What is Prayer?
It is God’s will through his wonderful grace (of prayer), that the prayers of his saints should be one great and principal means of carrying on the designs of Christ’s kingdom in the world.” Jonathan Edwards
“Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to his Word, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God” – John Bunyan
Who should Pray?
All Christians should pray!
“As prayer is the duty of every one of the children of God, and carried on by the spirit of Christ in the soul, so everyone that takes it upon him to pray to the Lord, had need to be very wary and go about that work especially with a dread of God, as well as with hopes of the mercy of God through Jesus Christ” – John Bunyan
Why should we pray?
- God obligates us to pray.
Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 2: 4-6
Jesus prayed. Therefore, his people must pray!
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35
- God commands his people to pray.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions. 2 Timothy 2:1-2
I desire then that in every place the men should pray. 2 Timothy 2:9
- God rewards prayer
”..he rewards those who seek him” Hebrews 11:6
- Prayer glorifies God!
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.1 Corinthians 10:31
How should we pray?
- Pray as one church
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer Acts 1:14
- Pray to hallow God’s name.
“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Matthew 6:9
- Pray with persistence.
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1
“God loves persistent prayer so much that he will not give us much blessing without it” Adoniram Judson
- Pray in view of the Lord’s return.
But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:34-36
- Pray for enemies too.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44
- Pray constantly.
“Be constant in prayer” Romans 12:12
“pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
- Pray with confession.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. James 5:16
- Pray according to God’s will.
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:40
- Pray for souls to repent leading to salvation.
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved Romans 10:1
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
- Pray with thanksgiving.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” Philippians 4:6
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2
- Pray with fervency of spirit.
I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD”. 1 Samuel 1:15
O people, pour out your heart before him. Psalm 62:8
Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you! Psalm 192:8
I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. Psalm 142:2
Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint for hunger at the head of every street. Lamentations 2:19
I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. Jonah 2:2
“A travailing spirit, the throes of a great burden and desire, belongs to prayer. The fervency strong enough to driveaway sleep, which devotes and inflames the spirit, and which retires all earthly ties, called this belongs to wrestling, prevailing prayer. The Spirit, the power, the air, and food of prayer is in such a spirit” Adoniram Judsom