When You Pray
“Our Invitation to Pray”
Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28-30

The practice of prayer
Prayer has always been a defining spiritual experience for God’s faithful people.

Three aspects of prayer that can guide us and inspire us
The example of prayer
The certainty of prayer
The heart of prayer

The example of prayer: The Jewish people
Prayer was deeply embedded in the daily life of the Jewish people. 
The Book of Psalms was their prayer book.

Psalm 23:1-2 

The example of prayer: Jesus
Jesus prayed every day, alone, with his disciples, and with the crowds.
Prayer was a vital spiritual practice for Jesus.

Private and solitary prayer – Mark 1:35; Matthew 14:23
Prayers of thanksgiving – Matthew 14:19; John 11:41-42
Intercessory prayer – John 17
Prayers of submission – Matthew 26:36-44

The example of prayer: The early church
The early church understood what Jesus had modeled.
Book of Acts: prayer 31 times
The Didache

The certainty of prayer: A King and a throne
"King of Kings and Lord of Lords"

Revelation 19:16
1 Timothy 6:14-15
Hebrews 4:16

Our King
• The One who holds supreme authority
• The One who has victory over all
• Our intercessor
• The One who rules eternally

The certainty of prayer: A New Covenant 
God is a covenant-making God.
The New Covenant between God and the Church – Jeremiah 31; Ezekiel 36

Luke 22:20
Hebrews 8:6-13
Hebrews 9:15

The New Covenant provides …
Direct access to God – Hebrews 10:22
Forgiveness of sins – Hebrews 10:19-22
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13
God’s faithfulness – 1 John 5:14

The heart of prayer: Jesus’ heart invites us to pray.

Matthew 11:28-29

The gracious heart of Jesus draws us in to pray.

“Abba Father”
Who wouldn’t want to pray that prayer three times a day? 

The heart of prayer: Our heart longs to pray.

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” –St. Augustine

Our heart yearns to rest in Jesus. – Ecclesiastes 3:11; Psalm 42:1-2

We’re called to pray. 
We’re called to pray together.

Take the Prayer Challenge.
Text the word “challenge” to the number 32000.