1. Three Prayers

2. Theory & Practice 1. Musician: notes but no practice 2. Farmer: fertilizer, seed, timing… 3. Parenting: don’t let me catch you… 4. Christian... Prays for salvation of souls, growth of Christians, but does nothing

3. Our prayers reveal our attitude about God and spiritual things John’s head (Mt.14) Portion of goods (Lk.15) This power (Ac.8) Wisdom & knowledge 2 Chr.1:10 (Ec.1-2; 1 K.11) “Give me … ”

4. I. Creator For Creatures, Lk.23

5. Jesus perfectly practiced what He prayed Mt.5:43-44 Lk.23:32-34 Easy to say... Consummation of afflictions Judas / other disciples Six trials Insults Scourging / ridicule / pain… Separation from Father

6. Jesus perfectly practiced what He prayed Crowds that once cheered, now jeered As enemies celebrate His defeat and pile on mockery... He prays for their forgiveness, V.35 (Mt.5)

7. Jesus perfectly practiced what He prayed Lord’s prayer is conditional Even for robber (Lk.23:39-43) If they continue in sin… Is.59:1-2 Prayer: grant them time & opportunity to repent

8. Jesus perfectly practiced what He prayed Timeline after Jesus’ death 3 days later: He rises from dead 40 days pass (Ac.1:3, 9-11) 10 more days: Ac.2:1, 22-24, 36-41

9. I. Creator For Creatures II. Preacher For Persecutors

10. Acts 7 1. Parallels Lord’s prayer 2. Ac.6, Spirit; servant; preacher; defender of faith Kangaroo court False charges Unjust judges Both murdered Both prayed for murderers Stephen uses Scripture; Jews, murder. Stood to pray for himself; kneeled for enemies.

11. I. Creator For Creatures III. Guilty Criminal For Guilty Christians II. Preacher For Persecutors

12. 2 Tim.4:16-18 Saul saw Stephen die; remembered (Ac.22:19-20) Stephen prayed for Saul Acts 2: success of Lord’s prayer Acts 22: success of Stephen’s prayer

13. 2 Tim.4:16-18 Saul saw Stephen die; remembered (Ac.22:19-20) Stephen prayed for Saul Acts 2: conditions in Lord’s prayer Acts 9, 22: conditions in Stephen’s…

14. 2 Tim.4:16-18 Paul echoes prayers of Lord & Stephen  16: first defense: all forsook him (10)  17: what others neglected, Lord supplied  18: choices: Lord could rescue Paul by saving him... OUT OF lion’s mouth BY MEANS OF lion’s mouth

15. We must pray for enemies, Lk.6 1. Pray for others / the ‘worst’ others / who don’t even want our prayers 2. Prayer: “save them, not in their sins, but from their sins: give them time & opportunity to repent; give us an opportunity to help…” (1 Jn.5:16) 3. Spiritual people show more concern for souls; worldly people for things 4. Follow Jesus’ example, 1 Pt.2:21 / Mt.6