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Sermon on Prayer Changes Things – How to Pray Effectively

Sermon on Prayer Changes Things – How to Pray Effectively – Kevin Cauley gives a definition of prayer, shows where to pray, and shows what to pray for. The text is Acts 2:42.

Date written: July 24, 1994
Scripture ref: Acts 2:42

SUBJECT: Worship

TITLE:To Pray Effectively

PROPOSITION: To understand how to pray we must understand the Character, Circumstance, Content, and Consequences of prayer.

OBJECTIVES: After this sermon on prayer the listener should be able to learn how to pray effectively both in public and private.

AIM: To teach the basic concept of prayer and to help those who are learning, to pray better.

INTRODUCTION: [ beginning of sermon on prayer changes things – how to pray effectively ]

1. Read: Acts 2:42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

2. About the Text:

1) The early church was a praying church.

2) In Acts 4:24-31 we read regarding the power of prayer…

3) How can we pray with the same fervency and effectiveness today?

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

DISCUSSION: [ discussion of sermon on prayer changes things – how to pray effectively ]

I.   The Character of Prayer — What is prayer? 1 Timothy 2:1-3

1. Supplications

1) The Greek word indicates reverence before sovereignty.

2) It was used in situations where petitions were made before kings.

2. Prayers

1) The Greek word indicates an attitude of worship–literally bending the knee.

2) The word expresses the idea of wish–requesting the way we would want things to be.

3. Intercessions

1) Usually used when trying to obtain something for another.

2) Prayers made for the sick usually involve this type of prayer.

4. Thanksgivings

1) Giving of thanks.

2) Used for all blessings that come our way.

II.  The Circumstance of Prayer (Where to pray.)

1. In the assembly.

1) Men are to utter these prayers — “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” (1 Tim. 2:8).

2) General prayers — (1 Tim. 2:1-3 quoted above)

3) Prayers around the Lord’s table — (1 Corinthians 11:23-25).

4) Closing Prayers — “And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.” (Acts 20:36)

2. Around the dinner table.

1) The example of Jesus in the feeding of the five and four thousand (Matthew 14:19; Matt. 15:36).

2) Paul says that the food we eat is sanctified by prayer — “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Tim. 4:4-5).

3. In private devotion.

1) The example of our Lord:

a. After the feeding of the five thousand — Mark 6:46 “And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.”

b. After great multitudes had followed him–Luke 5:16 “And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.”

c. Before his crucifixion–Luke 22:41″And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed.”

4. The example of Paul

1) Ephesians 1:16 “Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers”

2) Philippians 1:4 “Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy”

3) Colossians 1:9 “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”

III. The Content of Prayer (What to pray for.)

1. Address — To the Father: Colossians 3:17 “To God the Father through Him”; Matthew 6:9 “Our Father….”

2. Body — Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”

1) Give Thanks for

a. The Christ

b. The Word

c. Our Jobs

d. Our Food

e. Our Families

2) Request Guidance For

a. Self–to have attributes that God wants us to have (humility, wisdom, patience, forgiveness).

b. The church (local and universal)

c. Family (each role–Father, Mother, Children)

d. Government (Ours and the Worlds for peace)

e. In any other thing you want God to help you and others.

f. Specify people and situations to God.

3) Specifics

a. Enemies–Matthew 5:44

b. The sick–James 5:13-14

c. More workers in the kingdom–Matthew 9:38

d. That the gospel will go forth–2 Thessalonians 3:1

e. That our love may abound–Phil. 1:9

f. That God will open doors for the gospel–Colossians 4:3

4) Close–Colossians 3:17–through Christ our mediator (Hebrews 7:25; John 2:1).

IV.  The Consequences of Prayer

1. Some physical consequences–James 5:15-18

2. Some spiritual consequences–Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

3. Your prayers will be heard–1 Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil”

4. Parable of the unjust judge–Luke 18:1-8a

CONCLUSION: [ end of sermon on prayer changes things – how to pray effectively ]

1. Matthew 7:7-11

2. Let us remember these four basic things about how to pray effectively.

1) The Character of Prayer

2) The Circumstance of Prayer

3) The Content of Prayer

4) The Consequences of Prayer

3. Invitation

See also:

• Does Prayer Change Anything?
• Prayer — One Of Our First Priorities
• Lifting Up Holy Hands – What Does it Mean?
• Sermon on Abraham | Abraham Commanded His Children