Today’s topic... PRAYER (Part 2)

Opening Words of Wisdom... The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray. (Samuel Chadwick)

God’s Phone Number J33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3) Lines are open 24/7. No busy signal. No access fees.

WHY?

TOP 10 REASONS TO PRAY 1.Jesus prayed. (John 17) 2.It works. (Matt. 21:21-22) 3.God listens. (Ps. 5:1-3) 4.God responds. (Matt. 7:7-11) 5.It deepens our relationship with God. (Ps ) 6.It brings us peace. (Phil. 4:6-7) 7.It helps us avoid temptation. (Matt. 6:13) 8.It gives us an opportunity to confess our sins. (Matt. 6:14-15) 9.It shifts our focus to “him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” (Eph. 3:20) 10.God tells us to. (1 Tim. 2:1)

WHO?

To whom should we pray? “Effective prayer is a quartet: the Father, the Son, the Spirit and the Christian.” (John Blanchard)

The Holy Spirit’s role... The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (Romans 8:26-27)

For whom should we pray? everyone (1 Timothy 2:1a)

WHAT?

Prayer is... sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God has promised (John Bunyan)

Communicating with GOD

What should we pray? BIBLE ACTS Adoration Confession Thanksgiving Supplication Other suggestions in handout

WHERE?

follow the example of CHRIST (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Everywhere. Jesus prayed... in lonely places in crowds in the desert by a river in the mountains by a tomb at a picnic at the dinner table in a garden on the cross

WHEN?

pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

HOW?

How NOT to... Don’t do it for show. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.” (Matthew 6:5) Don’t babble. “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” (Matthew 6:7)

How to... Pray like Jesus. Lord’s Prayer, John 17. Pray often. “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16) Be vigilant. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Mark 14:38) Be persistent. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9)

How to... Pray with passion. “And being in anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” ( Luke 22:44) God’s will, not ours. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

How to... “We must wrestle earnestly in prayer, like men contending with a deadly enemy for life.” (J.C. Ryle) “When you kneel to pray, don’t give orders — report for duty!” (Anonymous)

DOES GOD ANSWER PRAYER?

How does God answer prayer? Sometimes “yes” Sometimes “no” Sometimes “wait” “God does not always answer my prayers. If he did, I would have married the wrong man – several times!” (Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth)

Additional Discussion Question What answers to prayer have you seen in your life?

Closing Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:9-13)