how do you pray? part 3. prayer is an expression of our thoughts and motives to god prayer has no...

How do You Pray? Part 3How do You Pray? Part 3

Prayer is an expression of our thoughts Prayer is an expression of our thoughts and motives to Godand motives to God

• Prayer has no value at all unless our entire Prayer has no value at all unless our entire being is committed to God with the goal of being is committed to God with the goal of making His thoughts our thoughts. making His thoughts our thoughts.

• Jesus well demonstrated this truth in His Jesus well demonstrated this truth in His prayers. prayers. (Mt 26:39)(Mt 26:39)


• Matthew 26:39Matthew 26:39 - He went a little farther - He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, not as I will, but as You but as You willwill."."


• What God has to offer really does not What God has to offer really does not appeal to the worldly!appeal to the worldly!

• When you enter into prayer with God you When you enter into prayer with God you need to know what He offers and what He need to know what He offers and what He does not offer. does not offer. (1 Tim 6:6-8)(1 Tim 6:6-8)


• 1 Timothy 6:6-81 Timothy 6:6-8 - Now godliness with - Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into brought nothing into this this worldworld, , and it is and it is certain certain we can carry nothing outwe can carry nothing out. 8 And . 8 And having food and clothing, with these we having food and clothing, with these we shall be contentshall be content. .


• When God answers prayer it is always for When God answers prayer it is always for our ultimate good.our ultimate good.

• What does God want me to become? What does God want me to become? (Rom 8:28-29)(Rom 8:28-29)


• Romans 8:28-29Romans 8:28-29 - And we know that all - And we know that all things work together for good to those who things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called love God, to those who are the called according to according to His His purpose. 29 For whom purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined He foreknew, He also predestined to be to be conformed to the image of His Sonconformed to the image of His Son, that , that He might be the firstborn among many He might be the firstborn among many brethren.brethren.


• What things will make us more like Jesus?What things will make us more like Jesus?

• Sadly some view God as “the great Sadly some view God as “the great vending machine.” They will receive vending machine.” They will receive nothing from God because they do not nothing from God because they do not understand the very purpose of faith. understand the very purpose of faith. (James 1:6-8)(James 1:6-8)


• James 1:6-8James 1:6-8 - But let him ask in faith, - But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the windthe wind. 7 For . 7 For let not that man suppose let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lordthat he will receive anything from the Lord; ; 8 8 he is he is a double-minded mana double-minded man, unstable in , unstable in all his ways.all his ways.


• Imagine having the power of God behind Imagine having the power of God behind our prayers! our prayers! (Eph 1:18-19)(Eph 1:18-19)


• Ephesians 1:18-19Ephesians 1:18-19 - - the eyes of your the eyes of your understanding being enlightenedunderstanding being enlightened; that you ; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is is the exceeding greatness of His power the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believetoward us who believe, according to the , according to the working of His mighty powerworking of His mighty power


• So far we have discussed praise and So far we have discussed praise and confession in our series.confession in our series.

Prayer must be offered within the will of Prayer must be offered within the will of GodGod

• Look at the great potential that we have in Look at the great potential that we have in prayer. prayer. (1 Jn 5:14-15)(1 Jn 5:14-15)


• 1 John 5:14-151 John 5:14-15 - Now this is the - Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, confidence that we have in Him, that if we that if we ask anything according to His will, He ask anything according to His will, He hears ushears us. 15 And if we know that He . 15 And if we know that He hears us, hears us, whatever we ask, we know that whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked we have the petitions that we have asked of Himof Him..


• Did you read this passage? Do you want Did you read this passage? Do you want the will of God?the will of God?

• Immediately we see something we should Immediately we see something we should not pray for. not pray for. (1 Jn 5:16)(1 Jn 5:16)


• 1 John 5:161 John 5:16 - If anyone sees his brother - If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin sinning a sin which does which does not not lead lead to death, to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not those who commit sin not leading leading to death. to death. There is sin There is sin leading leading to death. to death. I do not say I do not say that he should pray about thatthat he should pray about that..


• Should we bothered by this limitation? Should we bothered by this limitation? Only if we do not know God and in that Only if we do not know God and in that case you are not a son of God and have case you are not a son of God and have no rights to pray.no rights to pray.

