Luke 11. certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Luke 11 1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Ephesians 6 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

GOD APPOINTED APOSPTLES WHO REGARDED PRAYER AS THE MOST IMPORTANT BUSINESS OF THEIR LIVES.

Acts 6 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Acts 6 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Romans 1 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

2 Timothy 1 3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

1 Thessalonians 3 9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Colossians 1 9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Ephesians 1 15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Ephesians 1 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

PAUL S LOVE FOR PEOPLE WAS MANIFESTED BY HIS CEASELESS PRAYER FOR THEM.

PRAYER OCCUPIES A PROMINENT PLACE IN THE EARTHLY LIFE AND PRESENT MINISTRY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Luke 6 12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Mark 1 35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Matthew 14 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

A BELIEVER THAT LIVES A LIFE WHERE PRAYER DOES NOT HOLD A PROMINENT PLACE IN HIS/HER LIFE CANNOT PROPERLY BE CALLED A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST.

Hebrews 7 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Romans 8 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

IF WE ARE TO HAVE REAL, INTIMATE FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST IN HIS PRESENT WORK, WE MUST SPEND MUCH TIME IN PRAYER.

PRAYER IS THE APPOINTED MEANS BY WHICH WE OBTAIN FROM THE LORD.

Hebrews 4 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

John 16 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Psalm 16 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Philippians 4 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

SEVEN HINDRANCES TO PRAYER

SEVEN HINDRANCES TO PRAYER We pray with wrong motives in our purpose (James 4:3)

James 4 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

SEVEN HINDRANCES TO PRAYER We pray with wrong motives in our purpose (James 4:3) We pray with sin in our lives (Isa. 59:1-2)

Isaiah 59 1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

SEVEN HINDRANCES TO PRAYER We pray with wrong motives in our purpose (James 4:3) We pray with sin in our lives (Isa. 59:1-2) We pray with idols in our hearts (Ez. 14:3)

Ezekiel 14 3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

Proverbs 21 13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

SEVEN HINDRANCES TO PRAYER We pray with wrong motives in our purpose (James 4:3) We pray with sin in our lives (Isa. 59:1-2) We pray with idols in our hearts (Ez. 14:3) We pray with greed in our giving (Prov. 21:23) We pray with unforgiveness in our relationships (Mark 11:25)

Mark 11 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

1 Peter 3 7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

James 1 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

ONE FINAL THOUGHT: WE DO NOT PRAY THAT WE MAY GET, WE PRAY THAT WE MAY KNOW HIM!