Pray First: The Priority of Prayer

Matthew 6:25-33 (NIV) “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body…  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the flowers of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  

A.  He loves and values us.

B.  He knows exactly what we need.

C.  He desires to give those things to us.

1 Samuel 30:1-6 (NLT) Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag; they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and Ziklag; they had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground. 2 They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone. 3 When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, 4 they wept until they could weep no more. 5 David’s two wives…were among those captured. 6 David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him.  But David found strength in the Lord his God. 

What was the main difference between David and his men on that day?

A.  “Well, I believe God is sovereign, so I don't think my prayers can really make a difference 

       anyways.  So why should I pray?” 

B.  ”God has too much on His plate to be bothered by my little ole requests.” 

C.  ”I would like to pray, but I feel unworthy to talk with God.” 

D.  “I would pray, but I think it is so boring.” 

E.  “I wish I could pray, but I just don’t have enough time.” 

F.  “I don't know how to pray.” 

Acts 2:42 (NLT) All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.  

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV) pray without ceasing 

11 Reasons Why We Should Make Prayer A Priority

1.  Connects us with God

-He prayed in private (Mt. 14:23)

-He prayed in public (Jn. 11:41-42)

-He prayed before choosing His disciples (Luke 6:12-13)

-He prayed before healing people (Mark 7:34-35)

-He prayed after healing people (Lk 5:13-16)

-He prayed when feeding the 5,000 (Jn. 6:11)

-He prayed before He was arrested in the garden (Lk. 22:39-41)

-He prayed on the cross (Mt. 27:45)

2.  Meets our needs

Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 

Philippians 4:19 (NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

3.  Comforts us in difficult times

4.  Forgives our sins

1 John 1:9 (NIV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

5.  Strengthens us in time of temptation

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV) This, then, is how you should pray:  “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, 10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

6.  Guides us 

7.  Protects our hearts from fear and anxiety 

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares for you.

8.  Gives us courage and confidence

9.  Heals us

10.  Gives the power of the Holy Spirit 

Luke 11:13 (NIV) …how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! 

11.  Allows us to partner with Him to change the world