Praying with Purpose

Romans 8:26–28 (KJV 1900)

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Before we can know the purpose for praying we need to define.......

What is Prayer?

Jesus responded to the disciple’s request to teach them to pray with

Matthew 6:9–13 (KJV 1900)

9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Its interesting that of all the miracles and things that Jesus did during His earthly ministry that the disciples wanted to be taught how to pray. Evidently they noticed that Jesus had power with God through prayer. People had been praying since the days of Abraham, but none prayed as effective as Jesus.

The 21st century dictionary says prayer is: A reverent petition made to a deity. Notice the phrase a deity. As in this prayer could be to any one of the many so called gods of the day. So much of the secular world has this train of thought that all gods are equally valid, just pick any one or none at all, choose your own truth “my truth” The problem is if your praying to any god other than the God of this bible, THE GOD THAT SPOKE EVERYTHING YOU SEE AND EXPERIENCE IN LIFE INTO EXISTENCE, you might as well just be talking to the wall, there is no truth outside the Word of God. All these other so called gods have no power and no ability to meet anyone needs. ITS JUST DEAD RELIGION. I'm glad we serve a mighty God that is alive, and fully able to hear and answer our prayers.

Now I want you to listen to how Noah Websters defines prayer from the 1828 dictionary. In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God’s glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for his mercies and benefits. A prayer however may consist of a single petition, and it may be extemporaneous , written or printed. Extemporaneous means uttered at the time the subject occurs, or without previous study. As we would commonly say “just wing it”. Sounds like Mr. Webster knew a thing or two about prayer.

We should find ourselves frequently calling on God, and our prayers should include all of those things that were defined. Dr. John R. Rice put it this way “All our problems and prayer problems”. If we think back to days gone by before the internet and google. People called on God for help, they searched the Bible for answers to life's problems. I'm not against doing your research, we should be using the knowledge and resources available to us. But if it takes the place of seeking Gods helps THERE IS THE PROBLEM.

Prayer is a form of worship

Adoration

An expression of our sense of God’s glorious perfections

how the publican prayed vs the pharisee

John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Prayer of intercession