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Lord Teach Me To Pray!

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Lord Teach Me To Pray!

Jesus never taught His disciples how to preach, only how to pray. How are you doing this morning in the most wonderful and available ministries available to all of us as believers?

Prayer is one to the few things we are asked to unceasingly be involved with. If prayer is something we are to do unceasingly, then we better know how to do it properly!

When God’s Word teaches us how to pray, it is very profitable to notice what God doesn’t teach us about prayer:

First we can quickly see from the Scriptures that the Lord doesn’t teach us about just one posture of prayer – because any posture will do.  In the Bible, people prayer in all different positions:

 

  • Abraham’s servant prayed while standing in Genesis 24:12-14 Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”
  • Moses prayed while bowing down in Exodus 34:8 So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped.
  • The Israelites prayed in sorrow for their sins as they were sitting in Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, that is, all the people, went up and came to the house of God and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.
  • Elijah prayed for rain on top of Mount Carmel with his head between knees in 1 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees,
  • In Babylon Daniel stopped to go home and pray out a window in his home facing Jerusalem’s temple in Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
  • Jesus was praying on His knees face down in Matthew 26:39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
  • When the leper approached Jesus with his deep need he did so kneeling in prayer in Mark 1:40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
  • The Publican Jesus commended prayed to the Lord while smiting his breast in Luke 18:13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’
  • Jesus prayed for us as He walked from the Last Supper with uplifted eyes in John 17:1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,
  • Paul encourages men to pray as they lift holy hands in 1 Timothy 2:8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

 

Secondly God’s Word never teaches us about just one the place of prayer – because we are to pray everywhere.  In the Bible, people prayed in all different places:

 

  • David testifies that he prayed while he was in bed Psalm 63:6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
  • Solomon notes that God hears those who pray around His dwelling place in 1 Kings 8:27-30 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! 28 Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Lord my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today: 29 that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place. 30 And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.
  • Elijah had some powerful prayers while waiting in a cave in 1 Kings 19:9-10 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
  • The Israelites prayed while in battle in 2 Chronicles 13:14-15 And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear; and they cried out to the Lord, and the priests sounded the trumpets. 15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout; and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
  • Jonah found he could get a hold of God through prayer while in a fish in Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.
  • Jesus says to be humble about our praying we can go in a closet in Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
  • Of course how well we know that Jesus prayed for us in a garden in Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.”
  • Jesus found it good to pray in solitude as Mark notes in Mark 1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
  • Jesus also prayed often outdoors in the wilderness in Luke 5:16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
  • Jesus often prayed on a mountain in Luke 6:12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
  • Jesus was praying on a cross in Luke 23:33-34 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
  • Peter knelt to pray in someone else’s home in Acts 9:39-40 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
  • Peter found a spot to pray on a house top in Acts 10:9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
  • Paul joined a ladies group who prayed by a river in Acts 16:13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.
  • Paul practiced prayer even in prison in Acts 16:23-25 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
  • Paul knelt to pray on the shore of the sea in Acts 21:5-6 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed. 6 When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.
  • Jesus prays for us in heaven in Romans 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
  • Paul said to pray everywhere in 1 Timothy 2:8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

 

Thirdly, God’s Word does not promote only one time of prayer – because we are to pray at all times.  In the Bible, people prayed at all different times:

 

  • The Lord invites us to pray also after meals Deuteronomy 8:10 When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.
  • Elijah prayed in the evening in 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 Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.
  • The Lord appointed Levites at the Temple to pray every morning in 1 Chronicles 23:30 to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening;
  • David says pray at bedtime in Psalm 4:4 Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.
  • We should pray like the Psalmist all day long in Psalm 86:3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long.
  • Jeremiah records that the Lord wants us to call to Him in our youth in Jeremiah 3:4 Will you not from this time cry to Me, ‘My Father, You are the guide of my youth?
  • Daniel was in a habit of praying three times a day in Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
  • Jesus models praying before meals in Matthew 14:19 Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. Jesus often went out to pray early in the morning as recorded in Mark 1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
  • Jesus spoke of believers who prayed day and night in Luke 18:7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
  • The New Testament saints went to the Temple at the Jewish prayer time of the ninth hour in Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
  • Paul learned that he could be in touch with the Lord even at midnight in Acts 16:25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
  • The conclusion Paul makes is to just pray always in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing,

