Seven Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know. Tefillah- Prayer Series

????????? III. The various motivations to engage in tefillah.

• Let’s finish the definition of TEFILLAH.

• THE ACT OF COMMUNICATING WITH A DEITY; ESPECIALLY AS A PETITION OR IN ADORATION OR CONTRITION OR THANKSGIVING!

• We see four motivations from our definition to prayer to God.

• When we need to petition God for something.

• King Hezekiah was going to die, so he petitioned God for more time.

• SLIDE #9

• Isaiah 38:5 (CSB) “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord God of your ancestor David says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I am going to add fifteen years to your life.

• We also see adoration of God as a motivation to pray

• SLIDE #10

• Psalm 69:13 (CSB) — But as for me, Lord, my prayer to you is for a time of favor. In your abundant, faithful love, God, answer me with your sure salvation.

• Contrition is another motivation to communicate with God.

• As Nehemiah ponders the condition of his people, he goes to God on behalf of the people.

• SLIDE #11

• Nehemiah 1:6 (CSB) — let your eyes be open and your ears be attentive to hear your servant’s prayer that I now pray to you day and night for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against you. Both I and my father’s family have sinned.

• Then there is the prayer of thanksgiving!

• SLIDE #12

• Psalm 66:20 (CSB) — 20 Blessed be God! He has not turned away my prayer or turned his faithful love from me.

CONCLUSION

• When you look at the research concerning prayer, too many Christians are missing the boat; however, once we understand what prayer is all about, and to whom we are praying, I hope we become more motivate to become prayer warriors.

• We all hear the stories of how prayer saved someone from cancer or some other terrible thing, yet here we sit, unmoved to examine the great potential of prayer.

• Jesus spent a great deal of time in prayer, prayer comes is part of a great relationship with Jesus.

• If our relationship runs deep, we will be a prayer warrior, if it is not, our prayer potential will never be reached.

• Prayer is not sitting on the lap of Jesus AND OFFERING OUR wish list. Prayer is talking to God and patiently waiting and listening for His response.

• Reading the Bible is how you get to know about the character of God, prayer is the way we grow deeper with Him!