Why Pray?

God_Owned · Mar 25, 2006

Why Pray?

JOHN 15:5 NKJ
5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

There are three reasons to pray: for God's benefit, for your benefit, and for the benefit of others.

To Benefit God

Just as earthly parents enjoy talking with their child, our
Heavenly Father enjoys hearing from you.

Also, God desires certain things done on Earth, but He has delegated authority to mankind. Through our requests, God can justly intervene in earthly situations and bring His will to pass. So, praying in line with God's Word benefits God.

To Benefit You

Prayer is communication with God. It includes listening,
discussion, and giving thanks -- not just asking for things.

Relationship requires communication. Your relationship with the Lord will never grow without communication.

Time spent in prayer helps you stay tuned-in spiritually -- remaining sensitive to God. Prayer keeps you "connected" with God. It helps keep your focus on God and how great He is.

Prayer is a way of humbling yourself and is the opposite of doing things by yourself. Receiving direction from God is the greatest help you can get. If you fail to seek God's help, you are headed for trouble, because the devil sets traps to destroy you.

Also, talking with God forces you to honestly face your
situation -- for you know you cannot fool God.

To Benefit Others

All around us, people are in great need. Through prayer we can appropriate heavenly help on their behalf.

God can do more in one minute than you can do in a lifetime.

SAY THIS: I will pray because prayer is beneficial.

:wave:

God_Owned · Mar 25, 2006

Jesus Prayed!

AT HIS WATER BAPTISM

LUKE 3:21-22 NKJ
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.
22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."

BEFORE CHOOSING APOSTLES

LUKE 6:11-13 NKJ
11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Him; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:

ALONE

LUKE 9:18 NKJ And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"

INSTEAD OF MINISTERING

MARK 1:35-37 NKJ
35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him.
37 When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You."

LUKE 5:15-16 NKJ
15 Then the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.
16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

MATTHEW 14:23 NKJ
23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on a mountain by Himself to pray. And when evening had come, He was alone there.

MARK 6:46 NKJ And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.

IN FAITH

MATTHEW 26:53 NKJ Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?

AT GETHSEMANE

MATTHEW 26:36-45 NKJ
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there."
37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, "What, could you not watch with Me one hour?
41 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."
43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.

LUKE 22:39-46 NKJ
39 And coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."
41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed,
42 saying, "Father, if it is Your will, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."
43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.
44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. And His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.
46 Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."

AT THE TRANSFIGURATION

LUKE 9:28-29 NKJ
28 And it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
29 And as He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.

INSPIRED OTHERS TO PRAY

LUKE 11:1 NKJ And it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

FOR CHILDREN

MATTHEW 19:13 NKJ Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray....

FOR PETER

LUKE 22:31-32 NKJ
31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
32 "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

FOR US

JOHN 14:16 NKJ And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever,

JOHN 17:1,9,15,20 NKJ
1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father,...
9 "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.
15 "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;"

ROMANS 8:34 NKJ Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

HEBREWS 7:25 NKJ ...He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.

:wave:

God_Owned · Mar 25, 2006

Pray For Preachers

Do you pray for preachers? You should. They need it and it is in your interest to do so. Even the apostle Paul asked for people to pray for him, though he was used by God to write most of the New Testament.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.

A minister can preach the same message at different places but it will not come out the same. Why? Because what the Spirit-led preacher proclaims is determined by the people listening. The spiritual hunger, attentiveness, and needs of the crowd have a tremendous effect on the message delivered. When tempted to criticize the preacher, we should consider whether we prepared ourselves to receive.

2 CORINTHIANS 1:11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

According to this, we can help a minister by praying for him even if we are not there physically. Do you believe that enough to act on it?

COLOSSIANS 4:3-4
3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,
4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Was he just wasting words or did he really think their prayers would make a difference in his ministry?

HEBREWS 13:18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.

If the apostle Paul needed prayer, then surely all ministers today need it, too!

When you do not pray for ministers, especially those who minister to you (your pastor, guest speakers, media ministers you listen to), you are robbing yourself.

2 THESSALONIANS 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified, just as it is with you,

As you pray for the preacher, you are not only causing God's blessing and anointing to come on him, but you are also preparing yourself to receive the Word he will deliver. Begin praying for preachers today!

:wave:

God_Owned · Mar 25, 2006

Pray For The Unsaved

We all desire to see our loved ones know Jesus and be saved. How should we pray for them? What does the Bible teach?

LUKE 10:2 NKJ Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

When we beg God to save someone, we are not praying accurately. God already made salvation available to everyone who will accept it.

ROMANS 10:9-10 NKJ
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.

ROMANS 10:13-14,17 NKJ
13 For "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Somehow, someone must proclaim the Gospel message to people, so they can accept it.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:3-4 NKJ
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

There is a spiritual reason why people have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ. We must deal with the root of the problem, not just the out ward circumstances. We should command the devil to release them and stop blinding them to the truth.

MARK 16:15-17 NKJ
15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

Every believer has authority over demons who attempt to keep people in darkness, instead of receiving eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. We must command them to turn loose of the loved one we are praying for. We must claim our loved one for Jesus Christ.

PHILIPPIANS 2:9-10 NKJ
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

JOHN 3:15-16 NKJ
15 "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

2 TIMOTHY 2:24-26 NIV
24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will give them a change of heart leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
When people come to their senses and know the truth, they will accept Jesus Christ and escape from the trap of the devil.

ALL SHOULD BE SAVED

MATTHEW 18:14 NKJ Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

1 TIMOTHY 2:3-4 NKJ
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 PETER 3:9 NKJ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Whoever we pray for, we know it is God's will to save them.

