Your unfailing companion in the journey of life Prayer: Your unfailing companion in the journey of life 15 october, 2016

Introduction Life’s journey can be rough, tough and sometimes lonely. Prayer is an unfailing companion. Its been proven, tested and has never failed. There is power in prayer and when used in the appropriate way, it produces results.

What is prayer It is simply talking to God It is a major way we communicate with God and hear His voice. Through prayer we abide in him, and allow Him to live in us. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you”.

Our attitude 1 John5:14-15  ”And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He heareth us. And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” Prayer should be offered in faith and according to the will of God.

Why is it necessary to pray?

1. For spiritual growth Jude vs 20 Prayer strengthens the believer We build up our faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ Prayer builds up our courage and confidence in the ability that God is able to do the impossible. Seems as if

2. We ask to receive John 14:13-14 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my Father’s name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye ask anything in my name, I will do it”. There is a condition attached to receiving from God. Seems as if

3. Weapon of spiritual warfare Eph 6:10-20 We are reminded that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. Life is a battleground for believers. Therefore, we must be on guard at all times.

Intercession, a key componenet of prayer This means praying for others Bearing people’s burden. Jesus, our perfect example. 2Tim 2:1-2 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority…”

Biblical Examples

Prayer of solomom 2 Chronicles 6:12-21 He humbled himself before God (referring to himself as ‘thy servant’) He pleaded with God on behalf of the children of Israel that he would Answer all their prayers Forgive all their sins Lesson: We must never forget that God is compassionate toward us and there is no limit to what He can do.

Prayer of Job Job 7:1-11 He suffered cruel affliction from the enemy He lost all his possessions, including his children Rather than complain, he determined to take his case to the almighty Lesson: Whatever you are going through, know that God is aware and that there is an expiry date to every problem.

Prayer of Jonah Jonah 2:9 “when my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you into Your holy temple”. - Jonah’s prayer is great because he finally surrendered to God Lesson: God is merciful to anyone who will call on him with a sincere heart.

Conclusion Time spent in prayer is never wasted (prayer for the church, family, friends, sinners etc). Learn to wait on Lord. Never entertain fear/doubt but hold on to his promises.

TIME TO PRAY!