The Power of Prayer

What is Prayer?

1. Prayer is communication with God

2. Prayer is offering our expression of love to God and receiving His love to us

3. Prayer can be intercessory for others

4. Prayer is joyful and blessed

5. Prayer is praising and worshipping God

6. Prayer should be made by the elders of the church for people (James 5:14) for the sick

More Meanings of Prayer

1. Prayer described as incense, a sweet fragrance, to God

2. Many verses ask for God to hear our prayer

3. Some prayers are for repentance4. Sometimes prayer is to be done with

fasting5. A Hebrew tradition was to put on

sackcloth and ashes – old, dirty clothes and ashes – meaning having a spirit of humility

6. Prayers should be offered for the sick or when sick

Hebrew and Greek Meaning

1. Hebrew word for prayer – “tephillah” (pronounced tuh-fee-law`) – intercession, entreaty, supplication, prayer, a hymn or sacred song

2. Hebrew word for supplication – “techinnah” – (pronounced tehk-hin-nah`) – prayer, cry for mercy and grace, supplication for favor

3. Greek word for prayer – “proseuche” (pronounced pros-yoo-khay`) – prayer addressed to God; a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer, such as a synagogue, or a place near the sea or water where there was no synagogue

4. Greek word for supplication – “deesis” (pronounced deh’-ay-sis) – seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God; can be a request such as a prayer request for a need or want

Why Pray?1. Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer.2. The Bible commands use to be in a continual state

of prayer – “Pray without ceasing – be in a constant state of prayer”(1 Thess. 5:17)

3. Exhorted to pray for all people including people in authority such as kings and people in authority (1 Tim. 2:1-2)

4. Prayer provides the chance to confess our sins to God (1 Jn. 1:9)

5. Prayer gives us the chance to praise with thanksgiving and glorify God.

6. Prayer gives us the chance to listen to God and hear His voice.

7. The prayer of the upright is God’s delight(Pro. 15:8)

Where Pray?

1. In church – “My house is a house of prayer” (Isa. 56:7, Matt. 21:13)

2. God is everywhere – pray anywhere

3. Our prayers go into the Holy of Holies into God’s holy temple (Jonah 2:7)

How to Pray

1. Pray to God the Father, in the name of the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit

2. Pray as Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer

3. Don’t worry about how well you pray – the Holy Spirit “makes intercessions for us with groanings (trans., groanings, sighs) which cannot be uttered.” (Rom. 8:26)

God’s Answers to Prayers

1. God is with us in our prayers – “When two or three are gathered, there I am in their midst”

2. God does answer our prayers – sometimes it is a no and sometimes it is a yes

3. Pray according to God’s will and he will answer your prayers

4. Sometimes miraculous things happen when we pray – miracles and healing can come from prayer

Examples of Miraculous Answers to Prayers

1. Joshua prayed and the sun and moon stood still during battle for a day (Josh. 10:12-13)

2. Hezekiah asked God for more time to live and received 15 more years; God moved the sun dial 10 degrees or about 20 minutes backwards; God said he heard his prayers and saw his tears (Isa. 38:5-8)

3. Prayer of Elijah for fire from heaven at Mt. Carmel (I Kings 18:38)

4. Elijah prayed for a drought and then for rain (James 5:17)

Examples of Miraculous Answers to Prayers

5. Daniel was “touched by an angel” – Gabriel – who flew swiftly and touched him during evening prayers (Dan. 9:21)

6. Cornelius prayed and an angel (man in bright clothing) appeared saying “Thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance of God.” (Acts 10:31)

Principles of Prayer1. Should go to prayer “speedily” when

needing to pray (Zech. 8:20-21)2. Jesus said “My House will be a House of

Prayer” (Matt. 21:13)3. Jesus people healed the blind and the

lame after he chased the money-changing thieves out of the church! (Matt. 21:13)

4. Be specific in your prayer requests5. Pray for God’s will (example in Lord’s

Prayer)

More Principles of Prayer6. Jesus said “Whatsoever you shall ask in prayer,

believing, you shall receive if according to God’s will (Matt. 21:22)

7. Paul said to persevere and continue steadfastly in prayer (Rom. 12:12, Col. 4:12)

8. Must pray for the sick and they can be healed (James 5:12-14)

9. Asked to anoint people when praying for them (James 5:15)

10. Must confess faults to one another and pray for one another (James 5:16a)

11. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16b)

12. We need to be alert (“sober”) and pray much more during the end times (1 Pet. 4:7)

Command to Pray

Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

(Phil. 4: 6)