TEACH ME TO PRAY!
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
We will never be any better in our public prayer life than we are in our public prayer life. If we are anemic and weak in prayer everything we do will be anemic.
*WHAT MOTIVATES US TO PRAY? IS THE ONLY TIME WE PRAY WHEN WE ARE DESPERATE AND AT THE END OF OUR ROPE?
*THE BIBLE CLEARLY STATES GOD WANTS HIS PEOPLE TO PRAY.
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Luke 18:1 (MSG) Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit.
*THERE IS A FAMOUS PRAYER WE CALL THE PRAYER OF JABEZ…
1 Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
*WHAT IS PRAYER?
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:18 (MSG) In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
*HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE PRAY?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV) pray continually;
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (MSG) pray all the time;
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) Never stop praying.
GOOD PRAYER DOES NOT HAVE TO BE LONG AND REPETITIVE.
Elijah prayed 63 words in the King James… The 450 prophets of Baal millions of words.
1 Kings 18:36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
*GOD GAVE US A PRAYER… TO PRAY
Numbers 6:22 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, 24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.
Numbers 6:22 (NLT) Then the LORD said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: 24 ‘May the LORD bless you and protect you.
25 May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. 26 May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’ 27 Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.”
*TEACH US TO PRAY… NOT TEACH US HOW TO PRAY… BUT TEACH US TO PRAY…
Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. 2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
* GOD PROMISED TO HEAR OUR PRAYERS
Jeremiah 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
*PRAYER CAN BE AN INVITATION:
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
*BEFORE ABRAHAM’S SERVANT FINISHED HIS PRAYER THE ANSWER CAME TO HIM.
Genesis 24:11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master. 15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
*WORRY IS THE OBSTACLE TO PRAYER… WE MUST TRUST THAT GOD HEARS US…
Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
