15) We Believe In Prayer! Series

15) WE BELIEVE IN PRAYER!

An Introduction To The Important Questions About Prayer

TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Introduction

Ok - so we are talking about: “...Those things most surely believed among us”,

This is something talked about and readily recorded for us Luke 1:1.

Now as part of our weekly study - We have used this as a point of focus,

And we have launched out from this text,

To begin to learn many of the fundamentals of our faith – as taught in the Bible.

We started off by discerning how - We Believe in God

Then we progressed to talk about how - We Believe in God’s Word

And now we are going to talk about the next point...

That being the fact that - We Believe in Prayer.

And brethren we do believe in “Prayer” – don’t we?

It’s just that we believe in the right kind of prayer...

Prayer that is biblically sound – and directed to the one true God!

You see, nearly every known religion in the World...

Irrespective of what so called “God’s” they worship,

Seem to believe in, and practice, some form of prayer – even if wrongly!

And I want you all to take careful note of this...

Because there is a right kind of Prayer - and a wrong kind of Prayer.

Now Brethren I need to be honest with you...

Because I am not interested in what wider Religion does,

I am only interested in the surety of our faith and what we believe– chapter & verse.

And make no mistake – because of what the Word of God teaches,

We believe in Prayer – it’s just that we believe in the right kind of prayer!!!

And it’s through today’s lesson – and in the weeks to come...

That we are going to begin to discover why!

Turn with me to 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Brethren, why we believe in prayer is summed up rather effectively right here.

Firstly – Prayer is seen openly talked about in God’s Word.

And Secondly – we are told and instructed by God - to Pray.

In fact, the Bible says that we are to: Pray without ceasing – verse 17

Pray and keep on praying…we are told.

Pray and continue in your prayers…

Pray and never stop Praying - God says.

And why???... why should this one action

Be important enough for us all to continue without ever ceasing?

It’s because God said so– and because this is actually His will concerning all of us

…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

It’s God’s will that we Pray! Amen!

You see, if you Believe in God...

And if you Believe in God’s Word...and what He says here,

Then we must also Believe in Prayer – and brethren we do.

1) WHAT IS PRAYER

But what is Prayer?

Now as we have already alluded to - “Prayer” is something many people know about.

It doesn’t matter if you are a Christian or not - most people have heard about prayer,

Yet sadly most people don’t really know what it is.

Prayer is not about closing your eyes...

Prayer is not about folding or raising your hands...

Prayer is not is something religious people do.

Prayer is so much more than that.

TALKING WITH GOD

You know, God never looks to overcomplicate things for us.

He always just keeps things simple and to the point in His Word.

So lets keep things simple today.

In fact, for the purposes of this message let’s simply define Prayer

…As the means by which we “talk with God”.

Look there’s a little more to it than that – but let’s just start here.

Simply put - God talks with us through His Word,

(We’ve seen that through our previous lessons)

And Prayer is how we talk to God.

It’s that simple.

Of course, our prayers should always be given

With the utmost reverence and respect,

Recognising who God is – and the fact that He sits upon the throne,

But on its most basic level...

Prayer is how we communicate and share our hearts with God.

Remember the Lord is a “Personal God”,

In fact, God wants to have an intimate personal relationship with mankind

Through His son Jesus Christ.

For this reason – He continues to openly talk...

And to proclaim this message to us through His Word,

And, He in turn invites us to talk with Him openly through Prayer.

Now I don’t know how you Pray...

But when I pray - I just TALK to God.

I humbly and respectfully converse with the Lord in prayer.

Prayer is how I open up and share my heart with Him.