I.       Introduction.

A.     “…be serious and watchful in your prayers.” 1 Pet. 4:7

B.     When prayer loses its place in our lives we have lost our faith in God.

II.      PRAYER IS BASED ON A PROPER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

A.      Prayer is Unsuccessful without a Relationship with God.

                                                              i.       “Our Father” – His children, Matt. 6:9.

                                                            ii.      Prayers are petitions that grow out of relationship, Matt. 7:7-11.

                                                          iii.      In fellowship with God…Heard by God, Jno. 9:31; 1 Pet. 3:12.

B.     Fundamentally: Prayer is a Spiritual Blessing we have in Christ, Eph. 1:3; cf. Heb. 4:16; Phil. 4:6-7.

                                                              i.      You must be in Christ to enjoy it, Gal. 3:26-27.

                                                            ii.      Obedient life of faith, 1 Jno. 2:3-6.

III.    SOME IMPORTANT FEATURES OF PRAYER.

A.     Prayer is…

                                                              i.      An appeal: God’s care & interven­tion, Eph. 3:20.

1.      cf. Nehemiah’s request, Neh. 1:11-2:4, 8.

2.      Like Elijah, our prayers can move God to action, Jas. 5:16-18.       

3.      Matt. 6:10: “Prayer is not getting God to do my will; it is asking that God’s will be done in my life, my family, my business, and in my relationships, as it is done in heaven.” (Jesus’ Blueprint for Prayer, Haddon W. Robinson, 14-15)

4.      Such a prayer, when prayed in faith, compels us to submit our lives to the Master’s will! 

                                                            ii.      A request: God’s help, Phil. 4:6. (A seeking, asking, an entreaty)

1.      For forgiveness, Matt. 6:12 (1 Jno. 1:9).  

2.      For blessings, cf. Eph. 6:18-20:

a.      Material, Matt. 6:11, 31-32.

b.      Spiritual, Phil. 4:7 (cf. strength, comfort, assurance, etc.)

c.       For wisdom, Jas. 1:5-8.

3.      For others, 1 Tim. 2:1-2; Matt. 5:44 (enemies); Jas. 5:16.

                                                          iii.       An expression of:

1.       Thankfulness, 1 Ths. 5:17-18; Grateful recognition of God’s gifts.

2.      Respect, 1 Chrn. 29:10-13.  Prayer must express our reverence & honor for God; Adoration & praise (Acts 4:24).

3.       Dependency upon God, 1 Tim. 5:5; Psa. 17:6-9; 61:1-2.

4.      World says: “Rely on self” -- Prayer says: “Rely on God!”

IV.   HOW TO EFFECTIVELY AND REVERENTLY PRAY (Lk. 11:1).

A.     In Faith, Mk. 11:22-24.

                                                              i.      With trust, reliance & confidence in God.

                                                            ii.      “Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer move God!”

                                                          iii.      Expect prayer to prevail, 1 Jno. 5:14-15.

B.     Live in Harmony with what You Pray, Mk. 11:25-26; Lk. 18:9-12.

                                                              i.      Make choices that are consistent with your prayers.

                                                            ii.      Example: Prayer of adoration (show reverence); for blessings (be thankful), for forgiveness (forgive others).

                                                          iii.      Obedient, holy living, 1 Pet. 1:15-17; 1 Jno. 3:21-22.

1.       A full scope of hearing & response is assured because of an obedient life.

2.      Rebellion forfeits God hearing & answering, 1 Pet. 3:12.

3.      Disobedience impedes prayer, 1 Pet. 3:7.

C.     Ask According to the Will of God, 1 Jno. 5:14-15.

                                                              i.       Where God has revealed His will we cannot expect Him to answer in violation of it. For example:

1.      Pray for salvation vs. plan of salvation

2.      Pray for dead vs. death ends opportunity.

3.      Pray for miracle vs. end of miracles (1 Cor. 13:8-10).

                                                            ii.      Here is when faith in prayer is crucial: The prayer of faith honors the will of God; it does not seek to violate it, Matt. 26:39.

1.       We are not to “order” God around in prayer (make demands).

2.      Neither do we “preach” to God.

D.    The Content of Our Prayers:

                                                              i.      ACTS: (Attentive) Adoration... (contrite) Confession... (Thorough) Thanksgiving... (Serious) Supplication.

                                                            ii.       Humble, expressive entreaty of the heart to Almighty God.

                                                          iii.       Appropriate to the occasion: Public or private; Lord’s Supper or dinner table, sick bed or Bible study, personal confession, thanksgiving for blessings, etc. (cf. Acts 4:24-30).

V.     Conclusion.

A.     Psa. 66:16-20: We should rejoice in the presence & power of God which is given to us in prayer.

B.      We must be a praying people if we expect the Lord to be a prayer-answering God.

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