Why Pray?

Pray Just Do It !

What’s the Big Idea?

What is Prayer?

How should we Pray?

Are Christians the only ones who pray?

Philippians 1:1–2 NASB95

1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:3–4 NASB95

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,

Philippians 1:5–6 NASB95

5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:7–8 NASB95

7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:9–10 NASB95

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;

Throughout the History of Man, Great Men and Women of the Bible have gone to our Lord in Prayer.

Genesis 4:26 NASB95

26 To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.

When did The People of the Bible find it Necessary to Pray?

Psalm 119:28 NASB95

28 My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word.

a. In Times of Sorrow

Psalm 57:1–2 NASB95

1 Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by. 2 I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me.

Psalm 57:3–4 NASB95

3 He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me. Selah. God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth. 4 My soul is among lions; I must lie among those who breathe forth fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows And their tongue a sharp sword.

Psalm 57:5–6 NASB95

5 Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth. 6 They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah.

Psalm 57:7–8 NASB95

7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! 8 Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

Psalm 57:9–10 NASB95

9 I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. 10 For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens And Your truth to the clouds.

Psalm 57:11 NASB95

11 Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth.

b. In times of Distress

Philippians 1:3–4 NASB95

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,

(Stop expand Discuss)

Philippians 1:5–6 NASB95

5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

(Stop expand and Discuss)

Philippians 1:7 NASB95

7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.

(Stop expand and Discuss)

c.In times of Joy

Mark 1:35–36 NASB95

35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. 36 Simon and his companions searched for Him;

Mark 1:37 NASB95

37 they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”

(Stop expand Discuss)

Mark 6:45–46 NASB95

45 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. 46 After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.

d. In times of Prayer ( Habit for Jesus)

And the list of their reasons for praying literally goes on and on…

Even when we feel God does not care, He does, He will see us through.

Elisha the Prophet is a perfect example of how God does this.

2 Kings 2:23 NASB95

23 Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up by the way, young lads came out from the city and mocked him and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead; go up, you baldhead!”

2 Kings 2:24 NASB95

24 When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two lads of their number.

a. Proof God cares

Daniel even with the threat of death still continued to pray to God at three times a day as was his custom.

Daniel 6:10 NASB95

10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.

Daniel 6:11 NASB95

11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.

a. When did Daniel Pray?

b. Daniel continued to pray regardless of the circumstance.

Daniel 6:22 NASB95

22 “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.”

c.inference to Prayer

Do have faith like Daniel and Elisha?

Regardless of the situation or circumstance would you trust in God, and Pray?

Romans 12:12 NASB95

12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

(Encouragement Slide)