• Consider the components of the will of Consider the components of the will of God, His purpose, His desire and His God, His purpose, His desire and His permission!permission!


• There are some things God has willed to There are some things God has willed to do and man cannot prevent it. do and man cannot prevent it. (Isa 14:27; Acts 2:23)(Isa 14:27; Acts 2:23)


• Isaiah 14:27Isaiah 14:27 - For the LORD of hosts - For the LORD of hosts has purposed, has purposed, And who will annul And who will annul itit? ? His His hand hand is is stretched out, And stretched out, And who will turn it who will turn it backback?"?"


• Acts 2:23Acts 2:23 - "Him, being delivered by - "Him, being delivered by the the determined purpose and foreknowledge of determined purpose and foreknowledge of GodGod, you have taken by lawless hands, , you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;have crucified, and put to death;


• Most often “the will of God” refers to God’s Most often “the will of God” refers to God’s desire and man’s decision. Man must desire and man’s decision. Man must choose to yield to God for His blessings. choose to yield to God for His blessings. (2 Pt 3:9; 1 Tim 2:4)(2 Pt 3:9; 1 Tim 2:4)


• 2 Peter 3:92 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack - The Lord is not slack concerning concerning His His promise, as some count promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentanceall should come to repentance..


• 1 Timothy 2:41 Timothy 2:4 - who - who desires all men to desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.the truth.


• It can also refer to man’s decision and It can also refer to man’s decision and God’s permission. God’s permission. (Acts 18:21)(Acts 18:21)


• Acts 18:21Acts 18:21 - but took leave of them, - but took leave of them, saying, "I must by all means keep this saying, "I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, again to you, God willingGod willing." And he sailed ." And he sailed from Ephesus. from Ephesus.


• It is very comforting to know that God is in It is very comforting to know that God is in control.control.

• Do we have enough faith to really mean Do we have enough faith to really mean “as you will?”“as you will?”

• Do we have enough faith to truly wait on Do we have enough faith to truly wait on the Lord? the Lord?


• Jesus responded to one request by saying Jesus responded to one request by saying “you know not what you ask.” I am so glad “you know not what you ask.” I am so glad that God does not give us what we want that God does not give us what we want but what we really need. but what we really need. (Mt 20:21-22)(Mt 20:21-22)


• Matthew 20:20-21Matthew 20:20-21 - Then the mother of - Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21 And He said to something from Him. 21 And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom."on the left, in Your kingdom."


• 22 But Jesus answered and said, "22 But Jesus answered and said, "YouYou do do not know not know what you askwhat you ask. Are . Are youyou able to able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able."able."

Prayer must be offered with the right Prayer must be offered with the right motivemotive

• Our motive is crucial in an acceptable Our motive is crucial in an acceptable prayer. prayer. (James 4:1-3) (James 4:1-3)


• James 4:1-3James 4:1-3 - - Where do wars and fights Where do wars and fights come come from among you? Do from among you? Do they they not not come come from your from your desires for desires for pleasure that war in pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, not receive, because you ask amissbecause you ask amiss, that , that you you may spend may spend it it on your pleasureson your pleasures..


• Two people pray for the same thing and Two people pray for the same thing and only one receives what they ask.only one receives what they ask.

• Consider two people who ask for a job. Consider two people who ask for a job. What is the real reason you ask?What is the real reason you ask?

• Our prayers can well reveal our hearts. Are Our prayers can well reveal our hearts. Are we carnal or spiritual?we carnal or spiritual?

• If you were to draw a pie chart of the If you were to draw a pie chart of the components of your prayers what would components of your prayers what would it look like?it look like?


• Imagine being in a relationship where the Imagine being in a relationship where the only time you hear from another is to ask only time you hear from another is to ask for something for themselves. “Give me. for something for themselves. “Give me. Give me!”Give me!”

• The teacher asked the class "Do you pray The teacher asked the class "Do you pray ever day?" One little boy said: "NO. Some ever day?" One little boy said: "NO. Some days I can not think of anything I want." days I can not think of anything I want."

• Are you the most fervent and diligent in Are you the most fervent and diligent in prayer only when petitioning God? prayer only when petitioning God?


• We have to get out of ourselves and into We have to get out of ourselves and into becoming a servant to be blessed by becoming a servant to be blessed by prayer.prayer.

