are we praying in such a way to show real faith in god? n jesus raised this possibility in a parable...

Are we praying in such a way to show Are we praying in such a way to show real faith in God?real faith in God?

Jesus raised this possibility in a parable Jesus raised this possibility in a parable about prayer. about prayer. (Lk 18:1-8)(Lk 18:1-8)


Luke 18:1-8 (NKJV)Luke 18:1-8 (NKJV) Then He spoke a parable to them, that men Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ from my adversary.’


4 And he would not for a while; but 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”she weary me.’”


6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust 6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”will He really find faith on the earth?”


What if the answer to the question in verse What if the answer to the question in verse 8 was no. Does this mean there would be 8 was no. Does this mean there would be no one confessing Christ?no one confessing Christ?


We can allow the immediate demands of We can allow the immediate demands of this life to crowd out real prayer.this life to crowd out real prayer.



What does this have to do with prayer?What does this have to do with prayer?



What does this have to do with prayer?What does this have to do with prayer? If a man does not pray, he does not have If a man does not pray, he does not have

faith. faith. (Jas 2:17-18)(Jas 2:17-18)


(James 2:17-18 NKJV)(James 2:17-18 NKJV) “Thus also faith “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. {18} {18} But someone will say, “You have But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”you my faith by my works.”


Will a man be lost for not praying?Will a man be lost for not praying?


Will a man be lost for not praying?Will a man be lost for not praying? Years ago brother Homer Hailey made this Years ago brother Homer Hailey made this

comment: "If I had to come to one criticism comment: "If I had to come to one criticism of God's people today, it would be our of God's people today, it would be our failure to pray as we ought."failure to pray as we ought."

We pray to a God in whom we trust.We pray to a God in whom we trust.

What does it mean to trust God? What does it mean to trust God? (Heb 11:6)(Heb 11:6)


(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) “But without faith “But without faith it is it is impossible to please impossible to please Him, Him, for he who for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and comes to God must believe that He is, and that that He is a rewarder of those who He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”diligently seek Him.”


We pray to a personal God and not just a We pray to a personal God and not just a force. force. (1 Kgs 19:14)(1 Kgs 19:14)


(1 Kings 19:14 NKJV)(1 Kings 19:14 NKJV) “And he said, “I “And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.””my life.””


What is prayer? In essence it is talking with What is prayer? In essence it is talking with God.God.


Do you rush to talk at length with a friend Do you rush to talk at length with a friend about your problems but only say a few about your problems but only say a few sentences to God?sentences to God?


Do you rush to talk at length with a friend Do you rush to talk at length with a friend about your problems but only say a few about your problems but only say a few sentences to God?sentences to God?

We will have a hard time understanding the We will have a hard time understanding the great power in a prayer of faith. great power in a prayer of faith. (Eph 3:20)(Eph 3:20)


(Ephesians 3:20 NKJV)(Ephesians 3:20 NKJV) “Now to Him “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”the power that works in us,”


He is able to do:He is able to do:


He is able to do:He is able to do: above above all that we ask or thinkall that we ask or think


He is able to do:He is able to do: above above all that we ask or thinkall that we ask or think abundantly abundantly above all that we ask or thinkabove all that we ask or think


He is able to do:He is able to do: above above all that we ask or thinkall that we ask or think abundantly abundantly above all that we ask or think above all that we ask or think eexceedinglyxceedingly abundantly above all that we abundantly above all that we

ask or think ask or think


He is able to do:He is able to do: above above all that we ask or thinkall that we ask or think abundantly abundantly above all that we ask or think above all that we ask or think eexceedinglyxceedingly abundantly above all that we abundantly above all that we

ask or think ask or think When we realize this is God speaking then When we realize this is God speaking then

this is hard to grasp.this is hard to grasp.


The Bible contrasts those who Christianity The Bible contrasts those who Christianity is only the outward form verses the heart of is only the outward form verses the heart of genuine faith.genuine faith.


The Bible contrasts those who Christianity The Bible contrasts those who Christianity is only the outward form verses the heart of is only the outward form verses the heart of genuine faith.genuine faith.

