PRAYER IS DIFFICULT

HOW BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS ARE TO PRAY

*   Matthew 6:5-13 - "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are:  for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:  for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.  After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen."

BUT BELIEVERS DON'T ALWAYS KNOW GOD'S WILL

*   Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

*   Romans 8:26-27 - "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:  for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:  but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

*   Romans 11:33-34 - "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!  For who hath known the mind of the Lord?  Or who hath been His counselor?"

 

SO PRAY FOR THOSE THINGS WE DO KNOW ARE HIS WILL

*   1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 - "Pray without ceasing.  In everything give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
 
*   1 Timothy 2:1-4 - "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

*   James 5:16-17 - "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."