What Is Prayer?

What is Prayer?

(a) A reverent petition made to God
(b) An act of communion with God
(c) Communication with an all-knowing, ever-present, almighty and loving God
(d) Adoration; Confession; Thanksgiving; Supplication (earnest petition)

I Corinthians 3:9

- Paul said that we are co-laborers with God; that is, we are working with God to determine the outcome of events, both local and international

- This is not a “whatever will be will be” approach

- Moses was bold to pray, believing that he could change situations. He even succeeded in changing God’s mind! So did King Hezekiah (See Exodus 32:14; 2 Kings 20)

- This is both liberating and overwhelming because we now receive a responsibility to move, shake and make history as God’s partners.

- We are working with God to determine the future of countless individuals

- Certain things will happen in history IF we pray rightly!

- In fact, we are to change the world by means of prayers.

How do we start? How do we do better?

1.) Prayer Is Learned

- “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1)

- You are freed to ask questions, experiment and even to fail! Why? You are in a learning process!

2.) Prayer is both Talking & Listening

- Talk is not just vain repetition. Is is a living communication.

3.) Prayer is an act of faith

- Without faith it is impossible to please God

- James 1:5-8 (Asking, expecting to receive)

4.) Prayer precedes action; Prayer should occur in the midst of action; Prayer is the rearguard of action

5.) Prayer is both verbal and non-verbal

- occurs in spoken words and silent thoughts

6.) Prayer can be in a known language and a spiritual language

- “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. . .” (I Cor. 14:15)

7.) Ten Basic Requirements

a) Simplicity: Come like a child; You don’t need to be an expert

b) Intimacy: (into-me-see) Be transparent, real and loving as you approach God

c) Humility: Know who you are & know Who God is and pray accordingly

d) Honesty: Confess sins. Don’t try to cover up

e) Fervency: Put your heart into it. Passionate prayer like Elijah

f) Frequency: Pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17)

g) Sensitivity: Be open and responsive to the Lord’s feedback

h) Secrecy: Privacy and discretion honored in regards to your private prayer times. Not everyone will understand your innermost prayers and words to God.

i) Consistency: Make it a lifestyle, not just an occassion

8.) Both Personal and Partner prayers are important ( See James 5:13-16)

9.) Persistent Prayer Is Effective

- Luke 18:1 Story of persistent widow

- “to show them that they should always pray and not give up . . .”

- Judge: unrighteous, evil

- Widow: Disenfranchised, powerless, despised for poverty, couldn’t afford to pay a bribe

- She did not give up after the first time! She persevered against all odds.

- God, the just Judge isn’t like the judge in the story

- God is at work behind the scenes, making our prayers come to pass. He will do it as fast as He can get everything and everyone into place.

- Jesus asks if He will find faith on the earth when He returns

- persistent prayer reveals a relentless faith

- We must believe that He is and that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. We seek Him diligently by reaching out to Him in prayer in a relentless manner.

10) What Do You Want To Change In Your World?

Mere good intentions and New Year’s resolutions are not going to do it …. only prayer and obedience in action!