In the Habit of Prayer

In the Habit of Prayer?

2001005

Topic # 455 (prayer)

Introduction:

A. Series on prayer continues.

1. Heroes of faith in OT/NT strongly believed in prayer!

2. Consider the prayers of Abraham; Jacob; Moses; David; Daniel; Job; & Jesus.

3. Prayer was at the very center of the lives of Bible characters – who had their lives centered upon God.

B. Prayer was taken up by the early converts to Christianity:

1. Acts 2:42 - This (prayer) was an activity that characterized these Christians.

2. Mt. 6:5-15 – Jesus spends a large portion of his time discussing prayer & its necessity to the Christian life.

a) Talks about having right attitude in prayer

b) Not just a collection of meaningless phrases that mean nothing to us.

c) Important to consider that He laid out basic guidelines in prayer – it’s a model to go by.

3. Monte Hampton: the prominent place of prayer in lives of the earliest Christians & in Christ’s fundamental teachings suggests the centrality of prayer to Christianity.

C. Is prayer a central part of my life? Am I in the habit of prayer? Do I pray on a regular basis? Am I satisfied with my prayer life presently?

1. Developing prayer habits is mandatory behavior for those who wish to grow mature in Christ!

2. If we lack – I hope that today’s lesson will inspire us to do better!

I. We must set aside time to pray!

A. Think of great musicians; successful inventors; an outstanding writer or speaker.

1. One does not learn to do a thing well unless he does it over/over until he has perfected himself in it.

2. Key: practice; practice; practice.

B. Development of Christian virtues = no exception!

1. If we to learn to pray well – must find ourselves in habit of prayer!

2. We do the things that are important to us!

a) Where does prayer fit into the equation?

b) May possess knowledge about prayer – and the prayers of the Bible – but IT MUST BE PRACTICED!

3. Someone says: I’m really busy – and never get around to praying!

D. Note how busy Jesus was w/His ministry & yet we see Him making time to pray:

1. Mk. 1:35 – early morning

2. Mt. 14:23 – evening – after sending away crowds.

3. Lk. 9:18, 29 – during the day

4. Mt. 26:36, 39 – in middle of the night.

E. Obvious: He did not take matter of prayer lightly! When one’s heart continually directed toward God – there is always time to pray!

F. Walt Weaver: No busy he was He could immediately turn aside for long seasons of prayer. In fact, prayer was so habitual with Him, in once sense; His whole life seems to be have been a prayer offered up to God. The times that were regularly given to prayer are a true index to His inner self.

II. Men Ought Always to Pray.

A. Lk. 18:1 – think about word ought.

1. Significant that ought used here. Only 2 major xlations use a different word here than ought.

2. Obviously – we have a moral & spiritual obligation to pray – it’s not merely an optional matter!

3. Regular prayer is an absolute necessity!

B. 18:2-8 – what’s the lesson taught in this verse?

1. We must persist in prayer & not be discouraged – despite the delay in Christ’s coming.

2. Also taught: persevere in prayer – even when the answer is not immediately granted.

C. Paul also had much to say about prayer!

1. Eph. 6:18 – Pray at all times. Should be constant in nature.

2. Context: Christian life is spent at war w/devil. (6:11-17)

a) Constant prayer in prep for engagement on the battlefield w/devil.

b) Seems that EVERY incident in life to be dealt with in prayer! More later on this.

D. See also Rom. 12:10-13; Col. 4:2

1. In times of trial/tribulation – prayer/patience can be the richest source of consolation & support.

2. 12:12 – prayer can be one way to express our hope/gratitude to God.

E. Note the prayer habit of Paul:

1. Col. 1:3 – always

2. 1 Thess. 3:10 – night/day – suggesting continued prayer – constancy.

3. 1 Cor. 1:4; Eph. 1:15-16; Phil. 1:3-5; Col. 1:3,9 – unceasing prayers

4. 1 Thess. 5:17 – pray w/o ceasing.

III. Here, There, & Everywhere!

A. When we think of the scarcity of material we have on many Bible characters – and read of the # of references/details on their prayer life – it is worth taking note.

1. Prayer the main source of strength for Bible heroes.

2. It was an avenue open to them to express their total dependence upon God.

3. EVERY incident in life is an event to be dealt with in prayer. This is the real meaning of praying w/o ceasing.

B. Prayer in the events of Jesus life:

1. Lk. 3:21- b/f baptism

2. Lk. 6:12 – b/f the call of the 12

3. Mk. 1:35; 6:41; 7:34 – in connection w/miracles.

4. Jhn. 17:6-19; 20-26; Lk. 22:32; 23-34 – for other people.

C. Prayer in the events of Paul’s life:

1. Acts 20:36; 21:5 – b/f parting company w/fellow Christians

2. Acts 22:17 – when in the temple

3. Acts 13:1-3 – b/f going on missionary journey

4. Acts 27:33-38 – gave thanks for food….

D. Clearly – we see that Jesus, the apostles, and the early church viewed EVERY incident in life as an event to be dealt w/in prayer.

1. Prayed always & w/o ceasing.

2. I hope this will inspire us to pray more often & open up to God.

Conclusion:

A. If the Lord’s church could come to believe & practice prayer as the church did in the first century – we could experience:

1. the same joy of service

2. share the same triumphant attitude

3. Experience the same kind of results that the first century Christians did.

B. WEAVER’s POEM – p. 39. See handout in outline!

C. Not a Christian – it is my prayer that you give your life to God through your obedience to the gospel!

D. Already a Christian? Strengthen your spiritual life through prayer! IF you need to repent of sin – here’s your opportunity!

