Prayer, what is it?

Talking to God?

Does He answer?

Does prayer help us?

Why pray when God already knows what is on our hearts?

How do we pray?When should we pray?

What is prayer?

Prayer is how we communicate with God. It connects us to Him. It builds our faith in Him. It restores and strengthens us. Prayer is a gift from God.

Why Pray?

God is always there when we pray and always listens and hears us. Prayer draws us closer to Him and His heart. It helps us fall deeper in love with Him. Prayer is not just asking, but thanking, praising, and listening to Him. Prayer is a two sided conversation, not just our requests and thanks, but we must also listen for His voice. Prayer helps sustain us & keep us going.

How do you pray?

God longs to know us and spend time with us. He wants to talk with us. When we pray we need to humble ourselves & let His Spirit speak to us. Let His Will become ours and immerse yourself in His presence. Pour out your heart to Christ. Lay it at His feet. Tell Him your feelings and express your deepest thoughts and desires. He is listening.

Matthew 6:9-13
So pray this way: “Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Psalm 55:17
Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice.

How is Prayer Beneficial?

Praying helps us in many ways. It lets us give up our burden to Him and calms us. It leads us closer to Him. It builds our faith, trust and dependence on Him.

Prayer makes us realize we can do nothing on our own and shows us how much we need Christ. That it is only through His strength we can do anything.

God knew we needed an outlet, a way to let it all out and an ear to hear it. He is always there for us to talk to. He is listening and reaching out to us wanting to help if we trust Him.

Psalm 17:6-9
I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
Bend down and listen as I pray.
Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.
By your mighty power you rescue
those who seek refuge from their enemies.
Guard me as you would guard your own eyes.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Protect me from wicked people who attack me,
from murderous enemies who surround me.

Our Relationship with God

Prayer is an essential part of our relationship with Christ and needs to be a part of our lives everyday. You can’t have a relationship without communication. Everyday we should pray, in everything we should pray. We are told to pray without ceasing. God wants us to talk to Him and to talk to us.

Luke 5:16
Yet Jesus himself frequently withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.

What & When to Pray

Pray when you don’t understand.
Pray when your hurt.
Pray when you’re tempted.
Pray when you feel His Spirit prompting you.
Pray for others.
Pray with others.
Pray when your afraid.

Pray when you need to make a decision.
Pray when you want to quit.
Pray when you feel down and lonely.
Pray when His Spirit convicts you.
Pray when you don’t have the faith or strength.
Pray when your angry.
Pray when your worried.
Pray when you just need talk to someone.
Pray when you need guidance.
Pray when your faith is challenged.
Pray when you don’t know what to say.
Pray when your questioned about your faith.
Pray when you talk to others about Christ.
Pray in every situation.
Pray for your enemies and those that persecute you.
Pray for those that don’t know Christ.
Pray for everyone.
Pray for fellow Christians.
Pray when you feel hopeless.
Pray when praising God.

Pray about everything in all circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:3-8
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!”

Biblical Prayer

Throughout the Bible there are many prayers from God’s people. He knew we needed a way to communicate with Him. Prayer is not to benefit Him, but to benefit us. It’s one of the great gifts He has given us.

Prayer is Powerful

It can move mountains, obstacles, change hearts and minds, make breakthroughs, convict and humble, strengthen and comfort.

Luke 17:6
So the Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this black mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled out by the roots and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

Mark 11:24

For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

1 Peter 3:12

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil.

James 5:16

So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.

Prayer is Our Outlet

It’s a release. It calms and comforts us. We can talk to God just like we talk to people. We can pour our thoughts, feelings, frustrations and requests to Him who can give us peace.

Psalms 143:1-6
A psalm of David.

O LORD, hear my prayer.

Pay attention to my plea for help.

Because of your faithfulness and justice, answer me.

Do not sit in judgment on your servant,

for no one alive is innocent before you.

Certainly my enemies chase me.

They smash me into the ground.

They force me to live in dark regions,

like those who have been dead for ages.

My strength leaves me;

I am absolutely shocked.

I recall the old days.

I meditate on all you have done;

I reflect on your accomplishments.

I spread my hands out to you in prayer;

my soul thirsts for you in a parched land.(Selah)

Psalms 5:2-3
Pay attention to my cry for help,

my King and my God,

for I am praying to you!

LORD, in the morning you will hear me;

in the morning I will present my case to you and then wait expectantly for an answer.

Prayer Strengthens

It can be our support in tough times, challenges and situations. Praying can help us in our struggles by giving us strength to keep going.

Matthew 26:41
“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

Psalms 138:3
When I cried out for help, you answered me.

You made me bold and energized me.

Job 26:2
How you have helped the powerless!

How you have saved the person who has no strength!

Psalms 55:22
Throw your burden upon the LORD,

and he will sustain you.

He will never allow the godly to be shaken.

Prayer Changes Outcomes

God hears our prayers and acts. He listens and answers. Prayer can change a circumstance, outlook, motivation and perspective.

James 5:17-18
Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months! Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land sprouted with a harvest.

Daniel 2:17-20
Then Daniel went to his home and informed his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the matter. He asked them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he and his friends would not be destroyed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then in a night vision the mystery was revealed to Daniel. So Daniel praised the God of heaven, saying: “Let the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to him.”

