Youth Prayer

Fellowship/Communication with God broken

Genesis 3:7–8 “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed together fig leaves and they made for themselves coverings. Then they heard the sound of Yahweh God walking in the garden at the windy time of day. And the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yahweh God among the trees of the garden.”

{Gen 15) - The promise of the Abrahamic covenant{blessing, messiah through his seed, promised land}

Gen 18- God listening and fellowshipping to Abrahams bold prayer for Sodom N Gomorrah

Matthew 6:5–15 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, in order that they may be seen by people.

Think of some kids in school who might make loud, flashy performances to grab everyone's attention. It’s like the Pharisees who would pray on the streets just to be seen. True prayer is more like a sincere conversation between friends. It’s about the heart, not just the big display. Abraham prayed sincerely for Sodom and Gomorrah, showing us how to connect with God genuinely.

Truly I say to you, they have received their reward in full! But whenever you pray, enter into your inner room and shut your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “But when you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the pagans, for they think that because of their many words they will be heard. Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Therefore you pray in this way:

“Our Father who is in heaven, may your name be treated as holy. May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive people their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive people, neither will your Father forgive your sins.”

matthew 6:15

“Our Father who is in heaven, may your name be treated as holy. -PRAISE HIM

May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. -SUBMISSION TO HIS WILL

Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. -PROVIDE N FEED ME SPIRITUALLY

And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. - KEEP US FROM THE DEVIL

For if you forgive people their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive people, neither will your Father forgive your sins.” - HOW CAN YOU ASK FOR FORGIVENESS WHEN YOU HAVEN’T FORGAVE?

He hears us

1 John 5:14–15 “And this is the confidence that we have before him: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked from him.”

Don’t doubt

James 1:5–8 “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask for it from God, who gives to all without reservation and not reproaching, and it will be given to him. But let him ask for it in faith, without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed about. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Picture waves in the ocean getting tossed around by the wind, much like our worries and insecurities can toss us around in life. But remember, God is like a calm shore, always there, never truly hidden from us, even when we feel like we're being tossed back and forth. Abraham’s prayer is a reminder to let our concerns wash over Him.

Consistently pray

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6–7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Luke 18:1–8 “And he told them a parable to show that they must always pray and not be discouraged, saying, “There was a certain judge in a certain town who did not fear God and did not respect people. And there was a widow in that town, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary!’ And he was not willing for a time, but after these things he said to himself, ‘Even if I do not fear God or respect people, yet because this widow is causing trouble for me, I will grant her justice, so that she does not wear me down in the end by her coming back!’ ” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge is saying! And will not God surely see to it that justice is done to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, and will he delay toward them? I tell you that he will see to it that justice is done for them soon! Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, then will he find faith on earth?””

Intercede for ALL

1 Timothy 2:1 “Therefore, I urge first of all that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all people,”

In Jesus Name

John 14:13–14 “And whatever you ask in my name, I will do this, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

Think of some kids in school who might make loud, flashy performances to grab everyone's attention. It’s like the Pharisees who would pray on the streets just to be seen. True prayer is more like a sincere conversation between friends. It’s about the heart, not just the big display. Abraham prayed sincerely for Sodom and Gomorrah, showing us how to connect with God genuinely.

When you feel disinclined to pray, let it be a sign to you that prayer is doubly necessary! Pray for prayer! The Sealed Hand-A Winter Sermon, Volume 58, Sermon #3289 - Job 37:7

Charles Spurgeon

Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan. Prayer will cease a man from sin; or sin will cease a man from prayer.

John Bunyan

Questions???

In what ways can we make sure our prayers are genuine rather than performative or fake?

Why is it important to forgive others? {Hint on Matthew 6:14–15}

How can you talk to God like a friend when you pray?

What do you think it means to pray daily, and how can you practice this?