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IM-ING WITH GOD part 5 of the "8 simple things" series
Dr. Scott E. Koenigsaecker
Matthew 6:5-8 ~ February 13, 2011
INTRODUCTION
A. Prayer is an ongoing conversation with someone we love.
B. "Effective prayer will have a Christian deliberately seeking the mind of God on a particular matter that's on his or her heart."
Author and Pastor Dr. Charles Swindoll
I. WHAT PRAYER IS NOT.
A. "When you pray you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men." Matthew 6:5
B. Prayer is not bargaining or pleading with God.
C. Prayer is not a get rich quick scheme.
D. Prayer is not presenting a wish list as though God were a genie.
E. Prayer is not a substitute for responsible action.
F. Prayer is not a shallow formula.
II. THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER
A. "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity." Timothy 2:1-2
· Prayer is a priority, a spiritual response to the events, circumstances and relationships of life.
· "All the believers devoted themselves to…prayer." Acts 2:42
· …pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done." Philippians 4:6
· "Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion."
Ephesians 6:18
B. Prayer should not be crowed out by a busy schedule.
III. THE PROMISES OF PRAYER.
A. God promises that He will hear and answer regardless of the time.
"And how bold and free we then become in His presence, freely asking according to His will, sure that He's listening. And if we're confident that He's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours." I John 5:14-15 (The Message)
B. God promises His presence regardless of the outcome.
"Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
C. God promises inner peace regardless of the chaos and complication of life.
"Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand." Philippians 4:7
CONCLUSION