Throughout the Bible, believers are called to pray, but why? What is prayer? What prayer is NOT? Has man always had a problem with prayer?

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1 Verse of the week James 5:13-16 (NIV) The Prayer of Faith Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Pray, Prayer, Praying = 367 Throughout the Bible, believers are called to pray, but why? What is prayer? What prayer is NOT? Has man always had a problem with prayer? "Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my cry for help." Psalm 39:12 (NIV)

2 "Lord, teach us to pray." Luke 11:1 "After Jesus said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed." John 17:1 "They all joined together constantly in prayer." Acts 1:14 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." Ephesians 6:18 "Pray continually." -1 Thessalonians 5:17 When did prayer begin? Genesis 4:26 (NIV) Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD. Genesis 20:7 (NIV) Abraham and Abimelek Now return the man s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die. God's Nature and Prayer In order to develop a clear idea of prayer, we must first have a clear idea of God. God is omniscient (all-knowing). God is vitally aware of His own creation mankind. What\'s more, He is interested in us as individuals. Not one single thing occurring in any place escapes His knowledge (Psalm 139:1 6; Psalm 147:4; Matthew 10:29; Proverbs 15:3). God is omnipotent (all-powerful). God can do all things. Nothing is too hard for Him. No problem is so large that He cannot deal with it and, if it is His will, He is able to eliminate it altogether (Psalm 139:7 12; Job 42:2; Genesis 18:14). God is omnipresent (present everywhere). You are never alone. Like Paul on that storm-tossed ship, you can boldly say: I believe God! He will be with you no matter what you face in life (Isaiah 43:2). He is always everywhere (Jeremiah 23:24; Psalm 139:7 10).

3 God's Nature and Prayer cont God is a being, this is critical to prayer because that means God is a someone we can interact with He has a will and a desire. "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit." (Psalms 147:5) Prayer: - Prayer is a relationship, wherein we humbly communicate, worship, and sincerely seek God. - He hears us, loves us and will respond, though not always in a manner we may expect or desire. - Prayer encompasses confession, praise, adoration, supplication, intercession and more. - Prayers must come often and regularly, not from legalistic duty, but from a humble heart, realizing our dependence on God in every aspect of our lives. What Prayer Is Not Magic. We cannot summon God as though He were a genie, waiting to grant our wishes without regard for our circumstances or the consequences. A demand nor, if you I will. While we can make requests of God in prayer, we dare not make demands. God is the Creator of the universe and does not take orders from us. Last resort. We have a relationship with God, available to us through Jesus Christ, it s a daily/moment-by-moment relationship. Guarantee against suffering. "In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33); "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13). An opportunity for us to show off. "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men" (Matthew 6:5).

4 Has Man had Problems with Prayer Before? Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV) Prayer 5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them Luke 11:1 (NIV) Jesus Teaching on Prayer 11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples. (Acts 19) Does this confuse us (Man)? Matthew 6:8 (NIV) Prayer 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. How do you explain this comment? Drawing closer to God through prayer God invites us to draw close to him by speaking to him in prayer. He is interested in us individually. (Psalm 65:2; 145:18). He is willing to forgive. He recognizes our efforts to please him, even if we sometimes fail. So despite our imperfection, we really can enjoy a close relationship with God. Read Psalm 103:12-14; James 4:8. Since God has given us life, we should love him more than we love anyone else. (Mark 12:30) As you express your love for God by learning more about him and doing as he asks, you will draw ever closer to him. Read 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 John 5:3. God s Intent/Will

5 God invites us to talk (Pray) to him and engage him in what concerns us. We don't have to get our act together first, neither do we need to be theologically correct or holy. It is his nature to be loving and accepting when we go to him. "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." (Psalms 145:18)

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