“And He spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not lose heart” Luke 18:1

Nouns - a petition - a wish Verbs - to beg - to ask - to wish - to invoke To express to God the fulfillment of a desire.

Not Continuously - Continually Jesus (Lk. 18:1) & Paul (1 Thess. 5:17) encouraged Christians to pray continually. 3 Examples Men Did This 1. Daniel prayed at least 3 times a day - Dan. 6:10 2. David prayed at least 3 times a day - Ps. 55: Jesus habitually prayed to Father - Lk. 22:39 Not Continuously - Continually Jesus (Lk. 18:1) & Paul (1 Thess. 5:17) encouraged Christians to pray continually. 3 Examples Men Did This 1. Daniel prayed at least 3 times a day - Dan. 6:10 2. David prayed at least 3 times a day - Ps. 55: Jesus habitually prayed to Father - Lk. 22:39

Jesus is an example… At Crucial Moments - Jesus prayed  At His Baptism - Lk. 3:21  Before Choosing His Apostles - Lk. 6:12  Before Leaving His Apostles - Jn. 17  Before Dying for Man - Matt. 26:36-44  At His Death for Man - Lk. 23:34 Jesus is an example… At Crucial Moments - Jesus prayed  At His Baptism - Lk. 3:21  Before Choosing His Apostles - Lk. 6:12  Before Leaving His Apostles - Jn. 17  Before Dying for Man - Matt. 26:36-44  At His Death for Man - Lk. 23:34

When Should We Not Pray? If we don’t love anyone and don’t want anyone to love us … don’t pray. If we are completely and utterly sinless and can handle the world all by ourselves … don’t pray. If we need no guidance in the world of darkness or in times of trouble and trial … don’t pray. If we have all the wisdom we need to meet each of life’s many changes, and if we have the power to direct our own steps … don’t pray. If we don’t love anyone and don’t want anyone to love us … don’t pray. If we are completely and utterly sinless and can handle the world all by ourselves … don’t pray. If we need no guidance in the world of darkness or in times of trouble and trial … don’t pray. If we have all the wisdom we need to meet each of life’s many changes, and if we have the power to direct our own steps … don’t pray.

If we don’t need any help keeping our families safe, sound, well, fed, clothed, sheltered, and provided for in all the ways God expects folks to provide for their own … don’t pray. If we can rely on our own strength to control our futures and can make the forces of nature work to our advantage and can manufacture the air we breathe and the keep the earth spinning and the sun shining … don’t pray. Otherwise… WE OUGHT TO PRAY! If we don’t need any help keeping our families safe, sound, well, fed, clothed, sheltered, and provided for in all the ways God expects folks to provide for their own … don’t pray. If we can rely on our own strength to control our futures and can make the forces of nature work to our advantage and can manufacture the air we breathe and the keep the earth spinning and the sun shining … don’t pray. Otherwise… WE OUGHT TO PRAY!

In Private Matt. 6:6 - in a room or closet Mark 1:35 - solitary place Acts 10:9 - Peter on housetop Matt. 14:23 - on a mountain In Public 1 Tim. 4:3-5 - Pray for our food Acts 2:42 - members met together 1 Cor public assembly

 Commanded to pray - 1 Thess. 5:17; Col. 4:2  Can influence God’s Decision - Jas. 5:14-16  Can relieve anxiety - 1 Pet. 5:7; Phil. 4:6-7  It rewards - Matt. 6:6  It strengthens us - Eph. 3:14-19 “Pray without ceasing”“Continue earnestly in prayer” “Is anyone among you sick?...let them pray over him” “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” “I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.”

 Lost - Rom. 10:1 “My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”  The sick in the world - Acts 28:8  Rulers - 1 Tim. 2:1-2 “For kings, and for all that are in authority”

 Erring brethren - Jas. 5:16  Sick brethren - Jas. 5:14  More laborers - Matt. 9:38  Faithfulness of brethren - 2 Cor. 13:7  Wisdom - Col. 1:9  Preachers - 1 Thess. 5:25 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” “Is anyone among you sick?... pray over him.” “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” “I pray to God that you do no evil....” “We also... do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” “Brethren, pray for us”

 Ourselves - Physical and Spiritual needs  Physical needs - Matt. 6:11  Forgiveness of sins - 1 Jn. 1:9  Wisdom - Jas. 1:5 “Give us this day our daily bread” “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him”

In Humility “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God” 1 Pet. 5:6-7 In Faith "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive“ Matt. 21:22 In Gratitude “Be thankful to Him” Ps. 100:4

In Acceptance of God’s Will “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt. 6:10 In Unity “Continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” Acts 1:14

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 Jn. 5:14

GOD’S SIMPLE PLAN FOR SALVATION hear believe repent confess baptism ACTS 3:22 JN. 6:29 LK. 13:3 JN. 12:42 1 PET. 3:21 Rev. 2:10