What is Prayer?

Services

SunDAY: 9 AM Sunday School, 10:30AM Worship /TuesDAY 6 pm prayer/ WedNESDAY 6PM Bible study

Oct. 26, 2025

 Pastor Henry M. Boyd
 Psalm 4: 1-4
 prayer

Background:

  • Prayer is a way to connect with God and align our hearts to God
  • Men are to always pray (Luke 18:1)
  • It emphasizes the importance of prayer
  • God is our Father, a just God
  • It is absolutely necessary for men to persevere in prayer
  • The believer ought to develop consistency in prayer


Key Sermon Points:

1. Prayer is speaking with God

  • Jesus chose his disciples in the midst of prayer (Luke 6:12-16)
  • We have to stay in prayer
  • Prayer is speaking with God, we need to speak to God because we do not know what is coming next
  • The only way we can deal with it is if we talk to God
  • David pleaded to be heard by his righteous God
  • David appealed to God on God's righteousness
  • He didn't appeal to God on his own achievements
  • We have to do the same
  • He prayed for relief from his distress
  • We have to be honest with God
  • The word for relief means "an open place"
  • Mercy is God's tender compassion towards those who are conflicted
  • Sometimes we think God will not hear us because we have fallen short of His glory

2. Prayer is an awesome privilege

  • Prayer is our approach to God
  • We are to go boldly before God in prayer (Hebrew 4:16)
  • We have to know who we are because the Devil will try to discourage us
  • We are set apart for the service of the Lord, so be careful who you attack because it is an attack against the Lord
  • What makes prayer a privilege:
    • Prayer is the opportunity to speak with God
    • God is never busy

3. Prayer can change one's heart

  • Prayer can change one's heart/life/lifestyle
  • When we pray for our enemies, it puts us in position for a blessing
  • No believer is immune from trials and tribulations
  • Just because a believer is going through it, it doesn't mean it's because of sin... but God may be entrusting them to bring glory to His name
  • None of us have a right to complain when we are going through.. we ought to be praying and praising
  • In the midst of the storm, there is an oasis
  • When we are going through, we ought to pray first
  • God's grace is enough for us
  • All of us need to talk to God, without Him we have no direction