WORSHIP - PRAYER
-Introduction
-Quick review: Continuing series - God’s pattern for N.T. worship
-Prayer - a topic I just cannot do justice to
-On one hand it is a simplistic topic: Our Father in heaven listens to the prayers of
His children and answers them according to His will.
-On the other hand, this topic is complex: How does God answer our prayers? How does
He account for the prayers of “little ole me” within the complexities and grand scale
of the workings of this world and His will?
-What are the things we should pray for? Are there certain things that we shouldn’t
pray for?
-Jas 4:3 (motives), 1 John 5:16
-Even if we don’t understand how God answers our prayers, we should not doubt the
fact that He does.
-I’ve encountered some who did not think God answers our prayers. They had a hard
time understanding some things so they began to doubt.
-example of creation - not presented in a detailed format - but no reason for doubt
-example of the telephone - I don’t understand how it works, but I don’t doubt that it does.
-Life is fragile - handle with prayer. We need to believe in it and utilize it.
-God answers our prayers. What a wonderful blessing!
-Prayer and Worship
-Acts 2:42 - Prayer is listed here in the context of worship.
-Through the avenue of prayer, we have the opportunity and privilege to speak to God.
-We can thank Him, praise Him, glorify Him, honor Him. We can make requests of
Him on our behalf and the behalf of others. We can cast our concerns and burdens
upon Him.
-Oh, what a wonderful blessing - the avenue of prayer!
-Practical statements regarding prayer in worship:
-Even though one person leads the prayer, we should all be praying together.
-Therefore, we need to focus on what’s taking place. We need to listen to the
prayer being offered. We need to pray with focus of mind and sincerity of heart.
-lack of focus = wandering mind
-Those leading the prayer should try to speak clearly and loud enough for others to hear,
remembering that others are praying with him.
-Continued Prayer
-very important: Prayer should extend beyond worship.
-When we look at the faithful Christians in the early church, you can’t separate them from
prayer.
-Acts 12:5
-Example of the apostle Paul:
-his prayerfulness for his fellow Christians
-Rom 1:8-10; Eph 1:15-16; Phil 1:3-5
-his instructions to pray
-1 Tim 2:1; 1 Thess 5:17; Phil 4:6
-his requests for the prayers of others
-Rom 15:30; Eph 6:18-19; 1 Thess 5:25
-Example and Teaching of Jesus
-Luke 6:12 - prior to selecting the 12 apostles
-Matt 14:23 - private prayer
-Set aside some time to privately pray to God. Let Him know what’s on your mind.
Openly and personally talk to Him.
-special note: In the above passages, we see Jesus spending considerable amounts of time
in prayer. Oh, how little time we spend in prayer.
-John 17
-Garden of Gethsemane
-Sermon on the mount:
-Matt 6 - Prayer was included in its wonderful themes.
-Matt 5:44; 7:7-11
-Summary and Invitation
-Think about this: Prayer is a necessity for our salvation. Therefore, if God does not answer
prayer, we are without hope.
-Initial obedience: Believe (John 3:16, 8:24), Confess (Matt 10:32), Repent (Luke 13:3,5;
Acts 17:30), Be Baptized (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38).
-Following our initial obedience to the Gospel, we then have the responsibility to live
faithfully. But, we cannot live perfectly.
-1 John 1:7-9
-This involves prayer: James 5:16, Acts 8:22-24
-God answers our prayers! Oh, what a wonderful blessing.
-Remember: Life is fragile - handle with prayer. Believe in it. Utilize it.
-Perhaps you are in need of prayers this morning.
Date: January 22, 2006