Introduction To Prayer

Introduction to Prayer

Lakewood / Speaker: Pastor Jonathan / 9-6-2015

2 Chronicles 7:13-16

(13) If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the

land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

(14) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and

seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will

forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

(15) Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this

place.

(16) For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever:

and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

Introduction:

¥ Last week I talked with you about Intercessory Prayer

¥ The events in our nation tell us that the Church is not praying enough for America

o Maybe they don’t know how

o Maybe they’re too lazy (prayer IS work)

o Maybe they lack inspiration

o We can help fix the first and last reason, not sure about the “lazy” lol

¥ There are several “types” of prayer discussed in God’s Word and sometimes we don’t receive what we need because we ask amiss. (James 4:6)

o Some people are using a hammer when they need a screwdriver

o Or, using a toaster oven instead of a microwave etc.

¥ There are at least 6 forms of prayer mentioned in the Bible. We will focus on overviewing them today.

o They have different functions and are utilized in different ways.

Intro Ended:

I. The Prayer of Agreement

A. In Matthew 18:19, Jesus introduced the prayer of agreement when He said, "'Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven'" (NKJV).

B. Right off the bat you can see that for the prayer of agreement to work, the people involved in the prayer have to agree!

1. The person that you are agreeing in prayer with has to be in “agreement” with what you are asking for.

2. The prayer has to be in agreement with the Word of God

3. We also need to pray prayers that are in agreement with God’s plan and purpose for all involved

II. The Prayer of Faith

The prayer of faith, also known as the prayer of petition, is the prayer that most people think of when they use the term "prayer."

A. A Prayer of Petition is a request that we make known to God. This takes faith… We must believe that God is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think… Ephesians 3:20

1. The key verse for the prayer of faith is Mark 11:24, in which Jesus says, "'Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.'"

2. When you pray—not after you pray, not when you feel something, not when you see something. When you pray (the moment that you pray) you must believe that you receive what you asked for. (Expound)

B. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

1. Your faith is the substance. Without substance there can be no evidence.

C. God answers prayers, and He will answer your specific prayer in line with His Word, but it is your faith that brings that answer out of the spiritual world and into the physical world.

1. How many times in Scripture does Jesus say to someone, "According to your faith"?

2. The power of God is what heals people but it is our “prayer of faith” that sets in motion the reception of that healing.

3. God’s power does not change. People and belief systems change. Cultures affect our ability to receive. (An unbelieving culture is very hard to receive from God in… Look at missions.)

III. The Prayer of Consecration and Dedication

In Luke 22:41-42, we see outlined the prayer of consecration and dedication: "And He [Jesus] was withdrawn from them [Peter, James and John] about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, 'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.'"

A. Jesus was praying a prayer of surrender. "Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."

1. Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word consecration literally means "association with the sacred".

B. The Prayer of Consecration and Dedication says, "I may not know how and I may not know when but God I am going to let you chart my course."