AMP James 5:16 Pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. the earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

Prayer is the power of life – people who pray are strong.

Prayer for others speeds up the maturing process. Gal 4:19

THERE ARE 4 REASONS GOD COMMANDS US TO PRAY

PRAYER IS THE SOURCE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

TPT John 15:7 But if you live in life-union with me and if my words live powerfully within you—then you can ask whatever you desire and it will be done.

Prayer should be the foundation of everything we do because it affects everything. (Isa 56:7– House of prayer)

FOUR KINDS OF PRAYER

AMP Eph 6:18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. to that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

1. Prayer of faith – asking for things in faith because we know God’s will from his word… 1 John 5:14-15

Prayer is the voice of faith to the Father

Prayer is the living word on the lips of faith

AMP Matt 21:21 and Jesus answered them, truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. 22 And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive.

2. Prayer for consecration and direction

Matt 26:39 And going a little farther, he threw himself upon the ground on his face and prayed saying, my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as you will and desire.

Acts 9:6 Trembling and astonished he asked, Lord, what do you desire me to do? The Lord said to him, but arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. 10 Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias.and he answered, here am I, Lord. 11 and the Lord said to him, get up and go to the street called straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man of tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying [there].

3. Intercessory prayer and supplication (warfare)

AMP 1 Tim 2:1 First of all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in positions of authority or high responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life[and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way. 3 For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our savior, 4who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] truth.

THIS IS WHERE WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE WARFARE SIDE OF PRAYER

2 Cor 4:4 For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), who is the image and likeness of God.

Ezek 22:30 And I sought a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.

Prayer is facing God with man’s needs, with His promise to meet those needs

Ex. Moses call in Exodus 3

You can pray and bind the powers of darkness – take what belongs to you. (Matt 16:19)

4. Thanksgiving, Praise and Worship

Mess Phil 4:6 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

Take the things the devil is bombarding you with to the throne.

Acts 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake,

James 5:13 Any one of you who is in trouble should pray