Pray!

Mt 6:9-13

Prayer develops relationship.

Intimate prayer helps to develop intimate relationship.

Believing in prayer is not the same as praying.

Believing God can answer prayer is not the same as believing He will (or already has)

Why pray?

"Prayer is not learned in a class-room

but in the closet. Talking to men for God is a great thing; talking to God for men is greater still." E.M. Bounds

“ We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth." Andrew Murray

"Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater

work." Oswald Chambers

Jesus gave us the perfect pattern

for prayer: the focus is on attitude and relationship. “pray like this”

With tenderness & reverence With respect & devotion With humility & thankfulness With forgiveness & awareness With submission & genuine awe

Jesus taught us to pray

Adoration: He is worthy Confession: We humbly confess our

sin/failures & repent Thanksgiving: We come with gratitude

for Who He is/what He’s done Supplication: We make our requests

known to our All Powerful God

Personal prayer ACTS

The Scripture indicates there are

ways in which to pray: 1.Pray in faith 2.Pray with confidence 3.Confess any sin in our lives 4.Pray the will of God 5.Pray with right motives

How shall we pray?

Heb 11:6 “Without faith, it is

impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He is…rewards those who seek Him.”

Jas 1:6-8 “Let him ask in faith with no doubting…or a man will not receive anything from the Lord…that man is unstable/double minded…”

Praying in faith…

Confidence: trust, reliance,

assurance Heb 4:16 “Draw near with

confidence to the throne of grace…”

1 Jn 4:16 “And we have come to know & have believed the love which God has for us…”

Praying with confidence

Ps 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my

heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Ps 25:21 “Let integrity &

uprightness preserve me, for I wait upon Thee…”

1 Jn 1:9 “If we confess our sin, He is faithful & righteous to forgive us…and to cleanse us…”

Sin can hinder…

Pray according to the Scriptures,

the expressed will of God. 1 Jn 5:14 “If we ask anything

according to His will, He hears us.” Mt 6: 10 “…Thy will be done on

earth as it’s (already being) done in heaven.”

Pray God’s will

Jas 4:3 “You do not receive because

you ask with wrong motives.” A motive is the “why” behind the

“what.” Ps 51:10; 139:23 “Create in me a

clean heart, o God, let me be like You in all my ways… Search me..try me, know my thoughts, O God…”

Check your motives…

What keeps you from having

meaningful and intimate dialogue with your Father in Heaven?

When’s the last time you were “silent” long enough to hear what He had to say to you?

The challenge…

Ps. 91:15 “He shall call upon Me,

and I will answer.” Jas 1:5 “But if any of you lacks

wisdom (Gr: the broad picture) let him ask of God who gives to all men generously and without reproach (disgrace) and it will be given to him.”

Be blessed!