All prayer must be effective otherwise it becomes words only. Matt 6:7, James 5:16-18.

Prayer is a principle of the scriptures and should hold a place of priority in the life of every Christian. Martin Luther once said “As a shoemaker makes shoes and tailor makes clothes so every Christian ought to pray. Prayer is the daily business of every Christian.”

Prayer, Secret, fervent, believing prayer lies at the root of all godliness. The scripture offers no apology for prayer; it simply assumes the necessity and effectiveness of mans communication with God.

Prayer is communication with God. It’s holding a conversation with God. Prayer is not trying to twist God’s arm to make him do something that He doesn’t want to. Prayer is getting to know God; who He is and what He wants to do.

Jesus: “The Father shows him all He does” John 5:19-20

            “He had to go through Samaria” John 4:4

            “He had in mind already what He should do” John 6:6

            “He went out to a mountainside to pray…and when morning came…He chose twelve          of them…apostles” Luke 6:12-13

Prayer is the highest spiritual exercise of which man is capable, that upon which hands the ultimate success or failure of our life and witness. That is why Satan constantly withstands it. ALL personalities in the Bible were people of prayer.

Old Testament - Prayer = Heb ‘Palel’ means to pray habitually without ceasing. Appears 72 times.

The prayer was not a habitual prayer, but the prayer prayed habitually as part of life

• Abraham           Genesis: 20:7,17
• Moses              Numbers 11:2
• Hannah             1 Samuel 1:10,12,26,27; 2:1
• Elisha               2 Kings 4:33, 6:17-18
• Nehemiah          Nehemiah 1:4,6; 2:4
• Daniel               Daniel 9:4, 20

New Testament – Prayer = Gr. ‘Proseuchomai’ means to pray/wish for. It is always used of prayer to God. Appears 78 times and is the most frequent word in this respect especially in the Synoptic and Acts – 57 times.

Prayer needs to be in agreement with God’s will 1 John 5:14-15

• “Understand what the will of the Lord is” Ephesians 5:17.
• Offering of ourselves to God brings about the knowledge of his will Romans 12:2.
• Study of scripture will give us an understanding of God’s will/wishes.

• Matthew 6:10 “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”.
• 1 Thess 4:3 “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified”.
• 1 Thess 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances, this is God’s will”.
• 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9 “God wants all men to be saved”.
• Romans 1:10, James 4:15 “God’s will in going places”.

• “The heart is the well spring of life” Prov 4:23
• The heart must be free from sin Ps 66:18
• It is a righteous man’s prayer that is effective. James 5:16
• Husbands beware! 1 Peter 3:7

• Is it a principle that has priority in my life?
• Do I see it as a means of getting something from God or getting to know God?
• Am I a habitual prayer?