1. The Purpose and Practice
PRAYER:
The Purpose and Practice

2. What is Prayer?
Strong's definition: to petition, to beseech, make request, inquire
Websters: an act of communion with God, a reverent petition made to God

3. What is Prayer?
John Bunyan described prayer this way “True prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of your heart or soul to God, through Jesus Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to the word of God, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God.

4. What is Prayer?
Prayer is communicating (talking) with God. That’s nice and simple. Nothing complicated. You don’t have to be in a certain place or in a particular position to pray. You don’t have to have your hands clasped together, saying certain words in the right order. Prayer is just you telling God what’s on your heart, mind or soul.

5. What is Prayer?
A dialogue between God and a believer, which includes both talking and listening.
What prayer is not: what I can get from God.

6. What is Prayer? Prayer is a gift from God
Prayer is a conversation from the heart with the Lord
Prayer is the spiritual oxygen of every Christian person
Prayer helps us to nurture a relationship with the Almighty God
Prayer is an act of trust in God’s divine providence

7. Why Pray?
In several parts of the Bible we are encouraged and charged to pray:
2 Chronicles 7:14 ”If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray…”
Luke 18:1-8 ”Men ought always to pray and not give up…”
1 Samuel 12:23 “God forbid that I should sin by ceasing to pray for you…”
Prayer enables us to align with Gods will and to partner with Him to do His work on Earth. We exercise our recovered authority and dominion in Christ through prayer. (John 16:23– 24) “Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:7

8. What is the purpose of prayer?

10. What is the purpose of prayer?
To bring us closer to God’s transforming presence
To strengthen us spiritually through God’s grace
To help our faith to grow
To help us listen to God’s will for our lives
To seek divine assistance and wisdom

12. Types of prayer Prayers of adoration and blessing Prayers of praise
Prayers of petition
Prayers of thanksgiving
Prayers of intercession

13. When and where is best time to pray?
Any time, any place, is a good time or place for prayer
Early morning before our daily routine or responsibilities
Before meals
During the course of a daily walk
While doing the washing or cutting the grass
As you wait for the bus or in your car driving to work
While listening to the sea
At night before bed

14. How to Pray?

15. How to Pray? - 5 Finger Prayer

16. Hindrances to prayer Not fellowshipping with God Doubt & Unbelief
Not praying in Jesus’ name
Not asking or asking with the wrong motives
Not asking according to God’s will
Not having God’s Word in you
Doubt & Unbelief
Giving Up
Not being in agreement
Unforgiveness
Unconfessed sin

17. Effective Prayers
Need Holy Spirit
Need Faith
Need to be consistent

18. Pray for …. The lonely The poor and homeless The sick
Those who find life difficult
Those who do not believe in God
Those living in darkness of sin
Those who are away from God
Those in need
Those who have no one to pray for them