CALL TO PRAYER
“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”Ja. 5:16
Kenneth Boa “Spiritual growth is impossible apart from the practice of prayer.”
Ministry is impossible apart from the practice of prayer. Lorne Sanny meant that when he said “Prayer is the ministry”
There are two ways you can see the depth of someone’s spiritual life: look at their checkbook (how they spend their money); secondly, look at their prayer life (how much time do they spend in prayer).
We must take the time to sharpen our axe!
1. PRIORITY OF PRAYER (Lk. 11:1)
__JOHN THE BAPTIST__ was remembered for his prayer emphasis.
We usually think of him as a prophet or martyr, yet Jesus’ disciples remembered him as a man of prayer.
John was the “miracle baby” filled with the HS before he was born and yet he had to pray.
John was privileged to introduce the Messiah to Israel, yet he had to pray.
Jesus called John the greatest of the prophets (Lk. 7:28), and yet John had to depend on prayer.
If prayer was vital to a man who had all these advantages, how much more important should it be to us who don’t have those advantages!
_JESUS_ was a man of prayer.
He prayed at His baptism (Lk. 3:21)
He prayed before he chose the 12 (Lk. 6:12)
He prayed when the crowds increased (Lk. 5:16)
He prayed regularly in the mornings alone (Mk. 1:35)
He prayed before He went to the cross (garden)
He prayed while He was on the cross (Father forgive them..into thy hands..)
If Jesus, the perfect Son of God, had to depend on prayer during “the days of His flesh” Heb. 5:7, then how much more do you and I need to pray!
2. PATTERN FOR PRAYER (Lk. 11:2-4)
Emphasizing our __RELATIONSHIP__ with God.
When we pray, we are talking to our heavenly father.
The purpose of prayer is to glorify God name, and to ask for help to accomplish His will on earth.
It begins with God’s interests not ours; God’s name, God’s kingdom, and God’s will.
Robert Law said “Prayer is a mighty instrument, not for getting man’s will done in heaven, but for getting God’s will done on earth.”
We have no right to ask God for anything that will dishonor His name, delay His kingdom, or disturb His will on earth.
There are no singular pronouns in Jesus’ prayer, all plural.
When we pray, we must remember that we are part of a worldwide family of believers..
Recognizing our daily __DEPENDANCE__ on Him.
There are 5 requests mentioned here
First, that God’s reputation would be revered by all
Second, that God’s kingdom would come.
Third, the we would look to God for our daily needs (more than physical food)
Forth, that we would display Christ’s forgiveness by forgiving others
Fifth, that God would deliver us from any situation that might cause us to sin.
3. PERSISTANCE IN PRAYER (Lk. 11:5-8)
Unlike this “friend” who didn’t want to be bothered, God WANTS us to pray to Him!
We must never _CEASE_ praying!
Not that we can change God’s mind but that we show our dependence on Him.
God’s answers: Yes, __NO_ and _WAIT_.
4. POWER OF PRAYER (Lk. 11:9-13)
**You and I don’t need to pray for the HS because this prayer was answered at Pentecost…and all believers have the HS inside us!
Prayer changes _THINGS_!
Billy Grahams success: An old lady named Pearl sold all her belonging and traveled with Billy wherever he held a crusade, she rented a hotel room and prayed during the whole crusade.
Little prayer, little power; more prayer, more power, much prayer, much power.
2 Chron. 7:14 “if” “My people= believers” humility, devotion, commitment, surrender
**we must not separate prayer and the Word. The Bible has over 5,000 promises in it that you and I can plead for our lives and ministry.
Prayer changes _ME_!
RESPONSE(S):
What action do you need to take to improve your prayer life?
Will you ask God to make you a man or woman of prayer?
Keith Green says “Jesus rose from the dead, but you can’t get out of bed”
Make prayer a priority and ask God to make you a man or woman of prayer.
