Prayer

We have been learning about prayer in our recent studies at New Life Church:

1) How did Jesus pray?

During His baptism (Luke 3:21-22)
He often withdrew to pray alone (Luke 5:16)
He prayed before making big decisions (Luke 6: 12-13)
He prayed when He was concerned about his friends (Luke 22: 31-32)
He prayed before his ultimate challenge (Luke 22:39-44)
He used the Lord’s prayer to give His disciples and us a model for prayer Matthew 6: 9–15
Seek God’s presence with a worshipful heart (v. 9)
Seek God’s priorities not our own( v. 10)
Seek God’s provision for our daily needs (v. 11)
Seek God’s forgiveness for our sins (v. 12)
Seek God’s power to overcome temptation (v. 13)

Authentic, intimate, honest prayer – in our worship, thanksgiving and requests (Psalm 5: 1–3, Exodus 5:22-23)
Talk to God about everything (Philippians 4:6, 1 Peter 5:7)
Learn to talk to God continually (1 Thessalonians 5: 1-18)
- PUSH Pray until something happens
Learn to listen to God’s response (1 Kings 19:11-13)
God speaks through the Bible, other people, circumstances, coincidences, he is willing and able to answer our prayers (Isaiah 40:26-31)

Matthew 7:7-8 states that if we ask we will receive, but God doesn’t always answer our prayers in the way we think He should
There are things that can get in the way of our prayers:
- We should forgive anyone we hold a grudge for before we pray (Mark 11:25)
- We should respect the people close to us (1 Peter 3:7)
- We should have the right motives (James 4:3) – does my prayer bring glory to God, advance God’s kingdom, help other people, help me to grow spiritually? (Proverbs 16:2)
The way we live matters to God (James 5:16, Proverbs 15:29)
Our faith matters – it must be in God alone (James 1:6-7, Matthew 9:29 – 30)
God’s will matters (1 John 5: 14-15, Isaiah 55:8-9, Luke 22:42, John 9:31)

Adoration - Confession - Thanksgiving - Supplication

Confess - Honour - Ask - Thank