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Prayer Was Made Earnestly of the Church Unto God What the New Testament Teaches About Congregational Praying in Worship to God Prepared by Chris Reeves * Skyline church of Christ Gospel Meeting * May 16, 2015

Prayer As Worship to God The subject of prayer is very broad God has a relationship with his children like a father does with his son; he wants to give us good things (Mt. 7:9-11; Jas. 1:5) God is very conscious of us (Lk. 12:7) God is Almighty and can grant us all that we need (Eph. 3:20-21; Phil. 4:19)

Prayer Basics: Who? Praying can be individual (Acts 16:25; Jas. 1:5; 5:13), or congregational (Acts 2:42; 16:16)

Prayer Basics: How? Prayer is address to God the Father (Mt. 6:9) Prayer is to be “in his name” (Jn. 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-24,26), meaning with respect to Jesus; according to his nature and teaching; through his mediator-ship (Rom. 8:34; Col. 3:17; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:15-16; 7:25; 9:24; 1 Jn. 2:1-2) We receive help from the H.S. (Rom. 8:26-27)

Prayer Basics: How? Prayer posture can be in different forms; no particular form is required: kneeling (Lk. 22:41; Eph. 3:14), bowing (Mt. 26:29; Mk. 14:35; 1 Cor. 14:25), standing w/ hands and face upward (Mk. 11:25; Lk. 18:11, 13; 1 Sam. 1:26; 1 K. 8:22; 1 Tim. 2:8)

Prayer Basics: When? Prayer was made by the church in times of decision, change, and farewell (Acts 6:6; 8:15; 13:3; 14:23; 21:5) Prayer was made by the church in difficult times (Acts 12:5,12) Prayer was made by the church for Paul (2 Cor. 1:11; Eph. 6:19; Phil. 1:19; Col. 4:2-3; 1 Thess. 5:17,25)

Prayer Basics: When? Prayer was made by the church regularly; constantly (Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17; 1 Pet. 4:7) Prayer was made by the church for all the saints (Eph. 6:18; Phil. 1:19; Col. 4:3) Prayer was made by the church with thanksgiving (Eph. 5:20; Col. 3:17; 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17)

Prayer Basics: When? Prayer was made by the church for all men and leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-2, 8) Prayer was made by the church for physical and spiritual sickness (Jas. 5:13-16; 1 Jn. 5:16)

Prayer Basics: What? Prayers can be made in 5 different forms… A doration / Praise (Acts 4:24ff) C onfession: sin (Jas. 5:16) T hanksgiving (Rom. 16:4; Col. 4:2-3; 1 Tim. 2:1) S upplication / Petition (Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:1) I ntercession (1 Tim. 2:1)

Prayer Warnings Prayer is not a magical rite; one that works simply because it is done Do not pray with unrepentant sinfulness (Prov. 28:9; Isa. 59:1-2; 66:18) Do not pray with hypocrisy or for show (Mt. 6:5-6; Lk. 20:45-47; note Jn. 15:7; 1 Tim. 2:8; Jas. 5:16 and 1 Jn. 3:22)

Prayer Warnings Do not pray with empty words or vain repetitions (Mt. 6:7-8) Do not pray while failing to forgive others (Mt. 18:21ff) Do not pray with doubt or a lack of faith (Mk. 11:24; Jas. 1:5-8)

Prayer Warnings Do not pray with proud self-righteousness (Lk. 18:10-14) Do not pray while angry (1 Tim. 2:8) Do not neglect prayer (Jas. 4:2) Do not pray for selfish pleasures (Jas. 4:3, 15; note Mk. 14:36 and 1 Jn. 5:14)

How Can We Improve Our Prayers? Pray so others can hear, understand, and respond with “Amen” (an affirmation of truth; 1 Cor. 14:14-17) Pray using the 5 different forms (A-C-T-S-I), not the same words Pray from the heart, not from mere habit

How Can We Improve Our Prayers? Pray to be heard of God, not of men [ Parents, encourage your child to pray at an early age! ]