We can have the form without power. We can have the form without power. (2 Tim 3:5)(2 Tim 3:5)


(2 Timothy 3:5 NKJV)(2 Timothy 3:5 NKJV) “having a form of “having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”such people turn away!”


Or we can allow God's power to be used Or we can allow God's power to be used through us. through us. (1 Thess 2:13)(1 Thess 2:13)


(1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV)(1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV) “For this “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you God which you heard from us, you welcomed welcomed it it not not as as the word of men, but as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”effectively works in you who believe.”


Today people will pay thousands of dollars Today people will pay thousands of dollars for access to the president. What about for access to the president. What about access to God! access to God! (1 Jn 5:14-15)(1 Jn 5:14-15)


(1 John 5:14-15 NKJV)(1 John 5:14-15 NKJV) “Now this is the “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He ask anything according to His will, He hears us.hears us. {15} {15} And if we know that He And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”Him.”


Our prayers will make a difference.Our prayers will make a difference.

We ought to always pray and not to lose We ought to always pray and not to lose heart.heart.

It is possible to "faint", "lack courage" It is possible to "faint", "lack courage" concerning our effort in prayer.concerning our effort in prayer.



What would a person think when they lose What would a person think when they lose heart?heart?




Some have never been taught to pray in a Some have never been taught to pray in a proper manner.proper manner.




Some have never been taught to pray in a Some have never been taught to pray in a proper manner.proper manner.

The example of Jesus stimulated his apostles The example of Jesus stimulated his apostles to ask to be taught about prayer. to ask to be taught about prayer. (Lk 11:1)(Lk 11:1)


(Luke 11:1 NKJV)(Luke 11:1 NKJV) “Now it came to pass, “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, He ceased, that that one of His disciples said to one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.””taught his disciples.””


Jesus prayed at His baptism in the Jesus prayed at His baptism in the beginning of His ministry. beginning of His ministry. (Lk 3:21)(Lk 3:21)


(Luke 3:21 NKJV)(Luke 3:21 NKJV) “When all the people “When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.”heaven was opened.”


Jesus at times prayed all night. Jesus at times prayed all night. (Lk 6:12)(Lk 6:12)


(Luke 6:12 NKJV)(Luke 6:12 NKJV) “Now it came to pass “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”prayer to God.”


Jesus prayed three times in the course of Jesus prayed three times in the course of one hour. one hour. (Mt 26:36-44)(Mt 26:36-44)


(Matthew 26:36-44 NKJV)(Matthew 26:36-44 NKJV) “Then Jesus “Then Jesus came with them to a place called came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.”here while I go and pray over there.” {37} {37} And He took with Him Peter and the two And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.sorrowful and deeply distressed.


{38} {38} Then He said to them, “My soul is Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”here and watch with Me.” {39} {39} He went a He went a little farther and fell on His face, and little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”will.”


{40} {40} Then He came to the disciples and Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, found them asleep, and said to Peter, “What? Could you not watch with Me one “What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?hour? {41} {41} “Watch and pray, lest you enter “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed into temptation. The spirit indeed is is willing, willing, but the flesh but the flesh is is weak.”weak.”


{42} {42} Again, a second time, He went away Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”drink it, Your will be done.” {43} {43} And He And He came and found them asleep again, for their came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.eyes were heavy. {44} {44} So He left them, So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.”saying the same words.”


For many this kind of praying in unknown, For many this kind of praying in unknown, why?why?


Because they fail to distinguish between Because they fail to distinguish between public prayer and private prayer. What is public prayer and private prayer. What is the purpose of a public prayer.the purpose of a public prayer.


Because they fail to distinguish between Because they fail to distinguish between public prayer and private prayer. What is public prayer and private prayer. What is the purpose of a public prayer.the purpose of a public prayer.

There are several concerns about the motive There are several concerns about the motive and manner of a public prayer. and manner of a public prayer. (Mt 6:5-7)(Mt 6:5-7)


(Matthew 6:5-7 NKJV)(Matthew 6:5-7 NKJV) “”And when you “”And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.reward.


