PRAYER

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. Prayer is one of the greatest privileges of the Christian.
   B. We have the assurance that God answers our prayers.
      1. 1 John 5:14-15 - "this is the confidence that...if we ask...
      2. 1 Pet. 3:12 - "The eyes of the Lord...His ears open...
      3. James 5:16 - "The effectual fervent prayer...availeth       
         much...
   C. Prayer also does great good to the one who is praying.
      1. It gives a renewed hope.
      2. It lifts one up in times of distress, heartache, and        
         troubles.
      3. It comforts the heart, gives grace to the humble and lowly.
   D. Prayer is the means of talking to God and expressing our hearts
      to God.

I. NEGATIVELY: WHAT PRAYER IS NOT.
   A. It is not simply desire.
      1. Prayer must be made in intelligible requests.
      2. Jesus taught his disciples to pray after a certain manner.
         Matt. 6:9-13
         a. This is a short prayer which covers the general spectrum
            of adoration and request for our basic needs.
      3. We must do more than simply desire. A lot of people have all
         kinds of wants and desires. We must ask for what we need.
         James 4:2; John 14:13; 1 John 3:22
         a. Some are too proud to ask.
         b. With some, their relationship with God is so improper
            they will not ask. First, they need to mend their
            condition.
   B. Prayer should not be a vain repetition of words. Matt. 6:7-8
      1. Here are some examples from some of our public prayers.
         a. "May the speaker have a ready recollection of what he
            has prepared."
         b. "Be with the sick the world over and especially of the
            household of faith."
         c. "We are thankful for Thy Word which is a lamp unto
            our feet and a light unto our path."
         d. "If we have been found faithful, give us a home in
            heaven with thee."
      2. Brethren, there should be some forethought. Let all of us   
         try to do our best.
         a. We don't need to quote Scriptures to God; He knows
            them already.
         b. If we have been found faithful, He will give us a home in
            heaven.
         c. We should try to pattern our prayers after the inspired
            ones. Eph. 3:16-19
   C. Prayer should not be made for a show or in pretense (giving a
      false impression). 
      1. To curtail the problem of pretense or display, Jesus
         suggested that we pray in privacy. Matt. 6:5-6
      2. Matt. 23:14 - These made a show of being devout but were
         guilty of stealing from widows.
         a. God is fully capable of detecting a hypocrite.
      3. Other examples of hypocrisy:
         a. One who thanks God for His revealed Word, but does
            not study and teach His Word.
         b. One who thanks God for another opportunity for
            gathering together, but fails to attend regularly.
      4. Through His teaching, Jesus empties our minds of all false
         and unworthy notions, and shows us how we ought to pray.

II. POSITIVELY: WHAT PRAYER IS.
   A. The parables of Jesus show us what prayer is.
   B. Luke 11:5-8
      1. It is coming to God whenever there is a need. "At midnight."
         a. Judges sit only at certain times. Princes and Kings have
            fixed hours at which they may be approached. Esther
            4:11
         b. God can be approached at all times. Psalm 119:62
      2. It is approaching God in confidence. "Friend, lend me three
         loves."
         a. Doubtless, this man on other occasions had found his
            friend to be helpful.
         b. God condescends to be the friend of His people. James
            2:23; James 4:8
         c. Jesus is a friend who sympathizes with us. John15:15;
            Heb. 4:14-16
      3. It is coming to God as an adequate provider. "I have
         nothing..."
         a. With man, there may be the will to help, but not the
            power or means.
         b. God's resources are infinite. Psalm 24:1; 50:10-15
      4. It is approaching God with persistence. "Yet because of his
         persistence."
         a. Persistence in prayer is the main point in this parable.
            (1) 1 Thess. 5:17; Rom. 12:12; Luke 21:36
         b. In the parable, there was an unwillingness to help; he
            didn't want to be bothered at that time. (Vs. 8).
            (1) There is none of this with God. "Who upbraitheth
                not..." James 1:5
         c. Troubles and hardships will come, but instead of losing
            heart or becoming discouraged, we need to pray.
            (1) Prayer will not only give strength and comfort to
                our hearts, but God will abundantly aid us. Psalm
                55:22