E. I N V I T A T I O N



In the Habit of Prayer? 2001005 Topic # 455 (prayer) Introduction: A. Series on prayer continues. 1. Heroes of faith in OT/NT strongly believed in prayer! 2. Consider the prayers of Abraham; Jacob; Moses; David; Daniel; Job; & Jesus. 3. Prayer was at the very center of the lives of Bible characters – who had their lives centered upon God. B. Prayer was taken up by the early converts to Christianity: 1. Acts 2:42 - This (prayer) was an activity that characterized these Christians. 2. Mt. 6:5-15 – Jesus spends a large portion of his time discussing prayer & its necessity to the Christian life. a) Talks about having right attitude in prayer b) Not just a collection of meaningless phrases that mean nothing to us. c) Important to consider that He laid out basic guidelines in prayer – it’s a model to go by. 3. Monte Hampton: the prominent place of prayer in lives of the earliest Christians & in Christ’s fundamental teachings suggests the centrality of prayer to Christianity. C. Is prayer a central part of my life? Am I in the habit of prayer? Do I pray on a regular basis? Am I satisfied with my prayer life presently? 1. Developing prayer habits is mandatory behavior for those who wish to grow mature in Christ! 2. If we lack – I hope that today’s lesson will inspire us to do better! I. We must set aside time to pray! A. Think of great musicians; successful inventors; an outstanding writer or speaker. 1. One does not learn to do a thing well unless he does it over/over until he has perfected himself in it. 2. Key: practice; practice; practice. B. Development of Christian virtues = no exception! 1. If we to learn to pray well – must find ourselves in habit of prayer! 2. We do the things that are important to us! a) Where does prayer fit into the equation? b) May possess knowledge about prayer – and the prayers of the Bible – but IT MUST BE PRACTICED! 3. Someone says: I’m really busy – and never get around to praying! D. Note how busy Jesus was w/His ministry & yet we see Him making time to pray: 1. Mk. 1:35 – early morning 2. Mt. 14:23 – evening – after sending away crowds. 3. Lk. 9:18, 29 – during the day 4. Mt. 26:36, 39 – in middle of the night. E. Obvious: He did not take matter of prayer lightly! When one’s heart continually directed toward God – there is always time to pray! F. Walt Weaver: No busy he was He could immediately turn aside for long seasons of prayer. In fact, prayer was so habitual with Him, in once sense; His whole life seems to be have been a prayer offered up to God. The times that were regularly given to prayer are a true index to His inner self. II. Men Ought Always to Pray. A. Lk. 18:1 – think about word ought. 1. Significant that ought used here. Only 2 major xlations use a different word here than ought. 2. Obviously – we have a moral & spiritual obligation to pray – it’s not merely an optional matter! 3. Regular prayer is an absolute necessity! B. 18:2-8 – what’s the lesson taught in this verse? 1. We must persist in prayer & not be discouraged – despite the delay in Christ’s coming. 2. Also taught: persevere in prayer – even when the answer is not immediately granted. C. Paul also had much to say about prayer! 1. Eph. 6:18 – Pray at all times. Should be constant in nature. 2. Context: Christian life is spent at war w/devil. (6:11-17) a) Constant prayer in prep for engagement on the battlefield w/devil. b) Seems that EVERY incident in life to be dealt with in prayer! More later on this. D. See also Rom. 12:10-13; Col. 4:2 1. In times of trial/tribulation – prayer/patience can be the richest source of consolation & support. 2. 12:12 – prayer can be one way to express our hope/gratitude to God. E. Note the prayer habit of Paul: 1. Col. 1:3 – always 2. 1 Thess. 3:10 – night/day – suggesting continued prayer – constancy. 3. 1 Cor. 1:4; Eph. 1:15-16; Phil. 1:3-5; Col. 1:3,9 – unceasing prayers 4. 1 Thess. 5:17 – pray w/o ceasing. III. Here, There, & Everywhere! A. When we think of the scarcity of material we have on many Bible characters – and read of the # of references/details on their prayer life – it is worth taking note. 1. Prayer the main source of strength for Bible heroes. 2. It was an avenue open to them to express their total dependence upon God. 3. EVERY incident in life is an event to be dealt with in prayer. This is the real meaning of praying w/o ceasing. B. Prayer in the events of Jesus life: 1. Lk. 3:21- b/f baptism 2. Lk. 6:12 – b/f the call of the 12 3. Mk. 1:35; 6:41; 7:34 – in connection w/miracles. 4. Jhn. 17:6-19; 20-26; Lk. 22:32; 23-34 – for other people. C. Prayer in the events of Paul’s life: 1. Acts 20:36; 21:5 – b/f parting company w/fellow Christians 2. Acts 22:17 – when in the temple 3. Acts 13:1-3 – b/f going on missionary journey 4. Acts 27:33-38 – gave thanks for food…. D. Clearly – we see that Jesus, the apostles, and the early church viewed EVERY incident in life as an event to be dealt w/in prayer. 1. Prayed always & w/o ceasing. 2. I hope this will inspire us to pray more often & open up to God. Conclusion: A. If the Lord’s church could come to believe & practice prayer as the church did in the first century – we could experience: 1. the same joy of service 2. share the same triumphant attitude 3. Experience the same kind of results that the first century Christians did. B. WEAVER’s POEM – p. 39. See handout in outline! C. Not a Christian – it is my prayer that you give your life to God through your obedience to the gospel! D. Already a Christian? Strengthen your spiritual life through prayer! IF you need to repent of sin – here’s your opportunity! E. I N V I T A T I O N