www.scatteredchristians.org
Another Sermon for the Starving Bible Believing Christians All Over the World Wide Web
2006 - Touchet Baptist Church, Touchet, Washington - Pastor Mike Paulson - 2006
Expounding the way of God more perfectly - Acts 18:26 - with the Scriptures Rightly Divided - II Timothy 2:15
Purpose of Prayer
Part I

Instead of Power of prayer, which is becoming more and more the unity factor and attracting power in the modern Chrisianity scene.

We have seen that there is no POWER in prayer.

But if no power, what is the purpose of prayer?

So, we will look at rightly divided prayer again.

First use definition shows that prayer is from the heart!  II Samuel 7:27; Genesis 12:13, etc.

Adding to the thought that there is no POWER to prayer, "so why pray" folks ask - remember Romans 8:26 - Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Now we really have to ask, "Why pray?"

Well, Here is Why!

Paul tells us to!
    Romans 12:12
    Philippians 1:9
    Philippians 4:6
    Colossians 4:2
    II Thessalonians 1:11
    II Thessalonians 3:1
    I Timothy 2:8

Phony Prayer Preachings
Now, let's remind ourselves how to spot the phony prayer preachings by understanding rightly dividing the word of truth!  These are NOT to us today - the are to the Jews in the gospels!
    Matthew 21:13 - house of prayer!
    Matthew 21:22 - believe and ye shall receive
    Matthew 6:9 - Lords' Prayer repeated over and over
    Matthew 23:14 - greater damnation - pretence make long prayer - (lawyers... Luke 11:46, 52)
    Mark 9:29 - by nothing, but by prayer and fasting
    Luke 6:12 - all night prayer power meetings
    Acts 1:14; 2:42 - unity brought about by prayer
    John 16:26 - asking in his name by saying 'in your name,' etc.
    James 5:14 - healed, anointing
    James 5:15 - prayer of faith save the sick
    James 5:16 - confessing faults - healing
    I Peter 3:7 - prayers hindered by being out of sorts with your wife
    I Peter 3:12 - do you see this one in action today?  Seems to be just the opposite!
    I Peter 4:7 - the end of all things...

Praying for people:
    Acts 12:5
    Romans 1:9
    Romans 15:30
    II Corinthians 1:11
    Philippians 1:4
    Colossians 4:12
    I Thessalonians 1:2
    I Timothy 2:1
    II Timothy 1:3
    Philemon 1:4

To be an answer to someone else's prayer
    Philemon 1:22