Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” PREACHED MARCH 12, 2017 BY BROTHER BOB Ref: Assemblies of God National Prayer Center www.prayer.ag.org

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” God Commands Us to Pray. (1 Chronicles 16:11; Isaiah 55:6; Luke 18:1; Colossians 4:2) Both the Old and New Testaments exhort us to seek God for strength, guidance, and help. Many passages of Scripture echo this call, such as Amos 5:4,5; Ephesians 6:18; and 1 Thessalonians 5:17. God wants to hear the voices of His people. Simply put, the mandate from Scripture is clear: We must pray!

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” God Commands Us to Pray. (1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV) Look to the Lord and his strength;     seek his face always

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” God Commands Us to Pray. (Isaiah 55:6 NIV) Seek the Lord while he may be found;     call on him while he is near.

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” 1. God Commands Us to Pray. (Luke 18:1 NIV) The Parable of the Persistent Widow Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” God Commands Us to Pray. (Colossians 4:2 NIV) Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” 2. Prayer Links Us with God in a Personal Way. (Exodus 33:11-15; Romans 8:26,27) Prayer forms a unique, powerful communication link with God—an intimate, “heart-to-heart” conversation with Him. That alone is a compelling enough reason to pray.

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” 2. Prayer Links Us with God in a Personal Way. (Exodus 33:11-15 NIV) The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” 2. Prayer Links Us with God in a Personal Way. (Romans 8:26,27 NIV)  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” 3. Prayer Allows Us to Collaborate with the Plans of God. (1 Kings 18:20-38; Acts 16:25-34) Throughout time, prayer has helped bring about renewal and revival to nations. Spiritual strongholds have been destroyed. The gospel has spread around the world. Diseases have been healed, relationships restored, finances replenished, and hurting hearts comforted.

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” 3. Prayer Allows Us to Collaborate with the Plans of God. (1 Kings 18:20-38 NIV) So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” 3. Prayer Allows Us to Collaborate with the Plans of God. (1 Kings Acts 16:25-34 NIV) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” Prayer Brings God’s Guidance. (Psalm 143:1,8; Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 4:3; James 1:5) Prayer is our greatest source of direction, wisdom, discretion, and discernment. How many times there are in life when we cannot know the answers in our own knowledge and strength. That’s why we need to pray.

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” Prayer Brings God’s Guidance. (Psalm 143:1 NIV) Lord, hear my prayer,     listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness     come to my relief.

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” Prayer Brings God’s Guidance. (Psalm 143:8 NIV) Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,     for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go,     for to you I entrust my life..

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” Prayer Brings God’s Guidance. (Ephesians 6:19 NIV) Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” Prayer Brings God’s Guidance. (Colossians 4:3 NIV) And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” Prayer Brings God’s Guidance. (James 1:5 NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” 1. God Commands Us to Pray. 2. Prayer Links Us with God in a Personal Way. 3. Prayer Allows Us to Collaborate with God’s Plans. 4. Prayer Brings God’s Guidance. The Old Geezer says, “When you Preach, tell um what your gorna tell um; tell um; and tell um what you told um.”

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God”

Prayer Basics: Why Should We Pray? “Connect with the Heart of God” The Old Geezer says,