PRAYERPRAYER

1. What is Prayer ?1. What is Prayer ?

2. Power of Prayer2. Power of Prayer

3. Acceptable Prayer3. Acceptable Prayer

4. Questions about Prayer4. Questions about Prayer

1. What is the definition of Prayer ?

Talking to God

Rom. 10:1 “my hearts desire and prayer”

“A prayer is a wish turned heavenward.”

Expresses the desires of his heart to God.

2. Who can Pray ?

God’s PeopleGod’s People

1 Pet. 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

Jas. 5:16 “…the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

2. Who can Pray ?

God’s PeopleGod’s People

John 9:31 “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”

God does not answer prayers of sinners !

3. How Often should we Pray ?

“Pray without ceasing” 1 Thes. 5:17

“Continue in prayer” - Col. 4:2

“...continuing instant in prayer” Rom. 12:12

“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Ps. 55:17

3. How Often should we Pray ?

Every day should begin and end with prayer

“Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night. At night it is our covering; in the morning it is our armor.”

Christians should prayChristians should prayat all times !at all times !

4. How Long should our prayers be ?

Some were shortSome were short

David - 2 Sam. 7:18-29 = 2 or 3 min.

Elijah - 2 Kings 18:36-37 = 30 seconds

Solomon - 1 Kings 8:22-61 = 8 minutes

Disciples - Acts 1:24-25 = 15 seconds

Model prayer - Matt.6:9-13 = 30 seconds

4. How Long should our prayers be ?

Some were LongSome were Long

Prophets of Baal - 1 Kings 18:27-38 = about 6 hours

Jesus - Luke 6:12 = prayed all night

Matt.23:14 “for a pretence make long prayers.”

5. Does God answer prayers today through Miracles ?

MiracleMiracle = an act of God superseding or suspending a natural law.

[1] If miracles have ceased then God cannot answer our prayers today.

[2] If God answers our prayers today it is because miracles continue today.

[1] If miracles have ceased then God cannot answer our prayers today.

Assumes all answered by miracles In the days of miracles God answered by normal means

1 Kings 17-18 - James 5:17 Hannah - 1 Sam. 1

Acts 9 - Tabitha - Dorcas

[2] If God answers our prayers today it is because miracles continue today.

He did in times past

Miracles have ceased - 1 Cor. 13

God does answer our prayers today, but it is not through miraculous means !!

6. Why Pray if God’s will must be done ?

1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”

If God’s will must inevitably be done, If God’s will must inevitably be done, why pray at all ?why pray at all ?

God’s will is sometimes conditional upon man’s will !

7. Are there limits to Prayer ?

Matt. 17:20 “... If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

God has limits on what we can do in prayer!God has limits on what we can do in prayer!

Seasons Gravity Seeds Laws

8. Is prayer necessary since God knows All things ?

Does the omniscience of God make prayer unnecessary ?

God is all knowing

God knows all our needs

So why do we pray ?

8. Is prayer necessary since God knows All things ?

Matt. 7:7-12 - James 4:1-3

God wants us to ask

We pray not to inform God of our needs

We pray because God does know and desires to answer

Prayer is a wonderful Gift that God has given to His children.

Many questions about prayer can never be answered. But some can be answered.

Question for you?Question for you?

Are your prayers heard ?Are your prayers heard ?

Sermon by Arthur PigmanSermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249706-855-1249

arthurpigman@cybrtyme.comarthurpigman@cybrtyme.com

Sunday Evening October 22, 2006Sunday Evening October 22, 2006