III. IS PRAYER REALLY IMPORTANT?
   A. The Scriptures emphasize its importance.
      1. Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6-7
   B. The Bible emphasizes its power.
      1. James 5:16; Isa. 40:28-31
      2. Prayer is something we have as children of God which can
         never be taken away by outside forces. Rom. 8:35-39
         a. A sign in a high school restroom read: "NOTICE! In the
            event of an atomic attack, the federal ruling against
            prayer in this school will be temporarily                
            suspended."
      3. One of the tragedies of life is the frailty of human love,  
         but God's love is permanent.
   C. Its perfection is miserably undeveloped.
      1. 1 Cor. 11:30 - Paul is referring to their misuse of the     
         Lord's Supper. However, the same words can be applied to    
         many Christians because of their lack of prayer.
      2. Many are in the clutches of spiritual kindergarten.
         a. No doubt, the average length of our prayers are no more
            than one to five minutes, and the frequency is no more
            than once or twice a day. 
      3. Indeed, prayer is a very limited medium for many. Prayer
         should not be used in such restrained sense.
   D. Prayer is something to be learned.
      1. Luke 11:1 - The great model prayer followed.
      2. We are not born with the ability to pray; we must develop
         and cultivate it.
   E. It is a key to spirituality and closeness to God.
      1. Prayer might be the very key to make our spiritual lives
         better.
      2. The example of king David. Psalm 61:1-4; 62:7-8; 63:7-8
         a. If we would pray like the Psalmists, certainly our
            spiritual lives would be better.

IV. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PRAYER?
   A. We draw close to God.
      1. James 4:8; Heb. 10:22-23
   B. It gives us renewed hope. Psalm 146:5-9
      1. When all hope is gone, when we feel all of life is closing  
         in on us, and when we cannot go another step, we can call
         upon God and renew our strength.
   C. It gives strength and comfort. James 5:16
   D. Prayer identifies us with the faithful.
      1. Ex. Jesus, the Psalmists, the apostles. Acts 6:4
   E. God will forgive us.
      1. James 5:15; Psalm 51:1-2; Isa. 55:6-7; 1 John 1:9
   F. God will bless us.
      1. Heb. 4:16; James 5:16-18

Concl.
   A. Prayer is essential to spiritual development, both individually
      and congregationally.
      1. Prayer may be the very key for greater spirituality and for
         being better children of God.
   B. Certainly, if you are not a Christian, you don't have the      
      privilege of prayer.
      1. How can you pray "Our Father in heaven" when God is not
         your Father? Prov. 28:9
      2. Thus, repent, confess, and be baptized to become a child of
         God.
   C. Or, if you have corrupted your relationship with God, you, too,
      cannot properly pray to God.
      1. First, correct you standing with God. Confess your sins, and
         God will receive and forgive you. 1 John 1:9; Prov. 28:13

Chart #1
IS PRAYER REALLY IMPORTANT?
            
The Scriptures emphasizes its importance.
Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6-7

The Bible emphasizes its power.
James 5:16; Isa. 40:28-31

Its perfection is miserably undeveloped.
1 Cor. 11:30

Prayer is something to be learned.
Luke 11:1

It is a key to spirituality and closeness to God.
Psalm 61:1-4; 62:7-8; 63:7-8

Chart #2
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PRAYER?
            
We draw close to God.
James 4:8; Heb. 10:22-23

It gives us renewed hope.
Psalm 146:5-9                                     

It gives strength and comfort.
James 5:16

Prayer identifies us with the faithful.
Acts 6:4

God will forgive us.
James 5:15; Psalm 51:1-2; Isa. 55:6-7; 1 John 1:9

God will bless us.
Heb. 4:16; James 5:16-18