A. INTRODUCTION
1. Prayer is commanded, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1).
2. Jesus’ example of prayer. “Christ . . . is your example, you must follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21, NLT).
3. Disciples wanted to learn prayer from Him. “Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of His disciples came to him and said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray’” (Luke 11:1).
4. If we pray like Jesus we must learn (7 weeks of lessons)
- The Nature of Prayer
- The Principles of Prayer
- Jesus’ Practice of Prayer (place, distance, methods)
- Jesus Gave Us the Lord’s Prayer
- “Ask,” Jesus’ Favorite Word for Prayer
- Jesus Prayed the Night Before His Death
- Jesus’ Prayers From the Cross
B. THE NATURE OF PRAYER
1. Prayer is relationship. Essence of Christianity is our relationship with God. Prayer was a defining necessity of Jesus. He prayed at all times, in all places, with all methods, about all topics, for all reasons. Jesus was prayer. “I gave Myself to prayer” (Ps. 109:4). He is praying now (Heb. 7:24-25).
2. Prayer is conversation, i.e., two-way communication. Jesus’ first prayer, “One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, ‘You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy’” (Luke 3:21-22, NLT). Jesus talked to His Father, and He responded.
3. Prayer is entrance into God’s presence. “What shall I say? . . . Father glorify Thy name. Then came a voice from heaven, saying, ‘I have both glorified it and will glorify it again’” (John 12:27-28, KJV).
- Begin praying, “Hallowed be Your name.”
- “If you build it, they will come.” If you worship God, He will come to receive.
4. Prayer focuses on God (not yourself). “Let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matt. 26:39).
5. Prayer demands your total personal response.
- Your mind focuses on God. “When you pray say our Father” (Luke 11:1).
- Your emotions, negative. “He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit” (Luke 22:44, NLT).
Position. “Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father” (Luke 10:21, KJV).
- Your will is given to God. “I want your will to be done, not mine” (Luke 22:42, NLT).
- What is important in prayer? What you say, feel and do.
6. Prayer is life changing. It is not what you get, but what you become.
- Transforming. “As He was praying, the appearance of His face was transformed” (Luke 9:29, NLT).
- Continually changed. “We can look into the mirror to see the Lord, and the Holy Spirit makes us like Him, and we are changed into His glorious image” (2 Cor. 3:18, ELT).
7. Prayer is a necessary mandate. Jesus told His disciples, “They must keep praying” (Luke 18:1, LB). Without prayer there is no…
- No salvation. “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13).
- No indwelling. “I bow my knee to the Father . . . that Christ may dwell in your hearts” (Eph. 3:14, 17, KJV).
- No spiritual learning. “Did not our heart burn within us as He . . . explained the scriptures” (Luke 24:32, NKJV).
- No added blessing. “Praying always with all petitions” (Eph. 6:19, ELT).
- No fruit. “Produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask” (John 15:16, NLT).
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.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
www.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-elmer-towns
Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu
