Devoted to Prayer

Devoted to Christ (3)
Acts 2:42-47
Rev. Charles Lee

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”  (Acts 2:42)

I. Why do we pray?

a. Prayer is an expression of our faith.

b. Prayer is expected of the faithful.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

“For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him stone? Or if he asks for fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give you good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:8-11)

You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spending it on your passions. (James 4:2-3)

II. How do we pray?

a. Plan to pray

b. Pray with God’s word

 “Begin with reading or hearing. Go on with meditation; end in prayer…. Reading without meditation is unfruitful; meditation without reading is hurtful; to meditate and to read without prayer upon both, is without blessing.” (William Bridge)

c. Pray together with God’s people