Prayer Is More Than What Others Do
INTRO: Prayer is special. Prayer is needed. Prayer is something we overlook. I know today is Palm Sunday. The people along the way where Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem were not praying, they were praising (we need that too) Jesus. But, this was a time that needed prayer. As we can see from the scripture we will read next, it was a serious time. Even Jesus needed prayer and needed to pray. Do you need prayer? Do you have a time, today, that is needful for prayers to touch your life.
I want to talk about PRAYER today! The word pray is found 68 times in the NT. Prayer 31 times, and prayers 22 times; Prayest – 2 times; Prayeth 3 times; prayed 34 times; and praying 14 times. So, prayer is mentioned in some form 174 times in the New Testament.
Prayer is important.
I want to read in Mark 14 where Jesus is facing a difficult task just a few days after entering the city of Jerusalem on a high note, He is facing His toughest time. Where does he turn, but to prayer.
Let’s read…
Mark 14:32-41 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Let’s get into the message…
What does God’s Word, the Bible teach and say about prayer?
Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Can be a time of uncertainty for us – we really do not know what we should pray for at times
Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. {27} And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
So, did Jesus pray? - Yes! Not just a little.
What can we learn from Jesus and how He prayed?
He prayed early
Mark 1:35-39 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
We can see his..
His prayer called for action to serve – vs. 38
Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
John 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
He prayed early
Did you know that…
Keep it short (in public)
Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Keep it real
Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Keep it simple (Lord’s prayer)
[Repeat Lord’s prayer together]
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen
Keep it private
Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mark 6:46-47 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. {47} And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
Luke 5:15-16 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. {16} And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Keep it coming
Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
He practiced…
Prayer before important decisions
Prayer before hard and difficult efforts
Prayer before miracles
We can see some effects of powerful and plentiful prayer
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Acts 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
Beginning of intimacy for the disciples
Luke 9:18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?
When we spend time in prayer is a time when God can talk to us
James 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Acts 21:5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Luke 22:41-42 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, {42} Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 031608am