This topic can be found almost everywhere and in almost every denomination. But why is it that even if this topic is so common, we still need to discuss sermons on prayer or the importance of prayer itself? Why do we need to understand the importance of prayer in our Christian walk? Why do we need to have sermons on prayer?

Fret not! Because the answer to these questions can be found in this article. So, let us go through and discover what prayer is and what are the different sermons on prayer.

What is Prayer?

Prayer, in its simplest definition, is talking to God. It is the primary way for every believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to communicate to Him. Prayer is not a passive reflection or, just like what people say, a meditation. Instead, prayer is the way to directly address God.

It is like a mobile device that we use to communicate with and to our friends, families, and loved ones. In the same manner, we use prayer to communicate and express our concerns, desires, gratitude, and other matters to God. In other words, prayer is a natural reaction for every follower of Christ. Just like what happened in Luke 11:1 “Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

 

Why do we need to pray?

As mentioned earlier, prayer is the way for every believer in Christ to communicate to God. We pray to thank Him for all the things that He has done in our lives. We pray to express our praises, worship, and tell Him how much we love Him.

We can also consult with God through prayer –– ask for His wisdom to come to us and seek His guidance. With all of these, we can conclude that prayer is not just a form of communication to God, but also a way of having a fellowship with Him.

But let us remember that no matter what kind of prayer we do, we must do it in faith just like what James 1:6 says that “6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

Different Types of Prayer

It’s not a surprise that almost every person knows how to pray. But what most people don’t know is that there are different types of prayer. Knowing and understanding these different types will make our prayers more specific and purposive. Especially because through prayer, we are exercising our relationship with God.

  1. Supplication

This is the most common type of prayer that people do. It involves begging or asking God for something in the form of a plea. This type of prayer should be done earnestly through kneeling or bending down and should take total surrender to God.

  1. Petition and Intercession

This type of prayer is done or exercised when we pray for the needs of others and not for ourselves. We intercede and pray for God’s people and not be concerned about our own needs. This is because intercession makes us internalize God’s Word and enables us to exercise His power in praying for His people.

  1. Thanksgiving

This is the type of prayer that we use when we express gratitude for all the good things God has done in our lives. Expressing gratitude for having shelter, good health, food, shelter, employment, family, friends, and everything that God has done in you.

  1. Praise and Worship

This type of prayer acknowledges God that He is indeed God. It enables us to express that He is sovereign and Lord in our lives. It makes us show our love, admiration, and respect we have for Him. Although praise and worship can be done wherever we are, it is best practiced when we are inside the church with our fellow followers of Christ

  1. Spiritual Warfare

We all know that even though we are already followers of Christ, the enemy does not rest in taking us back to him. That is why this type of prayer is exercised when we deal with battles within ourselves and others. This specific type of prayer involves asking God and using His Word to protect us and the others from any attack of the enemy.

Having the proper understanding of the different types of prayer will enable us to be more purposive whenever we communicate to God through prayer. But how do we know that God will answer our prayers? It is by doing prayer in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

According to John 16:23 “23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.” This means that whatever type of prayer we ask God, He will answer it if it is done in the name of our Lord Jesus.

And according to Daniel 9:18 “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.” God answers our prayers not because we are good, but because He is merciful. This means that no matter how good or righteous we think we are, it’s not our characteristics that make God answer our prayer. Instead, it is His great mercy for us.

Sermons on Prayer for Your Ministry

Now that we understood what prayer is, why we need to pray, and what are the different types of prayer, let us now go through the different sermons of prayer that you can use in your ministry.

  1. Prayer should be done between two persons –– you and your God

Mark 1:35

“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

In this certain passage, we can see the example of Jesus of how prayer should be done. It should be in a solitary place where no one can disturb you. And should only involve you and your God.

  1. Do not abuse prayer for immoral requests

Matthew 6:7-8

“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore, do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you need of before you ask Him.”

James 4:3

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

These passages tell us that prayers should be done morally and righteously –– not to abuse God’s grace and mercy.

  1. Prayer should be made known

Philippians 4:6

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”

This very passage tells us that in everything, our prayers should be made known to God. Pray for your needs of survival, afflictions of sorrow, satisfaction, concerns for others, and most importantly, our thanksgiving to God.

  1. Prayers should be done in faith

James 1:6-8

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let, not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

This passage tells us that it is highly important to have faith whenever we pray. Because our faith will make us trust that God will answer, hear, and fulfill our prayers.

  1. Prayers are guided by the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:26-27

“Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

If you don’t know what to pray, you should not worry because this passage tells us that the Holy Spirit will guide us in our prayers. But this requires earnest and honest prayer to God. So, if we pray properly, God will undoubtedly give His Holy Spirit to guide us in our prayers.

Conclusion

The moment we received and followed Jesus Christ; prayer is one of the most important aspects in living our daily Christian life. As you grow your faith and as you go in your daily Christian walk, continue to live a prayerful life –– one that is in constant communication with God. And if you are a ministry, this article will help you grow your faith as well as your ministry.