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(The Practice of Prayer)
Introduction
1. In our study on prayer, we have examined
2. Hopefully this study has increased our desire to pray
a. To pray more fervently, with more consistency
b. To benefit from all that prayer has to offer
3. To encourage us even more to pray, let’s look closer at the practice of prayer
a. How should we pray?
b. When should we pray?
c. With whom should we pray?
d. For what should we pray?
Body
I. HOW TO PRAY
A. THE MODEL PRAYER
1. Jesus was asked by His disciples how to pray – Luke 11:1
a. They had just witnessed Jesus praying
b. They knew John the Baptist had taught his disciples to pray
c. While they had prayed as Jews, they recognized a need to learn more
2. In response, Jesus offered a model, a guide for learning to pray – Luke 11:2-4
a. Commonly called “The Lord’s Prayer”, also found in – Matthew 6:9-13
b. It was intended to serve as a model (“In this manner…”) – Matthew 6:9
3. The Lord’s Prayer serves as an example of how to pray, not just something to memorize
B. THE PROPER PRAYER
1. Addresses God the Father (“Our Father in heaven”) – Matthew 6:9
2. Expresses reverence toward God (“Hallowed be Your Name”) – Matthew 6:9
3. Includes supplication for such things as:
a. God’s purposes (“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”) – Matthew 6:10
b. Our physical needs (“Give us this day our daily bread.”) – Matthew 6:11
c. Our spiritual needs (“And forgive us our debts…”) – Matthew 6:12
d. The spiritual needs of others (“…as we forgive our debtors.”) – Matthew 6:12
e. Guidance and help in our struggle against sin and Satan (“And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”) – Matthew 6:13
4. Praises God (“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”) – Matthew 6:13
5. In teaching on prayer, Jesus stressed the importance of:
a. Simplicity in prayers – Matthew 6:7-8
b. Forgiving others – Matthew 6:14-15
c. Persistence in prayers – Luke 12:5-10
6. Memorize the Lord’s Prayer and it can serve to remind you how to pray
II. WHEN TO PRAY
A. SCHEDULED PRAYERS
1. Having set times to pray can help develop a habit of prayer
2. Consider the practice of two great men of God
a. David, whom God described as “a man after My own heart” – Psalms 55:17
b. Daniel, whom the angel of God described as “O man greatly beloved” – Daniel 6:10
3. They made it a habit to pray at set times during the day
a. It would not hurt to imitate them
b. Praying three times daily: morning, noon, and evening
4. At the very least, make time each day to spend time in prayer
B. SPONTANEOUS PRAYERS
1. Prayers should not be limited to set times
2. Jesus spent all night in prayer before selecting His apostles – Luke 6:12-13
3. Paul and Silas prayed when faced with trying circumstances – Acts 16:25
4. Nehemiah prayed silently on the spur of the moment – Nehemiah 2:4-5
5. The Israelites prayed to God in the heat of battle – 1 Chronicles 5:20
6. We should pray whenever and however the occasion calls for it
C. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
1. The goal is to “pray without ceasing” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
2. Having scheduled times to pray will develop experience in prayer
3. Praying spontaneously will develop a disposition to pray in every circumstance
4. Together, they help us reach the goal of praying without ceasing
III.WITH WHOM TO PRAY
A. PRAYING ALONE…
1. Jesus encouraged the practice of praying in secret – Matthew 6:5-6
2. Private prayer cultivates our spiritual nature through regular exercise
3. Private prayer forms a close union and fellowship with our Heavenly Father
a. It is just you and Him
b. Time spent together strengthens the bond of fellowship
4. Private prayer is a true test of your sincerity and devotion
a. You certainly are not doing it to please men (they cannot see you)
b. You can’t be trying to falsely impress God (He will see right through you)
5. Private prayer will be rewarded “openly” – Matthew 6:6
a. The answers to our prayer will be seen by others
b. Both here and in the hereafter
6. Private prayer should be a priority in the practice of praying
B. PRAYING WITH OTHERS…
1. Jesus also spoke of praying with others – Matthew 18:19-20
a. Where the requests of two or three are answered by our Father in heaven
b. For in their midst is Jesus Himself, who also intercedes for them – cf. Romans 8:34
2. Early Christians prayed together often…
a. In times of trouble – Acts 4:23-24; 12:5,12; 16:25
b. In times of departure – Acts 20:36; 21:5
3. Immediate blessings when God’s people pray together
a. A sweetness of fellowship
b. A sense of strength
4. Praying with others should be done whenever possible
IV. FOR WHAT TO PRAY
A. AS REVEALED IN SCRIPTURE…
1. Self
a. For physical daily needs – Matthew 6:11
b. For personal growth in Christ-likeness and devotion to God – Colossians 1:9-12
2. Family
a. For spouse, children, parents, siblings, etc.
b. For their nurture and growth in the teaching of the Lord – Ephesians 6:4
3. Community
a. For peace to prevail
b. E.g., Jeremiah 29:7
4. Church
a. For love and unity to prevail – John 13:35; 17:20-21
b. For the spiritual growth of each member – Philippians 1:9-11
c. For the gospel to have free course – 2 Thessalonians 3:1
5. Nation
a. For national repentance and consciousness of who God is – Psalm 33:12; Proverbs 14:34
b. For leaders to rule wisely – 1 Timothy 2:2
6. Nonbelievers
a. For their salvation – Romans 10:1
b. For the effort of those involved in teaching them – Ephesians 6:18-20
7. The sick
a. For their restoration to health – James 5:14-15
b. For spiritual strength and peace of mind – James 5:16
8. The poor and oppressed
a. Such as the homeless, fatherless, unborn children – Proverbs 29:7
b. Those in other nations oppressed by their own rulers or outside influences
9. There is certainly much for which we ought to pray!
B. USING A PRAYER STRATEGY…
1. On Monday – Family
a. Pray for both immediate and extended family members
b. For both their physical and spiritual well-being
2. On Tuesday – Church
a. For members in the local congregation
b. For Christians and congregations throughout the world
3. On Wednesday – Community
a. For community leaders
b. For your neighbors
4. On Thursday – Nation
a. For elected officials
b. For efforts to bring peace and righteousness
5. On Friday – World
a. For world peace
b. For nations that are “closed” to the gospel
6. On Saturday – Afflicted
a. For the poor, homeless, jobless
b. For those in prison
c. For those who are sick
d. For widows, single mothers, fatherless children
7. A simpler prayer strategy: morning-family; noon-church; evening-community
Conclusion
1. Such strategies are simply suggestions to provide some direction in prayer…
a. Develop one that suits you
b. One might also keep a list or journal of those for whom you are praying
2. The important thing is to PRAY, and to do so:
a. “always”
b. “in everything”
c. “earnestly”
d. “being vigilant”
e. “without ceasing”
3. I pray this study on prayer will encourage us to be more diligent in utilizing this wonderful privilege of prayer…!
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;” – Colossians 4:2
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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