I. God expects us to pray
A. We have been given a tremendous privilege in being able to approach God
directly in prayer.
B. 1 Thess 5:17. Does God want us to pray often?
C. James 4:2. Rather than murdering, coveting, and fighting to get what we
want, we must pray!
D. Matthew 7:7-11. God will give us wonderful gifts, but we must ask Him! He
knows what we need (Mt 6:8), but He wants us to ask Him for it!
E. It is difficult to overstate how essential prayer is in the life of a Christian. Just
as physical relationships suffer without proper communication, so our
relationship with God suffers when we don't talk to Him in prayer and
don't let Him talk to us through His word.

II. Prayer is based on a right relationship with God
A. We can approach God only when we have been cleansed by the blood of
Christ. Sin in our lives hinders our prayers.
B. John 15:7. Though this word was given to the apostles, it shows the principle
of prayer: it works if we abide in Him. Why would God grant our wishes and needs when we refuse to do His will?
C. 1 Pet 3:10-12. Peter quotes from Psalms to prove that even today God will not
hear the prayers of the wicked. Prayer is a blessed privilege of those who
live for God.
D. Heb 10:19-22. The image is given of approaching the Most Holy Place of the
tabernacle and temple. We can only approach when we have a true heart,
faith, and cleansing (v 22) from Jesus Christ.
E. Because we have been saved from our sins through the blood of Christ, we are
allowed to approach God's throne. Let us never forget that this is a
privilege, not a right, and that we forfeit the privilege when we persist in
sin.

III. Prayer must be offered with proper motives
A. We must not pray to be seen of men (Matthew 6:5-7). Often we want people
to be impressed with our prayers (especially public prayers). Our prayers must never be done to be seen of men, else we have our reward.
B. We must not pray to spend it on pleasures (James 4:3). Our prayers can be
simply a list of things we want. Like little children, we often ask God for every passing fancy so we can do what we like. James tells us these prayers will not be granted.
C. We must pray in faith (James 1:5-8). God may see fit to grant our request, or
He may not. Yet when we pray, we must believe that He hears us and has
our best interests at heart.
D. If we pray in doubt, we won't receive anything from the Lord (v. 7).
E. Praying by faith means no one has to see us or hear us, yet we believe the Lord
hears us.

IV. What should we pray for?
A. Forgiveness. Often we sin and do things God forbids. Prayer is an avenue of
appealing to God with a repentant heart.
1. Acts 8:22-24. Peter told Simon to pray and Simon asked him to pray
for him as well. Prayer is effective in asking God to forgive sin.
2. James 5:16. Not only do we pray for ourselves, but we also pray for
our brethren. Doesn't this show the need to confess to one
another?
3. 1 John 5:15-16. John urges Christians to pray ("ask") for others to be
forgiven (the implication is they are repentant).
B. Help. The temptations of Satan and battles with the world can wear down
Christians. We must pray to God for strength and help.
1. Heb 4:14-16. We may approach God's throne in time of need. Jesus
knows our temptations, and can help us!
2. 1 Pet 5:7, 9. God wants to know our cares. We can turn to Him to help
us through our difficult times (Phil 4:13).
3. Phil 4:6-7. Rather than being anxious, God desires that we let our
requests be made known to Him. He wants us to ask Him for things and to seek His help in getting the things we need for this life.
C. Others. Our prayers cannot be self-centered. We must think about others who
need the help of our God as well.
1. James 5:15-16. Do we offer up the prayer of faith for those who are
sick? Can it "avail much" if we don't pray for others?
2. Phil 1:4, 9-11. Paul was concerned about the spiritual welfare of the
Christians in Philippi. He prayed for them always, wanting them to grow and mature. Do we pray for others like this?
3. John 17:9, 20. Jesus prayed for His apostles and for all who would be
His disciples. Do we follow His example?
4. So many are lost and dying. Do we pray for opportunities to teach
them? Do we pray for those who are sick and suffering? Do we pray for our brethren and those who preach the gospel in difficult places? Are our prayers simply a want list?
D. The Lord's will. In all that we pray, we must be certain that we truly desire
the Lord's will to be done. He knows better, and we can trust His decisions as what is best for our lives.
1. Matthew 26:39, 42, 44. Jesus prayed that God's will, not His, be done.
Do we have the humility and trust to admit that what God wants is
what we need, even if it seems unpleasant?
2. 1 John 5:14. John tells us that we must according to His will. This
does not simply mean saying the words "If it is Your will," but it means praying for the things God desires and submitting ourselves to His decision.
E. James 1:5-8. Let us ask God for all that we need!___Jacob Hudgins