—it should be easy to see that these three requests speak of the downfall of the wicked and the establishment of the righteous. Do you know what? When you pray, "Save thy people, O Lord, and gather us together and deliver us from the heathen," you are in essence saying, as our Lord taught us, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
#62 | 51:41 to 52:27 | cleaned
There's a song that R.L. Peacock sings regularly. I enjoy the song. I enjoy hearing him sing it. I don't know all of it, but one of the stanzas goes like this, or the chorus: "I want to see Israel marching. I want to hear that trumpet call. I want to climb up Zion's mountain. I want to see Babylon fall." And I do want it to fall. And how in the world are we going to get it to fall unless we pray, "Deliver us from the heathen. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth." What we're saying is, "Lord, we want Thee to reign supremely and sovereignly. Let all the world know that Thou art God alone." And He is. Jesus Christ is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and God of Gods. Father, we pray today in the name of Jesus Christ that You would indeed help us to pray. Help us to pray aright. And Lord, here is a very special prayer that we've been commanded to pray. "Save thy people, O Lord God of hosts.
#63 | 52:28 to 53:00 | cleaned
Gather us together and deliver us from the heathen, that we may glory in thy holy name and worship and praise thee." Father, we do ask for deliverance from the enemy. Thou didst say, "O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just." And Father, we ask that that would indeed be done by your grace and by your mercy and through the repentance and obedience and faith of thy people. Make us holy, make us godly, make us obedient. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.
#64 | 53:04 to 54:08 | cleaned
This program was produced by Dominion Ministry. For more information about Pastor Weaver's sermons, you may contact Dominion Ministry by mail at 7400 Abercorn, that's A-B-E-R-C-O-R-N Street, Suite 705, PMB 175, Savannah, Georgia, 31406. Or give us a call at 912-925-0990.
#65 | 54:16 to 54:55 | cleaned
You can also visit our website at www.dominionministry.com.
#66 | 54:57 to 56:15 | cleaned
Gather us together and deliver us from the heathen, that we may glory in thy holy name and worship and praise thee. Father, we do ask for deliverance from the enemy. Thou didst say, O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the just. And Father, we ask that that would indeed be done by your grace and by your mercy and through the repentance and obedience and faith of thy people. Make us holy, make us godly, make us obedient. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.
#67 | 56:16 to 56:56 | cleaned
This program was produced by Dominion Ministry. For more information about Pastor Weber's sermons, You may contact Dominion Ministry by mail at 7400 Abercorn, that's A-B-E-R-C-O-R-N Street, Suite 705, PMB 175, Savannah, Georgia, 31406. Or give us a call at 912-925-0990.
#68 | 56:59 to 57:18 | cleaned
You can also visit our website at www.dominionministry.com
#69 | 57:32 to 57:39 | cleaned

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T19:04:36Z

A Needful and Necessary Prayer

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

John Weaver expounds 1 Chronicles 16:35, presenting David's prayer as a model for believers to pray beyond personal needs. He emphasizes three petitions: salvation for God's people in all its forms, spiritual unity through like-mindedness, and deliverance from the heathen. The ultimate purpose is God's glory. Weaver argues that most prayers are selfish and fail to encompass the broader body of Christ, and he calls for prayers that align with Scripture and seek the downfall of wickedness and the establishment of righteousness.

Introduction: The Problem of Selfish Prayer

Weaver introduces the need for a prayer that goes beyond personal concerns, noting that most prayers are selfish and unanswered because they are not according to God's will.

1 Chronicles 16, verse 35. The title of the message today is "A Needful and Necessary Prayer." 1 Chronicles 16, verse 35. Look, if you would, please. 1 Chronicles 16, verse 35:

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 16:35

"And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise."

The Context of 1 Chronicles 16: Rejoicing at the Ark's Return

The historical context is David bringing the ark to Jerusalem correctly the second time, after a failed first attempt due to not seeking God's due order.

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 16:1-3

"So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord."

Now, watch this.

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 16:1-3

"And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine."

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 6:1-10

"Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart."

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 15:12-13

"And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals; Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God. Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren."

First Petition: 'Save Us, O God of Our Salvation'

Salvation in Scripture includes eternal salvation, physical deliverance, deliverance from enemies, and healing. Believers must pray for God's people to be saved in every sense.

Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 14:45

"And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not."

But note:

Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 14:45

"Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel?"

Scripture Reading — Psalm 140:7

God's protecting hand upon him as he fought the enemy. It has nothing to do with eternal salvation, but it does have to do with a physical deliverance. If you turn right over to Psalm 144 and look at verse 10. Psalm 144 and verse 10. David says it like this: "It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword." Very plainly, the salvation that David is talking about here is being delivered in battle. God has spared him, God has saved him. I want you to turn right over to the book of Jeremiah, chapter 8. Jeremiah chapter 8. And show you how the word saved is used here. Jeremiah chapter 8, verses 19 and 20. Jeremiah 8, verse 19 and 20.

