Increase Our Desire to Pray

Let me ask you a question… I do this often, I guess this is in my mind, it helps me and i hope you as well. I hope it helps you examine, deep within...

That we might be our best....

So here does....

How often do you pray? And what are you praying for???

Now those questions go hand in hand...

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Prayer I believe has many purposes, but uniquely it is for holiness. What do i mean there.

“We Protestants are an undisciplined people. Therein lies the reason for much of the scarcity of spiritual insights and the serious lack of moral power.”

What is he saying? We are undisciplined … Something that we do regularly.

Prayer should be one of our spiritual disciplines.

Prayer I believe has many purposes, but uniquely it is for holiness. What do i mean there.

I mean the more we pray, the more time we spend in front of the Father it has the blessing of making us more like Him.

And isn’t that our purpose as a child of God, to be more like him, to be made in the image of God in every way.

It is!

Here is what I believe .... if you stop for a minute and ask the Father, to prepare your heart for what He will say to you today… (not what I am saying…) I believe He will.

Remember…

Matthew 21:22 ESV

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

So prepare your heart....

Now these past two weeks, we have been talking about this concept of Next Level Living…

Moving up and moving away from mediocrity, and growing. Becoming more of what the Lord desires in our life.

Now lets think about what we have already addressed in the past few weeks.

A. We talked about returning, coming back to the Lord, passionate as we were when we first gave our heart to Jesus.

B. And then last week we spoke about having a love for the Word of God. examining the importance of the Word in our lives.

Today … Prayer is our topic. We are asking God to increase our desire to pray.

So here is my first thought...

Another question… I place before you today.... Do you love to Pray? Or is it one of those things you do…because you feel like you have too.

You do it because you know you should, like brushing your teeth, but there is no excitement, no heart felt desire ...

Think about all the effort we put into doing those things we are interested in....

Let me ask you this.. do you believe in Aliens, little green men????

Well in New Mexico the gov’t has what is known as the VLA; Which it means Very Large Aray, a group of linked satellite dishes that are listening to space, hoping to hear something from the heavens. Alien life, cosmic beings from a far away galaxy. Men and women put a huge effort into searching for extraterrestrials.

But we have already heard from heaven, God has spoken and appeared to us in the presence of Jesus Christ and has currently left us His Holy Spirit to be with us… so that we are never alone..

And the Father has given us Prayer to speak to Him....

Men and women put a huge effort into searching for extraterrestrials. But we have already heard from heaven, God has spoken and appeared to us in the presence of Jesus Christ and has currently left us His Holy Spirit to be with us… so that we are never alone..

Our Father loves it when we pray; but do we love to pray?

“Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty. —E. M. Bounds

Our Father loves it when we pray but do we love to pray?

Here is what i think: Loving to pray means we Love God…

The greatest command Jesus said Mark 12:29-31

Is that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and strength and our neighbor as our self.

Matthew 22:26 ESV

So too the second and third, down to the seventh.

I suggest this, you must Love God to love your neighbor and you must love God to desire to spend time with him in prayer.

Matthew 22:29–30 ESV

But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

So, does the amount of time we spend in prayer correlate with the measure with which we love God?

That my friends is truly something we must consider!

Do we love to pray?

But here is a second thought for you...

Matthew 22:

So does what we attest in our heart and through our mouth, is it truly reflected in what we do?

Martin Luther, the reformer of the church said this… “As it is the business of the tailors to make clothes and of cobbler to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.”

Do we practice what we preach so to speak?

One truth I believe Scripture shares with us is this truth.. God expects us to pray and Jesus modeled pray for us.

Do you remember the model prayer? As the disciples came to Jesus and asked that He teach them to pray… and so Jesus did

Jesus told us to pray.. look at He says...

Matthew 6:5–7 ESV

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Matthew 6:9 ESV

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

In this passages, Jesus reminds us that we must pray....

Matthew 6:5–7 ESV

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

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Do you see it....

erse 5 Jesus says … And when you pray

Do you see it.... Verse 5 Jesus says … And when you pray

Verse 5 Jesus says … And when you pray

Verse 6 Jesus says .... But when you pray

Verse 7 Jesus says … and when you pray

And then in verse 9… Jesus says ....Pray then like this....

Matthew 6:9 ESV

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

. Do we have faith when we pray?

2. Do we practice Praying?

When I look at what Jesus says, I believe there is evidence for us to know, prayer is expected from the Children of God.

In fact.. Paul teaches and builds upon this truth in the New Testament..

Look at

Colossians 4:2 ESV

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

The word continue steadfastly also means devote… Paul admonishes the believers to pray always!

