WHAT IS A PRAYER?  A prayer is a special privilege God grants to us:  Even though we are sinners God grants us prayers as a way of communicating with Him .  GOD GRANTS US THE TIME, PLACE & CONDITION FOR US TO PRAY

WHY ARE OUR PRAYERS POWERFUL?  BECAUSE GOD CALLS US TO PRAY  Isaiah 1:18 (New International Version)  18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.  Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28  Skill s, talents, ideas, and other abilities help us to find rest and pleasure in our purpose

WHY IS IT NECESSARY FOR US TO COMMUNICATE WITH GOD  GOD WANTS TO RESTORE US TO OUR ORIGINAL STATE  HE WANTS US TO OFFER OUR HEARTS TO HIM SO THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS AND MERCY HE CAN FIX US  WHY?  God loves us  God cares for us  It is impossible for us to live without God  God does not want us to live in an eternity without Him

important thoughts on prayer  1 Thessalonians 5: Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  Romans 12: 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  James 5:16 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  Philippians 4:6-7 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

GOD’S DESIRE FOR US  EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SINNERS AND WE CONSTANTLY REBEL AGAINST HIM, GOD CONTINUALLY INVITES US TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH HIM

WHY ARE OUR PRAYER POWERFUL  GOD HAS A SYSTEM THROUGH WHICH OUR PRAYERS ARE TAKEN CARE OF  WE HAVE AN INTERCESSOR who sits at the right hand of God pleading for our causes  Jesus is our Great High Priest  Hebrews 4: 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, [e] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.e

WHY ARE OUR PRAYERS POWERFUL  PSALM 91: 11…  11 For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways ………  14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

WHY ARE OUR PRAYERS POWERFUL  GOD HIMSELF ACTS ON OUR BEHALF  Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  GOD EMPOWERS US TO BE SUCCESSFUL  John 15:16 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.

BELIEF: A KEY ELEMENT IN PRAYER  Mark 11:24 (New International Version)  24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

When should we pray?  James 5: 13 – 20: 13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.