Why We Pray.
Spiritual Disciplines (Prayer) • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Do you pray?
Do you pray?
- If no, why not? What is your biggest hinderance to prayer?
- If yes, do you ask for anything when you pray? How big are the things that you pray for?
People who are struggling with prayer are often from two camps:
People who are struggling with prayer are often from two camps:
1. We’re afraid it won’t work.
Prayer is risky. When we pray we put our hopes and dreams on the line. And so we’d rather not hope or dream because then it might not come to pass. God may “fail” us. So we avoid prayer all together
2. We actually don’t know God very well.
Like hanging out with a coworker outside of the office for the first time. We seem to be acquainted with them but when it comes to interacting in terms of a normal relationship, it’s awkward because our relationship was very surface level. This can happen with prayer. We can talk about, sing about, listen to sermons about God, but what happens when we sit down without the music and with out the community and just sit in the silence with God and find out that it’s quite awkward because we don’t know Him like we thought.
3. We wonder if we’re just being selfish.
Does God really care about my headache? Aren’t there more pressing matters in the universe than the bills I can’t pay? After all it’s my fault i didn save more when I was younger, and i should probably be grateful that i live in the richest civilization in the most advance time in human history. God is actually think less of me right now about how selfish I am.
4. We’re afraid to do it wrong.
I don’t know the right words. I feel insecure. I’m uncomfortable. It makes me anxious to hear others pray smoothly. Maybe one day i’ll memorize the terms and learn the mechanics.
Any others we can think of?
Clearly there are many barriers that keep us realizing and living a life of prayer with God.
The goal of this class is to get you discover the supernatural life that can be had through regular prayer.
The goal of this class is to get you discover the supernatural life that can be had through regular prayer.
This brings us to the beginning of this expedition.
This brings us to the beginning of this expedition.
We will spend around 6-8 weeks exploring the Jesus’ instructions on how to pray. But before we set out to to accomplish such and endeavor we need to first establish the foundation of prayer. If we’re going to endeavor to establish a new way of life, a life of constant communication with God, then we need to know what we’re standing on.
Prayer takes many forms:
Prayer takes many forms:
Supplication - Asking God for things.
Thanksgiving - Thanking God for things.
Adoration - Adoring God for who He is.
Confession - Confessing your sins and weaknesses
Intercession - Asking God for things for other people.
So then, with all the different types of prayer out there for a follower of Jesus to take part in, what is the driving motivation and purpose behind prayer? Why does it exist?
What is prayer for?
What is prayer for?
The Ultimate Purpose of Prayer is Relationship
The Ultimate Purpose of Prayer is Relationship
Genesis 3:8 (ESV)
8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day
John 15:4–5 (ESV)
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Revelation 21:3 (ESV)
3 “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
-Westminister Catechism
The most important discovery you will ever make is the love the Father has for you, Your power in prayer will flow from the certainty the One who made you likes you, he is not scowling at you, he is on your side… Unless our mission and our acts of mercy, our intercession, petition, confession, and spiritual warfare begin our of desperation determination, and duty instead of revelation, expectation, and joy.
-Pete Greig, Founder - 24/7 Prayer Movement
The primary purpose of all prayer is to draw us, in some way, closer to Creator and back to the original intent of the Garden, the purpose and work of the Cross, and the future Hope of the New Heaven and New Earth.
God’s original plan for all humans was to dwell in Paradise with them. In the Garden that plan fell apart because of our rebellion and God went to great lengths of pursuit to restore that relationship by sending His Son to dwell amongst us to repair the bond. Then, ultimately, one day, God will make his final dwelling place amongst us forever.
And in the middle of all of these pieces of God’s great story(Garden, Cross, New Creation) He has established prayer as this way to have a measure of that Paradise now.
God’s ultimate goal for everything is that He would dwell with us for ever.
That can happen now through prayer.
How we doing?
So with the foundation set…Let’s begin with the proper attitude in our relationship with God.
The Key to a Right Relationship with God is reliance.
