Why We Pray Ephesians 6:12

Why We Pray “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer…” Acts 1:14

Why We Pray “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

“The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy…” Why We Pray “The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy…” John 10:10

1. Ushers in God’s Presence What Prayer Does 1. Ushers in God’s Presence “How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men! You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the Lord, For He has made marvelous His lovingkindness to me in a besieged city.” Psalm 31:19-21

1. Ushers in God’s Presence What Prayer Does 1. Ushers in God’s Presence - Safety – v.20 - Loving-kindness – v.21 - Joy – Psalm 16:11 - Peace – Isaiah 26:3 - Hope – Psalm 42:5

“And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit…” What Prayer Does 2. Releases God’s Power “And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit…” Luke 4:14

“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” What Prayer Does 2. Releases God’s Power “But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21

3. Fulfills God’s Purposes What Prayer Does 3. Fulfills God’s Purposes “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

4. Renews God’s People What Prayer Does “He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:29-31

4. Renews God’s People What Prayer Does “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

4. Renews God’s People What Prayer Does “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

Challenge: Go to the next level in your prayer life; be faithful and see what God will do!