The Bible on Prayer

Introduction

- Never stop praying.

What does that mean?

Karly & I - Long-Distance Dating

Trent - Walkie-Talkies in the house

In communication all the time. But if you’re like me. That can seem hard. It’s not exactly the same as a conversation, b/c you don’t get a verbal answer back. But it’s something we know we probably should do. Even if you don’t go to church very often, i’m willing to bet you’ve prayed, or at least been in a group that’s prayed (we did like 5 minutes ago).

So why? What’s it about? What am I supposed to say?

Let’s read .

Prayer is HONEST. It’s not about impressing other people, or about impressing God.

When you pretend you know what you’re talking about but you don’t? Or when you practice a speech to your parents?

- Why are you so far away God? (When’s the last time you prayed that prayer?)

Prayer is ABOUT GOD. The first part of Jesus’s prayer is about his own holiness. The second part is about his work in the universe. And THEN he asks for stuff. And even the stuff he asks for is just the basic necessities.

Prayer list. Good, not great. How about a list of praises?

Again, look at the Psalms. - Your majestic name…

Prayer is POWERFUL. .

If you have need, the first move should be prayer. And prayer WORKS.

Breakthrough movie.

But this brings up an important question: What about when we pray and what we asked for doesn’t happen? This is complicated and hard. But basically, it comes down to trust. There’s a verse in Romans that basically says that the Holy Spirit translates our prayers to be in line with what God wants. God knows WAY more than you know. And we trust that, in his perfect plan, what he gives us is what’s best for us.

Paul talks about how he had a thorn in his side, and he prayed for God to remove it, but didn’t. And God used that to help Paul become a better preacher of the gospel.

GOSPEL

We are able to pray because Jesus made a way -

Listen: We have an opportunity to pray because of Jesus. I love . It talks about how Jesus is the high priest, he’s the guy who can go into God’s presence and he brings us with him. So, it says that we can come to God with boldness! You don’t need to be afraid to enter God’s presence. You can do it anytime, anywhere, about anything. It’s not because you are super cool, but because God himself came to you, died for you and brought you back to himself.

Psalms to look up

8

24

27

38 (1-10)

75

88 (1-7)

93

108