PART 1 - HOW TO PRAY 12 Practical keys to effective prayer 1. Pray Persistently Rev. 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly

PART 1 - HOW TO PRAY


12 Practical keys to effective prayer

1. Pray Persistently

Rev. 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

We must pray, not give up. (Luke 18:1)

We must keep on asking, seeking and knocking. (Luke 11:9)



1. Pray Persistently

• The woman who had an answer for every objection.(Matt.15:21-28)• The blind man who refused to stop crying out.(Mark 10:46-52)• The man who would not give up at midnight.(Luke 11:5-8)• The widow who wore down the judge with her ceaselesspleading. (Luke 18:1-8)



2. Pray Insistently.

We must pray at times with a spirit of desperation.

One righteous person praying can accomplish so much.(James 5:16)

A body of believers praying can accomplish so much.(Acts 12:5)



3. Pray Confidently.

Allow God to work in response to your prayer.(Psalm 37:5; John 14:14)

Avoid trying to answer your own prayer.

Don’t be like Abraham. (Gen. 15:2; 16:1-2)



3. Pray Confidently.

Don’t be like Jacob. (Gen. 32:11)Be encouraged to know that God is ready and willing toact on our behalf. (Eph. 3:20-21)

20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.



4. Pray Resistantly.

Recognize the enemy. (Eph. 6:12)

Recognize the enemy’s tactics. (1 Pet. 4:7; 5:8)

DistractionReminders of past failureDiscouragement



5. Pray Specifically.

Acknowledge dependence on the Lord by being specific(Luke 11:5)The man asked not just for bread, but for “three loaves.” Intercession has a specific focus.Praying for a specific city, state or leader is moremeaningful than praying, “God bless America.”



6. Pray Unceasingly.

Maintain an attitude of prayer. (1 Thess. 5:17)Pray “arrow” prayers.

Arrow prayers are spontaneous and natural.As breathing is to our physical function,

so prayer is to our spiritual function.

Arrow prayers occur in the flow of life.



7. Pray Initially.

Make prayer your first choice, not your last.

Remember that problems often come because you did notpray in the first place. (Joshua 7:1-5)

Seeking God’s direction, blessing and provision must beone’s priority, not an afterthought.



8. Pray Unselfishly.

Be sure that your focus in prayer is not only inward, butupward and outward as well.

Follow the pattern of Jesus’ prayer for His followers.(John 17)



8. Pray Unselfishly.

He prayed for our protection. (Jn. 17:11, 15)

He prayed for our oneness with Him. (Jn. 17:11, 21, 23)

He prayed for our joy. (Jn. 17:13)

He prayed for our sanctification. (Jn. 17:17)



9. Pray Boldly.

Pray boldly because of who Christ is: our high priest andadvocate. (Heb. 4:14-16; 1 Jn. 2:1)

Pray boldly because of who you are: a believer priest.

Come boldly for God’s mercy.

Come boldly for God’s grace.



10. Pray Biblically.

Do not pray contrary to the Scriptures.

God’s will is never contradicted by God’s Word.

God will grant wisdom to the one who earnestly seeks it.(James 1:5)

Recognize that God wants you to know His will. (Col. 1:9)




We can know God’s will through walking in the Spirit.(Eph. 5:17; 6:6)

Obey God’s will in order to be effective in prayer.(1 Jn. 3:22)




Jesus could say that the Father always heard Him(Jn. 11:42) because He could also say “I do alwaysthose things that please him.” (Jn. 8:29)

Asking must come from a heart that is abiding. (John 15)



11. Pray Unitedly.

God has promised to respond when we join together inprayer. (Matt. 18:19-20)

United prayer ought to be consistent, regular and fervent—not just on special occasions. (Acts 2:46-47)



12. Pray Patiently.

Praying patiently means listening to God.Listening is a “School of Silence”

• Moses studied there. (Ex. 3, 19)• John the Baptist studied there. (Mark 1)• Paul the Apostle studied there. (Gal. 1:15-18)



12. Pray Patiently.

• Praying patiently means waiting on God. Wait for God’s provision.

• Place your full confidence in Him.

• Rely on His unlimited ability to provide, not our own limited ability.



12. Pray Patiently.

• Wait for God’s power.

• Power to witness. (Acts 1:14; 2:1-41)

• Power to serve. (Isa. 40:31)



Conclusion:

1. As you put these principles into practice, remember one more: Pray Naturally.

2. Communicate with God in your own language, from your own heart.

3. Communicate with God as freely and naturally as possible.



Conclusion:

4. Remember that He knows you. (Rom. 8:15-16; Gal.4:6-7)

5. Remember that He loves you, accepts you, and understands you.

6. Pray knowing that He hears and answers.

God Save America!

Verse: 1

Though the storm clouds gather, in a world of strife,We can praise our Saviour for a better life.Christ, our King, has told us in His home above And His coming Kingdom, all is peace and love.

God Save America!

Chorus:

God save America, land that I love,Ever lead her, and feed her, with the Bread that cometh down from above, Keep her near Thee, may she hear Thee, every day and every hour, God save America by Thy mighty power. God save America by Thy mighty power.

God Save America!

Verse: 2

Once a Christian nation, loving to obey, The Lord above smiled on them, He’s the same today;If they’d only seek Him, pure and clean of heart, Once again He’d bless them and His grace impart.

God Save America!

Chorus:


God Save America!

Verse 3:

In a world wide conflict, wrong shall not prevail,Jesus lives forever, He can never fail. Christ, our King, is conqueror, over Death and Sin,If we have His blessings, we shall surely win.

God Save America!

Chorus:



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PART 1 - HOW TO PRAY 12 Practical keys to effective prayer 1. Pray Persistently Rev. 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly