The Christian & PrayerThe Christian & Prayer

The Christian & PrayerThe Christian & Prayer

• What is prayer?What is prayer?

• When should we pray?When should we pray?

• What happens when we pray?What happens when we pray?

• Why don’t our prayers always seem Why don’t our prayers always seem to work?to work?

What is Prayer?What is Prayer?

• Talking to GodTalking to God

• The expression of our heartThe expression of our heart– Hannah (1 Samuel 1:10, 13)Hannah (1 Samuel 1:10, 13)– Paul (Romans 10:1)Paul (Romans 10:1)

When Should We Pray?When Should We Pray?

• Pray without ceasing & in everything give thanks Pray without ceasing & in everything give thanks (1 Thes. 5:17-18)(1 Thes. 5:17-18)

• Jesus prayed…Jesus prayed…– After His baptism (Lk. 3:21-22)After His baptism (Lk. 3:21-22)– After a surge in His popularity (Lk. 5:12-16)After a surge in His popularity (Lk. 5:12-16)– Before a difficult decision (Lk. 6:12-13)Before a difficult decision (Lk. 6:12-13)– After a long day of “work” (Lk. 9:12-18)After a long day of “work” (Lk. 9:12-18)– When He was burdened (Lk. 9:29)When He was burdened (Lk. 9:29)– When He anticipated disappointment (Lk. 22:31-32)When He anticipated disappointment (Lk. 22:31-32)– When His heart was broken or facing a great challenge When His heart was broken or facing a great challenge

(Lk. 22:39-46)(Lk. 22:39-46)– When He was dying (Lk. 23:34, 46; Mt. 27:46)When He was dying (Lk. 23:34, 46; Mt. 27:46)

What Happens When We What Happens When We Pray?Pray?• The Godhead listens (1 Peter 3:12)The Godhead listens (1 Peter 3:12)

• The power of God is unleashed (Eph 3:14-21The power of God is unleashed (Eph 3:14-21– We have power in prayerWe have power in prayer– When we depend on _ we get what _ can get usWhen we depend on _ we get what _ can get us– The providence of God is set in motion The providence of God is set in motion

(Jas. 5:16-18; Psa. 23; Mt. 6:25-34)(Jas. 5:16-18; Psa. 23; Mt. 6:25-34)– Nothing less than the “best” will resultNothing less than the “best” will result

•Every good gift comes from God (Jas. 1:17)Every good gift comes from God (Jas. 1:17)

•God promises us good gifts (Mt 7:7-11; Mk 11:20-24)God promises us good gifts (Mt 7:7-11; Mk 11:20-24)

What Happens When We What Happens When We Pray?Pray?

• The power of God is unleashed (cont.)The power of God is unleashed (cont.)– How God answersHow God answers

•““Yes”Yes”– Hannah asked for a son (1 Sam. 1:1-20)Hannah asked for a son (1 Sam. 1:1-20)– The church asked for Peter’s freedom (Acts 12:1-12)The church asked for Peter’s freedom (Acts 12:1-12)

•““No”No”– Moses asked for forgiveness for the people (Ex. 32:31-35)Moses asked for forgiveness for the people (Ex. 32:31-35)– Jesus prayed to be released from Calvary (Mt. 26:36-44)Jesus prayed to be released from Calvary (Mt. 26:36-44)

•Sometimes God gives something elseSometimes God gives something else– David: perpetual kingdom, not building house (2 Sam 7:1-David: perpetual kingdom, not building house (2 Sam 7:1-

17)17)– Paul: grace to endure, not removal of thorn (2 Cor 12:7-10)Paul: grace to endure, not removal of thorn (2 Cor 12:7-10)

What Happens When We What Happens When We Pray?Pray?

• The power of God is unleashed (cont.)The power of God is unleashed (cont.)– God promises to give what is best for us God promises to give what is best for us

• If we ask for something NOT for our best,If we ask for something NOT for our best,if will not happenif will not happen

• If something is for our best & we don’t ask,If something is for our best & we don’t ask,it might not happenit might not happen

• If something is for our best & we ask for it,If something is for our best & we ask for it,we better get ready for it to we better get ready for it to

happenhappen

Why don’t our prayers Why don’t our prayers always seem to work?always seem to work?

• Maybe the problem is “us”Maybe the problem is “us”– Maybe expecting too much Maybe expecting too much

(Mt. 6:7; Heb. 5:5-8)(Mt. 6:7; Heb. 5:5-8)– Maybe not expecting enough Maybe not expecting enough

(Jas. 1:5-7; Mt. 21:22; Heb. 11:6)(Jas. 1:5-7; Mt. 21:22; Heb. 11:6)– Maybe not living right (Prov. 1:24-28; 28:9)Maybe not living right (Prov. 1:24-28; 28:9)– Maybe trying hard to live right; Maybe trying hard to live right;

become self-righteous (Lk. 18:9-14)become self-righteous (Lk. 18:9-14)– Maybe at odds with another Christian Maybe at odds with another Christian

(Mt 5:21-24; 6:14-15; 1 Jn 3:16-(Mt 5:21-24; 6:14-15; 1 Jn 3:16-22; 1 Pet 3:7)22; 1 Pet 3:7)

Why don’t our prayers Why don’t our prayers always seem to work?always seem to work?

• Maybe the problem is our “prayer”Maybe the problem is our “prayer”– Maybe not asking (Jas. 4:2)Maybe not asking (Jas. 4:2)– Maybe asking for wrong reason (Jas. 4:3)Maybe asking for wrong reason (Jas. 4:3)– Maybe asking in wrong way-God’s will be Maybe asking in wrong way-God’s will be

done (Mt. 6:10; Lk. 22:42)done (Mt. 6:10; Lk. 22:42)– Maybe asking for wrong thingMaybe asking for wrong thing

(Paul’s thorn 2 Cor. 12; Good gifts Mt. 7)(Paul’s thorn 2 Cor. 12; Good gifts Mt. 7)– Maybe we’ve stopped asking Maybe we’ve stopped asking

(ask, seek, knock Mt. 7:7; (ask, seek, knock Mt. 7:7; persistence Lk. 11:5-10; 18:1-5; Eph 6:18)persistence Lk. 11:5-10; 18:1-5; Eph 6:18)