FAMILY MEMBERS

ACTS 16:31 NKJ So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.

We have a right to claim the salvation of our family members. Of course, we must stand in faith and resist the attacks of the devil.

YOUR CHILDREN

PROVERBS 11:21 NKJ Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; but the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

ISAIAH 49:25 NKJ But thus says the Lord: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children.

JEREMIAH 46:27 NKJ "But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, O Israel! For behold, I will save you from afar, and your offspring from the land of their captivity; Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; No one shall make him afraid.

PROVERBS 22:6 NKJ Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

ISAIAH 44:3 NKJ For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring;

GALATIANS 3:13-14 NKJ
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse, which includes our children being captive to the enemy, as the following verses show.

DEUTERONOMY 28:32,41 NKJ
32 "Your sons and your daughters shall be given to another people, and your eyes shall look and fail with longing for them all day long; ....
41 "You shall beget sons and daughters, but they shall not be yours; for they shall go into captivity.

BREAK THE DEVIL'S POWER

In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I bind you satan over the life of ______. I break your power over them. You can no longer blind them to the Truth. I claim them for the Kingdom of God and command you to loose them now. I claim their salvation and complete deliverance in Jesus' Name.

DAILY CONFESSION FOR A LOVED ONE ABOUT TO BE SAVED

Thank You Jesus that You love ______ and desire the best for them. Thank You Lord that You are sending laborers across their path, with Your Word, in a way that they will receive it and respond to it by accepting You as Lord.

Thank You Lord that Your divine love is in my heart by the Holy Spirit according to Romans 5:5. Thank You Lord that Your love in me is flowing out to ______ and drawing them to You.

Lord Jesus, I believe on You and I thank You for Acts 16:31 -- my family shall be saved. Father I thank You for ______'s salvation in Jesus' Name. Thank You for drawing and attracting them to Jesus. Jesus is Lord of ______!

God_Owned · Mar 25, 2006

Scripture Prayers

NUMBERS 6:24-26

24 "The Lord bless _____ and keep _____;
25 the Lord make His face shine upon _____, and be gracious to _____;
26 the Lord lift up His countenance upon _____, and give _____ peace."

MATTHEW 9:38 I pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest to minister to _____.

LUKE 24:45 Lord, open _____'s understanding, that he/she might comprehend the Scriptures.

ACTS 4:29-30
29 Lord, grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,
30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Jesus.

ACTS 16:14b Lord, open _____'s heart to heed the things spoken by Your ministers.

ROMANS 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill _____ with all joy and peace in believing, that _____ may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

EPHESIANS 1:17-23
17 God of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of glory, give to _____ the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You,
18 the eyes of _____'s understanding being enlightened; that _____ may know what is the hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the exceeding greatness of Your power toward _____ who believes, according to the working of Your mighty power
20 which You worked in Christ when You raised Him from the dead and seated Him at Your right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22 And You put all things under Christ's feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
23 which is Christ's body, the fullness of You who fills all in all.

EPHESIANS 3:13-19
13 I ask that _____ does not lose heart,
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 that You would grant _____, according to the riches of Your glory, to be strengthened with might through Your Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in _____'s heart through faith; that _____, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height --
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that _____ may be filled with all the fullness of God.

PHILIPPIANS 1:9-11
9 And this I pray, that _____'s love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
10 that _____ may approve the things that are excellent, that _____ may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

COLOSSIANS 1:9-14
9 I do not cease to pray for _____, and to ask that _____ may be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 that _____ may have a walk worthy of You Lord, fully pleasing You, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all might, according to Your glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
12 giving thanks to You Father who has qualified _____ to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
13 You have delivered _____ from the power of darkness and translated _____ into the kingdom of the Son of Your love,
14 in whom _____ has redemption through Christ's blood, the forgiveness of sins.

COLOSSIANS 2:2 I pray for _____ that his/her heart may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God,

COLOSSIANS 4:12 I pray that _____ may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

1 THESSALONIANS 3:12-13
12 And may the Lord make _____ increase and abound in love to all,
13 so that He may establish _____'s heart blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:23
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify _____ completely; and may _____'s whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 THESSALONIANS 1:11-12
11 I also pray always for _____ that our God would count _____ worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,
12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in _____, and _____ in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 THESSALONIANS 2:17 May God comfort _____'s heart and establish _____ in every good word and work.

2 THESSALONIANS 3:5,16
5 Now may the Lord direct _____'s heart into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give _____ peace always in every way.

HEBREWS 6:11-12
11 I desire that _____ shows the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
12 that _____ does not become sluggish, but imitates those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

3 JOHN 1:2 I pray that _____ may prosper in all things and be in health, just as his/her soul prospers.

Prayers For Ministers

EPHESIANS 6:19 I pray that utterance may be given to _____, that _____ may open his/her mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

COLOSSIANS 4:3-4
3 I pray also for _____, that God would open to _____ a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ,
4 that _____ may make it manifest, as _____ ought to speak.

2 THESSALONIANS 3:1-2
1 I pray for _____, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified,
2 and that _____ may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men.

:prayer:

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Why Pray?

God_Owned

My wife is the glory this Highlander. 1 Co 11:7

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God_Owned

My wife is the glory this Highlander. 1 Co 11:7

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God_Owned

My wife is the glory this Highlander. 1 Co 11:7

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God_Owned

My wife is the glory this Highlander. 1 Co 11:7

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God_Owned

My wife is the glory this Highlander. 1 Co 11:7

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