Ephesians 6:13-20 (NIVUK)“Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Prayer• Intangible & Mysterious but many prayBBC TV Survey“Would you say you pray…”• Regularly 28%• Occasionally especially in a time of crisis

18% • As part of a special religious occasion 23%• At other religious festivals 4%• Never 25%

Prayer in times of crisis“Have you prayed for Fabrice Muamba today? His family are exhorting the country to believe in the power of prayer, and I suspect many millions of Britons, whether they have faith or not, will have felt moved to offer a silent appeal to an invisible power asking that the young footballer pull through”

Mark Easton – BBC Home Editor

Prayer in times of crisis

‘Doesn’t matter who you support. Doesn’t matter if you aren’t a football fan. Doesn’t matter if you aren’t religious. Pray for Fabrice Muamba’ (Kyle Walker)

Prayer in our times“OMG”“God help us!”“Please God”

Serenity PrayerGrant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot changeThe courage to change the things I cannot acceptAnd the wisdom to hide the bodies of those I kill today because they got on my nervesAnd also help me to be careful of the toes I step on todayAs they may be the feet I have to kiss tomorrow

What makes prayer – prayer?• Blockages to prayer• Sin (Psalm 66:18)• Hypocrisy (Isaiah 29:13)• Husbands mistreating wives (1Peter

3:7)• Inappropriate motives (James 4:3)• Lack of faith (Hebrews 11:6 & 4:16;

Mark 9:23; James 5:15)• Dictionary definition• A solemn request for help or expression

of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship

• A religious service, especially a regular one, at which people gather in order to pray together

What makes prayer – prayer? “Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God’s people” (Ephesians 6:18 NCV) “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people” (1Timothy 2:1 NIVUK) “Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:26 NIVUK)

What makes prayer – prayer? “Always be joyful. Pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18 NCV) “With thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:5-6 NIVUK)

What makes prayer – prayer? Corporate prayer – prayer of agreement“…all joined together constantly in prayer” (Acts 1:14 NIVUK) “…devoted themselves” (Acts 2:42 NIVUK) Consecration/dedication“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will’” (Matthew 26:39 NIVUK)

What makes prayer – prayer? Intercession – “standing before God for someone or something”• Daniel 9• John 17• Jeremiah 29:7 Thanksgiving is different to worship• Worship focuses on who God is • Thanksgiving on what He’s done

Prophetic Prayer“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:2-3 NIVUK)“But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort” (1Corinthians 14: 3 NIVUK)

Prophetic PrayerLord I thank you for my brother here who is a man of courage and boldness. Bless him as he steps out in this new area of faith for you.

The Lord says you are a man of courage and boldness and that He is going to lead you into a new area of service for Him where these characteristics will be demonstrated for His glory. Lord please bring this to pass.

Praying in the Spirit“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18 NIVUK)“Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain. God can see what is in people’s hearts. And he knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit speaks to God for his people in the way God wants”

(1Corinthians 14: 14-15 NIVUK)

Prayer – make it count"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again" (Matthew 6:7 NLT)“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2 NIV) “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1NIVUK)

Prayer – make it count“The great people of the earth today are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer, nor those who say they believe in prayer, nor yet those who can explain about prayer; but I mean these people who take time and pray” – S D Gordon, teacher and evangelist • Does every prayer get answered our

way – no• Do we understand why – no• Should that stop us praying – no!