Two Men, Two Prayers: Ingredients Of Effective Prayer. Series

TWO MEN, TWO PRAYERS:

INGREDIENTS IN SUCCESSFUL PRAYER

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr Kyfingers@aol.com

I do this in a three part series.

Prayer is a basic tool of being a Christian.

The style and method of prayer may vary from one individual to another. Prayer must be more than saying words, prayer is effected by attitude and life experiences.

I. TWO MEN, TWO PRAYERS

Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray;

the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed THUS within (himself),

God, (I) thank thee, that (I) am not as other men are, extortions, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 (I) fast twice a week, (I) give tithes of all that (I) possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exhalted himself shall be abased; and he that humbled himself shall be exhalted.

A. Good effective prayer is more than words, it is attitude, it is pouring yourself out before God.

B. The Pharisee mentioned God one time, he mentioned himself six times.

C. The deep impulses that motivates us come from the inner man, the subconscious state.

D. Bad prayer is offered WITHIN YOURSELF?

Selfish praying that exhalts self and throws up what you have done, and puts down others is not acceptable to God!

E. Real good effective prayer is more than compiling a WISH LIST demanding God to take immediate action as you have ordered Him

to do!

F. This little boy had a Mother that was real religious.

She wanted her son to know the value of prayer.

So the Mother purchased a Prayer Book for the little boy.

Each night the little boy had to read a prayer out of the book.

One cold night the little boy crawled into bed, and he forgot to read his prayer. It was dark and cold.

The little boy said: God there is the book, read the prayer for Yourself.

G. Our enemy inhabits pride. God inhabits praise.

Will we be to proud to be faithful to pray?

Will we submit and humble our hearts in prayer and release God’s plan? It is up to you?

II. LET US TAKE A DEEPER LOOK!

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. THE EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILED MUCH.

A. Necessary:

***logically unavoidable ***cannot be denied ***required ***essential

B. Ingredients:

***something that enters into a compound

***any combination or mixture

C. Succeed --- Success:

***to rise above difficult circumstances and achieve success ***to overcome ***triumph ***prevail ***win

***to turn out well *** to attain a desired object or end ***to come after as an heir *** to achieve success

***favorable or desired outcome

***the attainment of favor, eminence

D. Effective:

***producing a decided, decisive, or desired effect

***impressive striking (as finding gold)

***ready for service or action

***a soldier equipped for duty

***getting the job done

E. Fervent:

***exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling

***characterized by deep or forceful emotions ***intense

***very hot ***glowing ***zealous ***to boil

F. Avail:

***to press toward attainment of a goal or purpose

*** to be used to ones advantage ***serve ***profit ***to bring about ***useful ***helpful

III. A CHECK IS WORTHLESS UNLESS THE SIGNATURE OF THE

AUTHORIZED PARTY IS WRITTEN IN THE BLANK!

A. THE FIRST INGREDIENT TO EFFECT PRAYER IS PRAYING IN JESUS’

NAME!

B. YOU CAN’T PRAY WITHIN YOURSELF, YOU MUST PRAY TO GOD

THROUGH JESUS’ NAME.

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in MY NAME, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in MY NAME, I will do it.

IV. MANY OF US HAVE DEVELOPED A SPARE TIRE MENTALITY PRAYER

LIFE! OUR PRAYER LIFE MUST BE A STEERING WHEEL NOT A SPARE

TIRE!

A. Ponder the difference between a steering wheel and a spare tire?

We only use a spare tire in case of an emergency. If we have a flat, we get out the spare tire.

B. We seldom think of the spare tire unless there is a flat.

C. Prayer must be more than a fire escape from hell.

D. Prayer is sweet daily communion and communication with the Father.

James 4:2 Ye lust, and ye have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain, ye fight and war, because ye ask not.

V. TO HAVE AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE WE MUST PRAY.

A. If we refuse to be faithful in our prayer life it will cost us dearly.