Prayer.

Acts 16:25 (KJV)

25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

What prayer is really all about. (Matt. 6:9-13)

The most basic definition of prayer is “talking to God.” Prayer is not meditation or passive reflection; it is direct communication or dialogue with God. Prayer can be audible or silent, private or public, formal or informal. All prayer must be offered in faith (James 1:6), in the name of the Lord Jesus (John 16:23), and in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26).

Prayer is communicating with God the Father, in the name of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer is saying back to God what His Word says to us. Scripture must inform our prayer life.

The more constantly you feed on the Word, the richer and deeper your life of prayer becomes.

The Word of God is the food that makes you strong to pray.

Jesus, quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3, defeated Satan by pointing to the essential role of the Word.

“Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

• “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:7-8).
  

Prayer should be continuous. (Not just petitions)

• We should keep a running conversation going with God all day long. There is really no special formula for how to pray in the Bible. We should just do it. We can pray under any and all circumstances. Prayer develops our relationship with God and demonstrates our trust and utter dependence upon Him.
  

Ephesians 6:18 “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere”.

We don’t always know what to pray for. (Romans 8:26)

• Psalm 119:37: “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word”
  

The purpose of prayer is NOT to inform God. (2 Chronicles 20:12)

• Matthew 6:8 (NASB) 8“So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
  

Prayer is NOT about demanding something from God. (1 Samuel 14:6)

• Daniel 3:16 – 18 (NASB)
  

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter.

17 “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

18 “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Prayer is about asking God for what HE wants for us.

• 1 John 5:14 – 15 (NASB) 14This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
  

15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

• Matthew 6:10 (NASB) 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
  
• James 5:16 (KJV) 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.