“Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.’” [Luke 11:1]

“Please give a sermon on Prayer:How to pray, when to pray, what to pray for.”

FROM THE QUESTION BOX

Part One:What is Prayer?

What is Prayer?Old Testament:

Heb. translates at least 14 words for “prayer” – some interesting ones…

Ex. 32:31; Neh. 1:11 – “Oh!”; “I pray”Dan. 2:13, 6:5 – “sought”; “find” ANDDan. 2:16, 6:12 – “asked”; “petitions”Ps. 35:13; Dan. 9:13 – “sick”; “prayer”Isa. 64:1 – “Oh, that You would…”Isa. 26:16; Ec. 10:11 – “charmed”Ps. 141:2 – “lifting up”Ps. 30:8 – “supplication”

What is Prayer?Old Testament:

Heb. translates at least 14 words for “prayer” – some interesting ones…

Gen. 25:21; Ex. 10:17-18 – “entreat”Is 53:12; Jr 7:16 – “intercede”; (meet)Gn 20:7, 17; 1 Sm 2:25 – “pray for”; “judge”; “mediate”; “intercede”Ezra 6:10; Dan 6:10 – “knelt”; “bow”Gen. 24:47; 26:7 – “asked”Ps. 77:3,6,12 –“complain”; “meditate”Ps. 119:97, 99 – “meditation”

What is Prayer?New Testament:

Gk. translates at least 10 distinct words for “prayer” –

Lk. 1:13; Ja. 5:16 – “prayer” (need)Matt. 9:37-38 – “pray” (lack, want)1 Timothy 2:1, 4:5 – “intercessions”; “prayer” (a coming together, visit)

Matt. 21:24 – “ask” (require answer)Ac 18:18; Ja 5:15 – “vow”; “prayer”(consecration to God)

What is Prayer?New Testament:

Gk. translates at least 10 distinct words for “prayer” –

Rm 12:1; 2 Co 2:7 – “prayer”; “comfort”Acts 6:4, 10:31 – “prayer” (to God)

Rm 9:3; Acts 26:29 – “wish” (desire)

Matt. 5:44, 6:6 – “pray for” (in favor)Rm 8:23; 2 Co 5:2-4; Mark 7:34 – “groan”; “sigh”

What is Prayer?Old and New Testament patterns:

“charmed”

“supplication”“prayer” (need)

“pray” (lack, want)

Supplications: based on perceived or real need and God-dependence

What is Prayer?Old and New Testament patterns:

“asked”

“ask”

“prayer”

Prayers: based on desire for knowledge, wisdom from God

What is Prayer?Old and New Testament patterns:

“sought”; “petitions”“lifting up”

“intercede” (meet)“mediate”

“complain”, “meditate”

Intercessions: based on relationship and desire to draw nearer to God

“knelt”, “bow”

“pray for”“entreat”

“vow”

What is Prayer?Old and New Testament patterns:

“Oh!”“Oh, that You would…”

“wish” (desire); “I would to God”“groan”, “sigh” “sick”

Interjections: based on awe toward God, a given circumstance, emotion

1 Timothy 2:1Supplications, prayers, intercessions,

Giving of thanks

What is Prayer?Old and New Testament patterns:

Can be formal or informal Can be public or privateCan be national or individualIs ALWAYS present in God’s people!

Closing Observations on Prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18“Rejoice always, pray without

ceasing, in everything give thanks”

Do YOU have reason to rejoice, pray, and give thanks?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18“Rejoice always, pray without

ceasing, in everything give thanks”

In Jesus Christ YOU can have reason for all three this very day!