what is prayer?

Introduction

Let us pray

Pastor Orr. . . leaders. .

Teen talk takeover was incredible

Rev. Owens weeks ago got this series kicked off.

Ephesians 1:15–23 ESV

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Definition of prayer: With all this in view, we can define prayer as a personal, communicative response to the knowledge of God.

Everyone prays: whether they realize it or not, prayer is a part of most of our lives. The difference is who your prayers are going to.

Every religious group has a method of prayer: In the great monotheistic religions of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, prayer is at the very heart of what it means to believe. Muslims are called to pray five times a day, while Jews have traditionally prayed three times a day. Each branch of the Christian church is saturated with various traditions of common prayer, private prayer, and pastoral prayer.

Prayer is not, of course, limited to monotheistic religions. Buddhists use prayer wheels, which fling prayers for compassion into the atmosphere, in order to knit the spiritual and natural, to relieve suffering, and release kindness. While Hindus may pray for help or peace in the world to any of several gods, the ultimate goal is union with the Supreme Being, Brahman, and escape from the cycles of reincarnation.

People are using all types of crystals and candles,

praying to the ancestors or the universe

there is a method and mode of prayer for everyone. . .

The definition we used, from Tim Keller; explains the reality that prayer is a response to OUR Knowledge of God.

now this doesn’t mean that prayer is limited to this; God has giving us the ability to come boldly to Him and make our requests known to God.

we are always prayer for salvation, life change, new opportunities, relationships, healing.

But at the end of the day: prayer aides us in Knowing God deeply. It is a relationship. . .

in relationships we must communicate

Whether you pray a little or a lot. . . your routine outlines your perceived knowledge of God.

My Grandmother had this poster next to her bed: “little prayer little power, lot of prayer lot of power”

The first thing you would see as you rolled out from her side of the bed was this seemingly meaningless framed poster, but the implications are major.

I realize for all of our sophisticated people, that phrase is not not big of a deal; but for me it is a strong reminder of the very real REALITY that prayer is a response to my knowledge of God.!!

so how do I, what do i, to whom do i pray to? This is why we decided to make an adjustment to original schedule programming. One of our young adult leaders stressed how prayer was a major concern; specifically on the what, how..... we hope in the remaining time this month to assist with this.

Continuous Prayer

v15-16

Ephesians 1:15–16 ESV

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,

we should be in a continuous posture of Prayer.

Prayer is powerful and has more impact than we think.

I remember years ago my life was changed when this faithful brother in Christ was injured in a motorcycle accident. This guy was very active in church and this accident left him paralysed from the waist down.

we visited him and served his family in many ways. . . then he made this statement that changed my thoughts on the power of prayer.

He said: i can’t do a lot of things anymore, but what he can do is pray. And prayer is the most important thing he could do. He said that God put in that position so that someone could focus on prayer all the time: for missions, salvation of souls, the ongoing work of ministry.

prayer is power and continuous prayer is necessary!

prayer without ceasing- all the time

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

i know what you are thinking. where don i find the time in my busy life to continuously pray. I work, got kids, gotta sleep, check social media, share the devotionals. . . etc

Don’t you have to get in your prayer closet? theres no prayer closet at the office.

for me: prayer is like a never ending conversation with good. For the most part, it starts in the morning with the usual gratefulness for another day of life. . wife. . the kids. . family. . strength. . food. .basic stuff. . .

then i make the coffee. . after that. . life rushes kids wake up. . questions and excitement. . school traffic. . zoom meetings . .

then i pick back up. . travel mercy

**** walk them through the ongoing conversation****

Cognitive Prayer

the knowlegde

v. 17-18

Ephesians 1:17–18 ESV

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

Centered on Christ

v 19-23

Ephesians 1:19–23 ESV

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Do you know who you are praying to? The God who created the heavens and the earth!

The God who: upholds the world by the word of His Power Heb 1:3

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,