Week 2
March 25, 2023

Prayer:
Communication to Inform a Misinformed or Uninformed God
About How Desperate and Urgent Their Situation
Is Above Other Urgent Things

Prayer Predates The “Needs” Of Humanity

Prayer in Its Purest Form Is Simply
“Talking with God and Speaking for God”

Every Religion Prays

Every Person Prays

Just Because Someone Prays
Does Not Mean They’re Connecting With God

Luke 18:9-11
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men —extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.’ ”

Jesus Taught Against Prayer As Much As He Taught On Prayer

Length Does Not Determine Depth

Matthew 23:14
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

Pretty Does Not Mean Powerful

Matthew 6:5-8
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 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. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”

Delay, Is Not Denial Sometimes It’s Demonic

Daniel 9:4
And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments”

Daniel 9:20-23
Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision”

Daniel 10:2-3
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Daniel 10:10-14
Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.”

Effective Prayer
James 5:16
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Effective Vs. Non-Effective
Fervent Vs. Passive
Righteous Vs. Unrighteous

Remember, It’s All About Jesus

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (Jesus).”

John 16:23
“And in that day you will ask Me (Jesus) nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.”

You Must Believe He Hears You

John 11:40-42
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”

You Must Know
His Word, Is His Will
Pray His Word

1 John 5:14- 15
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

John 15:7
If you abide in Me, and My words (The Bible) abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Psalms 138:2
I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

You Must Believe You Are Worthy

James 5:16b
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

The Feeling Of Unrighteousness Robs You of Confidence

The Lie God Only Answers
Prayers For Perfect People

You Must Believe He Hears You
You Must Know His Word Is His Will
You Must Believe You Are Worthy