Introduction

At our prayer meeting last Wednesday evening, I started our meeting with a Prayer Request: One from Jesus: I don’t know how often we think about the things that Jesus taught us to pray for, but I think there is much to be learned from the things that Jesus and the apostles told us to pray for.

This morning, we want to look at some of the prayers that Jesus told us to pray.

Body

I. Pray for the lost.

A. What was the setting?

(Mat 9:36 NKJV) But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

1. Our nation is moved by the disaster that has happened to those who are victims of the Tsunami. We even fly our flags at half staff.

2. Yet we cannot see the victims of another storm. The storm of the Devil.

3. Jesus could see them, sometimes we do not.

4. We see the devastation of the earthquake and tidal waves, but sometimes we cannot see what’s happening in homes all around us.

B. What was the prayer?

(Mat 9:37-38 NKJV) Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. {38} "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

1. It is a prayer, and God answers prayers.

2. We need to be willing to be used of God.

3. It is a blessing when we truly get involved.

II. Pray to be counted worthy.

A. Jesus told of times coming that remind us of the recent events with the Tsunami.

(Luke 21:25-28 NKJV) "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; {26} "men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. {27} "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. {28} "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

B. He told the prayer that we should pray.

(Luke 21:34-36 NKJV) "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. {35} "For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. {36} "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

1. It is so easy to get caught up in the daily activities of life, and forget what is yet to come.

2. We need to “pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things.”

3. and to stand before the Son of Man." – to be ready to stand before Him in judgment.

III. We are to pray for our enemies.

(Mat 5:44-45 NKJV) "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, {45} "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

A. It’s one of the toughest assignments that I have come across for me.

B. Sometimes I can almost have the spirit of Jonah toward someone who has viscously and deliberately done me wrong.

1. Yet consider what God has done.

2. The rain and the sun was a mild way for Jesus to say it. He sent His Son to die for us.

IV. Paul also had some prayer requests.

A. By his example, he prayed for the salvation of the members of the church.

(2 Th 1:11 NKJV) Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,

B. Pray for all men, but especially for those in authority.

(1 Tim 2:1-4 NKJV) 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.

C. And in general, to pray.

(1 Tim 2:8 NKJV) I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

Conclusion

I. May we be people of prayer as we begin a new year.

II. May we honor those requests we sometimes forget.

A. The request for the lost.

B. The request that we be counted worthy to escape the tribulation coming on the world.

C. The request that we pray for our enemies.

III. May we pray that God will help us have a great year in His Kingdom and for His cause.

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