In this challenging and hope-filled message, we explore a startling line from Isaiah 59:16—“He was amazed that there was no one interceding”—and ask what it means for God to be “shocked” that no one is praying. Far from a guilt trip, this sermon is a passionate invitation to step into our priestly calling as intercessors (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:5–6) and partner with God in His mission to our city.

Rooted in Isaiah 59 and 62, we look at:

The Problem of Prayerlessness
- Isaiah’s diagnosis of Israel’s sin and silence (Isaiah 59:1–2, 12–16)
- The danger of practical deism—living as if God is distant (Psalm 10:1; Psalm 13:1)
Five Core Truths About Prayer
1. God listens to our prayers
  - Our sins once drowned out our cries (Isaiah 59:1–2), but the blood of Jesus “speaks a better word” (Hebrews 12:24; Romans 5:9; Hebrews 4:14–16).
2. God loves our prayers
  - The prayer of the upright is His delight (Proverbs 15:8; Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8; 8:3–4).
3. God responds to our prayers
  - Jesus’ bold promises (Matthew 7:7–11; John 14:13–14; 15:7; 16:23–24)
  - “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2–3)
  - Persistent, even shameless, intercession (Luke 11:5–10; 18:1–8).
4. God expects our prayers
  - Our priestly role to carry others before God (Exodus 28:29; 1 Timothy 2:1–4)
  - Watchmen on the walls who “give Him no rest” until His promises are fulfilled (Isaiah 62:6–7; Matthew 6:10).
5. God participates in our prayers
  - The Spirit interceding through our weakness with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26–27)
  - The Son interceding for us at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; Luke 23:34).

Along the way you’ll hear personal stories of answered prayer, honest wrestling with God’s apparent silence (Psalm 22:1; Psalm 139:7–12), and a clear call to move from passivity to priesthood—praying for our church, our neighbors, and our city (Jeremiah 29:7; Matthew 9:37–38).

If God once looked and “was amazed that there was no one interceding” (Isaiah 59:16), this message urges us to become the kind of people who refuse to let that be said of our generation.

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