the christian and prayer (1) what is prayer?. what is prayer? it is speaking to god james 1:5,...
TRANSCRIPT
The Christian and Prayer (1)
What Is Prayer?
What is prayer?
It is speaking to GodJames 1:5, “Let him ask of God” Prayer is how we communicate with God
What is prayer?Described
Ask, seek and knock – Matthew 7:7-11 Crying out to God - Luke 18:6-8 Requests to God – Philippians 4:6 An act of faith – James 5:15, 1:6 Incense - Revelation 5:8, Psalm 141:2
What is prayer?Described
“To You O LORD I lift up my soul…”, Psa. 25:1 Pouring out one’s heart, Psalm 62:8 Raising one’s voice, Acts 4:24, 31 Come before the throne of grace, Heb. 4:16
What is prayer?Described
Spiritual sacrifice, the fruit of one’s lips Heb. 13:15 It is worship John 4:24, 1 Cor. 14:15
The importance of prayer
Something to be engaged in regularly, deliberately, thoughtfully and thoroughly It has a bearing on how strong our faith is It is often done with little thought or wrong motives Prayer acknowledges the authority and power of God
Examples of Prayer in Scripture
Early, men began to “call on the name of the Lord” Genesis 4:26, 12:8 Part of the Mosaic Law – priests David prayed, i.e. Psalms Elijah prayed – James 5:17-18 Daniel prayed – Daniel 6:10
Examples of Prayer in Scripture
Ezra and Nehemiah Ezra 8:23; Neh. 2:4, 4:4, 9, etc. Paul continually prayed – virtually every epistle addresses various prayers and requests for prayers
Examples of Prayer in Scripture
Jesus prayed always - in the morning – Mark 1:35 - in the evening – Matt. 14:23 - all night – Luke 6:12 - often – Luke 5:16 - in the garden – Luke 22:39-44 - with joy – Luke 10:21 - on the cross – Luke 23:34, 46 - at Passover – Luke 22:14-20 - John 17
Types of Prayer1 Timothy 2:1-2
Prayers (προσευχάς, proseuchas) – the general term for petitioning God.“to speak or make request to God” (L&N 33.178)Luke 22:45-46, Jesus in the gardenActs 2:42, they continued in prayersEphesians 1:16, Paul prayed for brethrenPhilippians 4:6, in everything by prayer and supplication
Types of Prayer1 Timothy 2:1-2
Supplication (δέησις, deēsis) – a divine entreaty or an urgent request. Addresses seriousness and intensity of prayers – for oneself and for othersRomans 10:1, Paul’s prayer for IsraelEphesians 6:18, praying always with all prayer and supplication…James 5:16, the effective, fervent prayerHebrews 5:7, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications and was heard (cf. Matt. 26:36-44)
Types of Prayer1 Timothy 2:1-2
Intercessions (ἔντευξις, enteuxis) a formal petition, usually on behalf of another1 Timothy 4:5, food received with thanksgiving, “for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”Hebrews 7:25, Rom. 8:27, etc, verb form (ἐντυγχάνω, entynchanō) used of Jesus as He makes intercession for usAs Christians, we pray for others – Matthew 5:44, James 5:16
Types of Prayer1 Timothy 2:1-2
Giving of thanks, thanksgiving (εὐχαριστία, eucharistia) expressing gratitude for benefits and blessingsColossians 4:2, continuing in prayer “being vigilant in it with thanksgiving”1 Timothy 4:4, every creature received with thanksgiving Our prayers are typically filled with requests. Do we take the time to thank Him
Content of our Prayers
Matthew 6:9-13Jesus gave a model prayer here (Luke 11:1) Adoration – praising God, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name…”God is worthy of our praise always – both in our public and private prayersEphesians 3:14-15, Acts 4:24-26Consider the Psalms
Content of our Prayers
Matthew 6:9-13 Acceptance – of His will “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” Jesus in the Garden – Matthew 26:39-42When we pray to God, will we accept His answer (in His time)? 1 John 5:14
Content of our Prayers
Matthew 6:9-13
Supplications, intercessions“Give us this day our daily bread” We have needs and we can turn to Him with our requests. Philippians 4:6“Us” would include others
Content of our Prayers
Matthew 6:9-13 Confession“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” It is through prayer that we seek forgiveness of our sins 1 John 1:9 Note the condition (cf. Matt. 6:14-15) – is our heart right?
Content of our Prayers
Matthew 6:9-13
Supplication, intercession“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”
Spiritual requests. We turn to God for strength in dealing with spiritual struggles 1 Timothy 4:8, 2 Peter 2:9
Content of our Prayers
Matthew 6:9-13
Gratitude, thanksgiving Addressed earlier
Before making requests, acknowledge what He has already done and thank Him for it!
Content of our Prayers
Matthew 6:9-13
Acceptance (more) “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever”
Amen – “so be it”
We need to be praying!
God wants us to pray
He provided prayer for us – 1 Timothy 2:1-5, Hebrews 4:14-161 Peter 5:7, casting all your cares upon Him
We need to be praying!
Prayer is important! The effective, fervent prayer accomplishes much James 5:16“Seven days without prayer makes on WEAK!”
We need to be praying!
Payer is commanded1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray without ceasing”Romans 12:12, continuing steadfastly in prayerEphesians 6:18, praying alwaysLuke 18:1, men ought always to prayYou cannot obey God if you do not pray
Prayer is important!
How often do you pray?