The Power of Prayer

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The Power of Prayer
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What is Prayer?

1. Prayer is communication with God
2. Prayer is offering our expression of love to God
   and receiving His love to us
3. Prayer can be intercessory for others
4. Prayer is joyful and blessed
5. Prayer is praising and worshipping God
6. Prayer should be made by the elders of the church
   for people (James 514) for the sick

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More Meanings of Prayer

1. Prayer described as incense, a sweet fragrance,
   to God
2. Many verses ask for God to hear our prayer
3. Some prayers are for repentance
4. Sometimes prayer is to be done with fasting
5. A Hebrew tradition was to put on sackcloth and
   ashes old, dirty clothes and ashes meaning
   having a spirit of humility
6. Prayers should be offered for the sick or when
   sick

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Hebrew and Greek Meaning

1. Hebrew word for prayer tephillah (pronounced
   tuh-fee-law) intercession, entreaty,
   supplication, prayer, a hymn or sacred song
2. Hebrew word for supplication techinnah
   (pronounced tehk-hin-nah) prayer, cry for
   mercy and grace, supplication for favor
3. Greek word for prayer proseuche (pronounced
   pros-yoo-khay) prayer addressed to God a
   place set apart or suited for the offering of
   prayer, such as a synagogue, or a place near the
   sea or water where there was no synagogue
4. Greek word for supplication deesis
   (pronounced deh-ay-sis) seeking, asking,
   entreating, entreaty to God can be a request
   such as a prayer request for a need or want

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Why Pray?

1. Jesus taught us to pray in the Lords Prayer.
2. The Bible commands use to be in a continual state
   of prayer Pray without ceasing be in a
   constant state of prayer(1 Thess. 517)
3. Exhorted to pray for all people including people
   in authority such as kings and people in
   authority (1 Tim. 21-2)
4. Prayer provides the chance to confess our sins to
   God (1 Jn. 19)
5. Prayer gives us the chance to praise with
   thanksgiving and glorify God.
6. Prayer gives us the chance to listen to God and
   hear His voice.
7. The prayer of the upright is Gods delight(Pro.
   158)

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Where Pray?

1. In church My house is a house of prayer (Isa.
   567, Matt. 2113)
2. God is everywhere pray anywhere
3. Our prayers go into the Holy of Holies into Gods
   holy temple (Jonah 27)

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How to Pray

1. Pray to God the Father, in the name of the Son,
   in the power of the Holy Spirit
2. Pray as Jesus taught us to pray in the Lords
   Prayer
3. Dont worry about how well you pray the Holy
   Spirit makes intercessions for us with groanings
   (trans., groanings, sighs) which cannot be
   uttered. (Rom. 826)

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Gods Answers to Prayers

1. God is with us in our prayers When two or
   three are gathered, there I am in their midst
2. God does answer our prayers sometimes it is a
   no and sometimes it is a yes
3. Pray according to Gods will and he will answer
   your prayers
4. Sometimes miraculous things happen when we pray
   miracles and healing can come from prayer

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Examples of Miraculous Answers to Prayers

1. Joshua prayed and the sun and moon stood still
   during battle for a day (Josh. 1012-13)
2. Hezekiah asked God for more time to live and
   received 15 more years God moved the sun dial
   10 degrees or about 20 minutes backwards God
   said he heard his prayers and saw his tears (Isa.
   385-8)
3. Prayer of Elijah for fire from heaven at Mt.
   Carmel (I Kings 1838)
4. Elijah prayed for a drought and then for rain
   (James 517)

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Examples of Miraculous Answers to Prayers

• Daniel was touched by an angel Gabriel who
  flew swiftly and touched him during evening
  prayers (Dan. 921)
• Cornelius prayed and an angel (man in bright
  clothing) appeared saying Thy prayer is heard,
  and thine alms are had in remembrance of God.
  (Acts 1031)

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Principles of Prayer

1. Should go to prayer speedily when needing to
   pray (Zech. 820-21)
2. Jesus said My House will be a House of Prayer
   (Matt. 2113)
3. Jesus people healed the blind and the lame after
   he chased the money-changing thieves out of the
   church! (Matt. 2113)
4. Be specific in your prayer requests
5. Pray for Gods will (example in Lords Prayer)

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More Principles of Prayer

1. Jesus said Whatsoever you shall ask in prayer,
   believing, you shall receive if according to
   Gods will (Matt. 2122)
2. Paul said to persevere and continue steadfastly
   in prayer (Rom. 1212, Col. 412)
3. Must pray for the sick and they can be healed
   (James 512-14)
4. Asked to anoint people when praying for them
   (James 515)
5. Must confess faults to one another and pray for
   one another (James 516a)
6. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
   availeth much. (James 516b)
7. We need to be alert (sober) and pray much more
   during the end times (1 Pet. 47)

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Command to Pray

• Be anxious for nothing but in every thing by
  prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
  your requests be made known unto God.
• (Phil. 4 6)