Effective Prayer Part 1
The Purpose of Prayer
Sunday, April 26, 2020
I.The Purpose of Prayer
- (Luke 11:1) “Lord, teach us to pray…”
What is Prayer?
a.(Matt. 6:9-13) Prayer is relational communication and fellowship with God based on His Word. Prayer invites heavens intervention into earthly matters, brings eternity into time, brings the eternal into the physical.
b.The 1st and primary purpose of prayer is to establish and maintain a personal intimate relationship with the Lord.
~(John 3:16 NIV; 17:3) eternal life = knowing God
~(Matt. 7:21-23) I never knew you
~(John 15:1-9 TPT) life union = marriage covenant
c.Prayer is a lifestyle and not merely an event.
~(Luke 18:1 AMP; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18 AMP; Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2 AMP; 1 Thess. 5:16-18)
d.The best way to understand this lifestyle of prayer is to understand a loving husband/wife marriage relationship.
~Communion is ongoing, constant and fits into your normal day.
~At times it’s appropriate and even necessary to isolate yourselves alone for times of intimacy.
~Not all times are spectacular or sensational.
~There are times of joy, sadness and correction.
2.Some common misunderstandings about prayer.
a.(Matt. 6:5-8)
~Praying to impress people.
~Praying long repeating prayers.
~Prayer is not meant to be memorized prayers.
~If God knows what I have need of before I pray, why do I need to pray?
-The will of God is not automatic.
b.(Jas. 1:5-8)
c.(Jas. 4:1-3 NLT)
d.(Jas. 5:13-16)
f(John 5:14-15 AMP)
[Pastor Lee Stokes]