“LORD, TEACH ME TO PRAY”
PASTOR MARK JOHNSON
JANUARY 15, 2012



INTRO: How do we learn to pray fervently & effectively?

I. TEACH US TO PRAY (Lk. 11:1-13)

A. A Jesus follower asked Him to teach him to pray (v. 1).
1. Notice that prayer can be taught and learned.

B. Jesus said, “when you pray,… (v. 2a)” – not optional.
1. When you pray, say. Learn to pray audibly.

C. Five Prayer Focuses (vv. 2b-4):
1. Adoration (v. 2c),
2. Submission (v. 2d),
3. Petition (v. 3),
4. Repentance (v. 4a), and
5. Warfare (v. 4b).

D. God responds to persistent prayer (vv. 5-8)!

E. Persistent prayer works (vv. 9-10)!

F. Pray persistently for more of the Holy Spirit (vv. 11-13).
1. God won’t give you something else/harmful.

II. FROM DESIRE, TO DISCIPLINE, TO DELIGHT.
Generally a meaningful, fruitful prayer life progresses from desire, to discipline to delight.

A. DESIRE
1. We won’t pray much if we don’t want to pray.
2. Ask God for more of a desire for prayer.
3. Pray by faith and out of obedience, believing that as you do, God will increase your desire to pray.
4. MOTIVATIONS FOR PRAYER: Prayer works!

B. DISCIPLINE
1. At some point you just have to decide to pray.
2. You’ll have to set aside time to pray.
3. Choose a prayer time, length, place and plan.
4. Pray! Keep praying. The more you pray, the more you will want to pray. You can develop a prayer appetite.
5. Consider accountability and a prayer partner.

C. DELIGHT - Pray until prayer becomes a delight.
1. Even when prayer becomes a delight, you will need to continue to nurture desire and discipline.

III. THE EXAMPLE OF C.G. BEVINGTON:

IV. THE FIRST GREAT AWAKENING (Revival of 1735):

CONCLUSION: Pray: “Lord, teach me to pray.”