May 14-15, 2005, Lk. 11:1; Jn. 14-15

LIVING VERTICALLY!
JUST WHY SHOULD I PRAY?

***Luke 11:1 “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray…." [New International Version]

PRAYER WAS THE LIFE-SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR JESUS!
- Some people think prayer is like a magic wand!
- Some people think prayer is like a first aid kit!
- Some people think prayer is like a fire extinguisher!
- Some people think prayer is like a game show!
- Some people think prayer is like a nagging child!
- Some people treat prayer like some kind of a religious duty!

FOUR PURPOSES OF PRAYER!

1. PRAYER SHOWS OUR DEPENDENCE!
PRAYER IS A DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE TO GOD!
*** John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ”[NIV]
*** Eph. 3:14 “When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father…” [New Living Translation]

Am I willing to admit that I am dependent upon God? ____ YES _____ NO

2. PRAYER STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNICATION!
*** John 15:15-16 “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”[NIV]

YOU’RE NOT JUST TALKING TO THE KEY MAN,
BUT TO THE MAN WHO HOLDS THE KEYS!
*** John 15:7 “But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!” [New Living Translation]

Do I agree that I need to improve my communication with God?
______ YES ______ NO

3. PRAYER STARTS OUR SUPPLICATION!
*** Phil. 4:6 “Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. ” [God’s Word to the Nations]
*** John 16:23-24 “At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. The truth is, you can go directly to the Father and ask him, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” [NLT]

PRAYER IS GOD’S CHOSEN METHOD OF MEETING OUR NEEDS!
*** Exodus 32:9-10 “Then the Lord said, "I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are. Now leave me alone so my anger can blaze against them and destroy them all. Then I will make you, Moses, into a great nation instead of them." [NLT]
*** Exodus 32:11-14 “But Moses pleaded with the Lord his God not to do it….Turn away from your fierce anger. Change your mind about this terrible disaster you are planning against your people! Remember your covenant with your servants—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 14So the Lord withdrew his threat and didn't bring against his people the disaster he had threatened.” [NLT]
*** James 5:16b “When a believing person prays, great things happen.”
[New Century Version]
*** Jas 4:2 “You don't have the things you want, because you don't pray for them.” [GW]
*** Ps. 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” [NIV]
***Isaiah 65:24 “I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking to me about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” [NLT]
*** Luke 11:9-13“I tell you to ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the person who knocks, the door will be opened. "If your child asks you, for a fish, would you give him a snake instead? Even though you're evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. So how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" [GW]

Do I believe that prayer and supplication is God’s means to meet my needs?

_____ YES _____ NO

4. PRAYER IS ACTING IN COOPERATION!

PRAYER IS GOD’S MEANS FOR GETTING HIS WILL DONE ON EARTH!
*** John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” [NIV]
*** John 14:13-14 “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” [NIV]

PRAYER ISN’T LIMITED BY TIME OR SPACE!

THE POWER OF PRAYER IS THE POWER OF GOD!
*** 1 John 5:14 “We are confident that God listens to us if we ask for anything that has his approval.” [GW]

Do I understand that when I pray I cooperate with God in getting His will done on earth?

____ YES _____ NO

PRAYER CAN DO ANYTHING THAT GOD CAN DO! -- E.M. Bounds