2 Chronicles 33:12-13
In his pain Manasseh asked the LORD his God for mercy and truly humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. When he prayed to the LORD, the LORD responded to him and answered favorably his cry for mercy. The LORD brought him back to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh realized that the LORD is the true God.

Mark 5:22-24
Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came up, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He asked him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Come and lay your hands on her so that she may be healed and live.” Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around him.

Mark 5:35-37

While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue leader’s house saying, “Your daughter has died. Why trouble the teacher any longer?” But Jesus, paying no attention to what was said, told the synagogue leader, “Do not be afraid; just believe.” He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

Mark 5:41-42

Then, gently taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up.” The girl got up at once and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). They were completely astonished at this.

Acts 9:40
But Peter sent them all outside, knelt down, and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

Prayer Changes People

God can change hearts and minds through prayer. He can mend broken relationships, heal emotional wounds, bring forgiveness, offer second chances and give peace.

2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day.

Psalms  139:23-24

Examine me, O God, and probe my thoughts.

Test me, and know my concerns.

See if there is any idolatrous way in me,

and lead me in the everlasting way.

Philippians 1:9-10

And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ,

Prayer is Our Hope

We can bring anything to Christ in prayer. It makes a way to let go and something to cling to. We can communicate with God  wherever we are and receive His grace. We can trust and know He is there for us and willing to help us.

Psalms 62:8
Trust in him at all times, you people!

Pour out your hearts before him.

God is our shelter. (Selah)

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.

Psalms 94:19

When worries threaten to overwhelm me,

your soothing touch makes me happy.

Psalms 62:5

Patiently wait for God alone, my soul!

For he is the one who gives me hope.

Faith & Prayer

All God asks is that we trust Him. Faith and Prayer with a humble heart can do wonders. Be patient, trust Christ, have faith and watch Him work. Watch Him open doors of opportunities. Watch Him move and work things out perfectly. It may not always happen in our timing, but it Always happens in His Perfect Timing.

Matthew 21:22-24
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Intercessory Prayer

It’s a privilege and honor that we can pray for others. Jesus is our mediator between us and God as His children. We are given the opportunity to meditate for others. To bring them before God’s throne and plead on their behalf.

Many times people interceded in prayer for others in the Bible. God moves when we pray. We may not always see it, but hears and answers our prayers in His timing. God answered the prayers of people in His Word in many ways including powerful and miraculous ways.

1 Timothy 2-6
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

Acts 12:5-7
But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. On that very night before Herod was going to bring him out for trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the prison cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly!” And the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

1 Thessalonians 5:25

Brothers and sisters, pray for us too.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
Finally, pray for us, brothers and sisters, that the Lord’s message may spread quickly and be honored as in fact it was among you, and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil people. For not all have faith.

Ephesians 6:19

Pray for me also, that I may be given the right words when I begin to speak—that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel,

Waiting on God

Sometimes God requires us to wait on Him for an answer. That doesn’t mean God is not working. Sometimes He is working in others. Sometimes He is working in us. Sometimes He has a better thing in mind. Sometimes He is protecting us. Sometimes He is testing us. He has many reasons, but all come from His love for us.

He knows what is best and how to work things out. In the meantime we can focus on the present and what God wants us to do now. We should serve and worship Him in the way He has already directed us or answered so far. What guidance did He last give us, what guidance is He showing us now in this moment? Keep doing what He has already shown you. Pray, serve, help, support, teach, encourage and more.  Whatever it is keep doing it until He shows you different.

Psalms 130:5
I rely on the LORD.

I rely on him with my whole being;

I wait for his assuring word.

Lamentations 3:26
It is good to wait patiently

for deliverance from the LORD.

Psalms 27:14
Rely on the LORD!

Be strong and confident!

Rely on the LORD!

Micah 7:7
But I will keep watching for the LORD;

I will wait for the God who delivers me.

My God will listen to me.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait for the LORD’s help find renewed strength;

they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings,

they run without growing weary,

they walk without getting tired.

Trusting God for His Answer

It can be hard to trust. We don’t know and can’t see so we look for answers or pull answers from past experiences. Instead we need to lean on God not our own understanding.

His answer can come in many forms. Be open and ready trusting His answer will be for our good. It may not be what we expect or what we want, but God truly knows best. If we have faith and trust His goodness we can accept whatever the answer is even when it takes time and hurts in the moment. God’s overall purpose is for our good.

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7
by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.

Daily Conversing with God

We are told to pray always. We can talk to God about anything at anytime. Constantly praying, conversing with God brings us closer to Him. It strengthens us spiritually and mentally. With our minds and hearts fixed on Him we will experience His peace. He will love and care for us, for He knows all our needs and watches over us.

Ephesians 6:18
With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and petitions for all the saints.

Psalm 5
O Lord, hear me as I pray;
pay attention to my groaning.
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for I pray to no one but you.
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,
for you hate all who do evil.
You will destroy those who tell lies.
Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow.
My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.
Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with flattery.
O God, declare them guilty.
Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
For you bless the godly, O Lord;
you surround them with your shield of love.

Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.
The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the Lord with music.
Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Do not turn your back on me.
Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
O God of my salvation!
Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.
Teach me how to live, O Lord.
Lead me along the right path,
for my enemies are waiting for me.
Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence.

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

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