THE WORD

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THE WORD

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The Preaching Ministry of Ashley River Baptist Church

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God’s Family Values, Part 4 God Values Prayer I. Prayer is Relational Relationship with God Matthew 6:9 Relationship with Jesus John 16:23, Hebrews 11:6 God has obligated Himself to both hear and answer the prayers of those who believe in Him. Everything in prayer is based on relationship! If there is no relationship, there is no prayer…. you are just talking to yourself! II. Prayer is Multidimensional Prayer is not just asking or reciting a memorized formula…it is multifaceted.  1 Samuel 1:15 Emotional  Psalm 88:1-2 Begging to be heard  Psalm 142:1-2 Complaining  Jeremiah 20:7 Critical  Matthew 7:7-8 Asking  Hebrews 5:7 Passionate  Romans 8:26 Silence III. Prayer is effective…It changes things! Change is not the primary point of prayer! Prayer is primarily our means of communing and communicating with God in a love relationship... change is always secondary! 1. Prayer changes God’s apparent intent! 2 Kings 20:1-6 2. Prayer changes circumstances James 5:16 - 18 3. Prayer changes other people James 5:14 Our prayers do not force change in others against their will… but prayer allows us to participate in God’s process of change.

4. Prayer changes ME! Matthew 26:41 Psalm 51:10 We pray not to change God to do things my way but to change me to do things God’s way! Prayer centers on Christ...not change! Change without Christ is worthless! Christ without change is impossible! IV. Prayer is prudent Jesus prayed! Luke 6:12 Jesus commanded that we pray! Matthew 6:9 It is the nature of God our Father to do us good and to give us good! Matthew 7:7 – 11 V. Prayer is valued by God God values prayer because it is the means by which you get to know your loving Father and through which He is able to guide you in the truth and bestow His loving blessings on you! Talk to your loving Father in prayer! He loves you and is on your side! You were created for relationship. Prayer is the key to building that relationship with God, helping others in their life journey and realizing God’s blessings in your own life! We must value what God values. How much do you value prayer?