• Many treat God as a servant boy to be Many treat God as a servant boy to be called on only in time of need.called on only in time of need.

• ““All we have left is prayer” is said to show All we have left is prayer” is said to show how desperate a situation has become. how desperate a situation has become. This is not the attitude of a Christian. This is not the attitude of a Christian.


• Those who approach God like this will Those who approach God like this will have a rude awaking. have a rude awaking. (Prov 1:28-31)(Prov 1:28-31)


• Proverbs 1:28-31Proverbs 1:28-31 - "Then they will call on - "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. 29 diligently, but they will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge And did not Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, 30 They would choose the fear of the LORD, 30 They would have none of my counsel have none of my counsel And And despised my despised my every rebuke. 31 Therefore they shall eat the every rebuke. 31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.with their own fancies.


• What might you be praying if the end of What might you be praying if the end of your life was at hand?your life was at hand?

Jesus teaches us how to prayJesus teaches us how to pray

• We pray to God as a son. We pray to God as a son. (Gal 4:6-7)(Gal 4:6-7)


• Galatians 4:6-7Galatians 4:6-7 - And because you are - And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7 Therefore Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a you are no longer a slave but a sonslave but a son, and if a son, then an heir , and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.of God through Christ.


• There is a real sense of the love and care There is a real sense of the love and care of the Father.of the Father.

• There is also a sense of privilege. Whose There is also a sense of privilege. Whose son are you?son are you?

• There is also a great need of the There is also a great need of the provisions of the Father. provisions of the Father.


• A true son will want the same things as the A true son will want the same things as the Father.Father.

• Jesus’ purpose in life was only to please Jesus’ purpose in life was only to please the Father. the Father. (Jn 8:29)(Jn 8:29)


• John 8:29John 8:29 - "And He who sent Me is with - "And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I I always do those things that please Himalways do those things that please Him."."


• What if this prayer was offered for you and What if this prayer was offered for you and I? What would it really mean, drop dead or I? What would it really mean, drop dead or stronger health? stronger health? (3 Jn 2)(3 Jn 2)


• 3 John 1:23 John 1:2 - Beloved, I pray that you - Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospersjust as your soul prospers. .


• Have you ever noticed the events that Have you ever noticed the events that followed lengthy prayers of Jesus?followed lengthy prayers of Jesus?

• After one all night prayer He selected His After one all night prayer He selected His apostles.apostles.

• On another occasion Peter was tested to On another occasion Peter was tested to walk on the water.walk on the water.

• Jesus always looked to the needs of others. Jesus always looked to the needs of others. Consider John 17.-Consider John 17.-

•


• What should we pray for? What should we pray for? (Luke 11:9-13)(Luke 11:9-13)


• Luke 11:9-13Luke 11:9-13 - " So I say to you, ask, and - " So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 "For everyone who asks receives, and 10 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 "If a son asks for it will be opened. 11 "If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if give him a stone? Or if he asks he asks for a fish, for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?


• 12 "Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer 12 "Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 "If you then, being him a scorpion? 13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will children, how much more will your your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"those who ask Him!"


• 1. Dating.1. Dating.

• 2. Child raising.2. Child raising.

• 3. Wisdom.3. Wisdom.

• 4. Daily needs.4. Daily needs.

• 5. The lost.5. The lost.

• 6. Other Christians.6. Other Christians.

• 7. Deliverance from our enemies. 7. Deliverance from our enemies. (Psa 7:1; 27:11-12; Psa 31:1-5)(Psa 7:1; 27:11-12; Psa 31:1-5)


• Psalm 7:1Psalm 7:1 - - O LORD my God, in You I put O LORD my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me; And deliver me,persecute me; And deliver me,


• Psalm 27:11-12Psalm 27:11-12 - Teach me Your way, O - Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.such as breathe out violence.


• Psalm 31:1-5Psalm 31:1-5 - - In You, O LORD, I put my In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. 2 Bow down me in Your righteousness. 2 Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. 3 For You save me. 3 For You are are my rock and my my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me. Lead me and guide me.


• 4 Pull me out of the net which they have 4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You secretly laid for me, For You are are my my strength. 5 strength. 5 Into Your hand I commit my Into Your hand I commit my spiritspirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD ; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.God of truth.


• What a privilege we have to pray to God!What a privilege we have to pray to God!

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