Look in Philippians chapter 2, and let's begin reading there verse 25, reading about Epaphroditus. Philippians chapter 2, verse 25. Paul says,

Scripture Reading — Philippians 2:25-30

"Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick."

Now, watch, it's Epaphroditus that's sick. Verse 27:

Scripture Reading — Philippians 2:25-30

"For indeed he was sick nigh unto death."

In other words, he nearly died. Now, look what Paul says.

Scripture Reading — Philippians 2:25-30

"But God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me."

The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 11:35-38

"Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment."

Skip down to verse 38:

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 11:35-38

"Of whom the world was not worthy."

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 13:3

"And them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."

Now, what does God tell us?

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 13:3

"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them."

Second Petition: 'Gather Us Together'

This petition is for spiritual unity—being gathered together in mind and judgment through submission to God's Word, even when physically separated.

Third Petition: 'Deliver Us from the Heathen'

Believers must pray for deliverance from wicked rulers and systems, recognizing that the reign of the wicked brings trouble and that disobedience leads to serving enemies.

The Purpose: God's Glory and Praise

The three petitions aim at enabling God's people to give thanks and glory in His praise, aligning with the Lord's Prayer for God's kingdom to come.

Applications: Praying for Deliverance and Righteousness

Weaver applies the prayer to modern captivity to sin, the need for deliverance from tyranny, and the ultimate downfall of the wicked and establishment of the righteous.

A Needful and Necessary Prayer

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	111713125485
Subject	Covenant Theology
Course	Covenant Theology: Blessings, Curses, and Sanctions: Promises Of The Law
Genre	Sermon
Date	2013-08-18
Dictation Name
Book	Book 042: Covenant Theology: Blessings, Curses, and Sanctions: God's Answer to America's Problems — Chapter 13
Source Timed Segments	69

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Problem of Selfish Prayer: Weaver introduces the need for a prayer that goes beyond personal concerns, noting that most prayers are selfish and unanswered because they are not according to God's will.
The Context of 1 Chronicles 16: Rejoicing at the Ark's Return: The historical context is David bringing the ark to Jerusalem correctly the second time, after a failed first attempt due to not seeking God's due order.
First Petition: 'Save Us, O God of Our Salvation': Salvation in Scripture includes eternal salvation, physical deliverance, deliverance from enemies, and healing. Believers must pray for God's people to be saved in every sense.
Second Petition: 'Gather Us Together': This petition is for spiritual unity—being gathered together in mind and judgment through submission to God's Word, even when physically separated.
Third Petition: 'Deliver Us from the Heathen': Believers must pray for deliverance from wicked rulers and systems, recognizing that the reign of the wicked brings trouble and that disobedience leads to serving enemies.
The Purpose: God's Glory and Praise: The three petitions aim at enabling God's people to give thanks and glory in His praise, aligning with the Lord's Prayer for God's kingdom to come.
Applications: Praying for Deliverance and Righteousness: Weaver applies the prayer to modern captivity to sin, the need for deliverance from tyranny, and the ultimate downfall of the wicked and establishment of the righteous.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Most prayers are selfish and fail to align with God's will.

Weaver argues that believers often pray for their own lusts and fail to pray in faith, according to God's will, or with forgiveness.

He cites James 4:1-3 and says, 'Most of the time, however, we probably do not pray aright... we pray for our own lusts and desires.'

David's prayer in 1 Chronicles 16:35 is a model for enlarged, biblical prayer.

The prayer includes petitions for salvation, gathering, and deliverance, and it is given as a command to say these words.

Weaver states, 'David has written this psalm under the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. And notice, if you would, he says, "And say ye, Save us..."'

Salvation in the Bible encompasses more than eternal salvation.

Weaver demonstrates through multiple Scriptures that salvation can refer to physical deliverance, healing, and rescue from enemies.

He references 1 Samuel 14:45, Psalm 140:7, Jeremiah 8:20, Philippians 1:19, and Philippians 2:27.

Spiritual gathering requires like-mindedness through submission to Scripture.

Believers can be gathered together in mind and judgment even when physically separated by conforming to God's Word.

Weaver cites Romans 12:16, 15:5, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:2, and 1 Peter 4:1 to support the call to be of the same mind.

Disobedience to God leads to serving enemies.

Weaver argues from Deuteronomy 28 that the reason the heathen rule over God's people is their own sin and rebellion.

He reads Deuteronomy 28:43-48 and concludes, 'God's people are going to serve one or the other. We will either serve God or we will serve our enemies.'

The prayer for deliverance aligns with the Lord's Prayer and seeks the downfall of the wicked.

Praying 'deliver us from the heathen' is essentially praying 'Thy kingdom come' and desiring the establishment of the righteous.

Weaver says, 'When you pray, "Save thy people, O Lord, and gather us together and deliver us from the heathen," you are in essence saying, as our Lord taught us, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."'

