To Pray

Intro: Praying is often times thought of as a mystical portal to the other side. Where if you pray just right, in the right position with the right voice it might just work and God might hear you and something good might happen.

Proseuchomai to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship :- pray (× earnestly, for), make prayer.
Pros - means – Toward
Euchomai means – Face to Face

Watch two people who are in Love. They don’t turn there backs to each other while they communicate. They look face to face.

Prayer is simply that learning to communicate face to face with God!

Jesus even gives us an example on how to pray. Let’s look at it.

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
"This, then, is how you should pray:

" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
[10] your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
[11] Give us today our daily bread.
[12] Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
[13] And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.'

-The opening: Addressing God as our Father.

Showing reverence and respect for God.
-hallowed be Your name
-Your kingdom come
-Your will be done.

Asking for help in Physical needs
-Give us this day our daily bread.
-not just wonder bread
-physical needs
-daily struggles to survive
-practical needs made on earth – not supernatural

The Us Stuff
- Forgive US our debts - Confess
- Lead US not into temptation - Help me to learn from my mistakes
- Deliver US from Evil. Protect me and my family

Closing: God to Rule in our LIVES all the time.

Couple Key points to remember about Prayer.

Luke 11:1 (MsgB)
One day he was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, "Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples."
- Learn How

Philip. 4:6-7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
-Be specific know what your praying for.

An African missionary was walking down a path when he was confronted by a huge lion. The missionary hit his knees and began to pray saying, “God please let this be a good Christian lion.” Immediately the lion fell to the ground and put his front paws together and said, “Father, I thank you for the food. Now, bless it to my Body.

1 John 5:14-15 (MsgB)
And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening. [15] And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours.
- God always hears us.

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NIV)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. [16] Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
- Pray with faith.

Matthew 6:6 (NIV)
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
- Pray Alone

2 Chron. 7:14 (MsgB)
and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health.
- The Result of Prayer:

James 5:16 (NIV)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
- Include others

The prayer of a righteous man or woman is powerful and effective.

Where does the bible say that David was a man after God's own heart? ( Bring the answer next wednesday and get a free tshirt.)