Prayer

Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Intro: Men ought always to Pray
1. Family Prayer
2. Public Prayer
3. Situation Prayer
4. Emergency Prayer
5. Private Prayer

“Prayer should be a conversation with God”

If we had more private personal prayer time then maybe we wouldn’t have the need for Emergency Prayer so much

I. Let God show you your heart
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

II. Talk to God
A. You talk to God when you pray
B. You talked to God when you give your tithes and offerings
C. You talk to God when you witness to others bout Jesus
D. you talk to God when you do kind deeds for others
E. You talk to God when you go to church

III. Let God talk to you
A. read his word
B. Listen to sermons and take notes
C. Attend Sunday school

IV. Pray with others
Mark 14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

V. Pray always
As you walk, ride, sit, stand, mediate, make decision, and eat. Arise with prayer, go to bed with prayer

Conclusion: There is power in prayer.

1.Pray to our Father in Heaven
Lu 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

2. Pray in the name of Jesus
Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

3. Pray in the Spirit
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

4. Pray in Will of God
I John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: