How Do You Spell Pray?

Introduction

March 12, 2006

How do you spell pray? That’s pretty simple, right? This morning, we would like to look at each of the four letters in pray to think of words beginning with that letter that related directly to prayer.

Body

I. We begin with the letter P.

A. Prayer is Persistent

1. The case of the widow.

2. Luke 18:1Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.3 “Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’4 “And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,5 ‘yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” 6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.7 “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 “I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

B. Prayer is Pleading

1. The case of the publican.

2. Luke 18:9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.12 ‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’13 “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’14 “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

C. Prayer is Pausing

1. Jesus took the disciples aside to rest a while.

Mark 6:30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.31 And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

2. Jesus took time out to pray.

Mark 6:45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. .

D. Prayer is Praise

1. In the model prayer, Jesus gave us an example to praise God for His greatness.

Matthew 6:9 “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

2. David could see reasons to praise God in God’s great creation.

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.

Next we to come to the letter R

Prayer includes repenting

1. The example of the publican noted above.

2. Christ’s clear teaching on repentance.

Luke 13:1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

B. Prayer includes remembering

1. Remember our sins and confess them.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. Remember others and their needs.

1 Timothy 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.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. .

3. Remember the sacrifice of Christ, especially as we partake of the Lord’s Supper.

(1 Cor 11:26-29 NKJV) "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. {27} Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. {28} But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. {29} For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."

C. Prayer includes reJoicing.

1. Paul tells us to rejoice.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Then comes the letter A

Prayer is asking.

1. Jesus encouraged us to ask in the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.9 “Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?10 “Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?11 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

B. Prayer is acknowledging

1. Acknowledge our sins (Confess our faults as already mentioned.)

2. Acknowledge that all things come from God.

James 1:16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

C. Prayer is to be always.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing,

IV Finally, there is the letter Y.

Prayer is YIELDING.

1. Jesus taught us to pray that God’s will would be done.

Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Prayer is YEARNING.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Conclusion

Prayer is vital. We need to work to make sure that our lives do not interfere with our prayers. Prayer is our way of communicating with God.

In marriage, counselors tell us that the marriage that is in most serious trouble is not the one where they are fighting. They still care for each other, or they wouldn’t even bother to fight. The marriage that is in serious trouble is where all communication has stopped. They don’t care any more, or they are too angry to even talk.

Likewise with our relationship to God. We need to talk to God, He wants to hear from us.

1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

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