DID YOU THINK TO PRAY?

“ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” - MATTHEW 6:9-13

I. PRAY EVERY DAY

A. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” Always take time to pray.

1. Jesus arose very early to make certain that He took time to pray. Mark 1:35 “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

2. Jesus separated Himself at times from His work during the day in order to pray. Luke 5:16 “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”

3. Jesus would continue all night in prayer especially when under pressure. Luke 6:12 “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

B. WE need to put on the armor of God in order to battle against spiritual wickedness, but we need especially to pray. Ephesiasn 6:18 “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—“

II. PRAY TO KEEP THE GLOOM AWAY.

A. When God directed Ananias of Damascus to go to Saul, what did He say Saul was doing? Acts 9:11a “Behold, he is praying.”

1. Paul and Silas were beaten and bound in prison. Acts 16:25 “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying.”

2. The crew of the ship were distraught. How about Paul? Acts 27:35b “He took bread and gave thanks to God.”

B. The peace of God. Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.”

III. PRAY TO CHASE THE DEVIL AWAY.

A. Temptation. Matthew 26:41a “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” The setting for this admonition was prior to the terrible issue of arrest and crucifixion. Consider Peter’s sword and the others that fleeing; then Peter’s denial.

B. PRAY FOR THE WAY TO ESCAPE. 1 Corinthians 10:13b “but with the temptation will also make the way of escape.”

1. James 1:5a “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ASK of God.”

IV. PRAY TO KEEP YOUR TEMPER AT BAY.

A. James 1:20 “for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

1. Ecclesiastes 7:9 “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry.”

B. Psalm 37:7a “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.”

Rusty Hilliard pulpit minister Haines City Church of Christ

Throw Out the Lifeline

hymn: “DID YOU THINK TO PRAY?”

Mary A. Kidder, pub.1876, public domain

1. Ere you left your room this morning,
   Did you think to pray?
   In the name of Christ our Savior,
   Did you sue for loving favor,
   As a shield today?
• Refrain:
  Oh, how praying rests the weary!
  Prayer will change the night to day;
  So when life seems dark and dreary,
  Don’t forget to pray.
2. When you met with great temptation,
   Did you think to pray?
   By His dying love and merit,
   Did you claim the Holy Spirit
   As your guide and stay?
3. When your heart was filled with anger,
   Did you think to pray?
   Did you plead for grace, my brother,
   That you might forgive another
   Who had crossed your way?
4. When sore trials came upon you,
   Did you think to pray?
   When your soul was bowed in sorrow,
   Balm of Gilead did you borrow
   At the gates of day?

Throw Out the Lifeline