Characteristics of a Normal Prayer Life

Main Idea – Every Christian ought to be a prayer warrior.

Motivating Idea – God desires for every believer to be devoted to prayer. Key Question – Are you devoted to prayer?

Key Question – Are you devoted to prayer?

1. Pray honorably. (“ought” & v. 3)

Luke 18:3 NKJV

3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV

17 pray without ceasing,

Luke 19:45–46 NKJV

45 Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

2. Pray diligently. (“not” & v. 5)

Luke 18:5 NKJV

5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”

Luke 22:41–44 NKJV

41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

3. Pray wholeheartedly. (“lose heart” & v. 4-5)

Luke 18:4–5 NKJV

4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”

a. The results matter too much not to pray.

Colossians 4:2 NKJV

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

Luke 10:1–2 NKJV

1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Luke 11:5–10 NKJV

5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. 9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

b. The one who beckons you to pray matters too much not to pray.

Matthew 7:7–11 NKJV

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

4. Pray incessantly. (“always” & v. 5)

Luke 18:5 NKJV

5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”

Colossians 1:3 NKJV

3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

Luke 23:44–46 NKJV

44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.