ABC’s OF PRAYER

 

PRAYER IS:  Communication with God through His Son Jesus, by the Holy Spirit – Laker PR Guy – Explosion of Media/Information/Knowledge – INTERNET- changed

Definition: John 16:23 – IN JESUS NAME /  Romans 8:26 – HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US

A = ACCESS

 

  1. To God – Elijah in the cave/ 1st Kings 19:10

 

Petition Him with our requests – My life is in danger

            Praise Him for who He is in our lives – You are the Lord Almighty

            Presence awareness gained - And the voice of the Lord spoke

 

      2.  To Others – Esther and the King/ Esther 5,6,7

 

           Intercede for them – Spare the people of Israel

           Build bridges to them – Asked for an audience with the King

           Communicate with them – The King granted anything she wished for

 

  1. To Ourselves – David and Bathsheba/ 2nd Samuel 12

 

We open our own hearts – The Lord sent Nathan to prophesy

We pour out our deepest thoughts – I have sinned against the Lord

We see ourselves more plainly – Thou art the man

 

B = BENEFIT

 

  1. Stronger in spirit – Jesus during His temptation/ Matthew 4

 

Through faith – In temptation – do not test the Lord your God

By hope – In His promises – feed on every word from God

In love – Worship the Lord your God only

 

  1. Perspective in vision – Paul called to Macedonia/ Acts 16

 

About ourselves – Answering the call with determination

About our situation – Waiting on the Lord to move

About the world – Going where God wants us to go

 

      3.   Emboldens in action – The new church after Pentecost/ Acts 4:23 - 31

 

      With a plan – Send your healing power

      With a purpose – Give your servants great boldness

      With a goal – Signs and wonders in Jesus Name - salvation

C = CHANGE

 

1.      Our circumstances - David recovering what was taken at Ziklag/ 1st Samuel 30

 

By getting help – David strengthened himself in the Lord

By giving up our plans – He asked the Lord what he should do next

By gaining ground – He went after his enemies after hearing from God

 

2.      Our world – Peter and the net of unclean creatures/ Acts 10:9

 

One heart at a time – ours first – Peter changed his view of “unclean”

In larger portions – The whole Gentile race was given from this vision

With certainty – He was sent to Cornelius’ house for an “act” of God

 

3.      Our ways – Paul and the Damascus Road Experience/ Acts 9

 

New thinking emerges within – Paul heard a voice speaking to him

Expands possibilities – A chosen messenger to Gentiles and Kings

Energizes our resolve – I will show him how much he must suffer

 

 

How do we pray?

 

A.     With the help of the Holy Spirit –

 

    1. Ask Him to help you to pray
    2. Allow Him to groan with you
    3. Seek revelation in any way He wants

 

B.     Constantly/Continually –

 

    1. Scheduled prayer time daily
    2. Intercede continually
    3. At key moments of decision

 

C.     Specifically -

 

    1. Name the problem
    2. Detail the need
    3. Ask for the desired solution

 

 

KEY:  NO matter is too large or small for the Lord – just ask Him and wait

 

“He longs to be gracious to you ( but you would have none of it ) ” Isaiah 30:15-18