The Logic of Prayer

I. Introduction
   A. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
   B. We understand that we have been charged to pray
   C. But why?
      1. Are all prayers the same?
      2. Why do we take the time to pray?
      3. Why do we pray as we pray in the times that we pray?
   D. It is good for us to have a deeper understanding of prayer and 
      the logic of prayer

II. What is Prayer?
   A. It is always good to begin by defining "prayer"
   B. The Bible provides many definitions
      1. Romans 1:10: asking God
      2. 1 Corinthians 14:14-17: declaring our thankfulness to God
      3. Philippians 4:6: letting requests be known to God
   C. In short, prayer is communication with God
      1. A time to ask God for our necessities and for the needs of 
         others
      2. A time to thank God for His blessings
      3. A time we can cast our cares and anxieties upon Him 
         (1 Peter 5:7)

III. When Do We Pray?
   A. When shall we pray?
   B. Understanding 1 Thessalonians 5:17
      1. Paul says to "pray without ceasing"
      2. Many take this to mean that we should be praying in some 
         form 24/7/365
      3. But that is not the necessary understanding!
      4. To pray without ceasing can mean that or it can mean that we 
         should never stop praying-- we are in the habit of praying, 
         we consistently pray, we never cease the practice of prayer 
   C. Thus, we are to pray consistently and often, and never get out 
      of the habit
   D. How often is "consistently"?
      1. The Bible gives no specific definition of "without ceasing"
      2. We have plenty of examples to show, however, that Jesus, the
         Apostles, and early Christians were constantly in prayer 
         (Luke 5:16, Acts 1:14, 2:42, 3:1, 4:31, 12:5, 13:3, 14:25, 
         16:25, etc.)
      3. They prayed when together, when apart, in difficult 
         circumstances, when giving thanks-- they found reasons to 
         pray "in all circumstances" (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)
      4. However often we are in the habit of praying, there are no 
         doubt other opportunities we all can find to pray more!

IV. Circumstances of Prayer
   A. As with all communication, there are different times for 
      different types of speaking
      1. Public and private conversations tend to be different in 
         terms of intimacy and depth
      2. We say different things based upon different circumstances
   B. So it is with prayer-- not all prayer is going to be exactly 
      the same!
   C. "Private" Prayer
      1. We are all familiar with the idea of "private" prayer
      2. Between the one praying and God, no one else
      3. Done in a solitary place of some form, usually 
         (cf. Matthew 6:6)
      4. It represents the most intimate conversation between a 
         believer and his God
      5. Confession of sin (1 John 1:9)
      6. Casting care and anxieties upon God (1 Peter 5:7)
      7. Giving God thanks for all things (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)
      8. Petitions for personal needs (cf. Matthew 6:11)
      9. Petitions for needs of others (cf. Colossians 1:3, 4:3)
      10. Request for wisdom, strength (cf. Luke 21:36, James 1:5)
      11. Other similar things
   D. Circumstances of "private" prayer
      1. We can consider many times that we would pray privately
      2. In the morning or evening, to begin or end the day
      3. Before a stressful situation
      4. For safety before, during travel
      5. As a response to news
      6. If eating alone, before the meal
      7. And so on and so forth
      8. These prayers would often be appropriate to the situation
   E. "Public" Prayer
      1. There are other circumstances where prayer is done in public
      2. Matthew 6:5-7 not a denunciation of public prayer per se, but
         prayer done for pretense and show
      3. "Public" prayer tends to involve one man (1 Timothy 2:12) 
         speaking the prayer while everyone else participating in the 
         prayer directs their minds to God by the words of the prayer
      4. When that prayer is completed with "Amen," the participants 
         affirm their participation and approval of the prayer with 
         their own "Amen" (so be it; 1 Corinthians 14:16)
      5. Such prayers should be designed not just to thank God and 
         make requests for the needs of some or all of the group 
         (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:14-17), but also to build up those who
         are participating (1 Corinthians 14:26)
   F. Circumstances of "public" prayer
      1. The assembly-- prayer of thanksgiving, for the functions of 
         the assembly, the needs of those within it 
         (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:14-17)
      2. A shared meal-- prayer of thanksgiving, blessing of food 
         (cf. Matthew 26:26)
      3. An invocation for a meeting or some other function
      4. Family prayer, with and without children, for strengthening
         of family (cf. Ephesians 5:22-6:4)
      5. Other similar circumstances could be considered
   G. In all prayer, thanksgiving should be offered, and petitions 
      made to God (cf. Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18), but
      the content will vary based upon the situation

V. Conclusion
   A. We have seen the logic of prayer
      1. Prayer as communication with God
      2. Consistent, constant communication
      3. Thanksgiving and requests preeminent
      4. Specific functions vary according to circumstances
   B. Let us devote ourselves to prayer, thanking God for blessings, 
      and being continually in communication with Him!
   C. Invitation/songbook