You Asked For It

What Are Keys to Effective Prayer?

1. Prayer is                                          with God

   Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.
   Psalm 4:3

2. Prayer is an opportunity to bring our                      into line with                                               

   The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord. [23] Then Abraham approached him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? [24] What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?
   Genesis 18:22-24

   Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

   And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. [8] Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. [[9] "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] 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.' [14] For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
   Matthew 6:7-15

3. Prayer is                                and                                     (Matthew 6:7-8)

4. Prayer is                                          (Matthew 6:9)

5. Prayer recognizes God's                                          (Matthew 6:10a)

6. Prayer recognizes                 position (Matthew 6:10b)

7. Prayer demonstrates complete                                                    (Matthew 6:11, 12)

8. Prayer asks God for                                          (Matthew 6:13)

9. Prayer can be                                                         (Matthew 6:14-15)

There are no                                     to prayer -- Set aside                      and                      .