Untitled Sermon (2)

Introduction

Who likes to talk? Why?

Is it important to talk to people? Why?

In the same way talking to people is important, praying to God is more important, so it has to be more often and more meaningful.

We are going to look at the question, “what is prayer?”

But first, who has been taught to pray? Anyone?

Did you know that even the disciples need this lesson?

In Luke 11:1

Luke 11:1 ESV

1 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.”

So, that right there should tell us that prayer is not merely an instinct…it’s learned. And like anything we learn, we have to keep at it.

The first thing we have to own up to is we have to learn prayer.

Now, we can look at what is prayer?

How would you define prayer?

Isaiah 65:24 ESV

24 Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.

But is it that simple....just merely talking at God?

Read excerpt from prayer book(page 31-32)

So, what is it?

It’s speaking with God in an effort to show His covenant promises with us.

It has to be more than just asking God to heal my hurt foot right? Because we are speaking with an all powerful and knowing God.

Is it wrong to ask to heal your foot? Of course, but at the same time our prayers have to be laced with more and looking at what God has and hasn’t promised.

So, knowing how to pray is also somewhat based on knowing God and His Word.

And Jesus is even teaches his disciples. He didn’t just let them ask and leave them high and dry.

Before we end, let me give us 4 ways to pray that you can implement in your prayer life today that come from Scripture.

ACTS

Adoration- What is adoration?

“Do you know who you’re talking to?”

Prayers of adoration show who God is and just what He has done for us.

What’s an example of adoration to God?

And it needs to be done specifically. Something that can help in this area is praying scripture, which we will talk about more in a few weeks.

Psalm 90:2 ESV

2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Confession-

What is confession?

Why do you think this is important?

It helps us remember God’s grace and forgiveness as we admit our shortcomings and remember how great God is.

And it’s shown to us be Jesus in one of his prayers.

Thanksgiving-

So, as we are reminded of God’s grace the response should be gratitude. And when we go to God in prayer and make thanksgiving a priority within that, it keeps us focused on the things that He does for us that we take for granted.

What is something God has done for you recently that you should be thankful for?

Supplication

What is supplication?

Nahum 1:7 ESV

7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

Who has ever heard the song lean on me? It’s a good song.

And the reality is that’s what God wants from us and where supplication comes in.

This is were we openly admit we can’t do it without God and we need Him.

CLOSING

Those are just some quick introductory points for prayer and we will be digging in a whole lot more the next several weeks as we talk about how to pray scripture properly, what dwelling in the Lord means, diggin into the Lord Prayer.