Sermon Tone Analysis

Luk. 18:1; Eph.

6:18;                           Always Praying                                                    3~/10~/96

1Th.

5:17                                                                                                                            ABCC

# 515

 

I.

Who Should Pray?                                                                          

     A.

Those who want a real relationship with God (Lk.

18:9-14; Ac. 10:1-6, 22;

          Jn.

8:38-42)

 B.

Those who have a real relationship with God (Mt.

7:11) “your Father”

·        The *Father~/child* relationship is dominant in NT regarding prayer

/Are you in one of these two groups?

Are you longing for this relationship?

Or are you already enjoying this relationship with your heavenly Father?/

 

II.

What is Prayer in the Spirit?

(Eph.

6:18)

     A.

Prayer from a converted or save sinner (Eph.

2:1; Rom.

8:10, 26; 1Co.

14:15a)

·        Any unbeliever can pray w~/his mind; only the believer can pray with mind & spirit

     B.

Prayer that engages the intellect & human spirit (1Co.

14:14-15) “my spirit prays”

/This means being in communion with & dependent upon God; praying with a clear conscience (includes confession of sin); enabled by the Holy Spirit with His grace (desire & power); having your *desires & emotions stirred* by the Holy Spirit.

Are you satisfied to pray with your mind only?

Any unbeliever can do that!/!

Always Praying, pg. 2

3~/17~/96

 

III.

To Whom Should We Pray?

     A.

To the only true God (Jn.

17:3; 1Tim.

1:17)

     B.

God is our Father (Mt.

6:9; Rom.

8:15; Eph.

2:17-18 = access) - *Relationship*

     C.

The Father, Son & Holy Spirit are involved when we pray (Rom.

8:26-27)

/God is active in this relationship = conscience, desires, thoughts, memory, ability, etc. /

 

IV.

Why Should We Pray?

      A.

Because of Who our *God Is* (Ex.

3:14; Heb.

12:28-29; Rev. 4:8,11; Ps. 139; */1Jn.

4:8/*)

      B.

Because of What our *God Says* (Heb.

4:14-16; Mt. 6:8b; 7:7-8; Jn. 16:23-24;)

      C.

Because of What our *God Does* (Mt.

7:11; Lk. 18:7; Eph.

3:20; Ps. 103:19)

      D.

Because of who *we are* (Mt.

6:32b; 2Co.

12:10; Jas.

1:2-5; 1Jn.

1:9; Jn. 16:24;

            Jude 20) - dependent, weak, tempted, in constant danger, lacking wisdom

/Our heavenly Father is the Creator of all that exists; He is in control of every detail of His creation - earth is 8K miles in diameter, weighs 6.6 sextillion tons (21 zeros); He controls your health, mental ability, spouse’s _____, parents, teachers, pimples on face, talents & gifts, ministry opportunities, effectiveness, financial circumstances, longevity of clothes, shoes, autos, furniture, appliances, etc./

Always Praying, pg. 3

4~/14~/96

 

V.

About What Should We Pray?

      A.

We should pray with regard to everything (Phil.

4:6-7; 1Th.

5:18a) “in everything”

·        What things in your life are causing stress, concern, anxiety = PRAY!

·        *Nothing* & *no one* in life is outside of God’s influence & control

      B.

We should be specific or precise in our prayers (Mt.

7:7-8; 6:11 = daily bread)

·         Clothing, recreation, entertainment, diet, education, career, furniture,

              appliances, remodeling, health, beautician, barber, friends, employment

              opportunities, ministry plans & opportunities (specific ways to serve God & His

              people).

Names & needs of other people, churches, etc.  Specifics regarding sin

              & confession = vagueness may imply that there’s been no true repentance!

C.

We should strive to be concise (Mt.

6:7)

·        The motive for & in our prayers must never be to impress people or God

/When you pray, do you use words outside your vocabulary?

Do you use phrases that you’ve simply heard others use before?/

/Are your prayers brief in quiet time, but long & wordy in public?

This may be a sign of wrong motives, wrong priorities; lack of love for God & your neighbor!/

*SPECIFIC & BRIEF PRAYERS CAN BE PRAYED REGULARLY (silently or orally)*

Always Praying, pg.

4

 

VI.

How Often Should We Pray

      A.

Daily (Mt.

6:11)

      B.

Several times each day