Scripture References

1 Chronicles 16:35: The central text of the sermon, containing the three petitions: save us, gather us, deliver us.
James 4:1-3: Used to show that prayers are often unanswered because they are selfish and asked amiss.
Hebrews 6:10: Cited to assure that God does not forget the work and labor of love of His people.
1 Chronicles 16:1-3: Describes the rejoicing when the ark was brought into the tent David pitched.
2 Samuel 6:1-10: Recounts the first failed attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem, resulting in Uzzah's death.
1 Chronicles 15:12-13: David acknowledges the first failure was because they did not seek God after the due order.
1 Chronicles 16:4-7: David appoints singers and musicians and delivers a psalm of thanks to Asaph.
2 Timothy 2:10: Paul endures all things for the elect's sake that they may obtain salvation.
Acts 13:48: As many as were ordained to eternal life believed, showing election as motivation for evangelism.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14: God chose believers to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, called by the gospel.
1 Samuel 14:45: Jonathan's victory over the Philistines is called a 'great salvation,' meaning physical deliverance.
Psalm 140:7: David calls God the strength of his salvation in the day of battle, referring to physical protection.
Psalm 144:10: God gives salvation to kings, delivering David from the hurtful sword.
Jeremiah 8:19-20: The people lament they are not saved, meaning no deliverance from the oppressing army.
Philippians 1:19: Paul says his imprisonment will turn to his salvation through prayer, meaning release from prison.
Philippians 2:25-30: Epaphroditus was sick nigh unto death, but God had mercy on him, sparing his life as a form of salvation.
Revelation 2:10: The devil will cast some into prison, and believers are to be faithful unto death.
Hebrews 11:35-38: Saints were imprisoned and tortured, of whom the world was not worthy.
Hebrews 13:3: Believers are commanded to remember those in bonds as bound with them.
Deuteronomy 28:43-48: Curses for disobedience include serving enemies, showing that sin leads to heathen rule.

Historical References

David's first failed attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem: David initially used a cart like the Philistines instead of the Levites carrying it, resulting in Uzzah's death.
The Philistines returning the ark on a cart: The Philistines had sent the ark back on a cart, and David imitated their method instead of following God's order.
Jonathan's victory over the Philistines: Jonathan and his armor-bearer wrought a great victory, and the people rescued him from Saul's curse, calling it a great salvation.
The Babylonian captivity: Weaver compares Christians in captivity to sin to Israelites carried captive to Assyria and Judahites to Babylon.
Pharaoh of Egypt: God's command to Pharaoh, 'Let my people go, that they may serve me,' applies to modern tyrants.

Important Quotes

Most of the time, however, we probably do not pray aright, but at least we do pray. Many times we pray selfishly. We pray for our own lusts and desires.

Introduces the problem of selfish prayer that the sermon seeks to correct.

Most of the time, we're not concerned with the greater part. We're not concerned with the whole. We're concerned with the little tiny parts.

Highlights the need for an enlarged prayer that encompasses all of God's people.

The doctrine of election is a motivation to evangelism.

Counters the common objection that election hinders evangelism.

We may be miles apart physically, but we may be gathered together spiritually, culturally, and intellectually.

Explains the second petition as spiritual unity through like-mindedness.

God said, you can either serve me in thankfulness and joy and gladness of heart and obedience, or you can serve your enemies.

Summarizes the consequence of disobedience from Deuteronomy 28.

When you pray, 'Save thy people, O Lord, and gather us together and deliver us from the heathen,' you are in essence saying, as our Lord taught us, 'Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'

Connects David's prayer to the Lord's Prayer, showing its enduring relevance.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

In what ways do our prayers tend to be selfish or limited to our immediate circle, and how can we broaden them to include all of God's people?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes that most prayers suffer from tunnel vision, focusing only on 'my ministry' or 'our ministry.'

[Question]

How does understanding the various biblical meanings of 'salvation' (eternal, physical, deliverance from enemies) affect the way we pray for ourselves and others?

[Context]

Weaver provides multiple Scripture examples showing salvation is not always eternal.

[Question]

What does it mean to be 'gathered together' spiritually, and how can we pursue like-mindedness with believers in other locations?

[Context]

Weaver explains that being gathered together is about thinking and acting alike through submission to Scripture.

[Question]

Why does Weaver argue that the rule of the wicked is a result of the disobedience of God's people, and how should this shape our prayers?

[Context]

He cites Deuteronomy 28 to show that serving enemies is a curse for not serving God with joy.

[Question]

How can we practically remember and pray for imprisoned saints as commanded in Hebrews 13:3?

[Context]

Weaver challenges the assumption that all prisoners deserve their fate and calls for empathy and prayer.

[Question]

In what ways does praying 'deliver us from the heathen' align with praying 'Thy kingdom come,' and what does this imply about our desire for cultural change?

[Context]

Weaver connects the two prayers, suggesting a longing for the downfall of wicked systems.

Applications

Format deepseek deepseek-v4-pro structured study JSON | Source Commentary.net transcript enrichment

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T12:16:18Z