PRAY! Make an Appointment Luke 11:1 (NLT) Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples. The disciples who are following Christ are consistent with their request to Him for reward in their commitment to follow. Matthew 19:27 (NLT) Then Peter said to him, We ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get? It was a conversation about money- how hard it is for rich people to get into heaven- this led to Peter s question. Matthew 20:20 21 (NLT) Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 What is your request? he asked. She replied, In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left. This request after He finished telling them what is going to happen to Him when He arrives in Jerusalem. When the disciples are struggling to understand Jesus teachings, they are quick to ask what they mean. Matthew 13:36 (NLT) Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field. Matthew 24:3 (NLT) Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world? But, only one request is made for Jesus to teach them how to. Lord teach us to pray I believe they witnessed a connection between Jesus prayer life and His public life and concluded they are closely related. Jesus was and is a Prayer Warrior: A. Was- Beginning- Luke 3:21 (NLT) One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, 1
Middle- Luke 9:18 (NLT) One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, Who do people say I am? End- Matthew 26:36 (NLT) Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, Sit here while I go over there to pray. Cross- Luke 23:34 (NLT) Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they don t know what they are doing. And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. B. Is- Romans 8:34 (NLT) Who then will condemn us? No one for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God s right hand, pleading for us. In this series our request is the same as theirs: Lord teach us to pray Pray defined- the Greek word is proseuche /pros yoo khay The noun proseuche is a compound word composed of the following: 1. Preposition pros - face to face. 2. Noun euche- wish, aspiration, desire. Face to Face Conversation- Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Pray Like This- Matthew 6:9 13 (KJV) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 1. Make God First- Matthew 6:9 (KJV) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Moving from God to Father- from a subject to a son. The Lord's Prayer begins and ends with praise? Psalm 100:4 (NLT) Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. 2 Praise then Petition- Matthew 15:21 25 (NLT) Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely. 23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. Tell her to go away, they said. She is bothering us with all her begging. 24 Then Jesus said to the woman, I was sent only to help God s lost sheep the
people of Israel. 25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, Lord, help me! Hallow His name: Exodus 3:14 (NLT) God replied to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you. A. Jehovah-shalom: Jehovah Is Peace. B. Jehovah-shammah: Jehovah Is There. C. Jehovah-rophe: Jehovah Heals. D. Jehovah-jireh: God's Provision Shall Be Seen. E. Jehovah-rohi: Jehovah My Shepherd. F. Jehovah-nissi: Jehovah My Banner. G. Jehovah-tsidkenu- The Lord My Righteousness. H. Jehovah-m kaddesh- The Lord Who Sanctifies 2. Take Jurisdiction Over My Life- Matthew 6:10 (KJV) Thy kingdom come Kingdom- You have the right and authority. Cops chasing across county lines. Under Authority- Matthew 8:8 9 (NLT) But the officer said, Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, Go, and they go, or Come, and they come. And if I say to my slaves, Do this, they do it. The Kingdom - Romans 14:17 (NLT) For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Five major areas to establish His kingdom A. Yourself B. Your family C. Your church D. Nation E. World Each day pray that God's kingdom-his righteousness, joy and peace-be established. 3. Do as You Please- Matthew 6:10 Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 1 John 5:14-15 (KJV) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear 3
us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. Declare that His will be done in these five major areas: A. Yourself- B. Your family- C. Your church- D. Your nation- E. Your World Pray His will for you that day are set in your spirit. You need divine wisdom and revelation if you are properly to administrate your home, business, resources and so forth. When you pray, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done," invite Jesus to assume His rightful place on the throne of your heart and to rule your spirit, soul and body. 4. Petition for Needs- Matthew 6:11 (KJV) Give us this day our daily bread. Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. All Things- You have ministry needs- big needs require big prayers. 4 million need! 3 John 2 (KJV) Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. Four Areas to Pray A. Spiritual Needs B. Emotional Needs C. Physical Needs D. Financial Needs 5. Receive and Give Forgiveness- Matt 6:12 (KJV) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. The Heart is the Matter- Matthew 6:14 15 (KJV) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. God forgives you- 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 4
Prayer Forgives Other-- Matthew 5:44 (KJV) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; A. Bless Them- Romans 12:14 (KJV) Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. B. Do Good- Luke 6:33 (KJV) And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. C. Pray- Luke 23:34 (KJV) Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Remembering is Key- Matthew 18:32 33 (KJV) Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 6. Guidance and Protection- Matt 6:13 (KJV) And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Roaring Lions-1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Prayers of Protection- Luke 22:31 32 (NLT) Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers. Trust God- Ps 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Four Areas of Awareness: A. Relationships B. Motives C. Destructive and Sinful Behavior D. My Words 7. It s All About You Lord- Matthew 6:13 (KJV) For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. PRAISE: "FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER" 5
A. The Kingdom- Praise the Lord because He has translated you out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of love and light. Praise God because He has invited you to be a participant in His kingdom. B. The Power- Praise the Lord because He has invited you to be a participant pant in His power. Make this faith declaration: "I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. I have been endued with power from on high. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. Close: C. The Glory- Behold the glory of the Lord-the character and ways of God exhibited through Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to change you into the same image by forming Christ within you. Ask that you be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Praise Him and give Him glory. Larry Lea. Could You The Heart is the Matter- Matthew 6:14 15 (KJV) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Luke 11:5 9 (NLT) Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: Suppose you went to a friend s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat. 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, Don t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can t help you. 8 But I tell you this though he won t do it for friendship s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. 9 And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. I don't know if you have ever uttered a prayer like this, but I have: "God, I want You to take everything out of my life that's not like Jesus. 6