Why Do We Pray?

INTRO
  1. Bible says to pray
  2. We need to do so (forgiveness, give thanks for blessings, etc.)

 

  1. WE HAVE FAITH THAT THERE IS A GOD.

    2. Genesis 1:1 – "In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth"

    John 1:1-2 – "In the beginning was THE WORD and THE WORD WAS WITH GOD and THE WORD WAS GOD. HE was in the beginning WITH GOD."

     

  2. WE HAVE FAITH THAT HE HEARS OUR PRAYERS.
    3.

    Isaiah 55:6 – "Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near."

    1 Peter 3:12a – "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their prayers…"

     

  3. WE HAVE FAITH THAT HE CARES ABOUT US.

    4. Refer to Matthew 10:30 – even knowing the most minute details about us = Number of hairs on your head!

    1 Peter 5:7 – cast "all your cares upon Him for He cares for you"

  4. WE HAVE FAITH THAT HE WANTS US TO PRAY.

    5. [a personal God – unlike Deism]

    Some people think God doesn’t want us to pray about "little" things – not so!

    Philippians 4:6 – "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

    Romans 12:12 – "continuing steadfastly in prayer"
  5. WE HAVE FAITH THAT HE IS ABLE TO ANSWER.

    6. [not just some therapeutic release!]

    Our "little" prayers can and will affect the Creator of the Universe!

    Ephesians 3:20-21 – "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think"

    God’s ability to answer our prayers is not limited to our ability to understand how He works (His providence).

  6. WE HAVE FAITH THAT HE KNOWS WHICH PRAYERS TO ANSWER WHEN.

    7. [Yes - no - later]

    2 Corinthians 12: 1-5 – revelations he received from God

    12:7-10 – "thorn in the flesh" & his prayers (verse 8)

  7. WE HAVE FAITH THAT WHEN WE PRAY FOR WHAT IS REALLY RIGHT AND REALLY GOOD, GOD WILL ANSWER.

    8. 1 John 5:14-15 – "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."

    Philippians 4:6-7 – (verse 7) "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

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