Why Pray?

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Scripture Tells us to Pray• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray without

ceasing”• Ephesians 6:18 “praying at all times in

the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication”

• Philippians 4:6 “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”

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Jesus Expects us to Pray• Matt 6:5 “And when you pray” • Matt 6:6 “And when you pray”• Matt 6:7 “And when you pray”• Matt 6:9 “Pray then like this”• Luke 11:9 “And I tell you, ask”• Luke 18:1 “And he told them a

parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”

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Jesus Modeled Prayer• He prayed in the morning

– Mark 1:35 “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”

• He prayed all night– Luke 6:12 “In these days he went out to

the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.”

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• He prayed before all the great crises and events of His earthly life

– The choosing of the 12, the feeding of the 5000, baptism, transfiguration, crucifixion

• He still prays– Romans 8:34 “Who is to condemn?

Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

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The Importance of Prayer• Prayer is foundational

– Luke 10:41-42 “But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’”

– Acts 6:2, 4 “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables… But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

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The Importance of Prayer• Prayer brings us closer to God

– Psalm 73:28 “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge”

– Hebrews 10:22 “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith”

– Psalm 27:8 “You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, Your face, LORD, do I seek.’”

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The Importance of Prayer• Prayer brings us the peace of God

– Philippians 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

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The Importance of Prayer• God helps us when we pray

– Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

• Prayer helps us to resist temptation– Luke 21:36 “stay awake at all times,

praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place”

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The Importance of Prayer• Prayer helps us because we are

involved in spiritual warfare– Ephesians 6 “For we do not wrestle

against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”

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The Importance of Prayer• God works on us in prayer

– Matthew 6:8 “For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him”

– Matthew 9:38; 10:1, 5 “’Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’ And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him…These twelve Jesus sent out”

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The Importance of Prayer• Prayer brings us joy

– John 16:24 “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”