Memory Verse
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:222

A vital part of your spiritual life should be prayer. This is your avenue of communication to God. In the NIV Bible the word Prayer is mentioned 158 times, Pray is mentioned 370 times and Praying is mentioned 36 times. Five hundred sixty four times prayer is mentioned; God is instructing us about the importance of prayer!

Our lifestyle is one that should reflect a prayerful life. Do we really utilize the verse in
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. Multiple verses speak to this type of lifestyle.
Ø 1 Samuel 12:23
Ø Acts 12:5
Ø Romans 1:9
Ø 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Ø 1 Thessalonians 2:13
Ø 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Ø 2 Timothy 1:3

On one occasion, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Lord teach us to pray” LUKE 11:1. Jesus gently taught them about the insights of talking with God. Jesus wants to teach us to pray. The BIBLE is our textbook. We have multiple examples of people who prayed effectively. We have patterns for prayer. The Bible teaches us how to pray, when to pray, why to pray and what to expect when you pray!

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. This verse teaches us to acknowledge that God exists. When we pray, we seek God; we admit we need God’s help. The question begs to be answered: Do you believe God hears YOUR prayers and that HE will help you?

Matthew 21: 21-22 21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Mark 9:23 23" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

Mark 11:22-24 22"Have[1] faith in God," Jesus answered. 23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

James 1:6 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

The main idea of each of these four scriptures points out that when we pray we are believe and not doubt. Each of these verses affirms this principle. We can pray with confidence because we have a powerful and loving God. As you place your faith more and more in Jesus you will begin to develop a relationship with him that makes him the focus of your life. The more you know about Jesus the easier it is to trust Him. The more you trust HIM the more your faith will grow.

Many scriptures dealing with prayer come in two parts: a condition and a promise. You cannot claim the promise if you don’t meet the condition. Let’s look at some examples:

CONDITION PROMISE
Matthew 21:21-2221So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, "Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. 22And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
Mark 11:2424Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Mark 11:25"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”
John 15:77If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
1 John 3:21-2221Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

We can pray with confidence knowing that God knows our needs and will work all things together for our good today. ROMANS 8:28 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

For prayer to become a priority in your life what do you need to do? MARK 1:35 35Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. This verse gives us a clear view of Jesus priorities and prayer life. From Jesus’ example we learn three principles of prayer.

Ø Commitment
Mark 1:21-34 describes Jesus’ activities the day before He rose early to pray.
Ø Time
In this particular situation Jesus prayed VERY early in the morning. On other occasions he prays in the evening, and sometimes He prayed all night.
Ø Place
Jesus found a place to be alone. People were constantly demanding his time and attention. He struggled with finding a quiet place.

Prayer is important to Jesus, therefore it should be important to us. Jesus knew the power of God. While praying in the Garden He knew the pain and humiliation that was to come. He also knew that His Father’s will would be done. Jesus stood ready to go to the cross. Our commitment should be as strong.

Many people have the misconception that prayer is to only ask for THINGS. The Bible teaches that there are at least four dimensions to prayers. An easy way to remember them is to use the A-C- T-S acrostic.

Adoration Expressing your love to God for who He is. Psalm 98:4
Confession Seek God’s forgiveness for sin in your life. James 5:16
Thanksgiving Express your thanks to God for what He has done. Psalm 106:1
Supplication See God’s answers for your needs and the needs of others. Ephesians 6:18

We should reflect and evaluate our prayer life based on these four dimensions of prayer.
Which dimension of prayer do the following verses describe?

___A___ Psalm 9:1-2 1 [1] I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

___C___1John 1:9 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

__T____Psalm 100:4 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

__S____1 John 5:14,15 14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.

Many Christians feel awkward while praying. Prayer is a highly personal, private activity. But we must also cultivate the ability to pray together with sisters. We all have our own personal needs and choosing the right words is often difficult at best. We have the Bible to help us with our doubts and fears. ROMANS 8:26-27. 26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. God understands our weakness in prayer. He gave us the Holy Spirit at Baptism to help us pray for the correct things, God listens to our thoughts, longings and desires. We can be assured that God knows our thoughts and desires. God wants to talk with us more than we could ever want to pray. Thorough the work of the Holy Spirit God enables us to have the faith and trust to know he answers prayers.

Even when words won’t come, God knows your heart. Matthew 6:8 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Relax and focus on God’s presence. Let your heart and the Holy Spirit do their thing. Trust that God knows what you need BEFORE you ask.

Earlier we talked about prayers having a condition. One condition is that you must do what God wants you to do. Then and only then can you claim His promise and trust Him to do what He promised. Philippians 4:6-7 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. With this promise we have from God concerning our prayers, we can pray with confidence. We can know when words fail us that the Holy Spirit is with us to intercede.

The principles in 1 John 5:14-15 provide us with the context in which we must understand prayer. God gives clear-cut conditions to go along with His promises. He will hear and answer our prayers when we pray according to HIS will. 14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.

After the completion of the Temple in Jerusalem the Lord appeared to Solomon and warned him what would happen to the people if they were disobedient. He then gave Solomon a condition and a promise for answered prayer. 2 Chronicles 7:14 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Can you apply this to yourself today? Do we humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways? Do we pray, as we should?

God wants to give us the desires of our heart, but he also commands that you be obedient to HIM in all things. The conditions He sets for us in our prayers keep us from praying for the wrong things for the wrong reasons. Do you consider God’s will a limitation on prayer? Would you want God to answer every prayer that you or anyone else in the world prayed, without limitation?

God answers prayers according to His will. God’s will includes HIS wisdom – He knows all things. God’s will includes His power – He can bring good out of any situation. God’s will includes His love – He walks with us through everything. Let’s use the example set by Jesus in Matthew 26:39 39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." If this is the way Jesus Himself prayed, how can we improve it? His entire being was involved with HIS prayer. Do we give our all when we pray?

Jesus reminds us to pray for one another. This is a tremendous comfort to me, knowing others pray for me provides me with a peace that is indescribable. James 5:16 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Ephesians 6:18 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Whatever the hold is on your life, God will help you overcome it. God can help with relationships, health, despair, resentment, or an unforgiving spirit. God wants us to live a balanced life, spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. Prayer puts to use the weapons of warfare. God answers all prayers.