20-12-16 EXPERIENCING GOD THROUGH PRAYER

What is prayer to you?
Luke 11:1-10; I Tim 2:8; I Thess. 5:16-18

WHAT IS PRAYER?
The most basic definition of prayer is “talking to God.”
Prayer is not meditation or passive reflection; it is direct address to God.

It is the communication of the human soul with the Lord who created the soul. Prayer is the primary way for the believer in Jesus Christ to communicate his emotions and desires with God and to fellowship with God.

THERE ARE LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT PRAYER?
Why do we need to pray at all, especially in a culture where everything available?
Prayer is one of the most mysterious aspects of the Christian walk. We wonder if God really hears our prayers, if our prayers have an effect on our lives, what is acceptable to pray about, how we should pray, how long we should pray and on and on. So why do we even do it?
What questions do you have about prayer?

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER?
We pray because it is a privilege. God is far above us, completely holy and only comprehensible inasmuch as He reveals Himself to us. Prayer is His invitation to get to know Him. God allows us to approach Him. In fact, He desires it.
Prayer is a way to strengthen our relationship with God. (Luke 6:12; Matt 14:23). Prayer is our way of communing with God. Just as friends and family members spend time talking with one another to deepen their relationships, so prayer deepens our relationship with God. Heb 4:15-16

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER?
When a person is born again from above, the life of the Son of God is born in him, and he can either starve or nourish that life. Prayer is the way that the life of God in us is nourished. Gal 4:6
We often look upon prayer simply as a means of getting things for ourselves, but the biblical purpose of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself. 
God is not a magical genie who answers our every wish, nor is He a weak God who can be controlled or manipulated by our prayers.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER?
The best way to learn about the purpose of prayer is studying the example of Jesus during His earthly ministry.
See how Jesus used prayer in John 17 (it was based on a relationship).
He prayed for Himself and for others – intercession
He prayed to commune with the Father. 
He prayed for His future disciples

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER?
Jeremiah 10:23; Prov 16:1; 20:24; Matt 6:9-10
“The immediate purpose of prayer is the accomplishing of God’s will on earth; the ultimate purpose of prayer is the eternal glory of God”
Author Warren Wiersbe
Prayer helps us synchronize our life with God’s will as He forms us into His image. Prayer’s purpose is not to force or cajole God to go along with our narrow and shortsighted idea of what we think is going on.
Submitting to the Father’s will: “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt 26:39). With any request we have, we must submit to God’s will.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER?
Prayer is an act of worship to God. He commands us to pray. When we pray to the Lord, recognizing Him for who He is and what He has done, it is an act of worship. 2 Kings 19:15, 1 Chronicles 17:20, Psalm 86:12–13, John 12:28, and Romans 11:33–36.

How we pray should reflect this purpose; our focus should be on who God is, not on ourselves.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER IN THESE VERSES?
Matt 6:9-10;
Matt 7:7-8; 21:21-22
Matt 9:37-38
Matt 5:44
Rom 10:1; 15:30-32;
2 Cor. 1:8-11;
Col 4:12
Phil 4:6-7
2 Thess. 3:1

James 5:14-15
Acts 28:8
Mark 9:29
Acts 12:5,12; 16:25-26; 9:40
James 1:5
Acts 13:2-3
Col 1:9-10; Eph 1:17
Luke 22:32; 21:36
Matt 26:41

IS THERE ANYTHING CHRISTIANS SHOULDN’T PRAY FOR OR PRAY ABOUT?
I Jn 5:14-16; James 5:16; Matt 6:25; Matt 6:33-34 (Message)