The Privilege of Prayer
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 5/8/2016 PM |
Text: | Luke 11; Lord's Day 45 |
Psalters: | 172, 175, 123, 233 |
Preparatory to the Lord's Supper |
- Why are we to pray?
- Prayer is necessary because it is commanded as a necessary part of our spiritual warfare (Ps. 27:8; Eph. 6:18).
- Prayer is necessary because it is the primary way to thank God.
- Because the covenant is a relationship of friendship, prayer is our side in that holy conversation with the covenant God.
- Prayer is necessary because it is the means God would have us use to receive grace and the Holy Spirit.
- How are we to pray? This is determined by the character of Him to Whom we pray. This will be the attitude for proper preparation
- Prayer must be sincere, i.e., focused, using all of one’s faculties and efforts.
- Sincere prayer is focused on the one true God as He has revealed Himself in His Word.
- Pray with humility and contrition.
- Ground your prayers by faith on the merit and worthiness of Jesus Christ, the only Mediator.
- Pray forgiving if you have anything against anyone (Mark 11:25,26).
- Prayer is to be without ceasing, so it expresses the attitude of our life, consciously living as God wants.
- For what are we to pray? For all the things He has commanded us to ask of Him.
- “According to His will” (I John 5:14).
- Pray for whatever He promises - ask boldly that He fulfill His promises (when He is pleased to do so).
- Ask primarily for spiritual needs: His grace and Spirit (Luke 11:13).
- “Without ceasing” implies that we desire to see His infinite love and perfect wisdom in every event and circumstance of life.
- Conclusion.