Matthew 7: 7-8 - A powerful statement, but do we really believe it?  We have recently discussed our worship to God in the assembly, but worship is also done on a daily, personal basis.  Part of that worship is prayer.  Today we will examine different aspects of prayer.  This is not intended to be everything the Word teaches on the subject, but hopefully will help us focus on our daily attitude toward on prayer.

1.  WHAT IS IT?
    A.  Prayer is simply talking to God.  However, since He is God there are things that distinguish it from normal conversation.
    B.  What should our attitude be?
          1.  Proverbs 9: 10 - Do you fear God?  What does that mean? 
               a.  Romans 3: 18- one type displayed
               b.  For those who love God an abject fear is replaced by a desire not to lose His affection
                    1 John 4 : 17-19
               c.  Notice what Jesus taught - Matthew 6:9 "Our Father....hallowed be thy name"  The uniqueness that Christians have with God is He is our heavenly Father.  He loves us as children and we need to adore and respect Him as the Superior who loves us.  As we grow the realtionship we have with Jesus and the Father should eventually take on the nature that Moses had - Exodus 33: 11

Your talks with god may cover all sorts of personal details, but there will be other things you need to talk about.

2.  WHAT TO TALK ABOUT
     A.  That which is the Lord's will - 1 Jno 5: 14-15
     B.  Your own personal sins and transgressions - 1 Jno 1:9
     C.  Ask for God's forgiveness  - Mt 6: 12 - "and forgive us our debts.."
     D.  Help with the things we are struggling with - Mt 6: 13
     E.  Thanksgiving for spiritual blessings and forgiveness - Col 4:2 
     F.  Your daily needs - Mt 6:11 - "give us this day our daily bread."
     G.  Health (or a stronger faith and patience with insight if our health is failing).
     H.  Others - 1 Timothy 2: 1-2

    (Helpful hints on things to pray about:  read the Psalms AND make a list of the ways God has blessed you)

3. WHAT YOU GET OUT OF PRAYER
     A.  Philippians 4:7 - peace
     B.  Ephesians 3:20 - great power
     C.  James 4: 17-18 - example of Elijah

4. OUR APPROACH TO PRAYER
     A.  In Faith - Mt 21:22  
     B.  In Humility - 
          1.  a virtue highly valued by God - Isa 57:15; 66: 1-2, the Lord is near and saves those with contrite spirits - Psa 34:19.  This leads to exaltation by God - 
     C.  In Harmony with His will - problem is many times we re more concerned with OUR will.  Those requests are turned down James 4:3 
     D.  His will be done -
     E.  With thanksgiving - Eph 5: 20 "givings thanks always for all things to God", Col 4:2 - vigilant in prayer with thnksgiving  1 Thess 5: 17-18 - "pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks"
     F.  In the name of Jesus - more than just a phrase at the end of a prayer, it's the acknowledgement that He is the only way to approach God and we recognize Him as our High Priest and the only way to approach God  Heb 7: 24-25, John 14: 13

Conclusion