What Prayer Is Not And What Prayers Is

Speaking the Truth in Love

Gordon Pickrell
03/21/11 - Knoxville TV

PRAYER IS NOT:

For show-Matthew 6:5-13
Vain repetition-Matthew 6:5-13
Isn’t our wish list
Magic/God isn’t our Genie
Optional-Luke 18:1-8 (example of early Christians in Acts 1:23-26, 4:23-31, and 13:1-3)
Not always heard by God- Proverbs 28:9, James 4:1-3, Isaiah 59:2, James 1:5-8
A guarantee against suffering-John 16:32-33, 1 Peter 4:12-19, 2 Timothy 4:16-18 [Christ prayed (Matthew 26:36-39) and Paul prayed (2 Corinthians 11:23-33), yet they suffered physically]

PRAYER IS:

Essential-Ephesians 1:15-20
Heard-1 Peter 3:12
Answered-1 John 5:14-15
Always available-Psalm 119:62, Matthew 7:7-11
Comfort-Philippians 4:4-7
Powerful-James 5:16, Isaiah 40:28-31
Part of our arsenal of God/Protection-Ephesians 6:10-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3
Can’t be taken away-Romans 8:35-39, Acts 16:22-26
To be learned-Jesus taught the apostles to pray (Luke 11:1-4)
Continuous-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
An expression of our faith-Mark 11:22-25
A privilege-Hebrews 4:15-16, Romans 8:26-28, Isaiah 40:12-17

THE GREAT EXAMPLE PRAYER:

The prayer of Jesus (John chapter 17)

The blessing of prayer is a privilege and blessing that Christians enjoy. If you are not a Christian why not become one? Believe in the Lord with all your heart (Acts 8:37), Confess that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 8:37, Romans 10:10), Repent and turn away from your sins (Acts 2:38, 17:30, 26:20), and be immersed in the waters of baptism to wash away your sins (Acts 2:40-41). Then you can be saved from your sins and can enjoy the awesome power of prayer in your life! We hope to see you next time on “Speaking The Truth In Love”.