I. Should We Pray?
- Jesus instructed us to pray - "When you pray" (Mt. 6:5)
- Jesus taught us how to pray (Mt. 6; Lk 11)
- "Man ought always to pray" (Christ) (Lk. 18:1)
- Jesus commanded us to "watch and pray" (Lk. 21:36)
- Paul instructed us to pray (1Tim. 2:3; Rom. 15:30)
II. How Should We Pray?
- In secret (Mt. 6; Mk. 1:35; Lk. 5:16; 9:18
- On your knees - 1Kings 8:54 (Solomon)
- Ezra 9:5-6 (Ezra)
- Luke 22:41 (Christ)
- Acts 20:36 (Paul)
- Lift up your eyes - John 11:41 (Christ)
- John 17:1 (Christ)
- Psa. 5:3 (David)
- Lift up your hands - 1Tim. 2:8; Psa. 88:9
III. How Not to Pray
- Don't do it in public (Mt. 6:2)
- Pharisee and publican - (Lk 18:10)
- Don't use vain repetition (Mt. 6:7)
- Long, meaningless, pretentious (Mk. 12:40)
IV. When Should We Pray?
- Before daybreak (Christ) (Mk. 1:35)
- In the morning (David) (Psa. 5:3; 88:13)
- Morning, noon, evening (David) (Psa. 55:17)
- Midnight (David) (Psa. 119:62)
- Night and day (God's people) (Lk. 18:7) (widows) (1Thes. 5:5)
V. How Often Should We Pray?
- Three times a day (David and Daniel) (Psa. 55:17; Dan. 6:10)
- Seven times a day (David) (Psa. 119:164)
- Always (Eph. 6:18)
- Without ceasing (1Thes. 5:17)
VI. How Long Should We Pray?
- One hour (3) (Christ) (Mt. 26:37-44)
- All night (Christ) (Lk. 6:12)
- Always (Eph. 6:18)
- Without ceasing (1Thes. 5:17)
VII. What Should We Pray About?
- More ministers for the harvest (Mt. 9:38)
- God's ministers (Rom. 15:30; Heb. 13:18; 1Thes. 5:25; 2Thes. 3:1)
- The brethren: Christ's example (Jn. 17:9-20) Paul's example (Rom. 1:9; Phil. 1:4; Col. 1:3; 1Thes. 1:2)
- For Godly love (obedience) to abound (Phil. 1:9)
- For those in authority (1Tim. 2:1-2)
- For our enemies (Mt. 5:44; Lk. 6:28)
- That we enter not into temptation (Mt. 26:41)
- For wisdom (Jas. 1:5-6)
- For the sick (Jas. 5:17; Psa. 6:2; 30:2; 41:4)
- For God's will (Mt. 26:39)
- For understanding (Jas. 1:5-6)
- For deliverance (Lk. 21:36)
Paul encouraged the church at Corinth to pray that grace might overflow (2Cor. 4:15).
John described God's attitude about prayer in Rev. 5:8.
Mini Studies
|
