1. The Christian & Prayer

2. What is prayer? What is prayer? When should we pray? When should we pray? What happens when we pray? What happens when we pray? Why don’t our prayers always seem to work? Why don’t our prayers always seem to work?

3. What is Prayer? Talking to God Talking to God The expression of our heart The expression of our heart –Hannah (1 Samuel 1:10, 13) –Paul (Romans 10:1)

4. When Should We Pray? Pray without ceasing & in everything give thanks (1 Thes. 5:17-18) Pray without ceasing & in everything give thanks (1 Thes. 5:17-18) Jesus prayed… Jesus prayed… –After His baptism (Lk. 3:21-22) –After a surge in His popularity (Lk. 5:12-16) –Before a difficult decision (Lk. 6:12-13) –After a long day of “work” (Lk. 9:12-18) –When He was burdened (Lk. 9:29) –When He anticipated disappointment (Lk. 22:31-32) –When His heart was broken or facing a great challenge (Lk. 22:39-46) –When He was dying (Lk. 23:34, 46; Mt. 27:46)

5. What Happens When We Pray? The Godhead listens (1 Peter 3:12) The Godhead listens (1 Peter 3:12) The power of God is unleashed (Eph 3:14-21 The power of God is unleashed (Eph 3:14-21 –We have power in prayer –When we depend on _ we get what _ can get us –The providence of God is set in motion (Jas. 5:16-18; Psa. 23; Mt. 6:25-34) –Nothing less than the “best” will result Every good gift comes from God (Jas. 1:17) Every good gift comes from God (Jas. 1:17) God promises us good gifts (Mt 7:7-11; Mk 11:20-24) God promises us good gifts (Mt 7:7-11; Mk 11:20-24)

6. What Happens When We Pray? The power of God is unleashed (cont.) The power of God is unleashed (cont.) –How God answers “Yes” “Yes” –Hannah asked for a son (1 Sam. 1:1-20) –The church asked for Peter’s freedom (Acts 12:1-12) “No” “No” –Moses asked for forgiveness for the people (Ex. 32:31-35) –Jesus prayed to be released from Calvary (Mt. 26:36-44) Sometimes God gives something else Sometimes God gives something else –David: perpetual kingdom, not building house (2 Sam 7:1- 17) –Paul: grace to endure, not removal of thorn (2 Cor 12:7-10)

7. What Happens When We Pray? The power of God is unleashed (cont.) The power of God is unleashed (cont.) –God promises to give what is best for us If we ask for something NOT for our best, if will not happen If we ask for something NOT for our best, if will not happen If something is for our best & we don’t ask, it might not happen If something is for our best & we don’t ask, it might not happen If something is for our best & we ask for it, we better get ready for it to happen If something is for our best & we ask for it, we better get ready for it to happen

8. Why don’t our prayers always seem to work? Maybe the problem is “us” Maybe the problem is “us” –Maybe expecting too much (Mt. 6:7; Heb. 5:5-8) –Maybe not expecting enough (Jas. 1:5-7; Mt. 21:22; Heb. 11:6) –Maybe not living right (Prov. 1:24-28; 28:9) –Maybe trying hard to live right; become self-righteous (Lk. 18:9-14) –Maybe at odds with another Christian (Mt 5:21-24; 6:14-15; 1 Jn 3:16-22; 1 Pet 3:7)

9. Why don’t our prayers always seem to work? Maybe the problem is our “prayer” Maybe the problem is our “prayer” –Maybe not asking (Jas. 4:2) –Maybe asking for wrong reason (Jas. 4:3) –Maybe asking in wrong way-God’s will be done (Mt. 6:10; Lk. 22:42) –Maybe asking for wrong thing (Paul’s thorn 2 Cor. 12; Good gifts Mt. 7) –Maybe we’ve stopped asking (ask, seek, knock Mt. 7:7; persistence Lk. 11:5-10; 18:1-5; Eph 6:18)