The Power of Prayer

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The Power of Prayer

DT: As children of God we can trust God to answer our prayers
Aim: We will develop a prayer life
Introduction:
In the mid 80’s through the early 90’s there was a campaign to get people to drink more milk. The campaign slogan was “milk does the body good”. There would be commercials with persons who would drink milk as a kid and transform into a well developed adult. This campaign’s objective was to make you and I realize the importance of milk and the benefits milk provides for our health and bones.
Prayer is to the life of the believer what milk is to the body. Prayer does the life good. Prayer does the heart good. Prayer does the soul good. As we consider the power of prayer today I want to convince you to develop a prayer life.
This text before us encourages us today to take our concerns to God. Jesus teaches His disciples and followers to experience the power of prayer they must develop a prayer life. Verse 1 states, “that men will always pray”.
Questions:
1. Do you pray?
2. When do you pray?
3. How do you pray?
Transition: Today our text models the benefits of developing a prayer life. We first learn. . .

Our Prayers Gain the Attention of God (vv.2-5)

Luke 18:2–5 ESV
2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ”
- God does not ignore His children
Psalm 116:1–2 ESV
1 I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. 2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
- God is not distant and cold. God Loves His children and is readily available to answer our prayers.
- When we pray we have God’s attention. God is not too busy for us.
Illustration: A mother can be in a different room while her child is at play. While she is working and attending to other matters she is yet aware and attentive to the faintest of calls from her child.
Transition: So it is with God, though he rules and controls the world he is aware of our calls.
Application: Thank God for hearing our prayers. Thank God for the opportunity of prayer. Live knowing that God answers prayer.
Transition: The text also teaches us that . . .

Our Prayers Are Answered by God (vv. 6–8)

Luke 18:6–8 ESV
6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
That is good news to know, that God not only hears us but He also answers!
Jesus points out in this parable the movement of this judge who had little concern for this woman yet he responds because she would not stop seeking his aid.
The point Jesus is making is that God loves His children and avails himself to his children. How much more will God do then this man in the parable? SO MUCH MORE!
You and I are challenged today to be prayerful.
We must pray with persistence
Define Persistence - firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.
Pray with determination to reach God
Do not allow things to get in our way
There is no such thing as praying too hard
There is no such thing as bothering God
We must pray consistently
Define Consistently - in every case or on every occasion; invariably.
There is no such thing as praying too much
There is no such thing as praying too often
There is a difference between being repetitive and consistent
Pray everyday
1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV
17 pray without ceasing,
When we pray with faith
We must trust the righteousness of God
God always does what is right.
Trust that God can handle all of our situations. Maybe I should say that differently. God can handle our life. Every facet of our life trust God with it.
Isaiah 59:1 ESV
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
Illustration: I have seen bumper stickers and heard people say, “God is my co-pilot”. Which is to suggest that God is riding along with them and He is their help. But I would like to suggest that we stop treating God like the co-pilot and just allow Him to be the pilot in our lives.
Transition: When God is in control we have a better flight results.
Application: Pray every day. Set aside time for prayer. Place your trust in God. Let nothing hinder you from praying. Stop trying to go it alone. Hand it over to God.
Transition:
Conclusion:
We can trust God in our lives. Prayer is not something we do as a last resort. Prayer is what we do daily. Prayer is not a magic potion. It is communion with God. Prayer is essential for our life.
Will you pray!
Jesus prayer before the cross and He prayed on the cross!
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