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Remember to Pray
Introduction: as I
was reminded this week, prayer is simply talking to God, Psalm 55:
16-17. Prayer is a very natural part of our existence. Our
heavenly father loves to hear our voices. We are encouraged to make
our requests known to God the Philippians 4:6; To pour out our heart
before him Psalm 62: 8. We need to honor him by learning to speak
to him according to how he has instructed us in this World - to
learn the principles of prayer from scripture.
1.
Pray in Jesus name (John 14:6)
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Access to God is only available
through Jesus - because of who he is and what he has done, (John 14:
13 and 16: 23-24).
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But this is more than just
adding the words “in Jesus name” at the end of every prayer. It is
having faith in Jesus and relying on his goodness, not ours, (James
1: 5-8).
2.
Pray with the right spirit (Matthew 6:
5-8)
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a person's motivation must be
right for our prayers to be heard, (James 4: 1-4).
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This is also true in marriage,
(1 Peter 3: 7).
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Note what it said about our
attitude in prayer in Hebrews 4: 16. Approach, draw near to. We are
to possess confidence in coming to the throne of grace, (Hebrews 10:
22).
3.
Pray with a right relationship (John 9:
31)
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while God here's every sound in
the entire world, including our thoughts (Psalm 139: 2), in this
sense he hears every prayer. But God doesn't hear with a view to
answering unless we are in a right relationship with him. This is
seen also in the old testament, (Psalm 66: 16-20). One cannot
regard iniquity, cling to it, relish it, (proverbs 15: 8; 28: 9).
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Faithful Christians have the
privilege of a personal relationship with the Father, (Hebrews 7:
25)
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we must continue to ask God for
forgiveness, (1 John 1: 9).
4.
Pray often, (1 Thessalonians 5: 17)
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this suggests a mental attitude
of prayerfulness. Of being aware of being in God's presence, in
fellowship continually with him, (Luke 6: 12)
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“pray without ceasing” constant,
regular prayer. (Psalm 55: 17) “continue earnestly in prayer”,
(Colossians 4: 2).
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The more frequently we interact
with the Lord, the more our relationship deepens. We should be quick
to pray in all circumstances. Possibly set little triggers in your
life to remind you to pray. As you start your car in the morning. As
you begin to do the dishes. Before each meal. Before going to
sleep.
5.
Pray according to his will (1 John 5:
14-15)
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we must ask according to what
the Bible teaches, in accordance with his revealed will., (Matthew
6: 10; Ephesians 5: 17).
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We must not ask God to save
someone in a different manner in which the Bible teaches.
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Praying according to his will
also includes praying in faith and with patience, and in obedience,
(mark 11: 24; mark 14: 36)
6.
Conclusion
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these principles from God's word
will help us in our prayer life. As James 5: 16 reminds us, the
prayer of a righteous person has great power.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford
The church of Christ at Granby, MO
Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109
For more lessons and Sermons please visit
https://granbychurchofchrist.org/
https://granbychurchofchrist.com/ |
