Lord – Teach Us To Pray
April 7, 2013
Elmer L. Towns
A. WHEN FACED WITH TRIALS AND CRISES AND THE SOON RETURN OF CHRIST
• Jesus instructed His disciples, “Men ought always to pray” (Luke 18:1).
• The disciples’ response, “Lord, teach us (how) to pray” (Luke 11: 1).
B. PRAYING AGAINST MAJOR PROBLEMS FACING US ALL
1. The growing attack on the traditional family of one man, for one woman, for one lifetime.
2. The continual slaughter of the unborn by abortion.
3. The paganizing of our schools and culture.
• Evolution, no prayer and Bible reading in schools, no manger scenes, shootings, etc.
4. How did Jesus and godly people pray when threatened?
• Forgiveness prayer, “Father, forgive them . . .” (Luke 23:34).
• Nehemiah’s confessional prayer, “Listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses” (Neh. 1:6-7, NLT).
• Esther was ready to die, “Fast for me . . . three days, night or day. . . I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).
• “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25, NLT).
C. HOW TO PRAY AGAINST YOUR PERSONAL PROBLEMS
1.The Attacks of Ungodly and Evil Influences
• Violence in video games, nudity, sex, blasphemy, greed, lying, corruption in business and government, identity theft.
• Emergency prayer, “Help, Lord . . .” (Matt. 14:30).
• Temptation prayer, “Lead me not into temptation” (Matt. 6:13).
• Victory prayer, “Thanks be unto God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ” (2 Cor. 2:19, NKJV).
• Removal prayer, “You . . . belong to God, so run from all these evil things” (1 Tim. 6:1, NLT).
2. The Stoppable Christian
• Can’t witness, little prayer, compromise, casual attendance at church, not instructing children, controlled by entertainment, sports, gluttony, and addiction.
• Faith prayer, “Lord, increase our faith” (Luke 17:5).
• Mountain-moving prayer, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move” (Matt. 17:20, NKJV).
• Asking prayer in Jesus’ name, “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do” (James 14:13, NKJV).
(a) According to Scripture, “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted” (John 15:7, NLT).
(b) For Christian service, “Go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name” (John 15:16, NLT).
(c) Asking is a family privilege; The Father loves to give to His children who trust Him. “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matt. 7:11).
3. Soft Persecution, Work Restrictions, Government Restrictions, Ridicule, Intimidation.
• Boldness prayer, “And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness” (Acts 4:29, NLT).
• Agreement prayer with another, “If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matt. 18:19, NKJV).
• Martyr’s prayer, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin” (Acts 7:60, NKJV).
4. How To Get On Praying Ground
“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he . . . in sorrow, said, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’
I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:10-14, NLT).
D. HOW TO APPLY
1. Commit to pray 3-5 minutes each day.
2. Commit to write and follow a prayer list.
3. Commit to pray 3-4 different ways each day.
4. Commit to pray at your special place.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