Ephesians 3:14–16 (ESV)
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Paul here is of-course speaking to the Ephesians about his prayers for them, and the first thing he communicates is his posture or mindset of reliance on God. He bows in humility before the Father because Paul recognizes His tremendous need for everything the Father wants to give to Paul.
Paul accomplished many great things in his life. His efforts caused a vast majority of the Gospel to be spread all over the world. He wrote 13 of the 27 books of the NT and according to Paul he couldn't do it alone.
Ephesians 3:7–8 (ESV)
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Despite Pauls heritage, his training, and ability he knew that He must depend upon God’s presence
Psalm 127:1 (ESV)
1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
1 Corinthians 3:7 (ESV)
7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
“Above all, in prayer a man will take all his weakness to the strength of God. A man is only too aware of his insecurity of life, of his helplessness in face of the chances and the changes of life, of the way in which the light can suddenly turn to darkness. ‘The Lord’, said the Psalmist ‘is the stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in time of trouble’ As the Talmud had it: “Even when the edge of the sword already touches a man’s neck, even then he must not abandon his faith in praying to God.’ ‘Hope in the Lord and pray again”
-William Barclay “The Lords Prayer”
So Paul prayed from a place of absolute desperation of God and His closeness in his life. Paul was desperate for God to dwell with him.
The Prayer Of Cyrus Brown
"The proper way for a man to pray,"
Said Deacon Lemuel Keyes,
"And the only proper attitude
Is down upon his knees."
"No, I should say the way to pray,"
Said Rev. Doctor Wise,
"Is standing straight with outstretched arms
And rapt and upturned eyes."
"Oh, no; no, no," said Elder Slow,
"Such posture is too proud:
A man should pray with eyes fast closed
And head contritely bowed."
"It seems to me his hands should be
Austerely clasped in front.
With both thumbs pointing toward the ground,"
Said Rev. Doctor Blunt.
"Las' year I fell in Hodgkin's well
Head first," said Cyrus Brown,
"With both my heels a-stickin' up,
My head a-pinting down;
"An' I made a prayer right then an' there -
Best prayer I ever said,
The prayingest prayer I ever prayed,
A-standing on my head."
-Sam Walter Foss
In this, Paul had simply been following the example of Jesus Himself.
Jesus regularly went to remote places to spend time with the Father in prayer.
Luke 5:15–16 (ESV)
15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Mark 1:35 (ESV)
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
This is incredibly challenging
If Jesus Himself needed to withdraw to focus on prayer alone with the Father, how much more do we then need to prioritize time alone with our Heavenly Father???
One question we can ask ourselves throughout this prayer journey is:
Am I relying on God?
Simply ask yourself this question. Am I willing to spend the first 5-10 mins get alone in a quite place and inviting God to dwell with me today? In the good moments, in the bad, in the thrilling, in the boring, in celebrating, in the mourning. Lord be near me today. Every morning take the first moment to bow your knee to a Father who desperately desires to be with you
How?
Pray as you can, not as you can’t
If your not a morning person, please don’t pray in the morning. You’ll most likely end up sleeping in the morning for a second time . If you pray better while active (exercising, driving, walking the dog,) than do that. If you can’t pray for an hour. Don’t. It’ll feel like an eternity. Pray for 5 mins. If your not good with your spoken words, write them down in a prayer journal.
If your not filled with hope and faith. Tell God about your fear and disappointment. If you can’t praise and worship. Pray your complaints, your anger , all of it.
Pray as you can, and somewhere along the way, you will make the most important discovery of your life—the love the Father has for you. that discover is God’s end of the deal. Your part is just to show up honestly. Show up, and keep showing up. That’s the one nonnegotiable when it comes to prayer. And that invitation is for everybody.
-Tyler Staton “Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools”
Philippians 4:5–7 (CSB)
The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Prayer Practice - Prayer Rhythm
Prayer Practice - Prayer Rhythm
Take at least 5 mins to pray during the Morning, Midday, and Evening.
Morning - Pray for the Lord to be with you
Midday - Pray for the Lost
Evening - Gratitude