Learning to Pray

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

• All believers hunger to pray

• We do not know how to pray and want to know Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

• I want to pray better and the only way I know to learn is examine the Scripture

1. We are commanded to pray Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

2. Without ceasing I Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

3. We are to pray and not get discouraged Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

4. Paul called on all to pray I Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. I Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

5. We are to pray and not to worry Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

6. God is a prayer hearing God Psalm 65:2 O thou that hearest prayer, Unto thee shall all flesh come.

7. God has chosen to have the Holy Spirit write and give Him this title, He that hears prayer

8. That is unlike every other god

9. Other gods may demand our God wants to hear our petitions

10. As the Holy Spirit the story of God He shows us how He answers prayer

11. God answered Abraham and saved Lot when He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah

12. God answered Elijah when He sent fire from heaven on the altar

13. God answered Daniel when he asked God to understand Nebuchadnezzar’s dream

14. God answered the lost man Cornelius prayer and sent Peter with the gospel

15. God answered the blind man and gave Him sight

16. We can approach God with confidence Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

17. His ears are open to our prayers I Peter 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.

18. He wanted the temple called a house of prayer Isaiah 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, And make them joyful in my house of prayer: Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; For mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

19. He wants us to believe that He will reward us when we seek Him Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

20. God is not an idol, not man made, but a living true God that is I Kings 18:26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

21. Not some false man made god Isaiah 44:19 And none considereth in his heart, Neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; Yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: And shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? Shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

22. They can’t answer prayers Psalm 115:2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? 3 But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. 5 They have mouths, but they speak not: Eyes have they, but they see not: 6 They have ears, but they hear not: Noses have they, but they smell not: 7 They have hands, but they handle not: Feet have they, but they walk not: Neither speak they through their throat. 8 They that make them are like unto them; So is every one that trusteth in them.

23. God is able to answer prayer and do what He chooses

24. He is the Creator

25. He is in control

26. He cares

27. God loves us and wants to answer prayer, rewarder of them that diligently seek Him

28. God gives good gifts James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

29. Jesus instructed us about prayer

30. We are not to pray to be seen or get man’s approval Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

31. We are to have a private place to pray Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

32. We are to pray in secret Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

33. We pray to God, our Father Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

34. We need a relationship with Him

35. We believe Him for salvation and become part of the family

36. We pray knowing that He loves us like a Father

37. We don’t pray form prayers, vain repetitions Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

38. We are not to think that by praying over and over it will make it happen Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

39. We understand that God is and God knows Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

40. As a personal Father He doesn’t need to be convinced

41. We are expected to pray Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

42. We are expected to pray because He said when not if

43. He says when but doesn't tell us when

44. God’s people prayed at many different times.

45. They had scheduled times in the morning, noon, and evening

46. They prayed when they were in great need

47. Jesus prayed as He gave out food

48. Jesus prayed all night

49. The church met and prayed till Peter was released from prison

50. God’s people want to be in communication with Him

51. The first decision you will make today is that you will develop the habit of praying

52. Pray from your heart

53. Pray believing and trusting God

54. Pray seeking His will

55. So you are going to pray. The time isn't important. The attitude is important

56. You know that you are talking to God. You know that He is able to meet your needs Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

57. Don’t repeat a prayer just for saying a prayer

58. The Hindus, the Muslims, Catholics and many of you have learned to repeat prayers and think that God hears them

59. Believing that by saying those things that God will hear

60. The Lord’s prayer, the model prayer, as you think of it was never meant for repeating

61. Do not think that you have to say a lot to get God to do what you are asking Him to do

62. Do not try to say lots of pretty things to get God to hear

63. Realize that you do not have to yell for God to hear you

64. Decide now that you will learn to pray from your heart.

65. You will not use repeated prayers but express what is in your heart

66. You will not try to use a lot of words to get Him to listen to you

67. You will not believe that He is a God that needs to be convinced

68. You will pray believing and expecting Him to answer

69. Know that God already knows what you are praying about Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

70. You do not need to convince God. He just wants you to ask James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

71. You really can’t twist His arm or pull a fast one on Him

72. He knows what you need Matthew 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

73. Come boldly believing God