EVERYONE PRAYING

While man and men in the Bible is a word that refers to a human adult male - it is also a word that is used as a plural encompassing word to include all men, women, children, etc.

When God says that men ought to always to pray - He is saying that everyone should be praying.

He is also says that everyone should be praying all the time.

Not some of the time, part of the time, or at certain times, God says that we ought to be praying all of the time.

From the beginning of time, men have been praying to the Lord God of Heaven.

The Bible mentions that Adam was made in the likeness of God in Genesis 1:26 and there is one thing that is true of the Godhead of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, - they all had perfect communication and man was made to communicate with God and So Adam no doubt, communicated with God in the midst of the garden.

But is was during Seth’s life that the Bible says this:

Genesis 4:26 AV

And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.

In all types of places, at all times and in every conceivable situation, men have prayed. Christian and heathen alike have spent massive amounts of time in the pursuit of prayer. However, few people have made prayer their most important priority. Those who have, stand out as bright lights in a dark world.

Most of the time we choose to pray when it was convenient, or when the were undergoing a time of great stress and trial, but God expects His children especially to seek after Him and communicate with Him - we call that communication, prayer. Everyone Praying!

Before we begin to talk about the place prayer ought to hold in our lives, we need to understand exactly what prayer is. Knowing what prayer is will help us to see that it deserves an elevated place in each of our lives.

I. EVERYONE SHOULD UNDERSTAND PRAYER

Some things that we need to consider.

A. Prayer is an going to God to with our requests

Not coercion, not coaxing, but simply inviting God to take over. It is me admitting my weakness and His power.

Mark 5: 22-23) Can you imagined how desperate Jarious was in Mark 5 to have Jesus heal his dying daughter, and he pleaded with him at his feet, and Jesus came. We need to go to the Lord in Prayer.

There is an unbroken line between earth and the Father. When we pray, we are brought into His presence, we are in touch with God Himself. (Ill. Tin Can Telephones)

B. Prayer is Work

True praying is not for the lazy. You see, true prayer may require you to get up early, or stay up late. A prayer is never really finished until it has grown feet and gone to work.

Great prayers take great faith. Great praying is sustained continued prayer. It is even faithful when sight is gone.

C. Prayer is a battle

Satan does not fear nor withstand our prayerlessness, but he will bitterly oppose our prayer efforts. Prayer is our greatest weapon in the battle between good and evil.

D. Prayer is power

(Ill. Moses, Daniel, 3 Hebrews, Elijah, Paul and Silas, Edwards, Mueller, Etc.) Prayer is the greatest power we have upon this earth.

E. Prayer helps us to grow

Prayer is that essential ingredient that completes the character. It is impossible to grow in grace without the aid of prayer!

Philippians 4:6 AV

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

F. Prayer is to be according to God’s will

No prayer should be selfish. Instead, it is and always should be God centered.

James 4:3 AV

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

G. Prayer smells wonderful to God

We can look right, acts right, have everything right and still not be very effective. Why because of this missing component of prayer.

Have you ever seen some beautiful flowers or nice interesting plant in a planter, and you go up to touch it or smell it and find out that is made of plastic or is artificial.

When we serve God without prayer, there is something missing. I can have everything right in my life, but if I’m missing my prayer time, there is something wrong.

(Ill. Artificial flowers) True prayer envelopes all that we do in the breath of Heaven.

Revelation 5:8 AV

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Psalm 141:2 AV

Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

With these facts in mind, let’s look together at the place of prayer.

II. EVERYONE MAKE PRAYER THE PRIORITY

In a day where we constantly struggle with fitting everything into our busy daily lives - prayer must become a priority for us. There is no more important tool in our arsenal and what it means to walk with God.

A. This theme is repeated throughout the Bible

Luke 18:1 AV

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Romans 12:12 AV

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

1 Thessalonians 5:17 AV

Pray without ceasing.

(We are to remain in a constant spirit of prayer.

B. Those who placed a high priority on prayer

1. Job

Job 1:5 AV

And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

2. Abraham

Gen. 12:7, 8; 13:4, 18; 22:9

3. Moses

Ex. 33:11; Exodus 17:11

4. David

The Psalms are filled with many references to David’s prayer life. Ill. 2 Sam. 12:22-23. Prayer is also the secret of David’s fearlessness.

5. Elijah

1 Kings 17:1; 18:36-38

6. Daniel

Daniel 6:10

7. Jesus

Matt. 14:23, 26:36-39

Mk. 1:35; Lk. 6:12, 9:18, 29, Etc. Jesus relied on prayer. Ill. If the Son of God had to pray, how much more people like us?

C. Jesus takes it for granted that His people are going to pray

Matthew 6:5 AV

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Did you notice this

Is prayer a priority in your life? It should be, for it is your lifeline to the Father - Ill. Jesus Matt. 11:25-26.

Matthew 11:25-27 25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

III. EVERYONE PRAYING BEFORE EVERYTHING

A. Everything should be bathed in prayer

We should do nothing in any area of life without first taking the time to saturate the matter in prayer.

1. Before raising Lazarus from the dead

John 11:41 AV

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

2. Before His trial and crucifixion - Luke 22:41-45

3. Before becoming sin on the cross for us

Luke 23:34 AV

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Especially in the realm of spiritual activity is prayer important! When we attempt to perform spiritual work in the power of the flesh, we are doomed to failure, or self-glorification. However, if we will carry out God’s work in the power of prayer, we will certainly succeed and He will get all the glory! (Ill. J. Wilbur Chapman and his prayer warriors; Ill. D.L. Moody and his prayers)

B. What is gained in the prayer closet is far more valuable than that gained in the study

There is no replacing study of the Word of God. There is no replacement for church - but there is something special from God for those who learn to give themselves in the prayer.

I really endeavor to pray for I read the Bible, when I forget to, it is usually because I’m in the flesh - meaning, I’m in a hurry or I have something to do. I am distracted, and sometimes I about halfway through my first chapter and realize where I am at spiritually.

IV. PRAYER MUST BE PRACTICED

A. Formulas, Rules and Promises are not enough

It isn’t enough to know prayer formulas, rules and promises. To make prayer truly effective, we must practice prayer. We must get ourselves busy in the business of prayer! (Ill. There are too may needs and too little time!)

B. The neglect of prayer only sends us farther from God

1. The lack of prayer is sin

1 Samuel 12:23 AV

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

To not pray is to sin and to neglect to pray for others is sinful. Sin sends you away from God.

2. The lack of prayer breeds ineptness in prayer

When we are not in the custom of praying, we may need to pray desperately and not know how

C. Weak praying begets weak living

We must be diligent in our praying if we want to be effective for the Lord.

On a scale of 1 - 10, how would you rate your prayer life?

What place does prayer hold in your life tonight? Let’s agree together right here that we will make praying our top priority!

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