PRAY!!!
by Pastor Richard Tow
November 15, 2015
Text: Luke 11:1-13
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Description: This message encourages Christians to pray. Prayer is easy to neglect due to pressing cares and responsibilities of life. However, prayer is our lifeline to heaven for the resources to effectively discharge those responsibilities and live in the strength of the Holy Spirit. The first half of this sermon talks about what happens when we neglect prayer; and the second half talks about what happens when we give ourselves to prayer. Let the word of the Lord stir your heart toward seeking Him. This message was not recorded; so the audio is not available. May these words inspire confidence to seek the Lord while He is near.
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OUTLINE
Intro: Encouragement toward Prayer
1 Thess.5:17 “Pray without ceasing”
Matthew 21:13 “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer….”
I. Alternative is not good.
A. Vulnerable to Temptation (Mark 14:33-42)
Verse 38 “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation….”
“ …The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
B. Faint (Luke 18:1)—only two alternative pray or faint!
II. Assurances are clear.
A. Instruction in Prayer (Luke 11:1-13)
> Request: “Lord, teach us to pray….”
> “When you pray, say Our Father….”
> “So I say to you, ask…
If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he…
… how much more will your heavenly Father….”
> verse 5-8 “I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his
persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
B. Asking is Condition for Receiving (James 4:2)
> Why prayer necessary?
Relationship
Transformation
> Promise: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
QUESTIONS
- Why do you think God requires us to ask in prayer rather than just supply?
- Do you think each person is as close to God as he/she chooses to be?
How do you interpret the verse in James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”?
- How does the revelation of the Father’s delight in giving to His children serve
as a foundation of effectual prayer? In what ways do Jesus’ words of assurance
in Luke 11:9-13 strengthen your faith to pray?
- What struggles and what successes have you had in establishing a prayer life?
What has worked well for you?
- What would you like to do to press into prayer more in your own life?