With all the things that come at us in this world and beg for our time and attention, Paul says devote yourselves to this....prayer

Q. Does that apply to us as well… I believe the answer has to be Yes!

The New Testament Scriptures are many on prayer, and the truth of all of their content is this.... we must pray!

Are you a person who prays?

Now lets build on prayer....and address the topic of faith when we pray.

Now what about the topic of faith,

First, consider this, what is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Faith is believing, when we cannot see…knowing it is real.

So what we

So do we believe when we pray? Do we expect God to answer when we reach out to him sharing our heart?

Here my friends are my thoughts, if we believe when we pray we will see great things!

Let me share a passage with you...

Matthew 7:7–8 ESV

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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

This is part of Jesus teaching that we know as the Sermon on the Mount, and there are a few things I want you to see....

First off notice this ....there is no hesitation in Jesus words. He give us three words in these two verses that we should pay attention too.

Ask Seek and Knock…

Ask… means to petition someone , to request from them. and look what he says.. Ask - Jesus says and it will be given to you.

Seek… means to reach out to get what one desires. So when we reach out to God seeking Him, seeking His face and presence.. are you really after something or are you after the Someone, the Great I Am...

Now why do I mention the word faith here?

What do you really desire,

What do you seek after?

If you seek and reach out to God, you will find Him.

Let me share two passages with you:

If you seek and reach out to God, you will find Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 ESV

13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Proverbs 8:17 ESV

17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

Do you hear what God says in Proverbs, I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently.....

Do you love Him? are you showing it by approaching Him with faith?

And then Jesus says...

Knock and it will be opened to you...... the word knock means just that, it refers to the meaning of rapping on the door, signaling you are entering into His presence.

In every instance of what Jesus says here… asking, seeking Knock… He is there!

Do you believe that? Do we have faith when we pray… Faith when we pray should increase our desire to pray

3. Do we have faith when we pray?

Now I want to share one last thought with you…

4. Do You Believe He will Answer Prayer?

When you pray, do you have faith , believing that God will answer your prayer?

Now this is a challenging topic,

Here is why....

We believe God answers prayers, right? I think we do. I know that I do, I sincerely believe that God answers our prayers .

But I have to interject a thought into this point.....

Do we ask correctly? or at times do we ask amiss?

Now why do I say this, why do I ask you this question

Because at times it appears that our prayers are not answered.....are they?

Here is what I really believe… I believe God answers every prayer.

A. At times, it is immediately....

There are times when we reach out to God in prayer and we see immediate action, we see God at work and man, it excites us… it blesses us.

Acts 12:5 ESV

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

The church prayed and the Bible tells us that God showed up, He sent his Angel and the Angel led Paul out of prison and back to the Upper room when the believer met.

God answered prayer!

B. At times, there is a no or changes our direction...

There are times when we pray or desire to go or do something for the Lord, but as we spend time in prayer seeking direction and help, we find that God says no.... or God changes our direction

Acts 16:6–7 ESV

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

Acts 16:6–8 ESV

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.

Acts 16:6–10 ESV

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 16:6–7 ESV

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

Acts 16:

C. And at times, it might be not yet.

C. And at times, it might be not yet

But Why?

C. And at times, it might be not yet

At times I think God has a greater purpose involved in His plans..

2 Corinthians has a great thought

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 ESV

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Paul asked, but the Lord said no.... for His power is made perfect in weakness.

But also at times there can be delays because of Spiritual warfare...

In Daniel chapter 10 we find Daniel praying and in the midst of the prayer, God had answered but the messenger the angel of the Lord was delayed.

Daniel 10:10–14 ESV

10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”

The fallen prince, the devil had hindered the message that was come to Daniel.. but God always prevails but at times there can be delays, But God always has us in His purposes.

But I will share this.. the fastest prayer that is answered I believe is the prayer of Salvation, we call out and seek Salvation.. Immediately the Holy Spirit indwells, our sins are forgiven and we are changed...

Amen.

But with all this,

Do we love to pray

Do we practice our prayer life

Do we have faith when we pray and finally

Do we believe He will answer prayer

So ask yourself and perhaps ask god, How is my prayer life?

what needs to change?

Will you make that commitment today?

Pray

2 Corinthians 12:7–8 ESV

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

2 Corinthians 12:7

Increase Our Desire to Pray

Introduction

1. Do we Love to Pray?

2. Do We Practice Praying?

3. Do We Have Faith When We Pray?

4. Do You Believe He will Answer Prayer?

4. Do You Believe He will Answer Prayer?