1. “Private Prayer” Matthew 6:5,6 Providence Church of Christ April 29, 2012

2. Developing Our Spiritual Nature  Regular Exercise Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1Ti 4:7-8)

3. Developing Our Spiritual Nature  Regular Exercise  Freedom From Distraction  Emphasis on Personal Concerns

4. Forms a Habit of Close Communion with God  We are creatures of habit Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. (John 8:34)

5. Forms a Habit of Close Communion with God  We are creatures of habit  Create good habits Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. (Pro 13:20)

6. Keeps Us From Many Evils  The source of our worst evils But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (Jas 1:14-15) What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (Jas 4:1-3)

7. Keeps Us From Many Evils But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Gal 5:16-17) Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (Pro 16:32)

8. Keeps Us From Many Evils  The source of our worst evils  Private prayer can help Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Rom 8:26) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)

9. Secures Good Things For Us  Prayer is more than psychological O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. (Psa 65:2) But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Mat 6:6) And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1Jn 5:14-15)

10. Secures Good Things For Us  Prayer is more than psychological  Prayer has changed God’s plans 2 Kings 20:1-6 Jonah 3:1-10

11. Secures Good Things For Us  Prayer is more than psychological  Prayer has changed God’s plans  Prayer is powerful in many ways Give us this day our daily bread, (Mat 6:11) Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." (Mat 26:42) But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." (Luk 21:36)

12. Enables Us To Promote Good and Happiness For Others First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, (1Tim 2:1-3) Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, (2Thess. 3:1) Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (Jas 5:16)

13. Value In Private Prayer  Develops our spiritual nature  Forms a habit of close communion with God  Keeps us from many evils  Secures good things for us  Helps us promote good and happiness for others

14. Plan of Salvation  Hear the Gospel of Christ, Acts 18:8  Believe in Jesus Christ, Rom. 1:16  Repent and Turn to God, Luke 13:3  Confess Jesus Before Men, Acts 8:37  Baptized into Christ, Mark 16:16  Grow and Be Faithful, Matthew 10:22  If Err From The Faith: Repent and Pray God, Acts 8:22