The Practice of Prayer

Practice makes perfect?

Do you think there is such a thing as a perfect prayer?

Last week we looked some characteristics of acceptable prayer, obstacles to prayer and answers to prayer

Today we will look at some suggestions on the practices of prayer

(Ps55:17) - Says David was a man after God’s own heart prayed evening, morning and noon, yet still fell short, so was he perfect? - - - no

Daniel, he was a rebel (turn to Dan6:10); he prayed 3-times a day as was his practice

Daniel 6:10 NASB95

10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.

What can we do, have a set time for prayer, be it morning, evening, set a special time for you and God, get alone with Him.

There are other times to pray too

Times of importance (Lk6:12-13)- Jesus prayed all night before choosing the apostles

(Act16:25) praying and singing in prison

How about a breath prayer (Neh2:4-5)

We are to pray without ceasing (1The5:17) - - - expound

Who, When and Why

Jesus assumed that we pray, so the “who” according to the Sermon on the Mount is “us”

For the most part the where is private (Mt6:5-6- Paraphrase it) - prayer closet)

Why? it is just you and God

Not doing it to be heard by man

Not trying to impress God, He already knows you and knows your heart.

What you do in secret he will reward you openly

Mt6:6 “6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (turn to and read this one) - - - you already summarized this but this one you need to read this

Make private prayer a priority

It is good to pray together too, there are plenty of examples of that

Times of trouble (Act4:22-23, 16:25)

Times of departure (Act20:36, 21:5)

Yes even of discipline (Mt18:19-20)

Praying for others, we will get to this more in a few minutes

How and helpful tools

Jesus gives some helpful examples

(Mt6:9-13) Lord’s prayer as many know it, or please turn to the shorter version of (Lk11:1-4) with me

Lk11:1-4 “1 It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” 2 And 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 ‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ””

Hallowed (Holy be Your name)- to whom - we pray to Our Father in Heaven who is Holy, His name is Holy

Your kingdom come - This was prior to the Kingdom coming, we know that the kingdom has come now. Jesus ushered in the kingdom didn’t He. It was a prayer for the kingdom to come. Not the kingdom that they wanted but for the kingdom that the Father wanted the Hallowed One that is Holy. The One Jesus is saying to pray to.

Then it was give us this day our daily bread - meet our daily needs. See Jesus said, go ahead ask for your daily needs to be met. Jesus knew there were needs and He thanked the Father for meeting the needs daily and wanted them to ask and give thanks daily.

Forgive us ours - - - see we are a sinful people and Jesus knew it, that they needed to have sins forgiven they were on the other side of the cross, well even on this side of the cross we can still fall short can’t we, we still have stinky feet (if you are here on Wednesday night that will make sense to you)

As we forgive those who sin against us- so grace upon grace, mercy upon mercy isn’t it. As God meets our spiritual needs we are able to meet the spiritual needs of others.

our prayers are not about the words of our prayers it is about the heart of our prayers!

A.C.T.S.

A- Adoration- deep love and respect; a way of praising God

(turn to 1Chr29:10-13 and read it)

C- Confession - a formal statement admitting ones guilt; acknowledging one’s sin

Consider (1Jn1:8-9)

T-Thanksgiving- an expression of gratitude especially to God

Consider (Php4:6)

This is remembering his goodness, is love, care. Takes focus off what we don’t have and puts the focus on Him and what He has provided

We have Health

We have family

We have God’s guidance and His answered prayers in the past

There are things we cannot see, but by faith we can believe

Our adoption as His children (Eph1:5)

Forgiveness of sins (Col1:14)

Hope of eternal life (Tit3:7)

Assurance of His continued presence (1The4:17)

Every reason to forever be grateful, thankful, abounding in love for Him

S = Supplication -the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly - making our requests known to God

Php4:6 “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Summarize this; or quote it)

Prayer should not be a spiritual shopping list, so it should start with the A.C.T first. So to keep things in perspective.

We make our requests known is oftentimes requests, intercession for others. Hence our Sunday nights is for others. Our asking for prayers is normally for others.

Look at the example that Paul told Timothy

Have everyone turn to

1Tim2:1 “1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,”

What, who should we pray for?

Self for our physical need (Mt6:11) - daily bread); personal growth (Col1:9-12)

Family - Spouse, children, grandchildren etc. to bring up in instruction in the Lord (Eph6:4)

Community - For peace to prevail - Even while in exile, peace and prosperity where God placed them (Jer29:7)

For the body, the church for unity (Jn13:35, 17:20-21); this proves that we are His

Nation - for personal; then to the national repentance (Ps33:12; Pro14:34); and our leaders to lead and rule wisely (1Tim2:2)

Non-believers for their salvation (Rom10:1) and the boldness of those able and willing to teach them (turn there and summarize this Eph6:18-20)

Eph6:18-20 “18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

For the sick - for restoration both physical, spiritual and peace of mind, as well as forgiveness of sins (Jm5:14-16)

The poor and oppressed- homeless, fatherless, the unborn children (Pro29:7)

Lastly maybe you need a strategy on your handout is a prayer strategy that may help

Monday - pray for family (immediate and extended)

Tuesday - Church (local and universal)

Wednesday - Community (community leaders; neighbors)

Thursday - Nation (elected officials; pray for peace and righteousness to return and prevail

Friday - World (that the gospel be spread and it be received throughout the world)

Saturday - The afflicted (poor, homeless, imprisoned, home bound, widows, single parents, fatherless, etc.

Principles, practice, priorities, prayer is important! So, we need to do it always in everything, and do it earnestly, being vigilant, not loosing heart, and do not cease. It is a great privilege to be able to do it knowing that as Christians that He hears our prayers.

A prayer does not save you- Jesus does

A confession of faith does not save you - Jesus does

Saying you repent does not save you- Jesus does

Just being baptized does not save you - Jesus does

I cannot save you, in fact you cant save you, only Jesus can save you.

(Insert Jesus saves picture here previously used) (prayer slide) (exit slide)