Importance of Prayer
- that’s the first thing Paul did when he was converted - Acts 22
- that’s what Jesus did throughout His ministry as He went to desolate places by Himself
- that’s what Jesus did before His hour has come, He prayed for His 12 Disciples and all the Believers
- that’s what Jesus did after He predicted Peter would deny Him 3 times: Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
- Jesus says that, His house is not a den of robbers, but a House of Prayer
- even when Jesus gave them (His disciples) power and authority over all the unclean spirits, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” Jesus answered, “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.”
How to Pray
- with faith/belief - James 1
- with right motives - James 4
- with persistence - Luke 11:1-13, Luke 18:1-8
Luke 11:1-13 - Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer
1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 18:1-8
The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6 - The 6 Sections
- who God is
- I want God to control me
- thy will be done - I want you to lead me through life
- give us this day our daily bread - provide us with what we need
- forgive us our trespasses - cleanse me
- and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one
- protect me