The Way Of Christ - The Way Of Prayer

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                          "THE WAY OF CHRIST"

                           The Way Of Prayer

INTRODUCTION

1. In this series we have seen how The Way Of Christ is...
   a. The way to God    d. The way of love   g. The way of unity
   b. The way to life   e. The way of joy
   c. The way to truth  f. The way of peace

2. The Way Of Christ is also the way of prayer...
   a. Jesus was a man of prayer who taught His disciples to pray
   b. Prayer is too important for Christians to neglect as they follow
      Jesus

[Let's first look more closely at why The Way of Christ is...]

I. THE WAY OF PRAYER

   A. JESUS WAS MAN OF PRAYER...
      1. He sought solitary opportunities to pray - Mk 1:35; 6:46
      2. He prayed before special occasions - Lk 6:12; 22:39-46
      3. He prayed spontaneously - Mt 11:25; Jn 11:41; Lk 23:34,46
      -- If the Son of God needed to pray, much more the children of
         God!

   B. JESUS TAUGHT OTHERS TO PRAY...
      1. How they should pray - Lk 11:1-4
      2. To be persistent and humble in prayer - Lk 11:5-13; 18:1-8,9-14
      -- As disciples, we must heed our Teacher regarding prayer!

   C. JESUS NOW INTERCEDES FOR US IN PRAYER...
      1. He is now our merciful and faithful High Priest - He 2:17-18
      2. Making it possible to boldly approach God - He 4:14-16
      3. He is our intercessor and advocate - He 7:25; Ro 8:34; 1Jn 2:1
      -- His participation in our prayers help make them powerful (see
         below)!

   D. HIS APOSTLES STRESSED PRAYER...
      1. By their own example - Ro 1:9; Ep 1:16; Php 1:4; Col 1:9; 1Th
         1:2
      2. By their teaching - Ro 12:12; Ep 6:18; Col 4:2; 1Th 5:17-18
      -- Frequent, fervent prayer characterizes those who follow The Way
         Of Christ!

[To stress further the importance of the role of prayer in the life of
the follower of Christ, consider...]

II. THE POWER OF PRAYER

   A. FORGIVENESS...
      1. The Christian can find forgiveness through the blood of Christ
         - 1Jn 1:7-10
      2. Thus the erring Christian is told to repent and pray - Ac 8:22
      -- Don't you want assurance of knowing that your sins are
         forgiven?

   B. PEACE OF MIND...
      1. The antidote to anxiety is to pray - Php 4:6
      2. The Christian will find their hearts and minds guarded by the
         peace of God - Php 4:7
      -- Don't you want peace of mind and heart that surpasses
         understanding?

   C. EMPOWERMENT...
      1. Paul prayed that the Ephesians might be strengthened in the
         inner man - Ep 3:14-16,20
      2. When we need to be strong, Christians can likewise pray for
         themselves!
      -- Don't you want power that is beyond our comprehension?

   D. OPPORTUNITY...
      1. Paul realized that God provided him opportunity to teach others
         - 1Co 3:5 (NASB)
      2. He knew that the Lord often opened doors for such opportunities
         - 1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:12
      3. He therefore requested prayer that such opportunities would
         continue - Col 4:3
      -- Don't you want the Lord to give you opportunity to lead others
         to Him?

   E. BOLDNESS...
      1. When the apostles needed boldness, they prayed and God
         delivered - Ac 4:23-31
      2. When Paul needed boldness, he asked for prayers in his behalf
         - Ep 6:19-20
      -- Don't you want boldness when you speak to others about Jesus?

   F. WISDOM...
      1. Wisdom is not knowledge, but insight that makes the best use of
         the knowledge one has
      2. The Christian is promised wisdom through prayer without doubt
         - Jm 1:5-8
      -- Don't you want the wisdom that comes from above?

   G. HEALING...
      1. Those who are sick should ask elders to pray for them - Jm
         5:14-15
      2. Those who have sinned should confess, and we should pray for
         one another - Jm 5:16
      -- Don't you want God's aid when in need of physical or spiritual
         healing?

   H. TRANQUILITY...
      1. The Scriptures proclaim God has ultimate control over the
         nations - Dan 4:17; Ro 13:1-7
      2. Thus we are commanded to pray for our rulers, that we may lead
         a quiet (tranquil, ASV) and peaceable life - 1Ti 2:1-2
      -- Don't you want to live in peace and tranquility, for others as
         well?

CONCLUSION

1. Without frequent and fervent prayer...
   a. We miss out on so much that God desires for our lives
   b. We will not remain faithful and true on The Way Of Christ

2. So let us follow the way of prayer as taught by Jesus and His
   apostles...
   a. "...that men always ought to pray and not lose heart" - Lk 18:1
   b. "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with
      thanksgiving" - Col 4:2

                  "pray without ceasing" - 1Th 5:17
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