Introduction:• What good can I do in prayer?

• Is there really a ministry in prayer?

• What should my prayer life be like?

• Ministry is defined as… – 1. Agency; service; aid;

interposition; instrumentality. --Webster’s Dictionary

– It is certainly the person or thing through which something is accomplished.

• Intercession is defined as… – 1. Entreaty in favor of another,

especially a prayer or petition to God in behalf of another. --Freedictionary.com

Prayer Is a Ministry to God!

• It is just one way that we serve Him by praise. Hebrews 13:15

• We do this through Jesus Christ the High priest. 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10; Philippians 4:13

• Jesus is the mediator between us and God. 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25

Prayer Is a Ministry For Us!• We are expected to come to God in prayer

for help. Hebrews 4:14-16

• Jesus wants us to ask for help. John 15:16

– God doesn’t want us to worry. Phil. 4:6-7(ISV) “Never worry about anything. Instead, in

every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving.”

Prayer Is a Ministry for Others

• Prayer is something that you can do to minister in behalf of others. 1 Tim. 2:1

– Examples: Phil. 1:4; Col. 1:9; 4:12

– God’s mighty power can be accessed by prayer. Ephesians 3:20

– By prayer you can do good for others!

P.R.A.Y.Prayer should be…

• Purposeful!– Our purposes in prayer start with thanksgiving to

God. 1 Thes. 5:16– Pray to praise and adore God! Heb. 13:15– We need to intercede in behalf of others.

1 Tim. 2:1– Prayer is about confession to God. 1 Jn. 1:9– Praying for help is supplication. Phil. 4:6

P.R.A.Y.Prayer should be…

• Reaching. Our hands and hearts are lifted up to Him.

– We reach out to God for many things… Mt. 7:7-11– We go to Him because He’s our friend.

John 15:13-15– We talk to Him because we have a loving

relationship with Him. John 14:15; 1 John 4:19; Mark 12:30

– God wants us to reach out in our faith in Him and His ability. Mark 11:24

P.R.A.Y.Prayer should be…

• Abiding! It shows endurance in many ways.

– ““Continually be prayerful.” Continually be prayerful.” 1 Thes. 5:17 (ISV)– Helps us to constantly grow in our care for all

people. 1 Timothy 2:1-2– Helps us grow closer to God. We respond to His

talking to us through the Bible. James 4:8– Helps us to get the right perspective in life.

Col. 1:27; Phil. 4:4-7; Psalm 5:3; 63:1-8

P.R.A.Y.Prayer should be…

• Yielding. We must give ourselves to God…

– Decide to submit to the will of God the Father, this was what Christ did. Luke 22:42; James 4:7

– By doing what he asks! 1 John 3:22– Through communicating to Him by Prayer!

2 Corinthians 13:7; Colossians 3:17– In living for and following Jesus!

2 Corinthians 5:15; Luke 9:23

Do Not Underestimate Prayer!

• Praying for others helps us to take our eyes off of self. Phil. 2:4

• Jesus prayed for you! John 17:20-21

• Come to Jesus and be saved! Hebrews 5:9– Hear and believe the gospel. Mark 16:15-16– Repent of your sins. Acts 3:19– Confess your faith in Christ. Acts 8:37– Be baptized into Christ. Gal. 3:26-27; Ac. 22:16