“Lord, Teach Us to Pray!”

Brothers and sisters, the cry of the church must once again become the cry of the disciples: “Lord, teach us to pray!” Not teach us how to organize better, not teach us how to entertain crowds, but teach us to pray! Because when the people of God learn to pray, heaven moves, chains break, demons tremble, and lives are changed! The Bible declares in (1 Thessalonians 5:17), “Pray without ceasing.” In other words; prayer is not an occasional activity; it is the lifeline of the believer. Prayer is how the church breathes. Prayer is how the saints fight. Prayer is how heaven touches earth!

Jesus taught us in (Matthew 6:9), “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

Before we ask God for anything, we must first honor His name. Prayer begins with worship. Prayer begins with reverence. Some people start prayer complaining, but Jesus said start by saying:
“Lord, your name is holy! Lord, your name is great! Lord, your name is above every name!”

When the church exalts the name of God, the presence of God fills the place. 

Jesus said in (Matthew 6:10), “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” The believer must pray for God's rule to invade the earth! Pray for revival in the church. Pray for salvation in your city. Pray for righteousness in your nation. Because when God's kingdom comes, darkness must flee! Jesus said in (Matthew 6:11), “Give us this day our daily bread.” God cares about the needs of His children. He is not only the God of heaven; He is the God of your everyday life. Food on the table. Strength for the day. Provision for your family. The Bible says in (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.” That means everything belongs in prayer!

Jesus said in (Matthew 6:12), “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Prayer is where the soul gets washed. Prayer is where pride dies. Prayer is where bitterness gets broken. The child of God must pray: “Lord, cleanse me.” “Lord, search my heart.” “Lord, make me holy.” Because God is not looking for perfect people; He is looking for willing and repentant people. Jesus said in (Matthew 6:13), “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We are living in a world filled with temptation, deception, and spiritual warfare. But God has given the believer a weapon called prayer. The Bible says in (Ephesians 6:18), “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Prayer is spiritual warfare! Prayer is how we resist the devil! Prayer is how we stand in victory!

The apostle Paul wrote in (1 Timothy 2:1), “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” We must pray for: The lost. The sick. The church. Our families. Our leaders. And Jesus went even further in (Matthew 5:44): “Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” In other words; even your enemies should hear their name lifted up in prayer! Jesus said in (Matthew 9:38), “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” The harvest is ready! Souls are waiting! But Jesus said the church must pray for workers. Pray for pastors. Pray for evangelists. Pray for missionaries.
Pray for boldness to preach the Word, because when the church prays, the gospel advances!

Church, the Bible goes on to tell us in (James 5:16), “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Not cold prayers. Not lazy prayers. Not occasional prayers. But fervent prayers.

Prayers that shake heaven. Prayers that move mountains. Prayers that bring revival! So tonight the call is simple: Pray for God's glory. Pray for God's kingdom. Pray for daily provision. Pray for forgiveness. Pray for deliverance. Pray for others. Pray for the harvest. And if the church will return to prayer, we will see what the early church saw: The power of God fall. The Word of God spread. And the glory of God fill the house! Glory be to God!