Prayer Why We Pray Prayer is how we

Prayer

Why We Pray • Prayer is how we keep in contact with our Heavenly Father. “After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. ” Matthew 14: 23

Why We Pray • Prayer is how we keep in contact with our Heavenly Father. “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. ” Mark 1: 35

Why We Pray • Prayer is how we keep in contact with our Heavenly Father. “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. ” Luke 5: 16

Why We Pray • Prayer is how we keep in contact with our Heavenly Father. – Matthew 14: 23 – Mark 1: 25 – Luke 5: 16 • Prayer strengthens us. – Psalm 51 – Matthew 26: 41

Why We Pray • We can pray to confess our sins and ask God forgiveness. – Psalm 51 – Daniel 9: 1 -20 • We can pray to ask God for certain things. – Heal the sick (James 5: 15 -16) – Provide daily provisions (Matthew 6: 11) – Deliver those in harm (Acts 12: 5, 12) – Protect us (Acts 21: 5) – Give us strength (Ephesians 3: 14 -19; Psalm 119: 28) – Comfort us (Psalm 119: 76)

Why We Pray • We can pray to praise God and to thank Him. – Exodus 15: 1 -18 – Psalm 8 – Ezra 7: 27 -28 • Prayer gives us a sense of comfort and relief (Philippians 4: 6 -7) “ 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 4: 6 -7

When We Pray • Any day and every day, anywhere and everywhere (1 Thessalonians 5: 17). • Luke 5: 16 – Jesus was the busiest man to ever walk the face of the earth, and He still made time to pray. – Like Jesus, we must be making time to pray to God today. • There are countless opportunities for us to pray (Acts 1: 24; 13: 3; John 17).

How We Pray • We must first possess the proper attitude and reverence. “and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. ” James 5: 15

How We Pray • We must first possess the proper attitude and reverence. – James 5: 15 – 1 John 5: 14 -15 • When we pray, we must come humbly before God. – Matthew 6: 9; John 17 – Luke 18: 9 -14

How We Pray • Our prayer cannot be in vain (Matthew 6: 7 -8) • We must come before God knowing that He will answer in His time and that His will be done. “ 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. ” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. ” 2 Corinthians 12: 8 -10

How We Pray • Our prayer cannot be in vain (Matthew 6: 7 -8) • We must come before God knowing that He will answer in His time and that His will be done. – 2 Corinthians 12: 7 -10 – Matthew 6: 10; 26: 39, 42 – Luke 18: 1 -8; Philippians 4: 6 -7; 1 Peter 5: 7