{6} {6} “But you, when you pray, go into your “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who pray to your Father who is is in the secret in the secret place; place; and your Father who sees in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.will reward you openly. {7} {7} “And when you “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen heathen do. do. For they think that they will be For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”heard for their many words.”


Sadly many Christians repeat in their Sadly many Christians repeat in their private prayer the same kind of prayer they private prayer the same kind of prayer they hear in public. Why is this lacking?hear in public. Why is this lacking?



What kind of things should we mention in What kind of things should we mention in private prayer that would be inappropriate private prayer that would be inappropriate in public prayer?in public prayer?



What kind of things should we mention in What kind of things should we mention in private prayer that would be inappropriate private prayer that would be inappropriate in public prayer?in public prayer?

How did the apostles view the importance How did the apostles view the importance of prayer?of prayer?


Sadly many Christians repeat in their private Sadly many Christians repeat in their private prayer the same kind of prayer they hear in prayer the same kind of prayer they hear in public. Why is this lacking?public. Why is this lacking?

What kind of things should we mention in private What kind of things should we mention in private prayer that would be inappropriate in public prayer that would be inappropriate in public prayer?prayer?

How did the apostles view the importance of How did the apostles view the importance of prayer?prayer?

What did they say came first? What did they say came first? (Acts 6:4)(Acts 6:4)


(Acts 6:4 NKJV)(Acts 6:4 NKJV) “”but we will give “”but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.””ministry of the word.””


Consider the churches Paul prayed for. Consider the churches Paul prayed for. (Rom 1:9; 1 Cor 1:4; Phil 1:3-4; (Rom 1:9; 1 Cor 1:4; Phil 1:3-4; Col 1:3,9; 1 Thess 1:2)Col 1:3,9; 1 Thess 1:2)


(Romans 1:9 NKJV)(Romans 1:9 NKJV) “For God is my “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my make mention of you always in my prayers,”prayers,”


(1 Corinthians 1:4 NKJV)(1 Corinthians 1:4 NKJV) “I thank my “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,”Jesus,”


(Philippians 1:3-4 NKJV)(Philippians 1:3-4 NKJV) “I thank my “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,God upon every remembrance of you, {4} {4} always in every prayer of mine making always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,”request for you all with joy,”


(Colossians 1:3 NKJV)(Colossians 1:3 NKJV) “We give thanks “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,”Christ, praying always for you,”


(Colossians 1:9 NKJV)(Colossians 1:9 NKJV) “For this reason “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”understanding;”


(1 Thessalonians 1:2 NKJV)(1 Thessalonians 1:2 NKJV) “We give “We give thanks to God always for you all, making thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,”mention of you in our prayers,”


Consider some of the individuals Paul Consider some of the individuals Paul prayed for. prayed for. (2 Tim 1:3; Philemon 4)(2 Tim 1:3; Philemon 4)


(2 Timothy 1:3 NKJV)(2 Timothy 1:3 NKJV) “I thank God, “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my my forefathers forefathers did, did, as without ceasing I as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and remember you in my prayers night and day,”day,”


(Philemon 1:4 NKJV)(Philemon 1:4 NKJV) “I thank my God, “I thank my God, making mention of you always in my making mention of you always in my prayers,”prayers,”


These are just some of whom he wrote! These are just some of whom he wrote! How many others did Paul pray for?How many others did Paul pray for?



This was not just a general statement: "for This was not just a general statement: "for all whom is our duty to pray.“all whom is our duty to pray.“



This was not just a general statement: "for This was not just a general statement: "for all whom is our duty to pray.“all whom is our duty to pray.“

Paul did not pray like this in a public Paul did not pray like this in a public assembly!assembly!

What if we apply this material?What if we apply this material?

