Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:14

 This evening I want to try and get back to the basics of prayer  We are going to use the 5 W’s of writing to see what we can learn  Before we start, let’s define the concept we are studying

 Dictionary.com  a devout petition to God or an object of worship.  a spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession.  the act or practice of praying to God or an object of worship.  a formula or sequence of words used in or appointed for praying: the Lord's Prayer.  prayers, a religious observance, either public or private, consisting wholly or mainly of prayer.

 World English Dictionary  a personal communication or petition addressed to a deity, esp in the form of supplication, adoration, praise, contrition, or thanksgiving  ( often plural ) a form of devotion, either public or private, spent mainly or wholly praying: morning prayers  an earnest request, petition, or entreaty

 Bible Dictionary  converse with God  the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him  Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal ▪ It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11) ▪ "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15) ▪ "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20) ▪ "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5) ▪ "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28) ▪ "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14)

 Self  Jesus teaches us to pray for ourselves in “the model prayer” Mt 6:7-13  Jesus prayed on His own behalf to “Let this cup pass from me…” Mt 26:39  Jesus prayed first for himself in Jn  James teaches you do not have because you do not ask Jam 4:1-4

 Everyone else  Mt 5:43-44 “…, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,”  Lk 6:27 “…Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you”  1 Tim 2:1-3 “and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority…”  Jam 5:14-16 “ 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed…”

 Important aspects of prayer include  Expressions of faith and trust in God  Confession of our sins  Praise of God’s mighty deeds  Thanksgiving for all the good things we have received  Requests for our own needs as well as the needs of others

 The model prayer provides the perfect example  First, we call God by the affectionate term "Father," and praise His holy name: ▪ Mt 6:9 “…Our Father in heaven,…”  We ask that God's will be done on earth and in our lives: ▪ Mt 6:10 “Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.”  We ask to be given the things we need, but we don't ask for things we merely desire: ▪ Mt 6:11 “Give us this day our daily bread.”  We ask forgiveness of our sins and acknowledge that we must also forgive those who sin against us (Matthew 5:44 & 6:14-15, Mark 11:25, Luke 6:28) ▪ Mt 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.”  Finally, we ask for the strength to resist temptation and evil (Luke 22:40): ▪ Mt 6:13 “And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one…”

 Continually  Lk 18:1 “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,”  Lk 21:36 “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy…”  Rom 12:12 “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;”  Eph 6:18 “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,…”  1 Thes 5:17 “pray without ceasing,”

 In secret  Mt 6:5-6 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”  Everywhere  Jn 11:41-42 “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me”  1 Tim 2:8 “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting holy hands, without wrath and doubting;”

 Prayer develops our relationship with God  Zec 13:9 “…They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The L ORD is my God.’”  Jn 15:5-7 “…He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit;… 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered;… 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

 It was expected of the Apostles then and is expected of Christians today  Mt 26:41 “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Lk 18:1 “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,”  Phil 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”  1 Thes 5:17 “pray without ceasing,”

 God answers and it Works  2 Chron 7:12 “Then the L ORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.”  Ps 66:20 “Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!”  Heb 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  Jam 5:15-16 “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

 The Bible reminds us in 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  This statement is as true today for us as it was back then for them