Prayer - Pt 2

You have heard: " The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (James 5:16) -- What does it mean?

James goes on to say: "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the sky poured rain, and the earth produced its fruit. (James 5:17,18)

Encouraged? "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours" --- except that he prayed and what happened?

• I could never pray like that
• Elijah was a super saint
• Why do we have James' record, then?

• encouragement
• ordinary people - extraordinary results

How?

Luke 11:1 "Lord, teach us to pray..." à it can be taught and learned

Read Luke 11:1-10

As you read this passage, note below why you think Jesus used the illustration He did in verses 5-8...

Prayer is not easy. It is a discipline that requires persistence.

"Ask" "seek" "knock" all in present tense à continuous or habitual action

Why does He tell us to keep on asking, seeking, knocking?

Why doesn't God answer our requests the first time?

As you close this study tonight, if this is your prayer, echo it to our Father: "Oh, Lord, to be honest I'm overwhelmed. I really wonder if I will ever be able to pray like Elijah! But, Lord, I want to learn. Teach me how to pray. Teach me the effective prayer of a righteous man that avails much. I'm going to ask and ask until it's mine. I know it's Your will. Thank You, therefore, for hearing this prayer that I ask in the name of Your Son. Amen"