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| Prayer |
| Introduction Read Matthew 6:5-8 Read Luke 11:9-13 Read Exodus 15:2 & 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Read 1 John 1:9 Read Ephesians 6:18 Read Matthew 6:9-13 Read 1 Chronicles 4:10 Read Romans 8:26-27 Read John 16:23 Conclusion |
| In any relationship there has to be communication. As Christian we communicate with God through prayer. Volumes of books could be written on the concept and different ways to pray. Yet, the subject of prayer is not difficult to fathom. True prayer is an earnest and heartfelt communication with God. It does not have to be beautiful prose nor elegant auditory. Prayer should never be a done as a repetitive pointless task nor as a public spectacle to prove ourselves in front of others. Each person should pray in a way and style that they are comfortable with. Prayers of petition and supplication are perhaps the most common prayer. It is also the most misused prayer of all. God cares about our lives and will meet our needs according to His will. Often what we desire and what we truly need are in conflict. Also what we desire may go against what God has planned for our lives. But God Father knows what is best for us and not everything we ask for will be granted. Prayers of praise and thanksgiving for what God has done and who God is should be central to every Christian's life. There is so much that every Christian has to be thankful for and all thanks should be given to God. Even in the worse of situations, we should still be thankful and praise God. When we truly praise God, whether in the mist of trouble or not, we affirm our faith in God. Prayers for the remission of sin bring us back into fellowship with God. In Isaiah 59:2 we are told that sin separates us from God. Therefore we must truly turn away form sin, repent, and confession the sin to God. Many only pray for the major things with in their lives, but we are to pray in all occasions. Jonah prayed while he was in the belly of the fish. Jabez prayed that his territory be increased. Paul, Silas, and Timothy continually mentioned the church of the Thessalonians in their prayers. There are many things we take for granted or may feel it is too small for God, but no prayer should ever be considered to small for God. This is called the Lord's Prayer (also in Luke 11:1-4) and it serves as the model of how we should pray. All prayers should start with praising and proclaiming the lordship of God (Matthew 6:9-10). Each day we are in need of material items and we should ask for God to provide (Matthew 6:11). Confession of sin and repentance is central for us to remain in fellowship with God. It is also important that we accept when others truly ask for our forgiveness (Matthew 6:12). In Ephesians 6:11-12, we are told that we are in a war with demonic forces. Therefore we should prayer to God for this battle we face (Matthew 6:13a). Any prayer should begin as it began, with a praise of God. This is called the Prayer of Jabez. In this verse we see that God does have a desire to bless our lives, but there are times we must ask first. Does this mean that we will get all that we ask of God? No, for the Father knows what is best for us as we saw in Luke 11:9-13. In some ways, this is just the opposite of the Prayer of Jabez. In these two verses we see that we receive when we don't even know what to pray for. Some blessings only come through our prayer, but many others come through the action of the Holy Spirit. This does not mean that we should neglect prayer nor should we expect the Holy Spirit to do our praying for us. If we know what we are to pray for, then we should for that. In this verse we see why Christian prayers end with the phrase 'in Jesus name, Amen.' Jesus in this verse was saying that the day would come when He would no longer be with the disciples. Has that day come? Yes, it occurred when Jesus went to the cross. Therefore, when we pray we ask in the name of Jesus. Prayer is the thread that keeps us bound to God. The ways of praying are as many and as varying as the number of Christians who pray. You can prayer standing, sitting, or on your knees. You can use a book of common prayers, notebook of intercessions, or pray what is most troubling on your heart. You can pray loudly or softly, publicly or privately. Pope John Paul II said "How to pray? This is a simple matter. I would say: Pray any way you like, so long as you do pray." |
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