Transformming Prayer - Why Pray

z Transforming Prayer Why? Luke 11: 1 - 12 z Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread, 4 and forgive us our sins, For we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” Luke 11: 1 - 12 z And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 5 Luke 11: 1 - 12 z I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 Luke 11: 1 - 12 z For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” 10 z z Why People Don’t Pray? z Why People Don’t Pray?  Don’t know how to pray.  Find prayer boring.  Get too busy or too distracted.  Tried it before and it didn’t work. z z z  We can learn how to be still in God’s presence z People still zpray. z  Jesus commands it!  Prayer recognises our position as a child of God.  We are created for it. z z  Salvation – Eternal life. z  Salvation – Eternal life  Sanctification – God changes us to become like Jesus. z z Why Pray? Pray to be saved. z Why Pray? Pray to be strengthened when facing temptation. z z z I Pray Because  I need God’s help – Cure for my Inadequacy z I Pray Because  I need God’s help – Cure for my Inadequacy  I need God’s company – Cure for loneliness z I Pray Because  I need God’s help – Cure for my Inadequacy  I need God’s company – Cure for loneliness  The Holy Spirit Teaches me – Cure for my foolishness. z I Pray Because  I need God’s help – Cure for my Inadequacy  I need God’s company – Cure for loneliness  The Holy Spirit Teaches me – Cure for my foolishness.  I need God’s leading – Cure for my recklessness. z I Pray Because  I need God’s help – Cure for my Inadequacy  I need God’s company – Cure for loneliness  The Holy Spirit Teaches me – Cure for my foolishness.  I need God’s leading – Cure for my recklessness.  I need God’s Strength – Cure for my inability and z z z z We are needy. z Why Pray? Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit. z Jesus promised.  Power to be a Witness  Presence – the Holy Spirit in our lives  Participation – He works in the world to bring people to Christ z z