Prayer (11)

I. Characteristics of Prayer

A. Important

More important than the needs of the body (Mt. 4:1–4; Mk. 1:32–35). Even though Jesus had a busy day before, he got up early to pray. Mt 14:23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.

Important enough to do frequently. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16).

A constant state of the mind. “pray continually;” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). If Jesus, the Son of God, needed it, don’t we need it even more?

Importance in relation to missions

1. Jesus prayed and fasted at his baptism and before the beginning of his ministry.(Luke 3:21; 4:1–14)

2. Jesus spent the entire night praying before selecting his team of Apostles (Mk.

3:14; Lk. 6:12–13)

3. The Apostles prayed to prepare for Pentecost. (Acts 1:14)

4. The Apostles prayed before selecting a partner in their work. (Acts 1:24)

5. New converts were dedicated to prayer (Acts 2:42; 4:24; 6:4).

6. In the selection and sending of the first missionaries to the Gentiles. “…While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:1-3).

7. In the appointing of elders in mission churches. “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” (Acts 14:23).

B. Surrendered: Not something by which we manipulate God—“prayer works” –What do we mean by that?

"This, then, is how you should pray: "`Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10).

He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." (Matthew 26:42).

"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? `Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." (John 12:27-28).

C. Intimate:

In many religions God is distant. Mary, Saints, and ancestors are the objects of prayer for those who consider God too holy to approach. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

D. Powerful:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20).

James 1:5-8

James 5:16-18