1. PRAYER 1. What is Prayer ? 2. Power of Prayer 3. Acceptable Prayer 4. Questions about Prayer

2. 1. What is the definition of Prayer ?  Talking to God  Rom. 10:1 “my hearts desire and prayer”  “A prayer is a wish turned heavenward.”  Expresses the desires of his heart to God.

3. 2. Who can Pray ? God’s People 1 Pet. 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” Jas. 5:16 “…the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

4. 2. Who can Pray ? God’s People John 9:31 “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.” God does not answer prayers of sinners !

5. 3. How Often should we Pray ? “Pray without ceasing” 1 Thes. 5:17 “Continue in prayer” - Col. 4:2 “...continuing instant in prayer” Rom. 12:12 “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Ps. 55:17

6. 3. How Often should we Pray ? Every day should begin and end with prayer “Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night. At night it is our covering; in the morning it is our armor.” Christians should pray at all times !

7. 4. How Long should our prayers be ? Some were short  David - 2 Sam. 7:18-29 = 2 or 3 min.  Elijah - 2 Kings 18:36-37 = 30 seconds  Solomon - 1 Kings 8:22-61 = 8 minutes  Disciples - Acts 1:24-25 = 15 seconds  Model prayer - Matt.6:9-13 = 30 seconds

8. 4. How Long should our prayers be ? Some were Long  Prophets of Baal - 1 Kings 18:27-38 = about 6 hours  Jesus - Luke 6:12 = prayed all night  Matt.23:14 “for a pretence make long prayers.”

9. 5. Does God answer prayers today through Miracles ? Miracle Miracle = an act of God superseding or suspending a natural law. [1] If miracles have ceased then God cannot answer our prayers today. [2] If God answers our prayers today it is because miracles continue today.

10. [1] If miracles have ceased then God cannot answer our prayers today.  Assumes all answered by miracles  In the days of miracles God answered by normal means  1 Kings 17-18 - James 5:17  Hannah - 1 Sam. 1  Acts 9 - Tabitha - Dorcas

11. [2] If God answers our prayers today it is because miracles continue today.  He did in times past  Miracles have ceased - 1 Cor. 13 God does answer our prayers today, but it is not through miraculous means !!

12. 6. Why Pray if God’s will must be done ? 1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” If God’s will must inevitably be done, why pray at all ? God’s will is sometimes conditional upon man’s will !

13. 7. Are there limits to Prayer ? Matt. 17:20 “... If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” God has limits on what we can do in prayer! SeasonsGravity Seeds Laws

14. 8. Is prayer necessary since God knows All things ? Does the omniscience of God make prayer unnecessary ?  God is all knowing  God knows all our needs  So why do we pray ?

15. 8. Is prayer necessary since God knows All things ? Matt. 7:7-12 - James 4:1-3  God wants us to ask  We pray not to inform God of our needs  We pray because God does know and desires to answer

16. Prayer is a wonderful Gift that God has given to His children. Many questions about prayer can never be answered. But some can be answered. Question for you? Are your prayers heard ?

17. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249arthurpigman@cybrtyme.com Sunday Evening October 22, 2006