We will begin asking like never before. We will begin asking like never before. (Jas 4:1-3)(Jas 4:1-3)


(James 4:1-3 NKJV)(James 4:1-3 NKJV) “Where do wars and “Where do wars and fights fights come come from among you? Do from among you? Do they they not not come come from your from your desires for desires for pleasure that war in pleasure that war in your members?your members? {2} {2} You lust and do not have. You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.you do not ask. {3} {3} You ask and do not You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend spend it it on your pleasures.”on your pleasures.”


We may have to build our faith and our We may have to build our faith and our endurance!endurance!



We will likely begin taking notes.We will likely begin taking notes.



We will likely begin taking notes.We will likely begin taking notes. Consider some possible list.Consider some possible list.



We will likely begin taking notes.We will likely begin taking notes. Consider some possible list.Consider some possible list. Find out about home studies and pray for Find out about home studies and pray for

them.them.




them.them. Pray for the preachers we support by name.Pray for the preachers we support by name.




them.them. Pray for the preachers we support by name.Pray for the preachers we support by name. Pray for everyone in your class by name.Pray for everyone in your class by name.


Pray for everyone in the church by name.Pray for everyone in the church by name.


Pray for those who teach.Pray for those who teach.


Pray for those who teach.Pray for those who teach. Is there a greater value in many praying? Is there a greater value in many praying?

Yes! Yes! (Eph 6:18-20; Col 4:3-4; 2 Cor 1:11)(Eph 6:18-20; Col 4:3-4; 2 Cor 1:11)


(2 Corinthians 1:11 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 1:11 NKJV) “you also “you also helping together in prayer for us, that helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift our behalf for the gift granted granted to us through to us through many.”many.”


(Ephesians 6:18-20 NKJV)(Ephesians 6:18-20 NKJV) “praying “praying always with all prayer and supplication in always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;saints; {19} {19} and for me, that utterance may and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,gospel,


{20} {20} for which I am an ambassador in for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”ought to speak.”


(Colossians 4:3-4 NKJV)(Colossians 4:3-4 NKJV) “meanwhile “meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,of Christ, for which I am also in chains, {4} {4} that I may make it manifest, as I ought to that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”speak.”


What if we begin applying our faith? What if we begin applying our faith? (Eph 3:20)(Eph 3:20)


(Ephesians 3:20 NKJV)(Ephesians 3:20 NKJV) “Now to Him “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”the power that works in us,”


Here is an interesting conversation between Here is an interesting conversation between a Swedish peasant woman and her a Swedish peasant woman and her persistent visitor.persistent visitor.


Does your son in America never send you any Does your son in America never send you any money?" was asked of a poverty‑stricken old money?" was asked of a poverty‑stricken old Swedish woman. "Never!" was the bitter Swedish woman. "Never!" was the bitter answer "He writes often and speaks of sending answer "He writes often and speaks of sending money, but never a bit have I seen from him. I money, but never a bit have I seen from him. I am getting old and poor and soon I must die or am getting old and poor and soon I must die or go to the poorhouse. Yet he is rich and go to the poorhouse. Yet he is rich and prosperous. Such is the ingratitude of prosperous. Such is the ingratitude of children!“children!“


"Is there never anything in the letters?" "Is there never anything in the letters?" asked the persistent visitor. asked the persistent visitor. Oh, yes, he always sends pictures; but I do Oh, yes, he always sends pictures; but I do not need pictures: I need money.“not need pictures: I need money.“"Have you saved those pictures?“"Have you saved those pictures?“"They are all pasted on the wall in my "They are all pasted on the wall in my bedroom. Would you like to see them?“bedroom. Would you like to see them?“


"Certainly," answered the visitor. When she "Certainly," answered the visitor. When she looked into the bare little room she saw pasted looked into the bare little room she saw pasted on the walls a small fortune in American on the walls a small fortune in American paper money.paper money.She had a room full of money but she failed to She had a room full of money but she failed to see its value. The very presence of this gift see its value. The very presence of this gift suggested that someone loved her and cared suggested that someone loved her and cared for her though that one lived in another land.for her though that one lived in another land.

are we praying in such a way to show real faith in god? n jesus raised this possibility in a parable...

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