PRAYER part III
PRAYER part III
I Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Our last couple of writings have been on prayer, specifically the position of the heart in prayer and our posture when we pray. This week we want to look at the importance of prayer.
To grow spiritually you will have to be involved in spiritual things, such as Bible reading, attending church services on a regular basis and prayer. If you partake of these regularly you will experience spiritual growth. But if you let the things of the world have precedence in your life, you need not expect to grow.
Spurgeon said “neglect of prayer is the locust that devours the strength of the church”.
Everyone can’t sing, teach, or preach. But everyone can pray. “If Christians spent as much time praying as they do grumbling, they would soon have nothing to grumble about.” Anonymous
George Muller said “Prayer is not merely an occasional impulse to which we respond when we are in trouble, prayer is a life attitude:”
How would you rate your prayer life? On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate?
Many, it is sad to say, have never progressed past the childhood prayer at bed time “now I lay me down to sleep”.
Jesus felt prayer was important as He prayed often. His disciples wanted to know more of how to pray for they asked Him to teach them to pray.
D L Moody said, “We are not told that Jesus ever taught His disciples how to preach, but He taught them how to pray. He wanted them to have power with God, then He knew they would have power with man.”
There are four types of prayers, Prayers of Thanksgiving, Prayes of Worship, Intercessory Prayers and Evangelistic Prayers. In each of these there are 4 distinct things to do to grow your prayer life.
1. Be specific
Phillipians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
2. Be feverent
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
3. Be righteous
Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my hear, the Lord will not hear me
Proverbs 13:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous
4. Be persistant
Psalm 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
The main thing about prayer is to pray. Wherever, whenever, however and as often as you can pray, pray, pray!!!!!! Have a Great Day