Some Thoughts on Prayer

Imagine with me that you have made friends with a neighbor and were able to introduce that person to the Lord. He or she accepts Jesus into their heart and then wants to know about what a Christian does, specifically about prayer.

What is prayer?

   

               Prayer is the way we talk to God, through Jesus.

 Why do We Have to Pray?

               We pray because Jesus set the example for us.

               He spent time alone in prayer on a regular basis.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

(Luke 5:16) (NIV)

               In the garden of Gethsemane, He prayed for His Father’s will to be done.

(Matthew 26:36-45) (NIV)

              

               He taught the disciples how to pray

(Matthew 6:9-13) (NIV)

He prayed for Himself.

“Father, now glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

(John 17:5) (NIV)

               He prayed for the disciples.

(John 17:6-19)(NIV)

   

               He prayed for those who would believe because of the disciples’ ministry.

(John 17:20-21)(NIV)

When Can We Pray?

                

               We can access God through prayer at any time of the day or night. Even when we can’t sleep, we can pray.

What about the things we can’t have any control over?

               We can still pray because our God is in control. People need to remember that God is in control of all that happens in our world.

Do our prayers really matter to God?

              

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

“The prayer offered in faith will make a sick person well. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:15a, 16b (NIV)