Getting Prayer Right
SERMON SUMMARY:
Learn the common mistakes Christians make in prayer and the solutions that lead to a more mature and rewarding prayer life.

SERMON RESOURCES:
- PowerPoint Presentation
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GETTING PRAYER RIGHT

I. Searching For God's Favor

  A. “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” (Ps. 91:15)

  B. “It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Is. 65:24)

  C. “It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)

II. Common Mistake #1 Wrong Audience

  A. Public Prayer Does Not Aim To Be Seen or Heard By Men.

  • Carefully Consider Your Purpose (Matthew 6:1-5)
  • Carefully Consider The Length (Mark 12:40)

  B. Christian Prayer Is Directed To God, Not A Performance or Mini-Sermon.

  • Choose Your Location Carefully. (Matthew 6:6)
  • Praise God Without Prodding People. (1 Chronicles 29:10-20)

III. Common Mistake #2 Vain Repetition

  A. Repetition Becomes Meaningless When:

  • We put quantity over quality. (Matthew 6:7)
  • We parrot others without personal reflection.
  • We allow laziness to influence our heart. (Colossians 4:2)
  • We forget what God already knows. (Matthew 6:8)

  B. "Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2)

IV. Common Mistake #3 Bad Theology

  A. Christian Prayer Is Made With The Mind & The Spirit

  • 1 Corinthians 14:15

  B. Christian Prayer Is Offered To The Father, In Jesus’ Name, With The Spirit’s Intercession

  • John 16:23-24
  • Romans 8:26

  C. Christian Prayer Comes From Those Who Abide In Jesus, And Have His Words Abiding In Them.

  • John 15:7, 1 John 3:22

V. Common Mistake #4 Ignoring God’s Will

  A. God’s Will Always Comes First

  • Luke 22:42

  B. Note: We May Request Things Outside of His Will, But Only With Reverence.

  C. God Does Not Reward Selfish Motives

  • James 4:1-4

  D. God Is Not Honored By Arrogant Boast

  • James 4:15-16

VI. Common Mistake #5 Praying Without Faith

A. Doubts Reveal The Impact of Worldly Influences, Rather Than Faith

  • James 1:6

B. We Have No Right To Expect God’s Favor When We Pray With Doubt

  • James 1:7

C. Unstable People Will Struggle With Prayer

  • James 1:8

D. Mountain Moving Prayer Must Be Built On Faith In God

  • Matthew 21:21-22

VII. Making The Change

Focus On God As Your Audience

Speak From The Heart, Not Tradition

Be Mentally Engaged In Prayer

Honor and Appreciate God’s Will

Trust God To Answer Perfectly Every Time