"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints"
Ephesians 6:18
POWER THROUGH PRAYER
( LUKE 11:1-13; MATTHEW 6:9-15 )
Prayer MUST be in the name of JESUS CHRIST.
Prayer is the believer's limitless contact with the power of
God. (Colossians
3:17; Acts
3:6).
The Disciples requested of Jesus, "Teach us to
pray." They saw a communication and power in the prayer of
Jesus they had not experienced.
Jesus was praying, not just saying a prayer. ( Matthew
6:5; 9-13
).
- NATURE OF PRAYER
- There should be a spiritual exchange based on a relationship.
- Acknowledge God as our Father. This establishes our privilege to come to God in prayer.
- Begin prayer with an attitude of worship. Acknowledge God as absolute in POWER, PERFECTION, and HOLINESS.
- Prayer must put first the Kingdom (rule, power, and authority) of God. The rule of God must be universally acknowledged.
- Accept in advance the will of God whether known or unknown, and whether your prayer is granted or withheld. ( Romans 8:28 )
- Prayer should always see through faith the divine will of God to be done on earth as His will is done in heaven. ( Luke 11:2 ).
- PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER
- Pray from God's Kingdom's perspective - "Thy will be done, on earth as in heaven."
- Trust God for our human needs - even the small things. ( Luke 12:27-31, Philippians 4:19 )
- Trust God's commitment to our salvation - Verse 3, "lead us not into temptation" does not suggest God will lead us in a path to tempt us to sin. But when we pray we should ask God to spare us from temptation rather than cause us to sin. He forgives, guides, and delivers.
- Be persistent in prayer. (Holy stubbornness) ( Mark 8:22 ). Keep praying and not faint. ( Luke 18:1 )
- Be direct and specific in our approach when we need something special from God. ( I John 5:14-15 )
- If something is lost, seek after it. When the door is closed, knock. ( Daniel 9:3; Luke 11:9; Matthew 7:7-8 )
- Accept God's answer without fear ( Hebrews 4:15-16 ).
- Pray beyond yourself ( Romans 8:26-27 ).
- "Lord let Thy will be done". ( I John 5:14 ).
- PURPOSE OF PRAYER ( Jude
20; Ephesians
3:16 ).
- Prayer will equip the saints for spiritual warfare ( Ephesians 6:11-12 )
- Praying in the Spirit will bring insight and knowledge of God to the mind and heart of the believer.
- Thanksgiving, spiritual strength, healing, material needs, etc. ( Psalm 105:1-5; Acts 4:27-31; James 5:13-14 )
- PRACTICE OF PRAYER
- Prayer is a communication skill to be developed
- Power in prayer begins with the practice of pray.
- The language of prayer must be learned.
- Be careful that your prayers do not turn into "giving orders," or a complaint session.
- Saints MUST HAVE a specific time for dedicated prayer. ( Psalm 5:3; Philippians 4:6 ).
- Have the spirit of prayer, continual prayer. ( I Thessalonians 5:17, Psalm 55:17, Psalm 72:12, Psalm 109:4 )
- CAUSES OF UNANSWERED PRAYER
- Disobedience ( Deuteronomy 1:34-35 )
- Sin, either hidden or unconfessed. ( Psalm 66:18; Joshua 7:6-20 )
- Indifference-lack of concern, no commitment, lukewarm spirit. ( Proverbs 1:24-31; Isaiah 65:12; 66:4; Jeremiah 7:13-14 ).
- Stubbornness and self-willed ( Zechariah 7:8-13 )
- Instability; no spiritual backbone ( James 1:6-8 )
- Selfishness / self-Indulgence ( James 4:3 ).
- IMPACT AND PROMISES OF ANSWERS TO PRAYERS
- Answered prayers have both a personal and national impact.
- Call on Jesus. ( Psalm 91:15; II Chronicles 7:14-15; Acts 2:42-47; Matthew 21:22; I Kings 18:36-39; Acts 3:1-2; 4:24-31; 16:16. )
- Ask, Seek, Knock in His name - ( Luke 11:9; James 5:13-18 )
- Abide in Him and His Word will abide in you ( John 15:7 )
- Whatever
we ask, we receive of
Him
( I
John 3:22; I
John 5:13-15 )
MUCH PRAYER, MUCH POWER
LITTLE PRAYER, LITTLE POWER
NO PRAYER, NO POWER