Why do you Pray?

Why do you Pray?

July 8, 2007

Introduction

What if God asked you, “Why do you pray?” What would you say? In Exo 14:15, we find this account: “And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.”

So what would you say if the Lord asked you, “Why do you pray?” There are many answers to the question. What’s yours?

Body

I. Some pray out of a sense of duty.

A. The sacrifices of the Old Testament give us some idea of frequency.

(1 Chr 16:40 NKJV) to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the Law of the LORD which He commanded Israel;

1. Morning—a great time to pray for guidance, and for help for the day.

2. Evening—a reflective time.

B. By New Testament times, there was an hour of prayer.

(Acts 3:1 NKJV) Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

(Acts 3:1 NIV) One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon.

II. But why do you pray? For what do you pray?

A. The Lord gave us a good outline of things to pray for.

(Mat 6:9-13 NKJV) "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. {10} Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. {11} Give us this day our daily bread. {12} And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. {13} And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

1. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven

Are we expanding on that? Are we trying to see His will done?

2. Give us this day our daily bread.

We need to recognize Him as the giver of everything, and acknowledge our total dependence on Him.

3. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.

Are we forgiving? Do we acknowledge our sins?

4. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one

Do we really pray for this very much? Help us prevent the mistakes we may otherwise make!

B. But there is really more to pray for than what is listed here.

(1 Tim 2:1-2 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.

supplications: need, indigence, want, privation, penury

2) a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God or to man

intercessions, prayer on behalf of others. We do a lot of that, and that is good.

giving of thanks We probably do a pretty poor job of this. I think many of us are just inadequate at expressing our thanksgiving. Jim Corner often confesses his inability to say thanks to us as he would like to.

C. But why do you pray? -- Is there a need to commune with God?

(Gen 3:8-10 NKJV) And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. {9} Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" {10} So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."

1 What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!

2 Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in prayer:
Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3 Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge; Take it to the Lord in prayer:
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there.[1]

III. Do you pray because you know Him?

A. It’s important that we know God.

(2 Th 1:7-8 NKJV) and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, {8} in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1. What does it mean to know God?

(1 John 2:4-6 NKJV) He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. {5} But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. {6} He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

2. God wants our love and our excitement.

(Rev 2:2-4 NKJV) "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; {3} "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. {4} "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

B. Those who only show up when they need something.

1. We all know how we feel toward those who only show up when they need something.

2. How do you suppose God feels if we only come to ask Him for things?

3. Do we also praise Him and thank Him for all He is and all He has done for us?

IV. But why do you pray? Does it matter how you pray?

A. God says it makes a big difference.

(Isa 1:12-13 NKJV) "When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? {13} Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies; I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.

(Isa 1:15-16 NKJV) When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. {16} "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil,

B We need to pray with feeling and with purpose.

(James 5:16 NKJV) Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

C. Have the spirit of David.

(Psa 122:1 NKJV) I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD."

Conclusion

So why do you pray? and How do you pray?

Is it because you enjoy being in God’s presence and communing with Him?

Can you talk to Him as a loving Father?

Can you share with Him your problems?

Can you thank Him and praise Him for all that He is?

Are you right with God?

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