Prayer: It's Necessity

“Prayer: Its Necessity”
Various Passages (Luke 11:1-13)

Introduction

· Prayer: Its Importance; Its Neglect
· Heidelberg Catechism (“H. C.”) #115
· Four Parts to Sermon Series on Prayer

o Its Necessity
o Its Essence
o Its Acceptability
o Its Components

Prayer’s Necessity - Four Reasons:

A. Commanded by God (Psalm 50:15; Matthew 7:7; John 16:24; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; James 5:16; 1 John 5:14-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

B. Our Own Necessity and Want – our Dependency upon God for all things necessary (James 4:2b; Psalm 104:29; Job 12:10; Acts 17:25; Jeremiah 5:24; John 9:3; Proverbs 22:2; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; H. C. #116; Romans 10:36; Colossians 1:16-17; Deuteronomy 10:14; Job 41:11; Psalm 50:12; Matthew 6:32; H.C. #27)

C. The Necessity of Giving Thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Philippians 4:6; Matthew 13:12; Romans 1:21; Luke 17:5; Mark 9:24; H. C. #116)

D. The Means to Asking God for Grace & The Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13; Ephesians 5:18; Psalm 51:12; Romans 8:26-27)

Conclusion and Application

· We Must Not See Prayer as an Ancillary or Unnecessary Activity, nor Optional
· Prayer is essential to the Believer’s growth in Faith and Receiving Grace & the Holy Spirit