 

The Lord doesn’t teach us to pray in any one circumstance in our lives – because any circumstance will do.  In the Bible, people prayed in all kinds of circumstances:

 

  • Moses sought the Lord after fasting in Deuteronomy 9:18 And I fell down before the Lord, as at the first, forty days and forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your sin which you committed in doing wickedly in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger.
  • Joshua and the elders prayed after applying dust to their heads in Joshua 7:6 Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.
  • David prayed even though he was groaning in Psalm 6:4-6 Return, O Lord, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake! 5 For in death there is no remembrance of You; In the grave who will give You thanks? 6 I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears.
  • God was listening to the prayers of His people making sacrifices in Psalm 20:1-3 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; 2 May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion; 3 May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice.
  • David prayed when he had a broken heart in Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
  • David prayed while wearing sackcloth in Psalm 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.
  • David prayed by pouring out his heart in Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
  • The Lord listened to sinful Ahab pray because he was humbly rending garments as he prayed in 1 Kings 21:27-29 So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning. 28 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 29 “See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house.”
  • God heard the prayers of those who were sighing in Ezekiel 9:4 and the Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”
  • The Publican prayed while he was smiting his breast in Luke 18:13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’
  • Jesus prayed even though He was in agony sweating blood in Luke 22:44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
  • In the Garden Jesus prayed with loud crying as recorded in Hebrews 5:7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,

 

The posture, place, time or circumstance is not the issue of prayer.  Prayer is to be a total way of life – an open communication with God which goes on all the time.  And if prayer is a way of life, then we unleash the most powerful tool in the arsenal of weaponry to win spiritual battles that God has given us.

 

Prayer is the key to raising, nurturing, and launching children that please the Lord is learning how to pray for our children.

 

WE MUST PRAY FOR REALITY IN THEIR SPIRITUAL LIFE:

SPIRITUAL REALITY MEANS SEEING THEM GENUINELY SAVED.

  • 1 Timothy 2:4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (NIV)
  • 2 Timothy 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

SPIRITUAL REALITY MEANS SEEING THEM LOVING GOD’S WORD.

  • Job 23:12 I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary [food.] (NKJV)
  • Psalm 119:97, 165 Oh, how I love Your law! It [is] my meditation all the day. 165 Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble. (NKJV)
  • Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts. (NKJV)

SPIRITUAL REALITY MEANS SEEING THEM LIVING IN VICTORY.

  • John 8:36 “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (NKJV)
  • John 17:15 “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. (NKJV)
  • 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (NKJV)

SPIRITUAL REALITY MEANS SEEING THEM THINKING OF HEAVEN.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, (NKJV)
  • Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Is it] not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy. (NKJV)
  • 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (NKJV) [Funerals, mansions, ancient sites, tuts treasures]

SPIRITUAL REALITY MEANS SEEING THEM FINDING SIN REPULSIVE.

  • Proverbs 20:17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with grave
  • Luke 15:17-18 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 ‘I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, (NKJV)
  • Hebrews 11:25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, (NKJV)

SPIRITUAL REALITY MEANS SEEING THEM STAY TENDER TOWARD GOD.

  • Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart — These, O God, You will not despise. (NKJV) Invitations, Christian service, others needs…

 

 

WE MUST PRAY FOR INTEGRITY IN THEIR PERSONAL LIFE:

PERSONAL INTEGRITY MEANS SEEING THEM MAINTAINING A CLEAR CONSCIENCE.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord.
  • Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
    • Acts 24:16 “This [being] so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. (NKJV)
    • 1 Timothy 1:5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, [from] a good conscience, and [from] sincere faith, (NKJV)
    • 1 Timothy 1:19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, (NKJV)
  1. PERSONAL INTEGRITY MEANS SEEING THEM LEARNING TO STAND ALONE (which means a conviction that their character is more important than their popularity).
    • Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (NKJV)
    • Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. “If that [is the case,] our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver [us] from your hand, O king. “But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” (NKJV)
    • 2 Peter 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (NKJV)

Slides


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