What Is Prayer? Billy Graham's definition.....
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Prayer is spiritual communication between man and God, a two-way relationship in which man should not only talk to God but also listen to Him. Prayer to God is like a child’s conversation with his father. It is natural for a child to ask his father for the things he needs.
There are many promises in God’s Word to encourage us to pray, such as: “He shall call upon me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him”
Prayer is spiritual communication between man and God, a two-way relationship in which man should not only talk to God but also listen to Him. Prayer to God is like a child’s conversation with his father. It is natural for a child to ask his father for the things he needs.
There are many promises in God’s Word to encourage us to pray, such as: “He shall call upon me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him”
(Psalm 91:15); “And it shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear”
(Psalm 91:15); “And it shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear”
(Isaiah 65:24); “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”
(Isaiah 65:24); “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”
Matthew 7:7 7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7 7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
The Scriptures tell us that we are to pray for one another and also assure us that God hears and answers prayer.
When you receive Christ into your heart, you become a child of God and have the privilege of talking to Him in prayer at any time about anything. The Christian life is a personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ. And best of all, it is a relationship that will last for all eternity.
The Scriptures tell us that we are to pray for one another and also assure us that God hears and answers prayer.
When you receive Christ into your heart, you become a child of God and have the privilege of talking to Him in prayer at any time about anything. The Christian life is a personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ. And best of all, it is a relationship that will last for all eternity.
The Bible is the great source book on prayer. It offers no theories about prayer. It preaches no sermons on prayer. It does not define prayer. It tells us that when men prayed, God acted. Except maybe, The Lord’s Prayer which is an instructional scripture teaching and telling His Apostles how to pray.
The Bible is the great source book on prayer. It offers no theories about prayer. It preaches no sermons on prayer. It does not define prayer. It tells us that when men prayed, God acted. Except maybe, The Lord’s Prayer which is an instructional scripture teaching and telling His Apostles how to pray.
So again, What is prayer?
So again, What is prayer?
I. Prayer is our approach to God.
I. Prayer is our approach to God.
We are to be “seeking” and wanting to Draw near to God!
We are to be “seeking” and wanting to Draw near to God!
James 4:8 “8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”
James 4:8 “8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”
Psalm 42:1 “1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.”
Psalm 42:1 “1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.”
Psalm 84:2 “2 I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.”
Psalm 84:2 “2 I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.”
We are always to be Seeking the Lord
We are always to be Seeking the Lord
Isaiah 55:6–7 “6 Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.”
Isaiah 55:6–7 “6 Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.”
We are to be Going out to God, reaching for Him,
We are to be Going out to God, reaching for Him,
Exodus 33:7–11 “7 It was Moses’ practice to take the Tent of Meeting and set it up some distance from the camp. Everyone who wanted to make a request of the Lord would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp. 8 Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in the entrances of their own tents. They would all watch Moses until he disappeared inside. 9 As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10 When the people saw the cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, they would stand and bow down in front of their own tents. 11 Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.”
Exodus 33:7–11 “7 It was Moses’ practice to take the Tent of Meeting and set it up some distance from the camp. Everyone who wanted to make a request of the Lord would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp. 8 Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in the entrances of their own tents. They would all watch Moses until he disappeared inside. 9 As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10 When the people saw the cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, they would stand and bow down in front of their own tents. 11 Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.”
We must prepare our hearts to Approach God
We must prepare our hearts to Approach God
Matthew 6:5–8 5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!”
Matthew 6:5–8 5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!”
“We need to Let our requests be made known unto God”
“We need to Let our requests be made known unto God”
Philippians 4:5–7 “5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:5–7 “5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
II. Prayer is God’s approach to us. And He comes to us first, but we discern Him not, we are not usually listening.
II. Prayer is God’s approach to us. And He comes to us first, but we discern Him not, we are not usually listening.
The first five books of the Bible have 189 chapters. In 139 of those chapters, God approaches men: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, and others.
The first five books of the Bible have 189 chapters. In 139 of those chapters, God approaches men: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, and others.
God approached the prophets, both in their call and very often in their ministry.
God approached the prophets, both in their call and very often in their ministry.
Now, the New Testament God comes in Jesus! The Holy Spirit moves us to pray.
Now, the New Testament God comes in Jesus! The Holy Spirit moves us to pray.
God works in us when we allow Him to:
God works in us when we allow Him to:
Philippians 2:13 “13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Philippians 2:13 “13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
He shows us how and what to do to please Him, our hearts must be open to His will! AMEN
He shows us how and what to do to please Him, our hearts must be open to His will! AMEN
God approaches us continually through our Bible reading, through our study, through our Christian relationships.
God approaches us continually through our Bible reading, through our study, through our Christian relationships.
III. Prayer is receiving God on His terms.
III. Prayer is receiving God on His terms.
Are We Receiving the Lord who approaches us?
Are We Receiving the Lord who approaches us?
Revelation 3:20 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Revelation 3:20 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
John 14:23 23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.
John 14:23 23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.
Are We Receiving His promises, commands, and instructions?
Are We Receiving His promises, commands, and instructions?
Are We Receiving His plans for His work.
Are We Receiving His plans for His work.
We read in:
We read in:
Philippians 2:13 “13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
Philippians 2:13 “13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
Are we Receiving the things that we have requested? Jesus tells us we will.
Are we Receiving the things that we have requested? Jesus tells us we will.
Mark 11:24 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.
Mark 11:24 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.
Are We Receiving His provision for our needs?
Are We Receiving His provision for our needs?
Psalm 91 “1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. 6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. 7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. 8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. 9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. 11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. 13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! 14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
Psalm 91 “1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. 6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. 7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. 8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. 9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. 11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. 13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! 14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
CONCLUSION: Prayer is comprised of at least three things—our going to God, God coming to us, and our receiving things promised by faith. Therefore, pray and do not give up!
CONCLUSION: Prayer is comprised of at least three things—our going to God, God coming to us, and our receiving things promised by faith. Therefore, pray and do not give up!
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