Why pray?

Mum & Man Utd

Matthew 6:9–10 “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”

Why pray?

Firstly, relationship with God. Communicate. Talk & listen. GOSPEL.

God desires us to rejoice in Him, to enjoy loving r with Him. To live exploring every aspect of His wonder, getting to know Him more deeply and intimately - and this is how we are wired. “God’s love is better than life” - Ps 63

As we enjoy loving relationship with God more we care about the things God cares about. The things that are precious to him start to become precious to us. And therefore the more we pray into those things. Our hearts are moved by the things that move him. Our hearts are shaped by God's love. We see things from his point of view. It is as we pray we sense God’s heart for a specific situation/ person. We feel God’s love for them as we pray and as such start to see ppl and things the way God does. In our hearts impossible situations become possible as we see the outcome God desires. So our prayers for his Kingdom flow out of our relationship with God.

But does not under the question why pray? What impact does it have?

If God is all knowing, doesn’t he know everything we need? And if he is all powerful and good, won’t he provide it whether we pray or not? So convince me.

Perhaps a different Q: Does God’s will happen automatically? I’m worried if it does cos it means that Gods will is for me to be 5 mins late a lot of the time. I hear all sorts of ppl observe an event and assume it was God’s will for it to happen. E.g. Oh look I forgot to go shopping today - looks like it was Gods will for me to order a Dominoes pizza.

This is fate its not faith. Not everything that happens is God’s will.

If God’s will just happened we would not be instructed to pray.

Last week looked at church’s vision for the year. EXPAND. Only happens thru the power of God, thru depending on Him, thru prayer. So let’s return to the start.

the Lord’s prayer. Its how Jesus told us to pray. So, if events and situations around us don’t look like heaven yet - pray. God’s desire is for the Kingdom of Heaven to advance on the planet and He works through our prayers to achieve this. He desires peace where there’s discord, love to conquer hate, light to overcome darkness, hope instaed of despair. Ppl saved, discipled, made whole and living life to its true potential. And its all possible as He works thru us in prayer. We are to be involved in advancing God’s Kingdom as we use our faith-filled prayers in seeing God’s will being done.

James 5:16–18 (NIV)

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

Q: How righteous are you? [Jesus] Q: How powerful were His prayers? When he prayed did ppl get healed? Set free? Raised from the dead?

Our prayers can accomplish supernatural feats as they connect with God, advance His Kingdom, bring change and the presence and power of God into our lives and those around us.

Exodus 17:8–13 “While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.”

4 points

Prayer brings breakthroughs. Brings victory. God moved as Moses depended on Him/ trusted in Him). Hand in air winning. Prayer is where we trust in God for things outside our control - STORY £300

Prayer is a fight. Often exp opposition as we pray cos it is powerful. Have u ever wondered why there are so many distractions all of a sudden when you choose to pray?

We need each other

We need to persevere. May not see immediate results but believe God is with you and working. STORY - Alpha

fasting does not change God’s mind/ doesn’t twist His arm to see our prayers answered. Neither is it dieting. Fasting creates space in our day to pray. Urgency and passion is awakened inside as we ourselves are changed. Also, as we spend more time in Gods presence we tune into His voice more, become more sensitive to His promptings.

Prayer & fasting shifts atmospheres/ moves obstacles/ brings breakthru/ freedom/ healing/ relaease. Jesus mentions it in one storyas essential to tap into the power of God in a deeper way. Last week I explained the vision of the church in 2024 to IBTC, to take the presence & power of God to every street, to demonstrate and declare His love, to see ppl saved and discipled. Only possible as we trust/ relyon/ depend on God for His presence and power thru prayer. Why we are holding 6 weeks of prayer and fasting atm. It is prayer that brings heaven to earth and we desire to see God’s vision for our church manifest.

What if we don’t see our prayers answered? Essential we guard our view of God in this time. God is always the same. He remains faithful and good.Keep coming back to the truth that you are loved/ keep soaking in His love. This will keep your heart safe and protected in the most confusing and difficult of times.

We find our souls satisfaction in r with God, in prayer. It is how we are now wired. But if all u get from this message is try and pray more we will miss what God desires. For everything God commands, his HS in us empowers.

Empowerment

Zechariah 12:10 ““Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem.

You are ...

Romans 8:26–27 “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”

Inside us there is the SoG who is constantly praying thru us, constantly inspiring & empowering us to communicate with God. Constantly aligning us to God’s own heart. We have been re-wired to be ppl of prayer. Whether we feel like it or not there is the HS in us constantly praying out to God. Indeed praying in the spirit, in tongues energizes us.... story

The HS is in us constantly praying out to God. Believe this - and we will exp an increase in our prayer life like never before. First in r with God, but outflowing from that into praying in His Kingdom.

God desires to have a close, eternal r with every single person on the planet. A r that holds the promise of complete peace, joy and hope. Jesus loves us completely. He desired that r with us so much that He came to this planet and died instead of us that we may have our sins forgiven. Wiped clean. A fresh start. Today is a day to make an extremely important decision.

In a moment I am going to pray and you may find yourself in one of the following three categories. Can I have every head bowed please.

1. You don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You have never had a r with Him and would like to make the decision to follow Him today. To receive forgiveness and begin a r with Him.

2. You used to walk with Jesus and would like to re-connect with Him today.

3. You’re not sure of your salvation. You’re not sure that at the end of your life you will be going to heaven and you desire that certainty that Jesus offers.

If you relate to any of those 3 then please pray along with me now, repeating these words out of your own heart.

Lord Jesus, I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I ask You to forgive me for all my wrongdoing, and receive me as Your child. I commit my life to You now. Amen

With every head still bowed could I ask you to raise your hand if you prayed that prayer?

Pause

Anybody else?

PAUSE – pray for these ppl to receive God’s peace and presence

Thank you Lord for you all incredible love that you have showed us. Pour out your presence. thank you that for everyone today who raised their hands have entered into a most wonderful relationship with you and can be assured of their salvation.

MIN

Stomach. Sickness. Left shoulder. Breathing. Pray in tongues