From: Subject: WORSHIP - PRAYER Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2007 11:55:15 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.sallisawchurchofchrist.com/Sermon%20Outlines/prayer.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3198 WORSHIP - PRAYER

WORSHIP - PRAYER

 

-Introduction

-Quick review:  Continuing series - God=92s = pattern for=20 N.T. worship

-Prayer - a topic I just cannot do justice to

-On one hand it is a simplistic topic:  Our = Father in=20 heaven listens to the prayers of

  His children and answers them according = to His=20 will.

-On the other hand, this topic is complex:  = How=20 does God answer our prayers?  How does

  He account for the prayers of =93little ole = me=94 within=20 the complexities and grand scale

  of the workings of this world and His = will? 

         &= nbsp; =20 -What are the things we should pray for?  Are there certain things = that we=20 shouldn=92t

         &= nbsp; =20   pray for?

         &= nbsp; =20 -Jas 4:3 (motives), 1 John 5:16

-Even if we don=92t understand how God = answers our=20 prayers, we should not doubt the

  fact that He does.

         &= nbsp; =20 -I=92ve encountered some who did not think God answers our = prayers.  They had=20 a hard

         &= nbsp; =20   time understanding some things so they began to doubt.

         &= nbsp; =20 -example of creation - not presented in a detailed format - but no = reason for=20 doubt

         &= nbsp; =20 -example of the telephone - I don=92t understand how it works, but I = don=92t doubt=20 that it does.

-Life is fragile - handle with prayer.  We = need to=20 believe in it and utilize it.

         &= nbsp; =20 -God answers our prayers.  What a wonderful blessing!

 

-Prayer and Worship

-Acts 2:42 - Prayer is listed here in the context = of=20 worship.

-Through the avenue of prayer, we have the = opportunity and=20 privilege to speak to God.

         &= nbsp; =20 -We can thank Him, praise Him, glorify Him, honor Him.  We can make = requests of

         &= nbsp; =20   Him on our behalf and the behalf of others.  We can cast our = concerns and burdens

         &= nbsp; =20   upon Him.

-Oh, what a wonderful blessing - the avenue of = prayer!

-Practical statements regarding prayer in = worship:

         &= nbsp; =20 -Even though one person leads the prayer, we should all be praying = together.

         &= nbsp;  -Therefore,=20 we need to focus on what=92s taking place.  We need to listen to = the

 =20 prayer being offered.  We need to pray with focus of mind and = sincerity=20 of heart.

     =20 -lack of focus =3D wandering mind

         &= nbsp; =20 -Those leading the prayer should try to speak clearly and loud enough = for others=20 to hear,

         &= nbsp; =20   remembering that others are praying with him.

 

-Continued Prayer

-very important:  Prayer should extend beyond=20 worship.

-When we look at the faithful Christians in the = early church,=20 you can=92t separate them from

  prayer.

         &= nbsp; =20 -Acts 12:5

-Example of the apostle Paul:

         &= nbsp; =20 -his prayerfulness for his fellow Christians

         &= nbsp;           &n= bsp; =20 -Rom 1:8-10; Eph 1:15-16; Phil 1:3-5

         &= nbsp; =20 -his instructions to pray

         &= nbsp;           &n= bsp; =20 -1 Tim 2:1; 1 Thess 5:17; Phil 4:6

         &= nbsp; =20 -his requests for the prayers of others

         &= nbsp;           &n= bsp; =20 -Rom 15:30; Eph 6:18-19; 1 Thess 5:25

 

-Example and Teaching of Jesus

-Luke 6:12 - prior to selecting the 12 apostles

-Matt 14:23 - private prayer

         &= nbsp; =20 -Set aside some time to privately pray to God.  Let Him know = what=92s on your=20 mind.

         &= nbsp; =20   Openly and personally talk to Him.

-special note:  In the above passages, we see = Jesus=20 spending considerable amounts of time

         &= nbsp;     =20       in prayer.  Oh, how little time we = spend in=20 prayer.

-John 17

-Garden of Gethsemane

-Sermon on the mount:

         &= nbsp; =20 -Matt 6 - Prayer was included in its wonderful themes.

         &= nbsp; =20 -Matt 5:44; 7:7-11

 

-Summary and Invitation

-Think about this:  Prayer is a = necessity for our=20 salvation.  Therefore, if God does not answer

  prayer, we are without hope.

-Initial obedience:  Believe (John 3:16, = 8:24), Confess=20 (Matt 10:32), Repent (Luke 13:3,5;

  Acts 17:30), Be Baptized (Mark 16:16, Acts = 2:38).

-Following our initial obedience to the Gospel, we = then have=20 the responsibility to live

  faithfully.  But, we cannot live = perfectly.

         &= nbsp; =20 -1 John 1:7-9

         &= nbsp; =20 -This involves prayer:  James 5:16, Acts 8:22-24

-God answers our prayers!  Oh, what a = wonderful=20 blessing.

         &= nbsp; =20 -Remember:  Life is fragile - handle with prayer.  Believe in=20 it.  Utilize it.

-Perhaps you are in need of prayers this morning. =

 

Date:  January 22, 2006

 

 

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