Let’s begin by asking you young ones, its exactly 0950, how many times have

you prayed since sunrise, of cause it’s a rhetoric question I don’t expect you to
shout
If today’s meeting opening prayer was your first on4, , don’t feel ashamed
Even as adults, the exigency of duty, the way time flies by, we may find
ourselves taking things for granted
One thing that distinguishes us from animals is prayer/ we believe in the
existence of a super being
In fact, surveys show that even some with no religious affiliation pray regularly.
Some people’s prayers are heartfelt; others’ prayers are almost flat and devoid
of any personal touch.
Call themselves Prayer warriors, brandishing T-shirts with the words PUSH
Until preposition and conjunction up to a certain point in time or an event
The scriptures say it differently though, contrast that with the words penned at
1Th 5:17 Pray constantly
Adverb means all the time, without ceasing, incessantly
This begs the question; does it really do any good to pray? Is anyone at the end
of the prayer line listening?’
The Bible assures us that Jehovah God is the “Hearer of prayer”
So prayer is not just “a form of therapy, like talking to your pet fish.” Or as
some medical authorities put it, a form of “alternative medicine.”
That thought alone When we know that we are speaking to a good listener, it
can significantly impact our speech and communication style
We are more open, our conversation becomes deeper and more personal
The resulting effect is a calming effect, reduced anxiety or emotional comfort

First we need to recognize that prayer is an act of worship

It is a practice or activity that demonstrate reverence, or devotion and
obedience to a higher authority, something greater than our self
What was Jesus view on prayer? And what can we learn from Jesus example on
prayers
Having lived with his father for eons of years as a prehumen creature he must
have seen how his father reacted to the first human prayer and countless
others from many of Gods prophets
And so when he was here on earth, how did view this privilege
Our Reporter and Researcher and Historian, Luke was there to capture the
occasion Luke 6:12
On one of those days he went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent the
whole night in prayer to God.
We do not have all the details of what was said in that night of prayer
But our reporter Luke helps to know the occasion 13 And when it became day,
he called his disciples to him and chose from among them 12.
Examples to us. Dedication, looking for a marriage partner, choosing
alternative medicine
On another occasion may think of Jesus very last words as a human “Father,
into your hands I entrust my spirit”
Dealing with stress or anxiety, fear, an accident, appearing before government
officials such as courts and police or teachers it is important that we give a
simple prayer
All these were personal prayers
What if we are asked to give a prayer on behalf of others, perhaps the
congregation, a gathering, family setting
What can we learn from Jesus’ Concluding Prayer in the Upper Room?
Yohane 17. One of the longest prayers Jesus ever gave It will take about 5
minutes
V1,5,21,24 FATHER
He had no formalist repetition of memorized expressions.
The name of Jehovah is not a magic charm
We want to be respectful as we would when speaking to a human king
Yohane 17:11,25 HOLY FATHER, RIGHTEOUS FATHER
We want to use expressions that show deep respect, awe, honour
Examples: Creator, Gracious God, Almighty, yes even Righteous and Holy.
We can find such expressions from our song book, and other bible verses
Notice the other topics that were covered in prayer
YOHANE 17:1 – 2. Right at the onset, Jesus recognizes that giving God glory is
of prime importance.
He also thanked Jehovah for his privilege of service
Its only in V3 that Jesus talks about humans’ receiving everlasting life.
Why? Because it is secondary to the glorification of God
His resurrection, God’s name and what it represents, Christian separateness
Concluding his prayer, Jesus did not mention the customary way, in Jesus name
because he had not yet been bestowed that privilege
We also know that elsewhere Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
We know how Christendom has interpreted the text.
Every sentence in their prayer is punctuated with the words “in Jesus name”
like a magic charm
Matt 6:7 When praying, do not say the same things over and over again as the
people of the nations do, for they imagine they will get a hearing for their use
of many words. 8 So do not be like them,
And so how many times should we say in Jesus name? At the beginning of our
prayer or end or both?
We certainly do not want to be dogmatic or technical about it.
Maybe keeping count and missing the message in the prayer to which we are
expected to say amen
Let’s face, they maybe situations that we find ourselves saying a quick prayer
without even mentioning the name Jesus such as in near death situations but
deep down we acknowledge the pivotal role Jesus plays
How does Jesus play his role when we pray, what does he do
Heb 7:25 So he is able also to save completely those who are approaching
God through him, because he is always alive to plead for them
The verse portrays Jesus as advocate who wins all his cases. COMPLETELY.
PLEAD
Not that Jehovah is reluctant, but he says I trust Jesus so much. He is a proven
lawyer
Again, have you sometimes found yourself not knowing what to say in prayer,
you have the thoughts but can’
Jehovah throws in another lifeline Romans 8:26
In like manner, the spirit also joins in with help for our weakness; for the
problem is that we do not know what we should pray for as we need to, but
the spirit itself pleads for us with unuttered groanings.
In like manner, the expectation, the excitement of waiting to receive a reward
Holy Spirit, God’s active force is energized, excited, pleading to be sent, ready
to fire at God’s command to go in answer of our prayer
We can take full advantage of those two provisions to prays continually
What can we pray for?
1. ANYTHING. courage in the face of opposition at school, work
2. Our feelings and emotions Hanna was sitting on the seat by the
doorpost of the temple SHE was extremely bitter, weep uncontrollably.
you do not forget me, her lips were trembling. SHE CHOSE THE BEST
PLACE
3. Being critical of organizational arrangements or teachings. It is
fashionable to doubt and challenge what is written.
The organization has never claimed to be infallible or inspired. They
follow the lead.
Are we not happy when refinements are made? James 1:14,15
After everything has been said and done, pressed the right buttons on prayer:
Glorified God, poured our feeling, prayed in the name of Jesus, what next
Philippians 4:7 the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard
your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus
Peace of God: the calmness, the tranquillity, the healing effect
Surpasses all understanding: do not lean of our understanding in fact he may
even answer in ways that go beyond our expectations

Safeguard our heart (inner emotions) and mental powers (thoughts, in fact
whole self

By means of Christ Jesus: the best of the best advocates in the whole world

Let’s conclude this discussion by reading these beautiful words penned by the
last surviving apostle John

As a prisoner on the island of Patmos, perhaps in solitary confinement, he saw

Jesus pray even at the point of death.

And this is what he wrote at 1 John 5:14, 15

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that no matter what we
ask according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us
concerning whatever we are asking, we know that we are to have the things
we ask for, since we have asked them of him.