Alpha | Session 5 | Why and How Should I Pray?

1. WHAT IS CHRISTIAN PRAYER?

Prayer is the most important activity of our lives.

‘For through [Jesus] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.’ (Ephesians 2:18)

• To the Father

‘… to your father’ (Matthew 6:6)

‘… in heaven’ (v.9)

• Through the Son

‘I have called you friends’ (John 15:15)

• By the Spirit

‘… the Spirit helps us’ (Romans 8:26)

2. WHY PRAY?

• Develops a relationship with God
• Rewards of prayer (Matthew 6:6)
  • Presence of God
  • Peace (Philippians 4:6–7) – Perspective
  • Power
• Results of prayer (Matthew 7:7–11)

‘When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don’t, they don’t’

WILLIAM TEMPLE, THE FORMER ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

3. DOES GOD ALWAYS ANSWER PRAYER?

• Yes – you receive what you prayed for, sometimes immediately
• No – sometimes an obvious reason why not; other times we may not understand straight away why the answer is no
• Wait – for the right timing

4. HOW DO WE PRAY?

• Thank you – count your blessings, not your problems
• Sorry – confess your sins (John 13:6–10)
• Please – ‘Give us today our daily bread’ (Matthew 6:11): ask for anything you need