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 Scripture, Meditation, and Application 1: In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Philippians 4:6). Prayer involves making requests to God with thanksgiving. We always have many reasons to be thankful and many needs to cast upon God, for He cares for us. Let us be ever thankful for God’s care and provision and take advantage of the privilege of prayer! 2: Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Christian’s life is to be marked by prayer. We are not to imagine that prayer is a 24/7/365 behavior; nevertheless it is to be a continual and habitual one. Let us ever turn to God in prayer! 3: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee” (Matthew 6:6). Much prayer is “private,” done by an individual by himself in an unassuming way. Such prayers ought to be a constant communication connection between God and man. Let us pray and seek God! 4: I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing (1 Timothy 2:8). There is a time for “public” prayer, when a man may lead himself and others in a prayer. This may be to give thanks for food, to begin or conclude an assembly, or for other reasons. Such prayers should fit their context. Let us find encouragement in corporate prayer!