Good morning,
Today’s sermon is on “prayer”. It is our greatest weapon in spiritual warfare. It brings us closer to God. It is available to us 24/7. It is commanded of us.
PRAYER
Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Introduction ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication)
Adoration (Psalm 95:1-6)
O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
Confession (Psalm 32:1-5)
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.5 I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:1-7)
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Supplication (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
To whom do we pray? (Acts 12:5, John 14:13, Ephesians 6:18))
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18)
When do we pray? (Luke 18:1, Psalm 5:3, 55:17, 86:3, 88:1)
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1)
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. (Psalm 5:3)
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. (Psalm 55:17)
Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. (Psalm 86:3)
O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: (Psalm 88:1)
Where do we pray? (Matthew 6:6, Psalm 26:12)
ANYWHERE, EVERYWHERE
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord. (Psalm 26:12)
CONCLUSION
Pray with:
Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication
To God, through Jesus
Praying always
Praying everywhere
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001