FOM Notes

Why Pray?
Part 1 of 4 in the series “Does Prayer Really Work?”

July 5, 2009 Pastor Nate Holden

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him,
‘Lord, teach us to pray . . . ’ ”

Luke 11:1

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him for he lives with you and will be in you.”

John 14:15-19

THE FOUR PURPOSES OF PRAYER

ª Prayer is an act of (dedication)

An opportunity to express our (devotion) to God and our (dependence) upon God

“I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, but apart from Me, you can do nothing. If anyone doesn’t remain in Me, he’s like a branch that’s thrown away and withers. Such branches are picked up and thrown into the fire and burned. But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you can ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you.”
John 15:5-7

ª Prayer is an act of (communication)

You can’t understand (God) or God’s (will) for your life unless you communicate with Him

“I no longer call you servants because a servant doesn’t know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends for everything I’ve learned from my Father, I’ve made known unto you. You didn’t choose Me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name.”
John 15:15-16

ª Prayer is an act of (supplication)

Supplication means (request)

“Don’t worry about anything but in everything, with your prayers and your supplications, make your requests known to God and the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6

“Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete.”
John 16:24

P Prayer is God’s chosen method of meeting your needs

“He will fulfill the desires of those who reverence Him.” Psalm 145:15

P Not just the needs - - the desires

P Why? Because if you’re reverencing God, your desires are going to be right

Why does God want us to ask in prayer?

“That your joy may be complete.”

ª Prayer is an act of (cooperation)

Prayer is God saying, ‘I have chosen to limit Myself to what I accomplish on earth simply by limiting Myself to the faith of My children on the earth. What they believe Me for, I will do.’

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I’m going to the Father.”
John 14:12

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
John 14:13-14

P Prayer is not limited by time, nor by space

P Jesus voluntarily limited Himself

P Prayer is limitless in its power