PRAYER

These are notes from a good sermon I heard in 2005 by M. Pickup:

PRAYER

Matthew 6: 5-15 records how Jesus taught his disciples to pray.  This does not apply to us because we are not praying to start with.  Why not?

• Don't know how
• Too busy
• Have given up.  "It doesn't do any good" (we think) "God doesn't answer."

This sermon is about the basic concept of prayer and our responsibility to pray ---  we MUST be a praying person to be a disciple of Jesus.

WHY SHOULD WE PRAY?

• It is a command of God.  

                 Rom. 12:12  "... continuing steadfastly in prayer..."

                 Col. 4:2  "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving..."

                 I Thess. 5: 17-18  "... pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

                 "without ceasing" =  Pray on a regular basis; prayer should be a constant part of your day and life.  Don't allow yourself to become so busy or despondent that you don't pray.

• It is an honor & privilege.

                 Psalm 34:15-19   "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.  The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.  The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.  The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

                 Heb. 4:16  "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

                 Rom. 5  (as a struggling Christian, He will listen to you)

OUR PRAYER LIFE:

• Regular, planned occasions.
• Short spontaneous prayers.  (example Nehemiah's prayer in Neh. chapters 1 &2, esp. 2:4)
• In times of trial and temptation.

Because God is there listening to us and we're that important to Him.

WHEN WE DON'T PRAY:

• We show ingratitude.

                  Col. 4:2  "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving..."
All these things we take for granted are gifts (we are not owed them) and we ignore the Giver when we do not pray.
                  Luke 17:15-18  (Jesus healed 10 lepers, but only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank Him.)

• We show a lack of concern about others.

                   Eph. 1:16 ;    6:18-20    "... do  not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers..."  "...supplication for all the saints...."  (Paul was concerned about other people.)

WE NEED PRAYER:

None of us is so powerful and self-sufficient that we can get through this life without God.  We desperately need God.
                   Paul needed to pray (Eph 1:16)
                   Jesus needed to pray, and we as His disciples are not above Him (Matt. 10:24)

This is not a light issue.
This is a major issue.
We cannot dismiss this.